Since those awkward teenage years the bathroom has been a safe place for individuals of the male persuasion: a private room to get on with your private business; a retreat from the family; an oasis from the outside world. More than simply a place to sh*t and shower, the bathroom is now a high-tech wonderland that can be calibrated and tricked out to your specifications and desires.

So throw out your ratty old bathmat and join us as we look at the top 12 devices that will create the high-tech bathroom of your dreams.

#1 Smart Toilet

Nicknamed the throne room, it only seems appropriate the bathroom should be outfitted with an impressive, state-of-the-art, toilet. Smart toilets have come a long way from the days when automatic lid and sensor flush applications seemed remarkable (remember how futuristic these seemed just a decade ago?).

Heated seats, Bluetooth compatibility and built-in bidets are just the beginning. You can even treat yourself to a built-in air dryer, which we can only assume would be totally invigorating in the morning and makes the entire process virtually hands-free. The sky’s the limit when it comes to these smart toilets, which offer self-deodorising systems, LED lighting and self-cleaning mechanisms.

#2 Waterproof TV

Waterproof TVs are the ultimate in bathing decadence. Totally unnecessary yet entirely desirable, more and more water and splash-proof TVs and entertainment systems are entering the bathroom.

#3 Vanity Mirror TV

If a waterproof TV isn’t for you, perhaps a vanity mirror TV is. These devises utilise the latest LED technology, while remaining functional (they appear to be ordinary mirrors when not in TV mode). You can enjoy a split screen of yourself shaving and a game of footy.

#4 LED Showerhead

LED showerheads add a romantic ambience to your bathing routine. The LED lights built in to the showerhead change colour depending on water temperature. You can also find LED taps that work in the same way and feature sensor technology to minimise water wastage and guards against germy tap handles.

#5 Electronic Mirror Defoggers

Just enjoyed a steamy shower for two and want to admire your companion in the vanity mirror? Sounds good to us too, except for that annoying fog that lingers and makes naked admiration impossible, not to mention the hassle of shaving in a steamed-up mirror. Now you can bypass these bothers by using specialised mirrors with defogging technology.

#6 Towel Warming Drawer Or Rail

Avoid mid-winter after-shower shrinkage with a warming drawer or rail for towels. We prefer the drawer variety, as they are safer for those with kids about and provide better overall heating.

#7 App-Controlled Bathroom

Smart phones rule our lives, and now they can rule the bathroom. There are a number of systems available that are controlled via an App on your phone or iPad/tablet. This means you can turn on the shower from bed to ensure the perfect temperature every time. You can also adjust the lighting, heating and music streamed through bathroom speakers. It seems the only thing these Apps can’t do is go to the toilet for you.

#8 Sensor Lighting

Sensor lighting in the bathroom is ideal for those who make nocturnal toilet stops. It eliminates stumbling in the dark and bodily fluids ending up where they shouldn’t while saving on electricity (they turn off automatically when the bathroom is vacant).

#9 Stereo & Sound System

There are a number of ways you can enjoy the radio, your favourite playlist or that audio book you’ve been meaning to listen to, and certain showerheads double as waterproof speakers with Bluetooth capability. Another alternative is in-ceiling speakers, which generally provide better sound quality and reach.

#10 Digital Shower Controls

Ordinary taps and knobs are so 2015. In 2016 it’s all about digital controls, with LCD shower panels that allow you to better control your showering experience. Adjust temperature more accurately, dim the lights, change the music or alter the water flow and steam options.

#11 Hands-Free Soap Dispenser

Germophobes rejoice. Hands-free soap dispensers are the latest in high-tech sanitation. The old hand-pump system has always seemed counterproductive to us, so ditch the pump and opt for a hands-free solution.

#12 Electric Privacy Glass

The post 12 Ways To Create An Impressive Hi-Tech Bathroom appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Samsung is set to release their latest flagship Galaxy Note7 which will come with a cool new security feature – retinal scanning.

The new smartphone from the Korean manufacturer will boast the same hardware credentials as its stylus-equipped predecessor in the Note5 but will add practical features such as waterproofing to the list.

The iris scanner will no doubt be the most welcome addition to the phone as it will help alleviate increasing security concerns of today’s digital world. The scanner can be used to unlock the phone whilst serving a more important role in Samsung Pass.

The scanner works by using an infra-red camera lens installed in the front face of the phone. When unlocked users can access a secure folder designed to store sensitive documents, banking apps and more. It will take just less than a second for the scanner to identify a registered face, making things like fingerprint scanning look obsolete. Samsung Pay transactions can also be authenticated via the new retinal technology.

The iris scanner has been in development for almost five years and will accompany the ultra quick Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM and wireless charing. There’s also a crispy 12-megapixel camera complete with microSD card expansion, extended battery life and 64GB of internal storage.

The new Note7 will arrive in Australia on August 19 and retail for $1,349. Samsung Pay will also be available on the phone which comes in four different colours including black, silver, gold and blue.

The post Samsung's New Galaxy Note7 Boasts Eye-Scanning Technology appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Or is it through his brain? Most of us don’t realise just how much our diets affect our moods, beyond coffee = happy and all work and no food makes Johnny a dull boy.

According to psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, author of Eat Complete, nutritional deficiencies and dietary mistakes often have a profound effect on his patients’ cognition, and what you eat could be affecting your brain in the same way.

Here are a few foods you can eat that Ramsey believes will really make your brain work better.

#1 Colourful Vegetables

“You want to look at your plate and see colours. You want to see greens and red and oranges because each of those colours represent a different phytonutrient, a different pallet of medicine, as it were,” says Ramsey. If your plate is all beige, brown and white, you’re probably not getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need for your brain to function at its peak.

#2 Oily Fish

Seafood fan? Well you’re onto a good thing. “If you think about it, every molecule in your brain starts at the end of your fork,” says Ramsey. When it comes to the molecules your brain needs, it’s all about omega-3 fats, and DHA in particular. “DHA is actually what brain cells are made of,” says Ramsey. You can find DHA in all kinds of seafood, but small oily fish like sardines and anchovies are packed full of the stuff.

#3 Cashews & Clams

It’s a given that a diet low on iron can make you feel sluggish and dull, but red meat isn’t the only source of this key nutrient. Ramsey points out that cashews and even clams are also high in iron. In fact, shellfish is jam-packed with B12 and zinc, which are also brain-loving nutrients.

The post What You Should Eat To Make Your Brain Happy appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Flossing: the scourge of the oral hygiene world and now, perhaps, one of the most pervasive lies the planet has ever known.

Daily flossing has long been promoted as key to the prevention of gum disease and cavities. There’s just one problem. According to a major investigation by the Associated Press, there’s little scientific proof that it actually does anything.

“The AP looked at the most rigorous research conducted over the past decade, focusing on 25 studies that generally compared the use of a toothbrush with the combination of toothbrushes and floss. The findings? The evidence for flossing is ‘weak, very unreliable,’ of ‘very low’ quality, and carries ‘a moderate to large potential for bias,’” the news service reports.

Major organisations like the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology say flossing is critical to dental health, but the AP found that the studies used to back up this claim are marred by various major flaws (outdated methods and insufficient sample sizes, for instance). Other studies are designed and paid for by companies that sell floss, which is problematic for reasons it shouldn’t take one of the world’s most respected news agencies to sniff out.

This year the U.S. government dropped flossing from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for the first time since it was included in 1979. In a letter to the AP, the government acknowledged the effectiveness of flossing had never been researched, as required for inclusion in the guidelines.

Many are now wondering if we have been strung along by a flossing fable for years, and you may already be itching to oust the minty-waxed from your medicine cabinet.

Not so fast. US National Institutes of Health dentist Tim Iafolla agrees that science doesn’t yet adequately support flossing, but he remains in favour of regular between-teeth string cleanings. “It’s low risk, low cost,” he said. “We know there’s a possibility that it works, so we feel comfortable telling people to go ahead and do it.”

The post Dentists May Have Been Lying About Flossing This Whole Time appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Okay, so you spent most of the day falling flat on your arse instead of carving white powder with your board, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t spending your Australian ski holiday correctly. Ever heard of après-ski?

The French term, which literally translates to ‘after skiing’, basically refers to the entertainment, nightlife and social events that occur specifically at ski resorts. It’s also the perfect excuse to put your terrible effort on the slopes behind you and get stuck into some good old fashioned drinking culture.

Luckily, this is something the Australians have mastered, and as such, there are plenty of cool après-ski bars where you can wet your whistle without getting frostbite. Check out 8 of the best, below.

#1 Lounge Bar, Thredbo

Located inside the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, the resort’s Lounge Bar is the perfect place to kick back and relax post-ski. Known as the ‘home of cocktails and live music’, Lounge Bar features nightly cocktail specials, a cosy fireplace to thaw your beard, lots of lush lounges (as the name suggests) and an impressive roll call of live musical acts.

#2 Feathertop Restaurant & Tapas Bar, Falls Creek

If you’ve opted for a skiing trip to Victoria’s picturesque Falls Creek, then Feathertop Restaurant and Tapas Bar is a must-try. Here you can enjoy fine French dining in a beautiful alpine setting along with a comprehensive wine selection, or take a seat in the bar for a drop before dinner.

#3 Schuss Bar, Thredbo

Thredbo’s Schuss Bar is the place to be if you haven’t run out of energy post-ski. Whether you’re keen to watch all the latest sports action and rehash the best runs of the day, or turn it up with high energy live music from Groove Academy, Schuss Bar is the perfect place to blow off some steam. It’s also best known for its ‘themed nights’ held every second Sunday, featuring beats from DJ P-Ranch and prizes for best dressed. Coming up this month is a ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ themed night and September will see locals party in double denim.

#4 Stingray @ QT Hotel, Falls Creek

QT Hotel has brought its signature look and feel to the slopes of Falls Creek with Stingray, a 1950’s-inspired bar that takes on old ski lodge favourites. At Stingray you can settle into designer furniture to admire the slopes or be tempted by a cocktail, perfect for pouring over the days skiing. As for dress code? Prepare to channel your inner ‘aspen chic’ at this Falls Creek hotspot.

#5 Apres Bar, Thredbo

If only walls could talk. Apres Bar has become a tried and true Thredbo favourite over the years with its reputation for incredible live music, quirky cocktails and an eclectic spirits selection. Smack bang in the middle of Thredbo’s village square, Apres Bar is the perfect place to warm up with a schnapps in winter, or soak up the sun on the balcony in summer.

#6 Rundells Alpine Lodge, Mt Hotham

Find apres-ski bliss in the lap of luxury at Rundells Alpine Lodge in Victoria’s, Mount Hotham. Located inside Peppers Resort, Rundells Alpine Lodge is the ideal place to settle in, warm up by the fire, sink into a huge lounge, grab a local wine and enjoy the rustic alpine charm.

#7 Mumm Poolside, Thredbo

Step away from the snow and into the famous after-slopes scene at Australia’s only alpine outdoor poolside après venue. Thredbo has most recently teamed up with G.H. Mumm Champagne for the ultimate European Après experience in the snowy mountains, featuring DJs, an outdoor heated pool and spa, crackling fire pits and plenty of booze on tap.

#8 Heller Keller, Thredbo

If you really want to let your hair down on your next ski trip, Thredbo’s Heller Keller is your new favourite. In fact, winter 2016 is going to be huge for the club, with the SKYY Vodka Full Moon Party running until September 17th and a skate night every Thursday, both promising hot DJ sets, drinks specials and an epic dance floor.

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The latest raging bull to roll out of Sant’Agata is the limited edition homage to Lamborghini‘s 100th anniversary known as the Centenario.

Boasting 759hp and limited to just 40 examples, the latest flagship car will celebrate founder Ferrucio Lamborghini’s 100th birthday whilst also serving as a farewell to the outgoing CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, who debuted the car at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show.

The Lamborghini Centenario is built off the Aventador LP-750-4 SuperVeloce platform but features a host of performance enhancements such as lightweight carbon body panels, an extra dosage of power and a rear-wheel-steering system. There’s also a killer colour scheme too might we add, breathing new life into the meaning of ‘killer bee’.

Lamborghini R&D chief Maurizio Reggiani and co. recently took the big V12 for a shakedown at Italy’s Nardo test track. The result? The video you see before you. Turn it up and be in awe of a car which can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds before topping out at 350km/h.

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Is your bathroom merely a space to get clean and take a peek in the mirror before getting stuck into the daily grind? Well, we have news for you. While you’ve been showering in the confines of tacky frosted glass and cleaning grout out of boring square tiles, the interior designers of today are a million miles ahead.

Domain spoke to some of Australia’s most forward-thinking designers to get their take on the 8 bathroom trends that are making a splash in 2016. Here’s what they had to say.

#1 Back To Nature

Apparently, recent bathroom trade shows in Paris and Milan were big on the ‘natural material trend’. “Natural stone and timber will appear more and more in bathrooms. Timber vanities, seats and accessories showing timber grain will become more prevalent. Timber will be more often used for bathroom floors and even in taps,” says designer Katrina Malyn, of building design company Design Projector. “Make sure you bring in some earthy elements to balance the space out…Greenery, whites and a patterned tile work beautifully with tactile timber surfaces.”

#2 Black & White

The monochrome look isn’t only timeless, it’s relatively easy to achieve, whether you’re just updating your towel collection, adding a new soap dispenser or going for a total bathroom revamp. “The white Carrara marble look, but in porcelain tile, is incredibly popular and will continue to do so for 2016,” says interior designer and decorator Jane Gorman. “The beauty of the porcelain tile is that it doesn’t absorb like marble and is maintenance-free. It will give you the luxury and glamorous look without the price tag.” Gorman also recommends black velvet ottomans with sexy crystal light fittings if you’re really going for that monochrome-luxe look.

#3 Bold Brass

Newsflash: brass is totally on trend this season when it comes to fitting out your bathroom. “With either a beautiful light fitting, candle or even a shower caddy. Injecting metallics into a bathroom gives off such a glamorous, warm feel,” says Freedom’s interior decorator Clare Barnes. Most designers are steering clear of chrome this season and opting for black, pewter, brass or aged brass tapware instead.

#4 Moroccan Living

Take yourself on a little trip to Morocco next time you visit the bathroom. If you’re keen on the patterned floor tiles and plain wall tiles reminiscent of Morocco this season, your go-to piece should apparently be Moroccan Tadelakt. “This is a seamless waterproof render you can use in showers and even form baths from. The result is soft and luminous, a bit like the inside of a seashell. I find it creates a much more relaxed feel than tiled walls with grids of grout,” says Sarah Davison.

#5 Plenty Of Pattern

This season, patterns are becoming richer. “We are slowly going away from minimalist all-white simple form. As always happens in times of economic stagnation and downturn, people resort to brighter colours and busier patterns to introduce some variety and movement into their daily life. We will see playful combinations of materials, patterns and sizes,” says Malyn. One designer suggested using small rugs like kilims or cow hides instead of bath mats, but we’re not too sure about the practicality of that.

#6 Hexagonal Tiles

Swear by square tiles? Well you’re a square yourself. This season is all about the hexagonal look. “From small mosaics to larger and bolder hexagons used for feature walls…the success of hexagonal tiles comes from the organic shape that catches the eye and creates various associations, from animals’ carapace and skin patterns to snowflakes and minerals,” says Malyn.

#7 Balanced Lighting

If you’ve been showering beneath a fluorescent spotlight lately, you may be in need of a refresh. Low-voltage lighting and even circular skylights are big for 2016. “A balance of natural, task and mood lighting is important in bathrooms for functionality and atmosphere,” says Davison.

#8 Arty Farty

Bathrooms are just as important for showcasing art as any other room in your house, according to the experts. “I always hang art and style the room so it feels inviting to spend time there rather than just somewhere to shower and brush your teeth,” says Davison.

The post 8 Cool Bathroom Trends Making A Splash In 2016 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Instagram has witnessed the global phenomenon of Snapchat and today the Facebook-owned photo sharing company has introduced Stories to challenge this.

The feature which comes with the latest Instagram update will allow users to add text, emojis and draw with coloured markers to edit a photo which follows closely with the functionality of Evan Spigel-Kerr’s own photo app. Whether or not Stories will be a success is still to be seen, but it appears they’re playing catchup with the popularity of a social media app which doesn’t require the curated attentiveness of Instagram.

This factor alone is pushing more users of Instagram onto Snapchat with the former uploaders often telling their followers to see more of the content on their Snapchat account.

Instagram have already borrowed some of Snapchat’s ideas in the past with features such as Live Moments which was introduced last October. Facebook meanwhile launched two of their own self-destructing message platforms. The app’s strategic move towards less permanent content arrives just after Snapchat debuted its intuitive Memories feature which sends a user’s Snaps into the cloud, allowing them to access them again at their desire.

The post Instagram Is Going After Snapchat With Latest Feature appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

After Kanye West‘s recent visit to the furniture giant’s headquarters in Sweden, rumours were running wild about the controversial rapper’s next entrepreneurial move.

Alas, it was not to be with IKEA coming out today with a response to Kanye’s expression of collaborative interest. No thanks, Yeezy. An IKEA representative on CNBC said on Monday that the Swedish furniture company was “flattered by Kanye West’s high interest,” but were not looking to “collaborate at this point in time.”

IKEA Australia on the other hand were a bit more open to the idea, posting the below to their Facebook:

The tongue-in-cheek Facebook post appeared to be a sly jab at Kanye’s song, Famous, along with a very basic set of drawers bearing the ‘Yeezy’ name. Punters probably shouldn’t take the mock-up manual too seriously.

Previously West has expressed his deep desire to branch out of fashion design, telling BBC Radio One’s Annie Mac that, “I have to work with IKEA – make furniture for interior design, for architecture.”

True to Yeezy’s self-loving form, the rapper went on a tangent by saying he’d create a space where students would thrive in “a minimalist apartment inside of a college dorm”.

“Yo IKEA, allow Kanye to create, allow him to make this thing because you know what, I want a bed that he makes, I want a chair that he makes – I want more products from Ye,” West added.

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