Many Type-A bathrooms are showing up in high-end "smart homes," which feature computer systems that let homeowners control music, temperature and lights from wall-mounted touch pads. Now, builders and interior designers say, more owners also want toilet-side technology. Future Home, a Los Angeles-based entertainment-system installer, says half of its clients request tech gear in the bathroom, up from about 10% five years ago.

Still, this is an exemplary piece of toilet-side literature which should please neophytes and aficionados alike.

Needless to say, the frog went belly up one day. After a brief mourning period, we had a private toilet-side service.