Ensure Your Tech Devices Stay Clean And Smudge-Free Around Campus With Whoosh! Screen Shine

According to a recent study, the average college student now owns roughly 6.8 tech devices. However, unlike a few years ago, when technology remained mostly stationary within a dorm room, today’s devices are completely mobile, accompanying students to class, the gym, library, and cafeteria–often gathering dirt, grime, and bacteria each step of the way. In fact, recent studies have shown that cell phones can become dirtier than toilet seats if they are not cleaned properly and frequently. That’s why, to help keep these devices hygienic throughout the day, it is essential to clean them with the non-toxic, alcohol-free WHOOSH! Screen Shine.

“There’s no doubt that mobile technology has made the lives of students easier,” said Jason Greenspan, President and CEO of WHOOSH! Screen Shine. “However, when you bring your laptop to class, tablet to the gym, and phones out with you at night, they naturally become coated with dirt, grime, oils, and bacteria. Luckily, WHOOSH! Screen Shine not only offers a way to clean and shine your dirty devices but one that is entirely safe and non-toxic.”

Leveraging the latest advancements in formula development, WHOOSH! is specifically developed to be a safe yet powerful cleaning solution that cleans screens and devices — making them shine like new while leaving an ultra-thin invisible coating that provides a resistance to dirt build-up, smudges, and fingerprints.

WHOOSH! does not contain alcohol, acids, ammonia, chlorine, petroleum distillates, phosphates or volatile organic compounds. Additionally, each package of WHOOSH! comes with a special cloth that has been treated with an antimicrobial agent to protect the fabric and mobile device screens against scuffs and scratches while cleaning.

WHOOSH! Screen Shine comes in three sizes: The Pocket (.3 fluid ounces), On-The-Go (1 fluid ounce), and Duo+ (one 3.4 fluid ounces and one .3 fluid ounces), allowing you to store a small bottle (.3 or 1 fluid ounce) in your accessory bag, book bag, or gym bag while leaving the larger bottle (3.4 fluid ounces) in your dorm room.

“By offering WHOOSH! in three sizes, all conducive to the on-the-go college lifestyle, we ensure that students can quickly, easily, and safely clean their devices, regardless of where they are on campus or what they’re doing,” said Greenspan.

WHOOSH! Screen Shine is available for purchase at Best Buy, Target, and at more than 2,500 Walmart stores, as well as in Staples Canada, Canadian Tire, and Shoppers Drug Mart stores. WHOOSH! can also be purchased on Amazon.com and at www.whoosh.com.

WHOOSH! Screen Shine made its debut at CES 2014 where it became the only screen and device cleaner to be awarded two coveted CES Innovations Design & Engineering Awards. WHOOSH! is also a Family Choice Award winner, one of the most coveted, family-friendly consumer award programs in the nation, recognizing the finest products and services that enrich the lifestyles of children and families.

WHOOSH! Appoints Antimicrobial Expert Dr. Curtis White to Serve as Technical Advisor

Reinforcing its commitment to develop the industry’s best tech hygiene solutions, WHOOSH! today announced the appointment of Dr. Curtis White, PhD to serve as a Technical Advisor to the company. Specializing in antimicrobial agents, Dr. White brings to his new role more than 50 years of experience in biochemistry, inventing, developing, and commercializing various chemicals and formulations.

“We are honored to have Dr. White join our team,” WHOOSH! CEO Jason Greenspan said today. “Curt has been working in biochemistry laboratories since 1962, and has, as a result, a detailed understanding of the science. His expertise will help us to develop the next generation of cleaning solutions that are required by today’s mobile consumer who is increasingly dependent on mobile devices to stay informed and entertained.”

White comes to WHOOSH! after co-founding ÆGIS Environmental Management, a global supplier of solutions to microbial problems in buildings, enclosed transportation units, and consumer and medical textiles including wound care products and construction materials. The company was recognized for its antimicrobial activities focused under the Aegis Microbe Shield Brand serving major retailers and brand name companies. ÆGIS Environmental Management was acquired by Microban International in 2012.

Prior to that, White spent eleven years at Dow Corning, guiding the technical activities for SYLGARD® Antimicrobial Treatment. During this time, White published more than fifteen trade journal articles, seven peer reviewed papers, five chapters in books, produced two video tapes, delivered thirty-five major addresses at technical and trade conferences, and wrote multiple product guides and case histories. White was responsible for the global expansion of the SYLGARD product line and was instrumental in the launching of the SYLGARD/BIOSIL business in Japan and Korea.

White also served as General Manager of the Micronic Filtration Division at machine tool company F. Joseph Lamb. While at F. Joseph Lamb, White was responsible for the development of an industrial filtration business that allowed for the removal of micron sized particles and, by use of proper chemical controls, extended the life of the metalworking fluids almost indefinitely.  

During his time as a researcher at Dow Chemical, White studied the invention of new industrial antimicrobials, understanding their toxicology and utility, and the development of sophisticated analytical techniques. White was responsible for a variety of bench and customer activities in the field of industrial microbiology. He was instrumental in the development of test techniques in the area of the paint preservatives, paint film mildewcides, marine antifoulants, metalworking fluid preservatives, and cooling tower slimicides.  

“With experience in organic chemistry and inorganic chemicals, Curt has experience in all phases of product-feature development and commercialization,” Greenspan added. “Curt will be working with management and the Technical Advisory Board to referee new products and business opportunities.”

Majoring in biology, chemistry, and education, White holds a B.S. degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from Central Michigan University. White has been recognized by the Central Michigan University College of Science and Technology as a distinguished alumnus and sits on the alumni advisory board and executive board of Central Michigan University. 

Homeowner's Backyard Amphitheater Brings Creativity to the Community

Larger and larger outdoor entertainment systems have been on the rise in recent years, and California is naturally one of the most robust markets for serious installations. One homeowner in Southern California has raised the bar for summer cookouts by thinking pretty far outside the box and turning his outdoor living space into a nearly-commercial level amphitheater with a custom-built 220-inch motorized projection screen (18 feet!), 20 speakers, fully automated landscape lighting and a performance stage with 10 inputs that connect to a mixing board inside. If that weren’t enough, there’s also a 15-foot-tall LED-lit sculpture of a question mark intended to indulge meditation in the front yard. Talk about unique!

“I wanted to create a space where the community could come together, where we could hold events and where my son could really get creative with his friends,” the homeowner said. “The last event we held was a children’s charity benefit where we hosted about 200 people. We had bands play on the stage, and we can broadcast through every speaker both inside and outside the house. It’s been really great, and it allows us to have fun without stressing because it’s so easy to use. Everything is basically plug-and-play, and any adjustments are easy to make with the ELAN g! mobile app on my iPhone or iPad. My son has been using it since he was 6 years old.”

The story starts two years ago when the owner had an ELAN g! system installed inside the home to run multi-room audio and five surveillance cameras. Since then he and his integrator AM House have expanded the system to include automated lighting indoors and in the landscape, where there are six zones split between different levels as the property descends down the hillside, plus the entire amphitheater setup, the spa controls and a total of 20 professional-grade Niles outdoor speakers in multiple zones.

“This is one of the coolest backyards I’ve ever seen, let alone designed and installed,” said Justin Brees, owner of electronics integration firm AM House. “Between the custom-made Vutec projection screen, the super-bright 3600 lumen Optima 1080p projector and the Niles speakers and ELAN control, it’s more like a commercial entertainment space than a backyard. Having a stage to hold performances and play them throughout the entire property was a really cool idea and we were able to make it all very simple to operate with the ELAN system.”

While the homeowner has to be mindful of windy conditions when going to watch a movie on the awe-inspiring 18-foot projection screen, the opportunities for enjoying this incredible outdoor space are nearly limitless. From viewing summer movies and fall football games to arranging concerts and throwing parties, it’s a very impressive yet inviting space for the whole community, or for him and his son to enjoy a quiet night.

“All this is possible because of the stellar job that Jose Bermeo, the main builder on this job, did bringing my vision to life,” the owner added. “I knew what I wanted, and I hoped it was possible, but both Jose and Justin really knocked it out of the park with the execution. To me this is part home improvement, part community building and part gift to my son. And for two years it’s been a work-in-progress because I keep finding new things I want the system to do or new subsystems to integrate, so I’m sure this isn’t the last of it. It might be a unique space as far as technology goes, but for me and my son it’s really a way to fully enjoy the beautiful area we live in with our friends and the community.”

The family controls the whole system through the ELAN g! mobile app on iPhones and iPads, which allows them to set all the lighting levels for the six landscape zones, the volume for the eight indoor zones and five outdoor zones, and to control up the spa and projection system. It’s about as simple as it could be, and that was a core requirement for the project. After all, a party space this cool makes you want to have fun, not tinker with settings and knobs all night.

“I imagine this backyard is the envy of the neighborhood,” Brees added, “and rightfully so! As he said, this is an ongoing project, so I’m sure we'll be adding more cool features over time and that’s why it’s such a good thing we used the ELAN system – it’s easy to expand and easy to use. That’s one of the reasons I stick with ELAN for my business, because it allows my clients to start with a small system and grow it over time.”

The brain of the system is an ELAN controller, and audio is run through an ELAN 16-channel amplifier. There are Niles in-ceiling speakers throughout the home and Niles OS outdoor speakers on the patio and in the landscaping.  The room with the mixing board features four studio monitors. The Jandy spa controls connect seamlessly with the ELAN system, allowing for full mobile control of the temperature, on/off and other settings.

How Can You Get Your Installation on Two Cable TV Shows? Install the Largest ELAN g! System Ever!

How do you get your home or technology installation featured on national television? Make it enormous, make it impressive and create an original house that blows people away. Having recently appeared on both Discovery Channel’s “Clash of the Ozarks” and Sportsman Channel’s “Amazing America with Sarah Palin,” this Arkansas residence has many unique and luxurious features, including the largest ELAN g! system ever installed, according to installer Ryan Heringer of Sound Concepts. 

“Working on a project of this magnitude can attract a lot of attention,” Heringer said, “and now that pop culture has caught up with control technology to the point where everyone knows what it is, there are real media opportunities with a project like this. The home itself is truly astounding. The windows, the floors, the walkways, the immense space inside; it’s all pretty incredible to walk through. A 43,000 square foot house tends to create an impression, and when the whole house can be operated from an iPhone through ELAN g!, it’s something people are excited to hear about.”

When Heringer says ‘the whole house’, he really means it. There are a lot of rooms, and there are a lot of TVs and speakers, video zones and audio zones to accompany those rooms. There are nearly 30 TVs from Samsung and Sharp models, three surround systems including a 7.2 home theater with an Epson 3D projector and Dragonfly screen, 26 distinct video zones with 14 available video sources, more than 30 audio zones with 12 available sources including an incredible pool audio system with six Episode subwoofers, more than 300 fully controllable lighting loads, an HAI security system, 24 surveillance cameras, an HAI HVAC system with 12 zones and nine controlled garage doors. Beyond the AV, the ELAN system integrates the driveway gate that is more than 1,000 feet away from the house, the waterfalls and lighting control for the Playboy Mansion-like pool, and commercial-grade Wi-Fi throughout the entire property.

“The system reaches into every nook and cranny of the house, from the gym to the gun storage vault to the landscaping, where there are 25 speakers alone,” Heringer continued. “When your home is this vast it’s necessary to have a way to manage it all, and simply walking around on foot to make sure all the lights and TVs are off just isn’t feasible. With ELAN g! the owners can see everything at a glance on any iPhone, iPad or one the more than 40 ELAN touchscreen interfaces installed throughout the house. We provided a combination of large in-wall touchscreen, small in-wall touchscreens, tabletop touchscreens and ELAN HR2 media remotes to ensure every family member can adjust whichever room they are in to their liking. The remotes are especially important for TV and theater control, as they are the fastest and easiest way to control TVs and the theater thanks to hard buttons combined with a 2.4-inch touchscreen. To facilitate true go-anywhere access inside and outside of the house, each family member also has the ELAN g! mobile app on their smartphone and tablet, which gives full control of the system with the exact same interface that’s on the in-wall touch screens.”

To get an idea just how enormous this house and installation is, you have to think about how many rooms there are. To start there are eight bedrooms, six of which are occupied by the family. Then there is the theater, the great room, the living room, the kitchen, dining room laundry room, barber shop, billiard room, gym, tanning room, poker room, conference room, putting green, golf simulation room, archery range, kids’ shuffleboard room, rock wall room, a deer processing plant, the gun storage vault, a 12 car garage and a separate RV garage, plus the outdoor audio, video, lighting and surveillance. Every room has its own audio zone and most have their own video zone.

“The family has complete control over every room in the home, so each person can listen to or watch what they want, where they want, when they want,” Heringer said. “And then when they call for lights out or go on vacation, all it takes is a few swipes and taps to set the home to ‘Away’ mode and turn everything off. Not only does the system make it easy to manage the large house, it also gives the parents easy access to see what their kids are watching and listening to, as well as to see who is coming and going through the surveillance cameras.”

Because every family member has different tastes, the owners filled the system to the brim with entertainment options including eight DirecTV receivers, a Kaleidescape media server, three Blu-ray players, two ELAN ViaDJ music servers, an iPod dock, a Squeezebox, two Sirius|XM receivers and an AM/FM receiver.

“I’m proud to showcase the power and flexibility of the ELAN g! system with such a tremendous home entertainment and automation system,” Heringer added. “It’s truly incredible that today a single system can control a luxurious home like this and also be a great affordable option for a small apartment.”