waterproof

New portable TVs are hot sellers during DTV transition

As most people are by now aware, on June 12, full-power broadcast TV stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting their analog TV signals and will only broadcast TV signals digitally. Obviously, that impacts people who have older TVs and still use antennas to get a TV signal at home. But what's not talked about as much is the thousands of portable TVs that will stop receiving signals once analog signal disappears for good. For those who rely on such sets to tune into sporting events, such as the NBA Finals, the analog switch-off requires immediate action.

It'… Read more

Vampiric nerdlings will cower at your floating Bluetooth speakers

While all those pale suckers are indoors playing around with their videogames, you could be enjoying the summer heat, lounging in a pool and aquadancing to your favorite jams with Elima, a Bluetooth speaker designed to make your summer days even brighter.

This little orb packs in a pair of 2-watt speakers on both sides, providing you with stereo sound while it floats around in your pool. You can connect any Bluetooth device with A2DP/AVRCP and stream music from up to 30 feet away. If a call comes in while you're lounging, the Elima will automatically pause your … Read more

For Olympus, the proof is in the videos

It's always nice when a company is willing to put up its products against its marketing claims. In this case, the strengths of Olympus' Tough series of digital cameras.

Earlier in 2009, Olympus stopped designating its series of shock- and waterproof cameras with a mere SW and started calling them Tough, since the cameras were also dustproof, crushproof, and freezeproof. To prove just how much punishment they can take, it turned over a bunch of Tough-series cameras to some kids and let them have at 'em in a series of tests, which Olympus made videos of and posted to YouTube.

The "best of" video is above while the nine individual trials--including Tricycleproof and Icecreamproof--are after the break. … Read more

Pentax compacts, K2000 kit get instant rebates

If money's tight, but you don't want to miss out on spring photo opportunities, Pentax is offering up some instant savings on three of its compact cameras and its entry-level digital SLR.

Starting Friday through April 11, the company is knocking $20 off the prices of its basic compact, the Optio E70, and its lightweight ultracompact Optio P70, as well as the waterproof Optio W60. Or if you want more than a point-and-shoot, the K2000 dSLR kit with DA L 18-55mm lens and AF200FG flash has a $50 instant rebate, bringing the price down below $550.

I recently … Read more

SwiMP3: Waterproof MP3 player

The SwiMP3 player is a waterproof MP3 player with 256MB internal memory. That's approximately 60 songs, and the player has a 10-hour lithium ion battery. The device charges via USB and can be synced with both Windows (98SE, 2000, ME, XP, Vista) and Mac-based PCs (OS 9, OS X, or higher), and it even works with iTunes. Supported audio formats include MP3 and WMA files. Here's a full list of technical information including iTunes and Windows Media setup.

According to FINIS, the SwiMP3 "attaches easily to any swim goggle or snorkeling mask. For audio playback it relies … Read more

Photos: Waterproof cameras gain a beachhead

Cameras that can withstand water and shocks once were unusual, but now are spreading across the industry. At the 2009 Photo Marketing Association in Las Vegas, manufacturers showed off these rugged shooters' features by immersing them in aquariums, hanging them from climbing walls, and encasing them in ice. Have a look at some of the waterproof offerings in the gallery below.

Fujitsu's waterproof, fingerprint-scanning phone

For your next spy mission, consider the F-01A phone from Fujitsu.

It's a sleek-looking phone with some serious, sophisticated technological and rugged credentials. It's submersible--it will still work if dunked in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes--and also functions as a fingerprint-scanning device.

The phone uses AuthenTec's TouchStone technology, which is a fingerprint scanner that is utilized to navigate the device's controls, and TrueFinger, which is security software from AuthenTec, which matches fingerprint patterns. It's the first phone to use the software/hardware combination, according to AuthenTec.

The F-01A also functions as … Read more

Waterproof mouse soaks up serious sweat

I just can't get behind the concept of waterproof gadgets. An iPod Shuffle that you can submerge is kinda cool, but you still need waterproof headphones. Maybe you can use it in the shower with these speakers. But do you really need a waterproof mouse?

Your wallet says no, but USB Geek says yes. This five-button USB optical mouse is made with sealed silicone, making it completely waterproof. Despite how uncomfortable you feel about mixing water and lasers, USB Geek claims the optical sensor maintains precision on any surface. So in case you misplace your waterproof mouse pad, feel free to use that sea turtle's shell next time you're scuba diving and simply must check out what's new on CNET.

The mouse will also come in handy if you suffer from hyperhidrosis, no sweat. More pics after the jump.… Read more

Water and electronics: Enemies no more

Forever trying to protect my gadgets from the perils of even a few drops of water, it sure did feel devilishly delicious to dump an entire bottle of water onto a perfectly working laptop. Normally, that'd be curtains on your hardware, and forget about retrieving any software. But not this laptop.

Treated with Northeast Maritime Institute's special Golden Shellback clear coating, this guy emerged fine and functioning. The liquid dripped right out of the keyboard like water off a duck's back. (Watch the video to the right to see how it works.)

The folks associated with the … Read more

Waterproof tech: Gadgets that like to swim

Summer's in full swing here in the Northern Hemisphere. People have warmed up the grills, busted out the bug spray, and taken the covers off the pools. Swimming is the ultimate summer luxury in my book, but what to do about all those tech toys with water phobia? Most of them should stay far from the pool, unless of course one happens to be an iPod, which has a variety of waterproof cases made just for it. There's even one with a speaker built right in. And while I don't suggest trading in all your gadgets based … Read more