High Tech Mattresses Let You Work In Bed

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Forget sleeping, some studies show as many as 50 percent of people admit working from bed from time to time.

Even though you've been told to keep electronic gadgets out of the bedroom, one group now wants you to turn them on in order to relax. We checked out the new technology that had us talking in the newsroom.

It's new to the Slumberland Furniture floor, and it's called the 7S adjustable base. It's a bed made for mobile. All you do is download the free Smartphone app at reverie.

They want you to bring your gadgets into your bedroom. The bed base has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

"This is going to be more for people who read in bed, use their Ipad in bed, watch TV in bed," said Matt Drupple with Slumberland Furniture.

That goes against sleep studies, like one released last week by Mayo Clinic, that show Smartphones and tablets make for sleep-disrupting bedfellows. One cause is believed to be the bright light that can interfere with melatonin a hormone that helps control the natural sleep-wake cycle.

But, Slumberland officials said people aren't paying attention to those facts.

"We're so busy and some of us have more stress than ever. This creates that getaway place to help me relax and get a good night's sleep," said Drupple.

A kind of, "if you can't beat them join them" approach by offering an app that puts your head-up or feet down while working.

They claim it's not just a gimmick. The makers see it as a benefit to people's health. Anyone suffering from acid reflux, a partner who snores or has sleep apnea sometimes comes in to buy a recliner. But not anymore.

"When you can elevate your head it opens up your larynx and makes for easier breathing," Drupple said.

And then there are the fun features, like, not setting an alarm clock. You can wake yourself up to a massage, and when you need that extra jolt in the morning, you can actually lift yourself out of bed.

The power base will run anywhere from $600 to $1,000 and mattresses can be anywhere from $200 to $5,000.