Tag: waterproof

Understanding IP Ratings: Is Water Resistant The Same As Waterproof?

Most modern flagship smartphone in today’s day and age are kitted with a plethora of features. In many ways, these devices couldn’t be more different than each other. But there is a feature that is slowly catching up to speed in most modern smartphones and is often one of the most sought out. Ever since Samsung advertised its Galaxy S5 as being water resistant, the past few years have seen more OEMs providing the feature in their offerings. This feature, a smartphone being water resistant, is also often referred to as being waterproof, which couldn’t be more misleading.

Understanding Water Resistance and IP Ratings

To certify a modern smartphone as water resistant, it is given an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. This rating is essentially measured by how protected the device is in letting natural elements such as dust and water inside it. Most modern smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S10, iPhone XS and the LG V40 ThinQ have an Ingress Protection rating of 68. This implies that the devices are water and dust resistant.

However, to comprehend IP ratings, there is a need to understand how they are determined. The rating is composed of two digits out of which, each one implies different levels of protection from the aforementioned elements. An explanation of what each digit means is highlighted in the table below.

The first digit of the IP rating signifies:

Level	Certified to be protected against:
X	No data available to specify a protection rating
0	Not protected
1	Any large surface of the body (>50mm)
2	Fingers or similar objects (>12.5mm)
3	Tools, thick wires, etc. (>2.5mm)
4	Most wires, screws, etc. (>1mm)
5	Dust Protected
6	Dust Tight

The second digit of the IP rating means:

Level	Certified to be Protected against:
0	Not protected
1	Dripping water
2	Dripping water when tilted up to 15°
3	Spraying water
4	Splashing water
5	Water jets
6	Powerful water jets
7	Immersion up to 1 metre
8	Immersion beyond 1 metre

So, to define the IP rating of a device, both the digits of the said rating need to be taken into consideration. For example, an IP68 rating would imply complete protection against dust and submersion underwater beyond 1 metre. Such a device will be safeguarded from all possible entry points like the charging port, the microphone, the SIM card tray and the headphone jack, to keep the dust and water out of it. Noteworthy, OEMs don’t provide a warranty on damaged devices as susceptible electronic components on individual units can behave differently. Also, lab tested results are performed under a precisely controlled environment which is usually different from the real world scenarios.

So, What Does Waterproofing Mean?

It must be clear that water resistance and waterproofing an electronic device implies two completely different things. These terms suggest a similar protection method but are completely different in their approach. Waterproofing an electronic device, a smartphone, for example, means water and dust usually, will not get inside the device in any shape, form or manner. This is generally achieved by sealing all the entry ports shut with the help of rubber seals and flaps. Waterproofing a device is essentially a guarantee that liquid will not seep inside the device and if it does, the OEM has to repair or replace it.

The guarantee may be the reason most manufacturers don’t market their devices as waterproof, even if they are well protected against it. There is no rating on how waterproof an electronic device can be like it is the case with measuring resistance. Making a smartphone waterproof would just require a tight seal to not let allow a drop of liquid inside it. There are some smartphones, particularly from CAT, the brand known for its heavy machinery which is marketed as waterproof. But in order to make them so, the design takes the back seat and they often end up being more expensive.

Also read: Whatsapp To Introduce Dark Mode, Advanced Search In Updates Soon

So yes, it is possible to make a smartphone truly waterproof, but it takes a toll on design and often, the price. Therefore, the future of a sleek and modern looking smartphone which is completely impervious to liquids and dust seems a little too far fetched and distant at the moment.

March 2, 2019

Samsung Next Galaxy Note to be Waterproof

Samsung is prepping the launch of its biggest category phone of the year, the Galaxy Note. While previous rumors have indicated that the company will drop the Note 6 moniker in order to align the naming and simply call this year’s Note the Note 7, a new insider tip may come as an interesting fact.

Our Samsung insider, claims that the next Galaxy Note (named Note 7) will, in fact, be as waterproof as the Galaxy S7 launched earlier this year. The Note 7 will come with IP68 certification which guarantees a device to be waterproof up to 30 minutes or 1.5 meters under water minimum. Our insider also notes that the Note 7 may launch as early as end July or first week of August.

The Galaxy Note 7 will apparently measure 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm and will also be available in an Edge variant which will replace the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus for 2016. Previous renders have also shown off that the phone will have a USB Type-C port.

Samsung will continue to leave all the ports open just like in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge which are also waterproof. Interestingly The new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will continue to have a 3.5mm headphone jack, despite that fact that the smartphone will supports Digital lossless audio via the Type C port.

June 13, 2016
Top Water Resistant Smartphones for this Holi

India’s festival of color and water is just around the corner. While we would seriously advocate that you do not waste water and play a dry Holi. For those still willing to go all out, the smartphone is one of the biggest victims of an accident on and around the festival of Holi.

Imagine your phone gets struck by a water and color filled balloon, and moments later it is time to go hunting for a new one.

While every smartphone should now feature some kind of waterproofing, many companies do not agree with us. So if you plan on playing Rambo on Holi try the following smartphones guaranteed to last through the water filled festival. Zip lock bags and plastic wrapped phones are soon to be a thing of the past.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge

The latest and greatest flagship from Samsung is actually now iP68 rated, means that it will mostly survive if immersed for up to 30 minutes or 1.5 meters under (water). The glass and metal should also prevent it from easily getting colored by Holi colors, however, industrial dyes and the infamous gold men may be instrumental in helping you change the color of your handset from say black to Gold.

iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

Apple’s latest releases, to everyone’s surprise, do indeed feature a water resistant body. Though not rated or officially announced by Apple. This secretive water resistance was Apple’s way of reducing servicing costs and general user appreciation. Tested out by many people including us, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, turns out to be more resilient than Samsung’s latest and greatest S7 and S7 Edge. Offering up the same all metal design, the iPhone should fare well in colored water as long as you don’t have some serious stainers.
 

MotoG (gen 3) and Moto X Play

Motorola has been adding water resistant coatings on their devices for a while, while not fully rugged they would help the phone survive spills of coffee or accidental drops in puddles. The Moto G gen 3 was a whole new breed from Motorola, with an IPX7 rating the phone is water resistant for up to 1 Meter and for a total of 30 minutes. The body is made from plastic, which may not do too well with colors, though. On the plus side, the back panel is cheap and easily replaceable. The X Play offers up a water resistant coating too though it may not survive dunking like the Moto G, however, may be less prone to color accidents or damage.
 

Sony Xperia Z5, Z5 Premium, Z5 Compact

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

With dual IP68 and IP65 ratings, the Xperia phones from Sony are no stranger to water. The revolution by far has ben led by the Japenese manufacturer who has led the water resistance category smartphones for a while.

With glass on both sides and a glossy metal bezel, the Xperia Z5 series is very resistant to color and water. As a matter of fact, the number 5 in the IP65 stands for resistance from water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction. Reminds you of a certain subject of this story doesn’t it.
 

HTC Desire Eye

With a whole lot of optical capability, the HTC Desire Eye makes our list. Although this complete plastic phone may not do so well with colors the HTC Desire Eye has serious cameras on the front and the back. With an IPX7 certification just like the Moto G, the phone will survive for 30 minutes under 1 m of water guaranteed.
 

Of course there are many other phones and gadgets that would easily survive the onset of Holi. Have any favorites add them to the list below.

March 18, 2016
10 Cool Waterproof Gadgets for Holi

The festival of colors, Holi is just is just around the corner, and there’s no denying that we’re extremely excited about it. The colors, the festivities and the energy mixed with some bhang can be a lethal concoction which can lead to you forgetting about the well being of your much-loved gadgets and exposing them to their dreaded enemy, water.

Using zip-lock pouches, waterproof cases can be handy solutions, but are not always the best way forward if you want to enjoy Holi in the carefree way that its meant to be. This year, we bring to you a list of gadgets that you can not only carry carefree with you while you play Holi but also use to enhance the experience of this festival of colors.

GoPro HERO4 Session

The Hero4 Session is the tiniest GoPro yet. It is a one and a half inch cube and weighs just 0.07kg. It is waterproof up to 33 feet.The camera is easy to use as it has only one button to put the camera on and begin recording. Its complete waterproof and rugged design can be a great asset for people users looking to capture the special moments that fun filled Holi brings with it.

Other specs and features of the camera include 8MP photos (in single, burst, and time-lapse modes), 1080p60/720p100/1440p30 video recording, a dual microphone system, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, SuperView, Protune, and Auto Low Light.
 

Xiaomi Mi Band

The Mi fitness tracker was introduced in India along the Xiaomi Mi 4i. It is the cheapest tracker available in the country. The aluminum surface band comes with a microlaser perforation and no display screen. It is water resistant and has a battery life of 30 days. Used as a fitness and sleep tracking band, this device connects to a user’s smartphone and can unlock the handset without the need of passwords or patterns. And just in case you were looking to add some more color to your already colorful Holi, it is available in a variety of colors like blue, pink, brown, gray and purple.
 

Sony Xperia Z5

Sony Xperia Z5 is one of the best waterproof phones available in the market. It not only looks good but works great with specs that can take on any flagship in the market. For users who are looking to carry a smartphone with them while playing Holi, this device is highly recommended.

The Sony Xperia Z5 features a 5.2-inch Full HD screen and 2900mAh battery. It runs on Android Lollipop 5.1, powered by a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 810 chipset with Adreno 430 GPU, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable to 200 GB). The device also comes with a 23MP primary camera and 5MP front, and a fingerprint scanner in the power button on the side of the device.

 

Cobra CXT 1035R FLT

The Cobra CXT 1035R is the perfect handheld walkie talkie for any outdoor activity, and as such makes it a great buy to enhance your Holi fun with friends. With a rated range of over 50kms, these pair of Cobra CXT walkie talkies are not just waterproof, but are in fact unsinkable and can be a great addition to a pool party too. These come with a built-in LED flashlight, and NOAA Weather and emergency-radio receivers to keep you safely in-the-know when you’re venturing out into the unknown.

 

Monster SuperStar BackFloat

There are waterproof speakers, and then there is the Monster SuperStar BackFloat. This is the evolution in water resistant speakers, and when you drop this Bluetooth speaker into the water, it rises to the surface and floats.

The Monster Superstar Backfloat Bluetooth speaker with its design provides ample audio in a water-resistant floating package, and hence could be a great addition to your Holi pool party.

Circle Muze Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

A waterproof bluetooth speaker can be a great addition to your Holi party. The Circle Muze Wireless Speaker fits well in that category as it promises great sound, wireless connectivity and all of it without the worry of losing it to water damage.

As an added bonus, the speaker comes with a nice looking display mesh that changes color. Perfect we say to go along with the colors around you. It weighs 363 g and comes small at 18.6 x 13.4 x 9.2 cm. It promises 6 Hours of Music play on a single charge along with support for MicroSD card and comes with Gravity Sensor, Voice Guide, and Noise Cancellation features.
 

Ricoh WG-M1 14MP Waterproof Action Video Camera (Black)

Ricoh’s Wg-M1 is an ideal camera for capturing your Holi adventures. This is a highly rugged camera and has been designed to stay underwater for up to two hours, and can be submerged underwater for a depth of up to 10 meters. The camera allows for HD recording, and there is also a 5X optical zoom lens to get close-ups of all the underwater action.

This waterproof camera from Ricoh is also cold-resistant to ten degrees below zero and is shockproof when dropped from under 1.5 meters, and it’s also crushproof. Basically, all that you were looking for in a camera that you can take out while playing Holi.

 

Sony Smartwatch 3

Sony’s SmartWatch 3 is an Android Wear smartwatch that comes with a display which is bright and promises good visibility in sunlight. It houses advanced motion sensors and integration with Sony’s LifeLog platform. Sony’s SmartWatch 3 boasts a waterproof rating of IP68. That means it can withstand depths under one meter for a longer period than IP67 devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S5. As a basis for comparison, the Sony Xperia Z3 phone boasts an IP68 rating. This device as such is a great choice for a rugged and waterproof smartwatch for your Holi adventures.

 

JVC Everio GZ-R320

This compact HD model of the camcorder is more than just waterproof. The GZ-R320 is rugged and as a bonus can also float if put in water. The camcorder can be taken to depths of 16.4 feet and can even survive a 4.9-foot drop on land. Digital image stabilization will steady any long tracking shots and will help you shooting while you run after a friend trying to escape the madness that Holi brings with it.

CAT S60 SMARTPHONE

Announced recently at the MWC 2016, Cat’s new S60 is the latest in the line of rugged smartphones from the United Kingdom-based brand, and it comes with two unique features. Cat has added an FLIR thermal imaging camera and the first waterproof rating to a depth of 5 meters for up to an hour on this rugged phone.

The Cat S60 comes with added protection for its display too which even after being covered by a 1mm ( normal phones get 0.4mm) thick sheet of Gorilla Glass 4 works pretty well, and has a brightness rating of 540nits.

Other specs of the phone include a 4.7-inch 720p display, Snapdragon 617 with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The phone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow and offers 4G LTE connectivity. It also comes with a 13MP primary camera, 5MP front camera. A massive 3,800mAh battery powers the device.

March 12, 2016
Apple Filed a Patent for Waterproof iPhones Last Year

Earlier this week, Apple publicly revealed filing for a patent for waterproof devices. The paperwork was completed in June 2014 and is centered around making iPhones waterproof using rubber or “self-healing elastomer” that gains or loses its shape to protect the device from moisture and dust.

Ports like that of chargers or headphones on the phone would be protected with a rubber covering that would be removed when an external device or chord is to be inserted. Once the external device is removed, the rubber device would go back to covering the port.

Depending on the kind of elastomer, it can provide protection against dust, debris, water, and gas. Hello, pretty pictures in all kinds of environmental conditions.

Companies like Samsung and Sony have employed waterproof tech in their devices in the past. Having said that, this patent does not mean whether we can expect the iPhone 7 to be entirely water-resistant.

At the same time, it should be kept in mind that iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are modeled on similar principles of water-resistance and are definitely more resilient than previous Apple devices. Let’s see if the iPhone 7 actually turns out to be the hardiest of all the iPhones so far.

December 12, 2015
What a Thinner iPhone Could Mean for You: Pros and Cons

Apple has been obsessed with making its iPhones thinner for a while now and has consciously and noticeably worked on reducing the thickness of its devices in the past. However, it may have not always ended too well for the company -Bendgate definitely not being the highlight of Apple’s history.

Though the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were thicker than their predecessors at a 7.1 mm and a 7.3 mm, iPhone 7 is rumoured to be slimmest iPhones so far. Since speculations about this new Apple device have already begun,let’s see what this could mean for the user.

Pros:

No Ear-Phone Port:
If rumours are to be believed, Apple is planning to get rid of the earphone jack to make the iPhone 7 thinner than any of its predecessors. This move is part of Apple’s patent which aims to make the new device waterproof by getting rid of the port, thereby reducing the number of potential entrances of moisture and liquids for the device. Voila! Say hello to a waterproof iPhone (or at least one less exposed to damage by liquids), boys and girls.

Consequently, the device will probably need to have one common adapter that makes all earphones compatible with it. Additionally, Apple could also include a standard pair of earphones that could be used with the help of a connection to a Lightening conductor. Even if the device requires third-party adapters, they will be available at a fairly affordable price. Bluetooth can also be used as a replacement for earphones.

Convenient Size:
A thinner iPhone would definitely be easier to carry around. In all likelihood, it will weigh less than the 143 gms of the iPhone 6s and the 192 gms of iPhone 6s Plus, and thus would be lighter and more portable for the user.

Also, the current iPhones -6s and 6s Plus- have a thickness of 7.1 mm and 7.3 mm respectively. With its latest devices, Apple has come a long way from Bendgate. None of that was witnessed this year as the devices seems sturdy and hardy, in addition to being water-resistant. Time to rejoice, Apple fans and loyalists.

Cons:

Yes, the Ear-Phone Port:
Users would have to use Bluetooth or the Lightning connector instead of the earphone port. A Lightning cable or a 3.5 mm-to-Lightning adapter would have to be provided by third-party sellers in order to ensure compatibility with iPhone 7. These third-party sellers and their products, the hassle of extra accessories, or the need to use adapters -all of it will make things more complicated for users.

Apple is expected to take care of earpods that would connect to the Lightning port and launch accessories specific to the iPhone 7 and its absence of an earphone port. Needless to say -if this happens, be prepared to burn a whole in your pocket for a pure and authentic iPhone 7 experience.

Might be Sturdier, But Not Comfortable:
A thinner iPhone will not be very comfortable in the hand. The device will not provide a firm grip to the user if made too thin. The attempt of making the device sleek and stylish will completely backfire if it keeps slipping out of the hands. As sturdy as it might be, it will still be an iPhone.

Apple would also have to notch-up the speaker quality to ensure a decent over-all sound experience for iPhone 7. Instead of getting rid of the ear-phone jack, the company can instead tone down its paranoia of being repetitive with design, and let go of their obsession of making tech breakthroughs with a new iPhone every year. But if that happens, Apple would perhaps cease to be Apple.

December 2, 2015
Waterproof iPhone 7 May Have No Earphone Jack

According to sources, Apple has applied for a unique patent called “Electronic Devices with Housing Port Shutters”. This patent is unique in the realm of smartphones because it aims at sealing off all ports on the body of the handset to protect it from the entry of moisture or any kind of liquids. As a result, iPhone 7 is expected to come minus an ear-phone jack.

This technology would determine that the ports of the phone remain shut until there is a direct use for them. Like the speaker-shutters would shut if the sensors pick up any kind of moisture. In case of a call or message, the shutters would open to convey the sound, keeping the device protected from external agents at all other times.

Unofficial render of the iPhone 7

Additionally, a Japanese website, Macotakara, reported that Apple would remove the 3.5 mm port for earphones to make iPhone 7 slimmer. Users would have to use Bluetooth or the Lightning connector instead of the earphone port. Apple is also expected to take care of earpods that would connect to the Lightning port. A Lightning cable or a 3.5 mm-to-Lightning adapter would have to be provided by third-party sellers in order to ensure compatibility with iPhone 7.

Despite rumours of an early 2016-release, iPhone 7 is expected to arrive in September. Would you be willing to take chances with a handset that comes minus an earphone jack? Or has Apple taken it a little too far this time?

November 28, 2015
iPhone 6s Might be Apple’s First Partially Waterproof Smartphone

Here’s some very cool news for iPhone 6s users – it is reportedly waterproof. How do we know? Well, some people at iFixit decided to dunk their iPhone 6s into the water in order to see what happens. They found that the iPhone 6s is actually somewhat water-resistant. However, you’re probably wondering why Apple didn’t announce this game changing feature. It’s because the iPhone 6s is not entirely waterproof. So, let’s find out how waterproof the iPhone 6s really is.

Image Source : iFixit

iFixit, a private company, broke down the iPhone 6s for us all, and found that the new device actually has some of the waterproof tech that Apple has already patented. Apple has redesigned the iPhone’s internal structure in order to bring this product closer to its goal of making a fully water-resistant smartphone.

Image Source : iFixit

The purpose of the glue band around the display screen is reportedly more than just to make the screen stick better to the metal. It’s actually also to keep liquids out. When iFixit took a close look at the logic board, they found that every cable connector was surrounded by a small silicon seal, that keeps the water away. This is also reportedly the first time, that Apple has used such a technology.

However, as mentioned before, the reason Apple hasn’t marked this iPhone as waterproof is because all its components haven’t been water-proofed. For example, its headphone jack and speakers will still let water flow in. But, we can most definitely anticipate Apple to create a fully water-proof iPhone soon enough. Let’s hope till then.

Source : [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE02″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://ifixit.org/blog/7408/iphone-waterproof/”] iFixit[/tw-button]

October 1, 2015
Mophie’s New iPhone Battery Case Adds Waterproofing

Mophie is a name synonymous with battery cases and their latest case brings a first to the table for Mophie. The juice pack H2PRO is equipped with a 2,750mAh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery. The H2PRO is also IP68 rated so it goes up agains the likes of otter box, however adding the additional battery.

The case also keeps bulk on the low, by keeping the total thickness with the case on the device at 6.9mm.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Daniel Huang” author_title=”CEO and Co-Founder | Mophie”]

Once again we’ve successfully broadened our product line by focusing on mobile users’ everyday power and protection concerns to develop a quality, reliable mophie solution The juice pack H2PRO serves as a protective safety net for those who encounter life’s unexpected mishaps

[/quote]

The case is unfortunately not on sale at the moment , but, the company has opened up its pre-orders at US $ 130.

There are no details on the iPhone 6 Plus variant as of now. Hit the source link below to check it out.

May 6, 2015

Sony Xperia Z3 vs Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

After a less than satisfactory year, Sony recently launched the Xperia Z3, the Z3 Compact and the Z3 Compact Tablet at IFA in Berlin. Today, Sony launched these devices in India.

The Japanese consumer electronics giant had recently brought the Xperia E3 for India. It was a budget device priced at Rs. 11,990 for the single-SIM version and Rs. 12,990 for the dual-SIM variant. Now it is bringing in its big guns.

The Xperia Z3 is a bumped up successor of the Z2, that was launched in February this year. This is the first time a company has brought the mini variant of their high-end phone along with the flagship.

Specs	Xperia Z3	Xperia Z3 Compact
Display	5.2 inch Full HD (424 ppi)	4.6 inch 720p HD (319 ppi)
Processor	2.5 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 801	2.5 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 801
RAM	3 GB	2GB
Storage	16/32 GB	16 GB
Expandable up to	128 GB	128 GB
Main Camera	20.7 MP	20.7 MP
Back Camera	2.2 MP	2.2 MP
Battery	Non-removable 3100 mAh	Non-removable 2600 mAh
Operating System	Android Kitkat 4.4.4	Android Kitkat v4.4.4
Miscellaneous	Great Battery Backup, Waterproof	Waterproof

The phones don’t come cheap. The Xperia Z3 is priced at Rs. 51,999 while the Xperia Z3 Compact at Rs. 44,999. These are sone of the best devices from Sony and might just give them the ground it was trying to regain.

September 25, 2014

Smartphones May Soon Have Anti-Glare Waterproof Screens

In a paper, published in the Applied Materials & Interfaces, Professor Valerio Pruneri from the Institute for Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, along with Corning Incorporated have introduced an invention which is going to make your life a lot easier. The glass can is an anti-glare, waterproof screen which can be incorporated as cellphone display.

Glare has been a major issue in appreciating smartphone content when outdoors. Especially in a country like India which has some intense sunlight, outdoor use is troublesome. This revolutionary new display is stated to obliterate that issue.

Glare has been one of the major issues with mobile screens for long

The technology is quite easy to comprehend. The glass is scratched at the Nano molecular level. This helps to deflect the light away from the user’s eyes. These tiny scratches are so efficient that they do not effect the transparency of the screen. The research team has also made 100nm teeth onto the surface of the screen to deflect water, thereby making it hydrophobic. The textured surface looks like a lotus.

In their paper the team has mentioned that they would need to put the display through some more experimentation to make sure it can be used as a touch screen interface. But here is the best part, they have mentioned that large scale manufacturing of these screens will be inexpensive. This display is totally an “about time” kind of invention. This technology will be a boon for the future of smartphones. With screens capable of playing 2K content on mobile phones, a glareless screen is just what the doctor prescribed.

With this glasses the need for expensive anti glare screen filters also comes to an end.

July 19, 2014
Nikon Launches 1 AW1 a Mirrorless Waterproof Camera

Nikon has launched something new to the waterproof camera market, the Nikon 1 AW1 is a mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera, besides being waterproof this camera is shockproof and freeze-proof as-well.

Design of this new product seems identical to the Nikon J1, which came into the market in 2011. The AW1 is rated waterproof till 49 feet, shockproof up to 6.6 feet, and freeze-proof. When shooting underwater, the device has a custom white balance setting to get perfect clicks in the unusual conditions underwater.

The 1 AW1 features an ISO range of 100 – 6,400, the camera can capture still images at 15 fps which can go upto 60 fps when the autofocus is locked. The device shoots video in 1080p and includes a slow-motion mode that captures footage between 400 FPS or 1,200 FPS.

The device includes build-in GPS for automatic geotagging of photos, videos and also has Wi-Fi, all these features are rarely seen in any interchangeable lens camera. The AW1 has a 14.1 megapixels sensor, it has the same CX-format sensor identical to the J1, which means its significantly smaller than the sensors available in other mirrorless cameras.

With the 1 AW1, Nikon is releasing two new lenses that are also shockproof, and waterproof. There is a 11-27.5 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens and a wide-angle 10 mm f/2.8 lens. The Nikon AW1 with 11-27.5 mm lens will be available in October for $799.95, the second bundle with the 10 mm lens is for $999.95. The device comes in black, white, and silver models.

September 20, 2013
Hitcase Pro for iPhone 5 Review

Since the beginning of the smartphones, as a matter of fact, since the beginning of mobile phones, we have been finding ways to have our handhelds resist the elements. While technology has come a long way, there are always restrictions when it comes to water resistant and dust proof designs. The Hitcase Pro for the iPhone 5 aims to achieve that with a design that does not stall the daily usability of the iPhone 5.

Build Quality

The Hitcase Pro is very well built, to say the least. The moment you go hands on with this case, you don’t feel like you have lost your iPhone in a big pit of protection. Designed keeping the Go Pro in mind, the case has a very strong railside mount, you also have a metal engulfed wide angled lens that unfortunately is very prone to scratching.

The case is built from a composite of ABS and Polycarbonate and is layered with a rubberized coating all around that not only keeps the case clean but also provides ample grip. The case locks in from three sides, almost like a food box, but seals the phone completely to the point where you don’t feel afraid dunking it in water. The H-Seal on the inside of the case is made out of Poron and should last a really long time.

Features

The Hitcase Pro not only protects the iPhone when you go into water or sand, it also retains the usability of the iPhone 5. The Hitcase Pro also features a great 170 degree 3 X Wide angle lens that is an absolute treat for photographers. The lens also allows close up shots upto 3X and makes focusing on subjects really easy.

The Lens also adds a Go-Pro Style video effect to the video – where you get a wide angle video frame, that captures a lot more in the same 16:9 aspect ratio.

The free app called Vidometer, captures GPS tracking info along with speed, G force, altitude and angle of approach and displays it directly on the video. This can come in handy when you look at your footage later on.

The Hitcase Pro can be used 33 ft/10 Meters underwater thanks to the IP68 rating. The railside mount allows you to use the Hitcase Pro with all sorts of Go Pro mounts and gear. The Included TiltR and StickR mounts also help those who have no Go Pro mounts. A Wrist strap also ensures the safety of your phone and case when you are at great heights and decide to hold onto the case vs mounting it.

The only downside to the case, is that the microphone gets really muffled up taking phone calls becomes slightly difficult as you will find yourself screaming to the person on the other side.

Conclusion

Despite the availability of several cases for the iPhone 5 in the Market, the HitCase Pro for the iPhone 5 is easily the most robust design. It allows the use of the phone while being packaged in a Waterproof and Dustproof cage. Whats more, the 170-degree wide angle lens and Railside mounts make the use of the case in extreme/ adventure sports very easy. Allowing you to use your iPhone as the primary camera, will almost replace the need for a dedicated rugged camera for a lot of folks. If the speaker and Microphone volume levels are something you can deal with, The Hitcase Pro is the best action case for the iPhone 5

June 29, 2013
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Is Now Official

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is now official after what seems to be months rumours.

“The Galaxy S4 Active is the newest addition to the Galaxy series and is purposefully designed for active users who love the outdoors,” JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung said. “Samsung has taken the innovative features of the Galaxy S4 and added breakthrough protective design elements to create a device that thrives in an active environment and is built for a lifestyle of travel and exploration.”

Specifications for the Galaxy S4 Active include a 5-inch 1080p Super LCD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor clocked at 1.9GHz, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and an 8-megapixel camera. That’s down from the 13-megapixel shooter found on the standard Galaxy S4, but Samsung says that this camera is optimized to take pictures underwater thanks to a new “Aqua Mode”.

A microSD card slot is also included for expandable storage up to 64GB, and just like the Galaxy S4, the Active features a large 2,600mAh battery. Android 4.2.2 will run on the phone out of the box. That added protection against the elements brings a little bulk to the phone, though. Samsung says the Active is 9.1mm thick and weighs 151g. That’s a slight jump from the Galaxy S4’s 7.9mm thickness and 130g weight.

In terms of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active release date all we know is that it will go on sale sometime this summer in select markets.

June 5, 2013
Leaked : Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Photos And Details

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Active is expected to launch by the end of this month, so it comes as no surprise that leaks for the phone are starting to become more prevalent. Several photos of the Galaxy S4 Active were spilled by GSMArena on Monday and we can see that, unlike the Galaxy S4, the Galaxy S4 Active will launch in a bright red color and offers a slightly different industrial design.

The phone will be water-proof and dust-proof which makes it Samsung’s answer to the Sony Xperia Z. The pictures also confirm the GT-i9295 model number, which has been previously associated with the Galaxy S4 Active.

As GSMArena reports, the specs of the Galaxy S4 Active are expected to be the same and the live pictures below confirm it – the device is running on a quad-core 1.9GHz processor with Adreno 320 GPU, which most definitely means a Snapdragon 600 chipset. The screen supposedly has the same size and resolution as the original Galaxy S4 – a 5.0-inch 1080p unit, though it’s unclear if it’s a Super AMOLED one or not. Strangely enough, the reported pixel density of the phone is 480ppi, so the display might actually be smaller.

Rumours also suggest the possibility of other Galaxy S4 variants, including both a Mini and a Mega version. Both will have differing screen sizes from the current stock Galaxy S4.

Also confirmed last week was the Galaxy S4 Google Edition, a vanilla Android packing version of Samsung’s flagship phone available for those who like their Android experience without any tweaks.

[GSMArena]

May 20, 2013