water damage

There's been a lot of talk about the next generation iPhone sporting waterproof technology. Both Liquipel and HzO are looking to make all of your favorite mobile electronics immune to water exposure and its consequences.

In the meantime, we've seen several cases including the Case Marine and ECO MarineCase hit the market and promise to keep your iPhone dry. Those looking for an all-around durable and waterproof iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S case are in luck, because now the top-notch Lifeproof iPhone Case is running just $51.99 in black on Amazon.com.

Looking to waterproof your iPhone without expensive treatments or bulky cases? For those who don't need to go deeper than 30 feet, it looks like the solution is here. A lightweight, easy to install case has arrived called the Case Marine, which is so thin you can even use it under another case.

Some have even referred to the accessory as an iPhone "condom" since it's stretchy and installs so quickly on the device. The front of the Case Marine covering the screen is acrylic, and the rest of the case slips on easily and seals with a JIS rating of IPX8. This just means you don't have to worry about any unwanted fluids leaking inside.

Hoping for a waterproof iPhone 5 later this summer? A recent patent uncovered by AppleInsider could mean that Apple is throwing cold water on the concept. New immersion detection sensors are described that would more accurately determine when a device was damaged by water.

Current Liquid Submersion Indicators found on Apple products simply turn red after they come into contact with water. This has caused problems as even a high level of humidity can sometimes trigger the indicator to turn a different color. The patent describes an improved method that would use water-soluble glue.

The notion of a waterproof iPhone is laughable to anyone who's accidentally dropped their device in a pool or been stuck in a rainstorm. Apple has been clear when it comes to Apple Care claims that water damage is not covered, even going so far as to install liquid sensors in iPhones.

All this could be set to change if HzO succeeds in its efforts to get Apple to treat their devices with WaterBlock technology during the manufacturing process. HzO won this year's CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award for a nano-scale film barrier that repels water from sensitive electronics.

Getting your iPhone wet can be a bummer, especially if it refuses to operate afterwards and you need a new one. Apple is notorious for denying warranty claims based on a simple test, the LCI or liquid contact indicator located at the base of the headphone jack. When this gets wet, it turns red.