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Lucrative waterproof case market expands with new offering
Why do companies release products like this? The gameSEAL seems like a cool idea: it's a case that can hold your PSP, charger, and 10 UMDs ... and it's waterproof as well. I guess Aquaman would find this useful, but I doubt there's a large market vying for products such as these. At $40, it's a little pricier than the norm, but it's nowhere as expensive as those bullet-proof cases we've shown you in the past.[Via Engadget]
Actual Waterproof iPod case demonstrated at CES
Remember how disappointed TUAW readers were in the H2O Audio "waterproof" Nano housing that was, at best, water resistant? Today's Las Vegas-based Consumer Electronics Show brings better news. Here's a demonstration of an actual waterproof container for your iPod, courtesy of Atlantic's EGO waterproof sound case (PDF). Unfortunately, they've designed this for party goers rather than lap swimmers, but it's still a very nice step in the right direction. How hard do you think it would be to hear this thing in a shower? Pretty hard, I'd imagine. And does it look to you like it's built for rough handling or just to float and get occasionally splashed?[Via SFChron]
Atlantic launches waterproof EGO floating speaker system for iPod
Considering your mind is probably more focused on that upcoming trip to the slopes than your thoroughly frozen outdoor pool, you probably aren't in any dire need of a floating iPod speaker system in the midst of January, but nevertheless, Atlantic's bringing it to you. Aside from always staying on the sunny side of whatever liquid it's in, the plastic shell also touts a pair of (presumably weak) stereo speakers and the ability to house your dock-connecting iPod. Reportedly, the device is waterproof enough to withstand pool parties and showers, and can supposedly operate for 30 hours on just four AA batteries. While the EGO has been floating around (ahem) briefly, the firm plans to officially launch it during next week's CES, but those eager to get their swim trunks on in the middle of winter can find one now for around $115.[Via TGDaily]
Sun Connection's waterproof DAP: helps drop the kids off at the pool
There was a time when the display-less mp3 player was an item of ridicule and scorn. But with the second-gen iPod shuffle becoming Apple's number one seller, well, let's just say that the industry has taken notice. Starting today, the Japanese can pick up the ¥2,980 (about $25) MUSIC+SC-MP512MWP from Sun Connection. Available in three colors, this MP3/WMA player packs 512MB of flash, a waterproof case, and just a hint of "BM" smeared along the bottom. What more could you ask for?[Via Impress]
Sanyo's weatherproof LCD TV: the 42-inch 42LM4WPN
Sanyo's been on an LCD run of late, busting out a 7.1-inch 1080p edition, only to now take things outside with its weatherproof 42-inch LCD TV. The 42LM4WPN sports the IP56 weather resistance approval, and also sports an anti-reflective, tamper-resistant glass to show off those sparkling HD signals even when pummeled with streams of water. The set boasts a 1,366 x 768 resolution, 500 cd/m2 brightness, 800:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angle, 8-millisecond response time, and a lightweight aluminum frame to boot. On the rear, you'll find inputs for VGA, HDMI (HDCP-compliant), RGBHV (BNC), component, composite, audio out, and even an RS-232 serial port. The display also plays nice with Sanyo's PJ-NET organizer, which allows the display to be used as a network monitor, "using your internet browser to monitor and control" its properties without any additional software. While there's no set release date or pricetag associated with this rugged beauty just yet, we're hoping Sanyo opens up the flood gates around CES.
Casio shows toned-down G'zOne for business folk
Say you're on the board of a global corporation based in Japan. Sure, you're just another suit from 9 to 5, but on the weekends it's a different story -- you do some deep-sea diving, downhill skiing... heck, maybe the occasional BASE jump. Where are you supposed to find a phone tough enough to keep ticking (while you're wrestling crocodiles, that is) without getting you fired in the boardroom with some wacky, "extreme" color scheme? Believe it or not, Casio's got your number. The G'zOne E03CA takes a cue from the W42CA's book, offering a QVGA internal and 100 x 100 display, microSD slot, EV-DO radio, and 2-megapixel cam in a beefy, water resistant package. That's where the similarity ends, though: unlike the wild W42CA, the laid-back E03CA looks more fit for the inside of a suit coat pocket than a snowboarding jacket. Businessfolk with a tendency to destroy phones can look for the latest G'zOne to drop this December on KDDI's au network in Japan.[Via I4U News]
Waterproof, rollable keyboard from Kimura
So we haven't really seen a whole lot of people unfurling those rollable keyboards in public -- not because they look rather silly, but because they're almost as much of a pain in the ass to type on as those almost unusable virtual laser keyboards. Well, a Japanese company known as the Kimura Metal Industrial Corporation thinks that it may have just the 'board to overcome people's aversion to these products in the form of the waterproof eMARK Super Mobile Keyboard, whose vinyl coating should ward off even the nastiest coffee spills. Ranging in height from just one millimeter to five millimeters at its thickest point, the eMARK SMK features a retractable USB cable and comes in your choice of black or white. Again, we'll take a folding Bluetooth 'board over one of these models any day of the week, but if you're looking to get your roll on, you can pick one of these up later this month --in Japan, at least -- for the bargain basement price of only 2,980 yen (about $26).
Wet DS action
From the utter randomness file -- someone really, really wants us to believe that those DS lunchbags work as promised. For those of you who frequently float your expensive electronics around in the tub, this is surely a revelation. We can't argue the inherent fun in playing a little DS in the tub, but those pictures make us cringe. The destructive possibilities are painful.If the DS floats, like bread, apples, and very small rocks, does that make it a witch? Apparently that other handheld is cleared, as it sinks like the proverbial stone. [Via Go Nintendo]
Pentax's Optio W20 waterproof digital camera
Looks like enough people thought the ability to dunk their digital camera in a martini glass was a decent buying incentive that it was in Pentax's best interest to upgrade that W10 to the W20. Their new JIS Class 8 waterproof device can stay submerged up to 5 feet in water for up to 30 minutes, and features a SDHC support, 1600 ISO mode, 3x optical zoom, 1-inch macro mode, 7 megapixel sensor, 2.5-inch display, and an "under $300" asking price (i.e. $299.9999999-infinite). Ships September (i.e. next month, for you slacker types), so if you didn't already have a W10 (or a waterproof case) and were planning on trip far or near to take a dip in the drink, you may want to hold out just a bit longer.
DS in a bag
We're not really sure what sort of lifestyle necessitates a waterproof DS, but if you've really gotta have it while, say, scuba diving, this this is the accessory for you. Gotta wonder if they squeak like the plastic covers on grandma's sofa when you use the stylus with authority. Looks a bit like an old pencil bag. We seem to remember those zippers never working well enough to hold actual pencils, which seems a bit important when it comes to this little plastic oddity .... [Via Go Nintendo]
Waterproof meets FOMA: the SO902iWP+
If we had a dollar for every story we've heard of a flushed cellphone, we'd have, like, ten dollars. NTT DoCoMo's new alphabet soup, the SO902iWP+, may not get you your phone back if it makes its way to your town's sewage system, but it might just be working when it finally gets fished out. Besides sporting the usual FOMA goodies like a stunning UI on a QVGA display, camera, and music player, the candybar is waterproof for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water. We're not sure who makes the SO902iWP+ for NTT, but since it includes both a Memory Stick Duo slot and FeliCa support, we have our guesses.[Via Mobile Magazine]
Pegaso's VIBONE EZ-80WP: for underwater, skull vibrating fun
Here's the tired buzzword, catch-all product for the day: Pegaso's waterproof, bone-conducting VIBONE EZ-80WP headset. Besides being yellow and dark gray to camouflage your ear-grub, these babies vibrate the skull, not the air, in order to bring the beat to your auditory nerve. It's that little trick which makes 'em ideal for use underwater, or in space for that matter, you decide chief. Available starting July 15 in Japan for ¥19,800 or a whopping $170 bills. Hmm, reminds us this little ditty: the skull-bone's connected to the, Vi-bone, the Vi-bone's connected to the, ass-hat...or something like that. [Via Impress]
ADTec's AD-SDH SD cards: waterproof and fast
Yeah, we've seen waterproof SD cards before. In fact, as things rapidly commodify, waterproofing seems to have become the new pink-standard of the witless, marketeer. Still, these super happy, go fast, AD-SDH SD cards from ADTec Japan are quick with a high-speed transfer rate of 20MB/sec -- ideal for smooth video capture or support for rapid stills shot under the soggiest of conditions. On sale any day now in Japan starting at ¥2,980 (about $26) for the 512MB stick on up to ¥8,980 (or $77) for the 2GB jobbie.
Seamon's EasyGo waterproof fingerprint scanner
So you fancy red knit caps and a taste for the life aquatic, eh? Only thing is, you can't leave this cruel, cruel terra firma for fear of your sensitive data ending up in the hands of swashbuckling, or other pirate-types. Well put down that Glock and call-off the MPAA, 'cause Seamon Inc. will keep that PC booty safe even under the sloppiest of conditions. The $172 EasyGo optical fingerprint scanner is designed to cut through that thick, watery glaze for biometric access to your USB-equipped Windows laptop. Best of all, unlike iris-scanners, the EasyGo is immune to Hydrogen Psychosis, which is nice.[Via Akihabara News]
Twinbird's waterproof MP3 player frame
Japanese manufacturer Twinbird, who seems to have a thing for gadgets in the bathroom, has introduced another product we're sure someone has been clamoring for, although we can't imagine who. Their Xzabady (or X Zabady, perhaps) is a waterproof frame for an MP3 player or other portable audio device that's designed, naturally, for use in the bathroom. The frame, available in either white or black, packs a single rear speaker with two "reflectors" and a built-in FM tuner, which can be used on its own without an MP3 player attached. You can also customize the frame by inserting your our picture. Well, you could if you could actually buy it -- this one looks to be Japan-only for now.[Via Akihabara News]
Video: Water-proof 360 controllers
Anyone else surprised that Mad Catz hasn't tried to market this idea for $19.95?
Princeton PTV-WWTV7 wireless, waterproof display
Ah, summer; the season to kick back by the pool with a cool drink and catch up on all the reruns you've been saving to your DVR. What, you don't want to bring your TV and set-top down to the pool and risk splashing them a little? Well, neither do we. And that's why we're planning on picking up a Princeton PTV-WWTV7 wireless, waterproof display for the Engadget beach house. The seven-inch LCD, due out in Japan this June for 49,800, comes with a built-in battery and WiFi receiver, and a separate unit houses a transmitter that also includes an analog tuner and S-video and composite inputs for other video sources. And, according to Princeton, it really is waterproof, and can be used in the kitchen, bathroom and by the pool, though they don't recommend actually tossing it in the water. That's fine with us; this will be perched on our rubber float all summer long.
Pentax Optio W10 waterproof digicam reviewed
The Pentax Optio W10, announced in February, may look like a fairly straightforward point-and-shoot, but if you're familiar with the company's product line, you'll recognize this one's secret weapon immediately: it's waterproof. No, not waterproof as in scuba-diving, but waterproof as in, take-it-to-the-beach or take-it-on-your-next-fishing-trip. That's a distinction shared by very few other compact digicams, and could make this a good option for your summer activities. Digital Camera Review checked the camera out, and found it to be well-designed and durable. The lens is protected by a plastic cover, other openings are sealed, and buttons are harder to press thanks to waterproofing. The reviewer was impressed with the image-quality on the 6 megapixel shooter, saying images "showed accurate color and good exposure in a variety of conditions." The main gripes were shutter lag (hey, it's a compact) and an LCD screen that tends to be a little hard to view in bright sunlight. Given that you may be planning to take this one to the beach, and there's no optical viewfinder, that could be a problem, but chances are you'd rather deal with that than risk dropping your SLR in the water.
Olympus' water/shockproof Mju Stylus 720SW reviewed
The 7 megapixel Mju Stylus 720SW from Olympus has some pretty steep claims, including waterproofing up to 10 feet deep and shockproofing for up to 5 foot drops, but does seem to live up to its claims and happens to be a pretty good camera to boot. Available in pink, silver, or blue, the camera's metal housing is the main story here, with claims to be the world's only shockproof digital camera. With all this banging around we would hope for some optical image stabilization, but the digital version seems to do a decent job. The pictures are generally low noise, the camera does a good job of focusing, and the small flash manages to light up an indoor scene quite well. The reviewer liked the 2.5-inch screen, though the resolution was a bit low, but found the workings of the camera to quite quick, and the camera body easy to use and comfortable to hold. You could easily find a 7 megapixel shooter for less than the 720SW's $410 asking price, but good luck with dropping one of those in the drink.
Otterbox: Waterproof goodness now for 5G iPod
If you've been dying to go swimming with your 5G iPod (maybe you just need to watch Steve Zissou underwater), there is a more appetizing option than the fugly H2O swimbelt.Luckily Otterbox has released an iPod 5G waterproof case as an update to its line of iPod waterproof stuff we've reported on previously. This case is waterproof to 3 feet, so it's a bit more appropriate for monsoon weather and rainy northwest outdoors activities rather than full on swimming. Oh well, at least it isn't horrid to look at.[via Popgadget]
