New in Pod 5: upgraded control, zero distractions
In 2024, we introduced tap-to-control with Pod 4—a major leap forward in giving members control over their Pod without relying on their phone. It quickly became one of our most popular features, especially for those looking to reduce screen time before bed.
With Pod 5, we’ve reengineered the experience entirely, swapping the touch zones for a sleek button system embedded in the Pod 5 Cover. This evolution of tap-to-control offers faster, quieter, and more precise control of the Pod.
Meet the new button interface
Each side of the Pod Cover now features three physical buttons: a “+“ button to increase temperature, a “–“ button to decrease it, and a middle button that can be mapped to control either alarms or Base elevation—depending on your preference and setup.
Compared to the previous tap zones, the position of the buttons is slightly higher on the Cover to make them easier to reach while lying down, based on user feedback and ergonomic testing.
Why physical buttons? Precision.
While tap zones opened the door to phone-free control, they required multi-tap gestures—something that could be inconsistent, especially in the dark or when half-awake. The new buttons eliminate that guesswork.
With the Pod 5 buttons, every adjustment is deliberate. No more double or triple tapping. Just a single press and hold.
Since each button is dedicated to a specific function, you’re also less likely to make the wrong adjustment by accident. Whether you’re changing temperature by one degree or snoozing your alarm, the process is intuitive, repeatable, and consistent.
The new buttons are also significantly more quiet to use. That means fewer disturbances for your partner if you’re making changes in the middle of the night.
Real-time feedback, in sync with your input
When one of the buttons is pressed, a real-time algorithm interprets the signal in conjunction with embedded sensors across the Cover. This ensures that only intentional adjustments are made—filtering out accidental touches or background movement.
Every button press is confirmed with a soft, localized vibration from the Pod itself. So if you increase the temperature by two degrees, for example, you’ll feel two gentle pulses that let you know the command was received and processed. It’s a simple but powerful way to provide real-time confirmation without disrupting your sleep state.
Using the new Buttons
There are 3 buttons on the new tap zone – one “+” button, one “–” button, and a middle button that you can use to control different aspects of your Pod.
- Control temperature: Press the + button to warm, and the – button to cool.
- Control alarms: When your alarm is ringing, double tap the center button to snooze or dismiss. You can select your preferred action in Settings.
- Control elevation or audio: The center button can be configured to either control elevation or audio. Double tapping it can either 1) Control elevation: move through different elevation modes or 2) Control audio: play or pause your chosen audio. You can configure the center buttons to your preference in Settings.
Control your environment. Instantly.
Temperature changes. Elevation shifts. Alarm controls. Even sound. With the new Pod 5 tap-to-control, the entire sleep system is at your fingertips—no screens, no noise, no interruptions.
It’s a more refined, more responsive evolution of Pod control. And it’s designed to help you stay focused on what matters: recovery.
