Skip to main content

When this disc glows red, you know you’re using too much water

Water bills can be a bit of a mystery. Just what’s putting a drain on your wallet? The dishwasher? Your 20-minute showers? The sprinklers? Barcelona startup Oasys is the latest company that wants to give you an insight into your H2O usage. While it won’t quite give you that level of detail, it is designed to help you track your usage before you open your bill, so you can adjust your habits accordingly.

Similar to another recent Kickstarter, Fluid, the Oasys has a sensor that fits around the outside of your water main, so you don’t need to take apart any pipes. But the Oasys goes a step further with a second device that visually illustrates how much water you’re using.

The dinner plate-esque disc has a white ring encircling a touchscreen. That screen displays all sorts of information, like how much water you’ve used that week compared to last, your consumption history, and water usage for similar homes. Local weather data and water reserve levels are also available with the swipe of a finger. It will also issue alerts and glow red when you’ve used too much water or a if there’s a possible leak. You’ll also eventually get notifications on your smartphone, though no apps are available yet.

Another way the Oasys differs from the Fluid is that it doesn’t detect the different “signatures” for your appliances, sinks, and so on. In that way, Fluid lets you know which devices are using the most water, but it still ties you to your smartphone. It’d be nice to see that capability in an easier-to-see format.

It has yet to meet its funding goal, with 10 days to go, and you can pick up the Oasys for the early-bird price of $202. If they do manage to raise the rest of the funds, the device should ship in May 2016.

Editors' Recommendations

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Are robotic pool cleaners worth it?
The Airper Seagull SE robotic pool cleaner at the bottom of a swimming pool.

The worst part of owning a swimming pool is taking care of it From filter maintenance and skimming debris from the surface to managing chemicals and more, you'll likely find yourself hanging out around the water more often than you're actually in the water. Robotic pool cleaners are designed to alleviate this pinch point of pool ownership by giving you back your time and automating most of your tasks.

But are robotic pool cleaners worth it, or are they a gimmick that still require heaps of manual input? Here's a closer look to help you decide if one would be a good addition to your backyard.
Budget-friendly devices are often a hassle

Read more
Best Buy cut this air fryer’s price in half, down to just $25
The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer near food.

If you want your food crispy all over without having to deal with draining a ton of oil, your best bet is to use an air fryer. They're never too expensive and there are always great air fryer deals going on, but you'll rarely find one with a price like this. Right now, the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Analog Air Fryer is half off, moving its price from $50 to $25. To pick yours up today all you need to do is tap the button below. If you're interested in our take, however, be sure to keep reading.

Why you should buy the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer
The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer holds up to about 2.5 pounds of food, heats up to 400 degrees, and has easily-removable dishwasher-safe parts. If you notice it is "analog" that is because it has a 60 minute shut off timer to give you peace of mind and an easy way to time your cooking. Of course, this means there aren't a ton of digital options, buttons, and settings. However, this can be a plus for some and possibly you. Not every item in the home needs to be "smart" and less can certainly feel like more.

Read more
Revolution Cooking’s high-speed smart toaster is $100 off today
Someone using the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster in the kitchen.

If you're thinking about getting a new toaster for your kitchen, why not go with a high-speed smart toaster? Best Buy is currently selling the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster with a $100 discount, slashing its price to $250 from $350 originally. There's no telling how much time is remaining before this offer expires though, so if you're interested, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase right now in order to secure the savings.

Why you should buy the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster
Are smart kitchen gadgets worth it? The answer is a resounding yes, and the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster will show you why. With this kitchen device, you'll no longer suffer from burnt or uneven toasts as it's powered by the brand's InstaGLO heating system. The technology will start toasting your bread in just two seconds without any need for preheating. You'll get bread that's crunchy outside and moist inside every single time, which is a huge upgrade over the inconsistencies of traditional toasters.

Read more