Waterproof mobile phones – the future of communication?

Sometimes a new technology makes you double back, re-check and ask the question – “what the hell is this?”.  Walking around the CES show floor I had such an experience when I saw a man dropping an iPhone 4 into water.  I certainly stopped and asked!

I first heard of this ‘nano-technology’ at the launch of the Motorola Razr smartphone – they were splashing water at the phone, and pouring water onto tissues that would just bead off and never sink in. Amazing. Well this was not splashing, this was dunking.

As it is explained to me, this nano-technology is added to the device in a vapourised form and cured some how – after which an ultra thin layer is covering the phone and the inside of the phone.  After that, dunk away!

Liquipel – the company behind it, claimed an ‘IPX’ rating of 7, meaning it could withstand the water for a long period.  According to Liquipel the Razr technology has a lower rating.

Here’s Sam Winkler from Liqupel explaining and demonstrating:



The 90 per cent of exposure to water he refers to in the video relates to the fact that there are people who will push the boundaries, take it scuba diving and more – that ain’t covered!

A little way down the hall, another company “HzO” seemed to have the exact same thing going on!  Anyone feel a patent war coming on?

When questioned, they seemed to be pushing for a new ‘standard’ of measuring this waterproofing level, but were confident they were at or more than IPX 7. Whatever the case, let me tell you it’s stunning.  If I could do without my phone for a while, I’d send it off to be done.

Don’t expect this as an after-market option. Perhaps for corporates with large numbers of phones, but this is aimed squarely at the manufacturers – selling or licensing the technology and putting it into their phones.

Frankly, having seen it, I find it hard to believe this won’t be standard on mobile phones within five years. No more issues if the phone drops into the sink, or stays in your jeans for a wash cycle.

Recent Posts

  • Tech

CMF by Nothing has launched the affordable Headphone Pro with a new sleek colourful modular design

CMF, a company by Nothing, has today unveiled its new over-the-ear headphones, the Headphone Pro.…

58 minutes ago
  • Tech

Logitech announces the new MX Master 4 with improved connectivity, control and precision

Logitech has announced the next generation of its incredibly successful productivity MX Master mouse with…

2 hours ago
  • Tech

Optus holding firm with systems reviews to commence after meeting with Federal Communications Minister

Australia's Federal Minister for Communications Anika Wells today met with Optus CEO Stephen Rue, the…

5 hours ago
  • Tech

ECOVACS Flagship X11 series robot cleaners go on-sale today with new PowerBoost tech to clean your home in one go

The latest in robot vacuum tech is hitting Australia, with ECOVACS latest flagship, the X11…

8 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

ECOVACS announces the DEEBOT T80 OMNI with next-level cleaning — can confirm, we’ve used it for the last few days

ECOVACS has taken their floor cleaning products to a new level today with the announcement…

12 hours ago
  • Tech

Turn your Sennheiser HD 500 series audiophile headphones into a gaming powerhouse with the HD 500 BAM

Sennheiser has announced the launch of the HD 500 BAM, a boom arm microphone that…

1 day ago