Last month we reported that the iPhone 5 might come with HzO coating which would make the device waterproof. Now we’re hearing that the iPhone 5 won’t be coming with the HzO coating after all–rather, according to a source that has proven to be reliable in the past, the iPhone 5 will ship with Liquipel waterproof coating pre-applied.
What’s more, the iPhone 5 reportedly won’t be the only nor the first device to come with pre-applied Liquipel as it’s rumored by the same source that the Samsung Galaxy S III will also come with the coating. The Galaxy S III should hit stores before the iPhone 5, with a spring 2012 release planned for the Samsung phone.
Changes in Insurance Wording Indicate Waterproof iPhone 5
The source, an unnamed person involved in U.K. retail, told Today’s iPhone that “both (the Galaxy S III and the iPhone 5) will have had Liquipel treatment as they’ll be altering the wording on insurance.” The change in wording is necessary, as current phone insurance plans generally do not cover water damage; however, if the phone is considered to be a water-proof device, this would mean that, in theory, any water damage to the water-proof phone would be considered a defect with the phone itself. This would mean that water damage to a water-proof phone like the iPhone 5 would be covered by insurance.
According to the source, the fact that they’re altering the wording on the insurance is what indicates that the iPhone 5 will come with waterproof technology. The only question is, what waterproof technology will be used? Currently, all signs point toward Liquipel, who have made no secret of the fact that they would like to work with phone manufacturers to have their product pre-installed on devices.
How Liquipel Coating Waterproofs the iPhone (and other devices)
Liquipel made their debut at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and is said to have impressed manufacturers with their waterproofing technology. According to Liquipel’s website, the waterproof coating is not visible to the human eye (it is see-through) and doesn’t make any device it is applied to any heavier.
When applied to a device like the iPhone, the coating is said to completely block water from seeping into the iPhone 5 and destroying any of the delicate hardware within the device. This means that consumers who accidentally drop their iPhone 5 in something as small as a puddle of water or as large as a toilet won’t have to worry about the device ceasing to function afterwards. Instead, the Liquipel technology will keep the iPhone 5 working despite the water that surrounds it.
Liquipel currently applies the coating to the iPhone 4S–as well as a variety of other phones–at a cost of $59. To have the coating applied to the phone means shipping the device to Liquipel and waiting for them to apply the coating and ship the device back to you. Obviously, it would be much more convenient–and probably cheaper–if the technology was applied during the manufacturing process.
What Do You Think?
Do you think a waterproof iPhone 5 is in the works or is this just another rumor that won’t actually become a reality? How useful would you find a waterproof iPhone 5 to be? Leave a comment and give us your opinion on the potentional waterproof iPhone 5.
No comments:
Post a Comment