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SteelSeries' Aerox 3 mice are water-resistant despite being full of holes
Aerox 3 and Aerox 3 Wireless are the first gaming mice to receive an IP54 rating, according to the company. The wired version weighs 57 grams and has the same TrueMove Core sensor SteelSeries used in the Rival 3. The company developed the custom 8,500 CPI, 300 IPS, 35G optical sensor with PixArt.
TCL's latest true wireless earbuds are a $120 AirPods alternative
TCL’s true wireless MOVEAUDIO S200 earbuds will cost less than €100.
Jaybird’s Tarah Bluetooth earbuds drop to $45 at Best Buy
Jaybird's Tarah Bluetooth earbuds are on sale for more than half-off at Best Buy today.
Samsung under fire for its Australian advertising
Samsung is being sued by an Australian consumer watchdog over misleading claims in its advertising. The ads showed people swimming in pools and surfing in the ocean with their Galaxy phones, leading customers to think that they could safely swim or surf with their devices.
OnePlus explains the 7's lack of a water resistance rating
Don't expect OnePlus to slap water and dust resistance ratings on its phones any time soon. Co-founder Carl Pei has posted the company's rationale for declining to get an IP rating. The company wanted to do things based on "what you really need" rather than the industry, Pei said. An IP rating would be the "simplest" way to prove resistance, but OnePlus figured it was better to show what phones can "bring to you in real life."
Samsung unveils water-resistant Galaxy A phones with USB-C
After the Galaxy Note 7 debacle, Samsung can't afford a product misstep this year, and it seems to have gotten off to a good start with the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones. The 5.2-inch A5 and 4.7-inch A3 are packed with new features for folks who don't want to spend $800 on a phone, most notably fast-charging USB-C tech and a water-resistant metal body. As is becoming typical in this segment, both have better front and back cameras with faster autofocus and better low-light capabilities, giving them more appeal for the social media and selfie set.
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BRAVEN 710: Water-resistant, wireless pairing through TrueWireless and more
I'm not usually one to get too excited about Bluetooth speakers; there are a lot of 'em out there, and by and large a lot of them are somewhat cookie-cutter duplicates of each other. But BRAVEN has always piqued my interest with its speaker line, simply because the aluminum cases look great and the sound of the speakers is impressive. Today, the company is unveiling the BRAVEN 710 (US$169.99) with some compelling new features. To begin with, the 710 receives an IPX5 water-resistance rating, so there's no need to worry about splashing this speaker with water from the hot tub. Battery life is an impressive 12-plus hours, and that battery can also be used to charge other devices. But the big difference is the integration of TrueWireless technology that allows wireless pairing with another BRAVEN 710 to create a right and left speaker set. The company uses custom HD audio drivers with aptX audio support, and the device is equipped with NFC for easy linking if your mobile device swings that way... The BRAVEN 710 comes in silver, graphite and blue, and can also be used as a speakerphone with your Bluetooth-linked iPhone. TUAW should have a BRAVEN 710 for testing soon, so keep an eye out for our review.
Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 Bluetooth in-ears: sweat resistance, six-month sleep
Plantronics was proud to present its BackBeat Go Bluetooth in-ear headphones last year, but it's also aware improvements are always welcome. To that end, the company's ready to show off its second iteration: BackBeat Go 2. P2i moisture resistance and reworked internals for improved sound back up the sporty wire-behind-the-ear design and fit stabilizers -- look out, Jaybird. Not only does the hardware remember up to eight devices, but a DeepSleep mode shuts it down if you walk out of range without turning the power off, allowing it to sleep for up to six months. The internal batteries squeeze out about 4.5 hours of playtime for music, and an optional SKU with a microUSB charging case can provide about two and a half refills. As you'd expect, an inline remote keeps you in control of your playlists and calls, while DSP enhances incoming and outgoing sound. Ears perked? The headphones will be available starting today at various retailers in your choice of black or white priced at $80 for the headphones and $100 with the charging case.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review: a top-tier phone in a water-resistant package
After Samsung's latest product push in London, we have nothing short of a Galaxy S 4 franchise on our hands. While the company unveiled its expected Mini version along with a photography-focused variant, it also took a step in the rugged-device direction by announcing the Galaxy S4 Active. With IP67 water and dust protection, the phone promises to see you through 30 minutes of aquatic activity at a time. Ruggedness aside, though, this device is quite similar to the GS4, albeit in a slightly heftier -- and arguably more attractive -- package. We spent some quality time with Galaxy S4 Active on AT&T, which retails for the same $199.99 as the original S 4. So is this a better pick? You know where to find out. %Gallery-192692%
Alcatel One Touch Shockwave reaches US Cellular, takes your bumps and scrapes for $50
Those of us picking budget smartphones in the US seldom have the choice of a toughened smartphone, and it's even more of a challenge when we're not signed on to one of the top four carriers. US Cellular is offering the cost-conscious a (hardened) olive branch by shipping the Alcatel One Touch Shockwave. Skip past the creaky Android 2.3, 800MHz processor, 3.2-megapixel camera and 3.5-inch, 480 x 320 display -- a shock- and water-resistant shell as well as Dragontrail-based glass should keep the smartphone working through most forms of casual abuse. We also don't mind having preloaded Amazon Appstore and media apps, although the frugal 2GB microSD card in the box won't leave much room for any downloading. We'd at least keep the Shockwave on the short list when the $50 price and long-lasting design will leave ample funds for just about everything else.
Sony Xperia VL brings dash of toughened-up LTE to Japan
We were intrigued by Sony's Xperia V back at IFA, but deals with specific carriers haven't been very forthcoming. Japan's KDDI is covering that gap by pledging to carry Sony's mid-size Android 4.0 phone as the Xperia VL. Everything we know and (mostly) love about the dust- and water-resistant phone is intact, including that thin sensor-on-lens 720p display, the 13-megapixel camera, the 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4, NFC and LTE-based 4G. The one question remaining is a definitive release date: Sony will only promise an Xperia VL launch before the end of the year, although there's talk at Impress Watch of a release on November 2nd for ¥30,000 ($381) after carrier discounts. Let's hope for the company's sake that other carriers sign up for the V and VL sooner rather than later.
ECOXBT waterproof bluetooth speaker keeps the party floating
Waterproof smartphones and cameras are pretty much commonplace these days, but what about accessories to accompany these aquatic electronics? Enter the ECOXBT from ECOXGEAR. Priced at $130 this IPX7 approved, rugged, floating bluetooth speaker box can not only withstand 30 minutes under a meter of water -- it also makes the claim of having 10 hours of battery life. In addition to keeping your favorite playlists dry, the ECOXBT doubles as a speakerphone for those oh so important floating phone calls from the deep end of the pool. So, whether you're on spring break splashing water on a boat or on vacation swimming around a Lonely Island, this water-resistant sound machine ought to go perfect with this thing.
TDK's Wireless Charging Cube pumps out the jams, juices your Qi devices and resists water (video)
Although TDK mentioned its Wireless Charging Cube at IFA with the rest of its latest portable audio wares, it wasn't until today that we got a look at the speaker. The six by six by six-inch (yes, you read that right) unit features the same retro, black and gold aesthetic as TDKs other Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR speakers, but it's notably housing a Qi-compatible inductive charging base at the top (just like JBL's Lumia-styled Power Up speakers). Along with being splash-resistant enough to stay safely within range of your sink, an internal rechargeable battery will net you roughly six to eight hours of untethered play time. We had a very brief ears-on with this $400 unit, so join us past the break for more details and our initial impressions.%Gallery-166207%
Jabra's $200 Solemate portable Bluetooth speaker wants to kick the Jambox aside
If you looked at the photo above thinking Dr. Martens got into the portable speaker game, you're not so far off. Jabra's taken its Bluetooth headset know-how and blended it with a footwear-inspired design to create its first portable speaker, the $200 Solemate. At first glance the shoe theme does seem a bit silly, but don't let that fool you as this Bluetooth 3.0 speaker packs some notable specs -- especially pitted against the Jawbone Jambox. Available in black or white, the features rubberized casing that's shock- and water-resistant, and can be supplemented with an included waterproof soundbag (similar to the Braven 625). Taking it a step further, the unit actually has a "heel tab" for carrying purposes and a replaceable sole, which also serves as a storage point for a handy 3.5mm cable. %Gallery-163767% Moving on to its less quirky features, at the front you'll find a duo of acoustic tweeters separated by a subwoofer with a passive bass radiator on the back -- all together they pump out up to a whopping 120dB of volume. On top are two volume buttons, along with a multifunction button for commanding calls and enabling its Voice Guidance feature. Lastly, the right side houses two indicator lights (battery and Bluetooth), a power and pairing switch, a 3.5mm jack and a micro-USB input for charging and direct digital audio connection. According to Jabra the unit is "about the size and weight of a water bottle," and you can expect to get around eight to ten hours of use per charge. We'll be giving you our in-depth impressions of the speaker before long, however, the Solemate will be up for pre-order today at the likes of Best Buy and Amazon, and set to release on September 2nd if you're already interested. Check out the press release after the break for more details in the meantime.
Fujitsu's Stylistic M532 quad-core tablet ships to the US with toughened body, dash of security
Fujitsu's Stylistic M532 has had a protracted development process that saw it appear on our radar as early as January; imagine our surprise after it ships to the US with barely more than a knock on the door. Now that it's here, it looks to be on the sunnier side of average for an Android 4.0 slate. A quad 1.4GHz Tegra 3, a 1,280 x 800 display and 32GB of built-in space won't rock our world in mid-2012, but the rough-and-ready among us will likely appreciate the military-spec abuse tolerances and a year-long subscription to Absolute CompuTrace theft tracking, just in case it's pilfered from an open bag. Fujitsu's obstacles? Apart from not having much of a cachet in the tablet arena, the company also has to convince buyers that the extra safeguards are worth a $549 price -- for those who treat their tablets more delicately, there are a few tempting alternatives.
MIT develops fog resistant, glare-free glass, it's clearly amazing (video)
It sounds like it's not just us that spend half our sweet time with lint-free cloth in hand. Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of glass that "virtually eliminates" reflections, and is also water-repellent. By using techniques from the semiconductor industry, conical nano-textures etched into the layered surface that give the wonder-glass its fog, glare and self-cleaning properties. The hope is that the technology will find its way into our many daily screens and even windows. It's not all about gadget vanity though; solar panels lose efficiency over time through residual surface build up, and using the new glass could go some way to eliminate that issue. If they can just remember where they put the ultra-clear test sample that is.
New water-resistant coating protects your phone, the planet (video)
Water, the life-long foe of all things electrical. Protecting our digital finery from its evil infiltration is a task many have undertaken, and the latest battalion to join the foray is Daikin Industries. The chemical company is developing a water-resistant coating that could save many devices from a watery grave. We've seen similar ideas before, but Daikin's promises to have good eco-credentials thanks to its low toxicity. Formed by dissolving a fluoropolymer in fluorinated solvent, the coating takes just a minute to dry and is extremely thin -- between 0.1 and 1 microns. The coating isn't designed for full waterproofing, but rather to raise the base level resistance to liquid attacks. Most interestingly of all, it can also be applied to porous and meshed surfaces, such as mouthpiece grills. It's hoped to be commercially available from December this year, so you'll have to try to avoid any little accidents until then.
Flowfold iPad sleeve: a water-resistant case with an eco-friendly footprint
If you live in an area that gets warm rain in the summer or cold rain in the winter, then you'll want to check out the iPad sleeve from Flowfold. It's a basic sleeve that'll protect your iPad from the elements. It's made of recycled materials, which makes it friendly for the environment, too. Design The Flowfold case has a basic sleeve design with sailcloth on the outside and a soft inner liner made of recycled bottles. The outer sailcloth layer is made from leftover scraps that would otherwise be thrown away. For those who have never seen it, sailcloth is used to make professional racing sails and has a unique glossy, fibrous appearance. This sailcloth sleeve is different from any other case I have seen because the styling doesn't come from inks and coloring, but from the material itself. Besides its unique appearance, sailcloth is also an extremely durable, water-resistant material. According to the manufacturer, it's made of Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, Pentex or Polyester matrixes sandwiched between Mylar films. The outer sailcloth layer gives the sleeve some strength, but it's not a rigid case. It's still soft and flexible. The inside is a low-pile plush material made from recycled bottles. It gives the case some cushioning and the soft surface won't scratch the surface of your iPad. At the top of the sleeve is an inner Velcro tab that'll keep your iPad in the case and not on the floor. It's a solid closure that requires some force to open and won't open without warning. The Flowfold is a handmade case and solidly made. If you look closely, you may notice the stitches are not always perfectly spaced like a machine, but it's a strong stitching that doesn't come apart easily. I like the handmade look because it means each case will be a little bit different from the others. Size-wise, the sleeve is designed for the case-less iPad, but it will fit will fit other similarly-sized tablets. I used it with my iPad 1, my iPad 2 and both the Touchpad and Xoom. Functionality The outstanding feature of the Flowfold sleeve is its outer sailcloth material. It gives you enough water protection that you can carry it in the rain or snow without concern. Be careful around deep puddles, though. The sleeve is water-resistant against surface moisture, but it's not a sealed case and won't protect your iPad if it takes a plunge. Besides being water-resistant, the sailcloth won't rip or tear easily. I tried tugging at it and brushing it up against sharp corners and couldn't cause a split in the fabric. I'm sure if I took my Spyderco knife to it, I could tear it, but that's to be expected. Unless you work or play in an extremely rough environment, the sleeve will stand up to everyday wear and tear. The Flowfold sleeve has a soft inner lining and thick stitching around the edges that provide protection from your average fall. It's not an Otterbox case that'll let you throw your iPad, but you can drop it without worrying about damage. It's a flexible sleeve, however, and won't protect your iPad from twisting forces or blunt impact. If you put your Flowfold-encased iPad in a backpack, you still have to be careful you don't bend it, twist it or step on it. Conclusion The Flowfold sleeve is excellent for the casual user who wants to carry their iPad without worrying about the weather. It gives you enough water protection that you can carry it in the rain and enough impact protection that you can drop it without concern. The sailcloth also gives the case a unique, outdoorsy look that's quite eye-catching. Best of all, it's made of recycled materials and is handcrafted in the state of Maine. The Flowfold iPad sleeve is available for $35 in a variety of colors from Flowfold's website. %Gallery-145960%
Mophie's ruggedized 6,000 mAh Juice Pack Powerstation Pro: it's for argonauts
Did Mophie's 4,000mAh Juice Pack Powerstation not hold enough extra battery power for you, warrior of the road? Well, today you're in luck. The company has just introduced its new Pro variant, packing a massive 6,000mAh of total juice. Like its older brethren, it'll charge mostly any device over USB (even supplying pass-through power when you need to plug it in), and switches between 500 mAh, 1A and 2.1A to preserve its total capacity. The real kicker, however, is its "impact-restistant" casing, made of steel, aluminum and rubber, along with its "water-tight" USB ports. Notably, the Pro is also IP65-certified -- effectively ensuring a venerable level of protection from liquid, shock and dust. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but we're sure many a journeying LTE user will want one to store in their backpack ASAP. %Gallery-142401%
Fujitsu's Arrows ES IS12F has the light stuff, baby, heads to KDDI January 7th
A little junk in the mobile trunk never hurt nobody, but don't tell that to Fujitsu, where thin is clearly in. The company's gone all out on its latest handset -- the Arrows ES IS12F -- for Japanese carrier KDDI, hitting marks for both svelteness and ruggedness: pairing a 6.7mm profile with a Gorilla Glass and scratch-resistant body coating (think: the Brawny Man as a phone covered in Teflon on a Master Cleanse). This 4-incher's outfitted with an 800 x 480 AMOLED display, single-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 processor running Android 2.3, 5.11 megapixel rear shooter and, in keeping with the Arrows tradition, it's also waterproof. If you're living in the Land of the Rising Sun, you can snag this slight smartphone in Ruby Red and Gloss Black starting January 7th. Sorry, chubby phone chasers, you're gonna have to sit this one out.
