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

Pir-E-Kamil - The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed: book review

The Perfect Mentor pbuh (2011) is set in Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan. The novel commences with Imama Mubeen in medical university. She wants to be an eye specialist. Her parents have arranged for her to marry her first cousin Asjad. Salar Sikander, her neighbour, is 18 years old with an IQ of 150+ and a photographic memory. He has long hair tied in a ponytail. He imbibes alcohol, treats women disrespectfully and is generally a “weird chap” and a rude, belligerent teenager. In the past three years he has tried to commit suicide three times. He tries again. Imama and her brother, Waseem, answer the servant’s call to help Salar. They stop the bleeding from his wrist and save his life. Imama and Asjad have been engaged for three years, because she wants to finish her studies first. Imama is really delaying her marriage to Asjad because she loves Jalal Ansar. She proposes to him and he says yes. But he knows his parents won’t agree, nor will Imama’s parents. ...

Flaws in the Glass, a self-portrait by Patrick White: book review

The manuscript, Flaws in the Glass (1981), is Patrick Victor Martindale White’s autobiography. White, born in 1912 in England, migrated to Sydney, Australia, when he was six months old. For three years, at the age of 20, he studied French and German literature at King’s College at the University of Cambridge in England. Throughout his life, he published 12 novels. In 1957 he won the inaugural Miles Franklin Literary Award for Voss, published in 1956. In 1961, Riders in the Chariot became a best-seller, winning the Miles Franklin Literary Award. In 1973, he was the first Australian author to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for The Eye of the Storm, despite many critics describing his works as ‘un-Australian’ and himself as ‘Australia’s most unreadable novelist.’ In 1979, The Twyborn Affair was short-listed for the Booker Prize, but he withdrew it from the competition to give younger writers the opportunity to win the award. His autobiography, Flaws in the Glass...

Sister cities discussed: Canberra and Islamabad

Two months ago, in March 2015, Australia and Pakistan agreed to explore ways to deepen ties. The relationship between Australia and Pakistan has been strong for decades, and the two countries continue to keep dialogues open. The annual bilateral discussions were held in Australia in March to continue engagements on a wide range of matters of mutual interest. The Pakistan delegation discussed points of interest will include sports, agriculture, economic growth, trade, border protection, business, and education. The possible twinning of the cities of Canberra, the capital of Australia, and Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, were also on the agenda (i.e. called twin towns or sister cities). Sister City relationships are twinning arrangements that build friendships as well as government, business, culture, and community linkages. Canberra currently has international Sister City relationships with Beijing in China and Nara in Japan. One example of existing...

FEAST OR FAMINE

Search This Blog