waterproof

iPhone survives month in frozen Canadian lake

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Don't be a afraid of the water ip68
An iPhone emerged fully functional from the bottom of a Canadian lake.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Canadian Angie Carriere dropped her iPhone into a lake while she was ice fishing. A month later, she retrieved off the bottom of the still-frozen lake. And it works.

Watch a video showing the amazing rescue.

CaliCase lets Cult of Mac readers take their iPhones anywhere – at a 20% discount

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CaliCase with lanyard
Every CaliCase comes with a lanyard to keep it safely on your person.
Photo: CaliCase

This iPhone case post is presented by CaliCase.

You never really want to be without your iPhone, do you? And that goes for any smartphone. The precious thing is going to be in your pocket or hand in almost any scenario. But you can keep it on your person in extreme conditions, too, like scuba diving and mountain climbing, thanks to the rugged wares of CaliCase.

After year in watery grave, iPhone packs new feature: barnacles

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After year in watery grave, iPhone packs new feature: barnacles
It doesn't work -- but what a conversation starter!
Photo: NBC-2

Apple has worked hard to make its iPhones increasingly waterproof. However, that doesn’t guarantee that your iPhone will survive in any submerged situation.

One example? A recently rediscovered iPhone which had spent a year in the Atlantic Ocean 40 feet under water. The handset was recovered by a scuba diver, who managed to return it to its rightful owner. Most impressive of all? It still wor– no, we’re just kidding: it’s totally busted.

This case makes newest iPad Air and iPad mini waterproof

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Catalyst-iPad-Air-mini
Catalyst won't let water ruin your iPad.
Photo: Catalyst

Summer might be almost over, but Apple’s newest iPads are ready for the beach — thanks to the ultra-rugged Catalyst case.

Now available for the most recent iPad Air and iPad mini, Catalyst makes your tablet completely waterproof, and keeps out unwanted debris like sand and dust. It can also handle accidental drops.

Team of divers discover working iPhone X at the bottom of a lake

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Underwater Hunters
Well, that's $1,000 saved!
Photo: Underwater Hunters

An iPhone survived under water for two days before being discovered by divers in a murky lake in the U.K.

The phone was discovered by a team of professional divers. It belonged to a member of staff at a watersports park in Nottinghamshire. “The screen lit up and he had a missed call from his granddad,” the diver who discovered it said.

Catalyst case makes your 2018 iPad Pro waterproof

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Catalyst-case-2018-iPad-Pro
You can finally swim with iPad Pro. If you really want to.
Photo: Catalyst

Apple made the iPhone water-resistant years ago, but the iPad lineup is yet to get the same treatment. If you have a real urge to take yours swimming despite this, you need the new rugged case from Catalyst.

With an IP68 rating, the Catalyst case protects your iPad Pro in water more than six-feet deep. It also offers military-grade drop protection.

7 reasons people are keeping old iPhones much longer

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Old iPhones
The iPhone 5 might have been Apple’s coolest iPhone design.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple is set to make 5 billion dollars less this quarter than it previously expected. That’s a pretty big deal, and it’s down to two major things. One was an “economic weakness in some emerging markets.” The other was that Apple said it sold “fewer iPhone upgrades than we had anticipated.”

That second one is very interesting. Why aren’t people upgrading? There are two possibilities. One is that they’re switching to Android. The other is that people are holding onto their old iPhones for much longer. Why’s that?

Just how waterproof is the iPhone XS anyway?

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Don't be a afraid of the water ip68
Don't be a afraid of the water.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The iPhone XS and XS Max both have an updated water-resistance rating compared to previous iPhones. The iPhone X has an IP67 rating, whereas the new models have IP68. But what does that mean? In practical terms, it means you never have to worry about dropping your iPhone in the toilet. But the code actually means a lot more than that.

The best iPhone X cases you can buy right now

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cracked-iphone
Don't let this happen to you.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The iPhone X is almost here. Preorders have been taken, so now it’s time to spend the rest of the week until delivery choosing accessories for your new iPhone X.

Unlike the iPhone 8, which fits perfectly into (most) existing iPhone 7 cases, the iPhone X needs new clothes. Here are the best and/or most interesting iPhone 8 cases so far.

Up your mobile audio, photo and charging game [Deals]

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This roundup of gear and gadgets includes awesome audio, video, and charging goodies.

Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Feel like spicing up the digital dimensions of your life? If so, today is your lucky day. That’s because we’ve rounded up massive deals on top shelf accessories, from Bluetooth speakers and headphones, to an awesome digital camera and portable power pack. It’s all discounted by nearly half off or more. Plus, you can get an additional 15 percent off when you use the coupon code “SAVE15” at checkout. Read on for more details:

Upgrades for your email, mobile photography, and more [Week’s Best Deals]

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This week's best deals include a powerful email platform, a waterproof all-purpose camera, and lots more.
This week's best deals include a powerful email platform, a waterproof all-purpose camera, and lots more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Every week here at the Cult of Mac Store, we’re busy finding great deals on tech tools, gadgets, and courses. This round, we’ve got an email app contender for Outlook and Gmail, and an all-purpose, waterproof HD camera. Also check out the comprehensive course in the Microsoft Office suite, and a video editor packed with 60 video assets. So there’s something here for everybody, read on for more details:

iPhone X may be Apple’s most pool-friendly phone yet

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Galaxy Note 7 water wet
Samsung already offers impressive waterproofing capabilities.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

We know a whole lot about Apple’s new iPhone X handset due to various leaks. One thing we haven’t heard up until now, however, is how waterproof Apple’s new flagship device will prove to be.

While there’s still no definite confirmation, a new patent application granted to Apple in Taiwan suggests that Apple’s new iPhone may have waterproofing to match its Samsung marketplace rival, the Galaxy S8.

Grab these top iPhone accessories for less than $20 [Deals]

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collage-2017-08-22 (1)
From rugged mobile mounts to keychain Lightning chargers, these are some of the top iPhone accessories for under $20.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

iPhones are great, but to get the most out of them you’ve got to have the right accessories. But when you’ve already dropped coin for a new phone, it’s hard to think about shelling out even more cash. So we’ve rounded up some of the best iPhone peripherals you can get for under 20 bucks. That includes a tough but flexible mini tripod, and a set of keychain-sized Lightning cables. Plus, we have a set of premium Bluetooth earbuds, and a device to turn any iPhone into a universal remote. Read on for more details:

iPhone 7 survives explosive encounter with 25 pounds of gunpowder

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Can the iPhone 7 survive 25 pounds of pure black powder?
Can the iPhone 7 survive 25 pounds of pure black powder?
Photo: TechRax

Apple has flaunted the iPhone 7’s new waterproof powers in plenty of ads, but did you know it’s also (kinda) fireproof?

To see just how much damage the new (RED) iPhone 7 can take, one insidious YouTuber placed the new device in a bucket filled with 25 pounds of gunpowder. The giant gunpowder explosion is truly impressive, but your mind will be blown by the condition of the iPhone once the smoke clears.

Enjoy the carnage:

iPhone 8 may have even higher waterproof rating

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iPhone 7
The next iPhone will be great at swimming.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple may be planning to make its next iPhone even more waterproof, according to the newest rumor out of Asia.

Samsung’s Galaxy S7 is currently the only smartphone with a device boasting a IP68 rating, but Apple allegedly plans to catch up this year with an iPhone that can can be submerged just as deep.

Apple goes surfing in latest watch ad

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Surfs up!
Surfs up!
Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch’s improved waterproof technology is on full display in Apple’s newest ad, which catches some waves with the wearable.

Go Surf is the latest in Apple’s “Give the gift of go” series of short holiday ads that show off Apple Watch Series 2’s fitness features. The new ad is accompanied by another spot titled Go Ride that zips through the city on a bike.

Check ’em out:

Expel water from your iPhone speaker grille using only sound

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iPhone 7 soaked in water
A crafty Redditor discovers a simple and free way to clear trapped water from your iPhone 7's speaker grille.
Photo: Apple

Apple touts the new iPhone 7 as being water-resistant enough to take into the shower. There’s really no good reason to bathe with your smartphone, but the point is that iPhone 7 owners don’t need to worry about a little rain or spilled tea.

Naturally, some people waltzed into their shower stalls with their expensive new phones in hand — just cuz — and some found a weakness in the iPhone 7’s water-resistance. Luckily for foolhardy iPhone owners everywhere, a Redditor discovered a simple hack for getting the water out.

iPhone 7 might be much more exciting than we thought

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iPhone 7 clone
You'll probably want to upgrade to iPhone 7.
Photo: BeSound

The iPhone 7 might look two years old when it goes on sale this September, but it will be much more exciting than you anticipated, according to the latest claims from Deutsche Bank analysts.

Apple’s 4.7-inch model is expected to get an upgraded camera with optical image stabilization, a Force Touch home button, “professional-class waterproofing,” and more.

iPhone 7 may make bigger splash than expected

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The iPhone could get a new home button.
The iPhone could get a new home button.
Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac

Full details of the iPhone 7 aren’t expected to be revealed until early this Fall, but thanks to the Apple rumor mill we may already know two of the device’s biggest features, and they could be more major than expected.

Apple will supposedly make its next iPhone both waterproof and dustproof, according to  supply chain sources in China that also indicate the home button could get its biggest upgrade since the addition of Touch ID.

Virtually indestructible backup battery gets you off the grid for longer [Reviews]

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Rugged, powerful, portable.
Rugged, powerful, portable.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Best List: GoBatt 12000 Rugged Portable Backup Battery by Scoche

Once a year, I head into the backwoods outside of Anchorage and spend a week or so at a public-use cabin by a lake to unplug and clear my head of the necessary evils of urban living.

There’s no running water, no electricity, no internet. It’s delightful, but it takes some planning to keep my iPhone charged up in case of emergency.

I can’t wait to take this rugged, high-capacity, waterproof backup battery with me this year, as it’s the perfect companion for a modern outdoor adventure.

iPhone 7 will be waterproof, charge wirelessly and have no headphone jack

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iPhone-7-concept
An iPhone 7 concept gets rid of the ugly antenna lines too.
Photo: Eric Huismann

The upcoming iPhone 7 is almost certainly ditching the headphone jack at this point. What at first seemed like a ridiculous stretch is now shaping up to be the most credible rumor about the next-gen iPhone so far.

The latest whispers indicate that, while the headphone jack is out, wireless charging and a waterproof design are finally in.

Apple makes a splash with new waterproof iPhone patent

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Water way to test your iPhone!
Water way to improve the iPhone.
Photo: LifeProof

Apple today published an intriguing patent application with a unique method for waterproofing future devices — by covering ports, like those for USB or headphones, with self-healing seals.

Described as an, “electronic device with hidden connector,” the invention describes how self-healing elastomeric material could seal each of the ports, which would then be opened by puncturing them with external connectors, such as power or audio feeds, in the event that they needed to be used.

Apple has a crazy invention for self-drying iPhones

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Letting water in? There's an app a patent for that. Photo: TechSmartt
Apple is working to make its future iPhones more waterproof.
Photo: TechSmartt

Apple has been taking steps to make the iPhone more water resistant than it has been previously. However, a newly-published patent application suggests the company may go even further — by using cutting-edge electrode technology to actively expel water that has become trapped in the device, rather than just fighting to keep it out.

Here’s how it could conceivably work.

Here’s how not to drown your massive iPhone collection

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iphone-dunk-test
Yep, this wasn't how he'd planned it.
Photo: Zach Straley

Although Apple hasn’t confirmed it, there have been rumblings that the new iPhone 6s is more water-resistant than its predecessors. So what better way to make a viral stress test video than to strap every iPhone ever made on a board, lower them into a tray of water, and observe the order in which they stop working?

Done properly, such a concept should let its creator sit back and watch the retirement fund ad revenue roll in. Well, done properly it might. Done incredibly haphazardly, on what looks like the world’s most buoyant piece of wood, it’s not quite such a winner.

Check it out below.