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In previous years at CES we’ve seen several different interesting waterproofing technologies, for example Liquipel’s magical waterproofing last year and Zagg has similar solutions. In fact, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Hz0 either: you may recall when we reported their waterproofing of the Galaxy S2 way back in November 2011.
Well they’re back and this time they’re bullying demo Android devices with beer, orange juice, fruit punch, water, and other nasty liquids. If anyone was foolish enough to think beer and Android didn’t mix delightfully, think again:
The difference between Hz0 and their competitors? Hz0 representatives claims it’s the difference in sealing technology. Hz0’s product is based on nanotechnology, allegedly less porous than the competition and therefore offering greater protection. According to Hz0, that’s why Liquipel and Zagg wouldn’t dare rip open the battery case, expose some internals, yet still drop a phone into a bucket of water with music still playing.
If you ask the folks at Liquipel and Zagg, I’m sure they would tell you a much different story. Regardless of what story they tell you, I want to hear the story from OEMs and carriers: why aren’t these waterproofing services included by default on every phone you offer? Oh, let me guess: because you make more money selling replacements for broken water damaged phones than tacking on additional costs on each device.
Exactly. Let’s hear from you in the comments if you think the majority of high end phones should be waterproofed by default. And, well, let’s hear from you if you disagree as well.
icanhaz
Shame they said it will be pre-sale only. I do like that Liquipel will do a post purchase coating. I do think however it should be done by default across the board.
It IS included on the Motorola droid RAZR line. I dont know why they dont market it more.
Too bad they don’t sell a kit to waterproof by the end-user. I don’t see OEM’s picking this up due to the benefit they receive from replacing broken phones.
I’m guessing the reason they aren’t selling straight to consumer is that everything must be coated before they assemble it? Does that mean you’d have to buy special hzo treated sim and microsd cards?
Did anyone else notice the GS2 freeking out in the water? Maybe it’s warm water but still… lol
It’s cause the water messes with the touchscreen
I’m wondering what happens after you’ve used the phone for a few months. Will the coating wear off?
It says on their website that the coating will outlive the electronics. I tend to believe this since I’ve heard that nano coatings bond on the molecular level. Also, nothing will be rubbing against the internals, which is the important part, it just needs to withstand the constant heating/cooling (and apparently it does).
Thanks
You had me at beer & android
Having something like this would have saved me the hassle and costs after dropping my Note 1 in the tub while Web surfing. Needless to say, I won’t be that stupid again
And android that’s friends with beer I shall name him bender
Did you know that the first two android versions were actually called(within Google) Astro, and then Bender, before they hit upon Cupcake.
I doubt many manufacturers will jump on this right away if at all. Like you said, they make money on replacements.
But how many free phones do they give away from phones that died from water/humidity damage that didn’t activate that water sensors? I had a phone under warranty replaced TWICE.
Hell yes they should. Even if it isn’t a flawless system it will give your phone a much better chance of surviving a quick swim. Of course if these techniques are all they are cracked up to be, that’s even better. Like I said though just giving smartphones a fighting chance against a little dip would make it worth while.
Totally agree.
cough cough sonys new waterproof phone cough cough
He said it would be on a phone announced there this week. Please Samsung announce the S4 at your event this afternoon !!! Please !!!
They are full of crap then. If you go to Liquipel’s site, they talk specifically about using a nano-coating. Also, they have a video of a Thunderbolt being dunked WITH THE BATTERY COVER OFF.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ama47RGdL4&feature=player_embedded#!
skip to a minute in.
Maybe they put 10 coats of Liquipel on before this video or something. I got my Thunderbolt Liquipel’d and I was showing it off by dunking it in water. The bad news is that something shorted out while it was submerged and it never turned back on. The good news is that the water detectors were coated magnificently, so I was able to get a replacement phone. Yes, I know it was stupid to intentionally do this, but beware, Liquipel only claims to protect against “brief, moderate, accidental water contact.”
I think OEMs should apply these systems to all high end smartphones. This would help alleviate the burden on them when it comes to water damage. Even if I have a $150 deductible, I cant imagine the carriers breaking even o a flagship phone when replaced under water damage.
Just a guess, but this would lower $150 claims a lot.
If this coating covers all the metal contacts in order to prevent SHORT CIRCUITS, how then does the battery and microSD card make contact? I’m assuming it’s only a bit of pressure that it takes to break the seal and push the non-conductive “oil” out of the way, but then, if you have a loose-fitting sdcard card or microusb connector, for whatever reason, then it won’t work…
It is conductive, when they put the phone in the different liquids you see the touchscreen react to it.
You have to realize that it cost between $60 to $70 to water coat one phone. As a result, OEMs wont do it since everyone wants to be the cheapest especially with the emerging 3rd world market.
What we should do then is keep the tevh around so that when it becomes feasible it can be done.
It wouldn’t cost them as much on a larger scale.
Legit!! Gimme
Very impressive.
I noticed one of the phone’s screens was doing things on its own under water. Does anyone know what that means? I have never seen a phone submerged underwater before.
When you dunk the phone in water the touchscreen thinks the water is your skin, so it starts moving around all over.
But the other phone’s screen didn’t move.
The beer must be drinkable after having a phone dunked in it, no?
Give me that Samsung flexible screen and this HzO technology and next time I my phone rep wants to charge me $7 a month for a shitty ass insurance that still includes $150+ deductible I will tell them to kiss my UnbreakableWaterBlock Ass!!
I came here for the beer
unbelievable!
I’m getting my girlfriend a phone with Hz0 so she can Skype with me in the shower.
Not a single vote up for this? Obvious usage of the waterproofing! I’ll vote you up, my friend, because I like naked chicks.
ZAGG owns a majority stake in HzO, bought them in 2010.
http://investors.zagg.com/releaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=599623
yes. by default all high end phones should be waterproofed. no brainer.
So, the tech is available, but we have to wait until OEM’s decide that it’s to their advantage to offer this to smartphone users? Sorry, but OEM’s are not going to cut into their margins to offer protection that their phones are selling just fine without, especially, if said projection lengthens the life cycle of a phone they renew every year. From the standpoint of a company like Samsung, it’s not good business. These guys need to look at getting military contracts because with smartphones selling like they are right now, OEM’s aren’t going for this. It would make a cool parlor trick, though. I would be ecstatic if they would offer it on a per customer basis. How much do you think people will pay to protect their $500 – 800 investment? $50 to $100, and I can drop my Note 2 in a bucket of water without fear? Take my money! Offer me a guarantee? I’ll go $150. Anyone listening?
Why isn’t it standard? Probably because the cost isn’t justified based on the relatively few people who drown their phones.I got my first cell phone before I had children, and my oldest is about to turn 24. In all that time, I’ve never dunked a phone. I couldn’t find pricing for the Hz0, but Liquipel wants $60 to treat an S3 with their lower level coating which protects against “accidental water spills” or a “quick dunk.”
Yeah, it would be cheaper if applied at the factory, but how many people would willingly pay an extra $25? Not many, I’ll wager.