Waterproof versus water resistant phones

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is concerned by the number of complaints about waterproof phones – and that they stopped working after using them in a swimming pool or in the rain.

ACCC is looking at the wording of phone retailers regarding waterproof versus water resistant phones (The Canberra Times, September 1, 2015). The ACCC thinks retailers are not making the issue clear for the public about what the terminology means and doesn’t mean.

Consumers are making complaints about water damage to their phones. Some phone companies in Australia are not honouring warranties regarding water damage.

Some phone companies use the terminology ‘waterproof’ and provide a rating in the documentation about their phones. Phones that have the highest waterproof rating can ‘handle dips in the sink, calls in the rain, and pictures in any weather.’ Out of a rating from 1-10, companies have given the highest rating of 8).

Waterproof means that the phone repels water and does not let water inside the device, a bit like ‘water tight.’ Waterproof is generally used in clothing terminology – such as a raincoat because it won’t let water through the coat. Or scuba diving watches are marked waterproof. Water resistant means the same except that there are certain conditions – such as to a certain depth of water, i.e. water resistant to two metres. Water resistance does not guarantee that the device will not be damaged if it comes into contact with water.

The information in some phone retail documents say that consumers should avoid excessive sand and mud around their phones, and avoid getting their phones in contact with extremely hot or cold water. And that phones should not come into contact with salt water (i.e. the sea or salt water pools and spas). Some companies stipulate that phones should not be used in swimming pools because of the chlorine levels. Or ‘avoid keeping the device in the pool for too long and to remember to rinse it off thoroughy with fresh water once you get out.’ However, they rarely say how long is ‘too long.’

Comments

2016 update on Rike Park, Tbilisi: from construction to busy park

From a flat patch of uninteresting dirt, Rike Park in Tbilisi, Georgia, has transformed in four years (from 2014-2016) into a busy park full of trees, flower beds, sculptures, fountains, and events. Rike (Rikhe) Park is on the left bank of the Mt’k’vari River (the Kura River) near the Old City of Tbilisi. The Peace Bridge links the right bank to Rike Park. Rike Park is below the hillside Presidential Palace and, via cable car, it is the starting point for the ride to Sololaki Ridge (with the Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue). The glass box-shaped cable car terminus was opened on 23 June 2012, and since then the park has continually developed into a ‘people’s park’ where people can walk around, eat at the nearby restaurants, sit next to the statue of American president Ronald Reagan, climb the steps to Avlabari district, and access the sights of Meidan Square, the Peace Bridge, the Metekhi Church, the Old City, the waterfall, the sulphur baths, and t...

The acacia thorn trees of Kenya

There are nearly 800 species of acacia trees in the world, and most don’t have thorns. The famous "whistling thorn tree" and the Umbrella Thorn tree of Kenya are species of acacia that do have thorns, or spines. Giraffes and other herbivores normally eat thorny acacia foliage, but leave the whistling thorn alone. Usually spines are no deterrent to giraffes. Their long tongues are adapted to strip the leaves from the branches despite the thorns. The thorny acacia like dry and hot conditions. The thorns typically occur in pairs and are 5-8 centimetres (2-3 inches) long. Spines can be straight or curved depending on the species. MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Suda...

Hop on hop off bus tourism comes to Tbilisi, Georgia

City Sightseeing buses have arrived in Tbilisi. The iconic red double-decker buses, a feature of many cities around the world since the company was established in Seville, Spain in 1999, is now in six continents and almost 100 cities. The company established its Tbilisi business in November 2013, with its operations commencing in February 2014. The 90-minute tour stops at 11 major locations in Tbilisi (with 2 to 5 minute waiting times at each location): the Old City (where it commences), Freedom Square, Rose Revolution Square, Marjanishvili Square, the Dry Bridge, Konka, Avlabari, Metekhi, Akhundov Museum, the Sulfur Baths, and European Square. Passengers can hop off at any stop and see the sights, hopping back onto the next bus at any time. Alternatively, passengers can remain on the bus for the whole tour and take photographs when the bus stops at each location. There are one day (24-hour) passes (for 35 lari – about $20) and 48-hour passes for 55 lari, with family d...

FEAST OR FAMINE

Search This Blog