Swim with your camera, surf with your iPod
Have a wet and wild spring with tech that lets you drench your gizmos
 h20audio.com Pair the iN3 iPod case with waterproof headphones and swim with a soundtrack this spring. |
Latest tech video |
 Know your tech etiquette July 7: Nancy Gorczynski of the Etiquette and Protocol School reveals the rules when it comes to your cell phone. |
|
It is a fact of spring that weather changes can be dramatic. But this year has been fraught with more than the average number of surprising, sudden, even dangerous storms.
What does this have to do with technology? Lots, if your tech is caught in the weather. Water and electronics are natural enemies. And it takes very little to destroy some of your most important gear … and the memories they hold. Here are some great ways to protect your tech.
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW
For folks who kill their digital cameras accidentally by dropping them onto the pavement; or fumbling them overboard into the lake; or leaving them outside during a sudden rainstorm, the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is a great way to protect your important pictures.
The camera is not only water resistant up to 10 meters (33 feet) down, it’s also shockproof in drops of up to two meters (6.6 feet) — hence the “W” and “S” in the name. The 10.1 megapixel camera has a special vibration-absorbing chassis that protects the electronics in sudden drops and an exterior sheathing that seals out water. It even has digital image stabilization for shaky-handed shooters and 29 different automatic shooting modes for a huge variety of picture-taking situations. $399; olympusamerica.com
Aquapac
If your technology comes without waterproof protection, here’s a simple, truly effective little solution: the Aquapac, a waterproof bag for your gizmos.
Anyone who has hopped onto a boat or even walked onto a sandy beach has gone into the danger zone when it comes to their precious gadgets. Indeed, for almost any silicon-based gear, including cameras, cell phones, camcorders and even compact thumb drives, the water and dust will kill a product faster than you can say "oops."
The British company Aquapac makes the bags in a huge variety of shapes and sizes to suit almost any tech toy; the soft, clear plastic case not only keeps out water and sand, it lets you continue to use your now-protected tech. The key — the so-called “aquaclip” on the top of each sack — has a V-groove that seals out water. Most of the Aquapacs are tested safe to 15 feet deep, although the Keymaster goes down to 150 feet. $15-$125; aquapac.net
H20 Audio
Listening to music during an hour-long pool workout would be wonderful. Going for a run with your music when the spring rain is threatening (and not worrying about it) would be downright heavenly.
But there have been few waterproof high-fi options for wet weather and pool or lake swimming in the spring. Consider this breakthrough product from H20 Audio — a totally waterproof set of headphones (up to 10 feet) that work with your iPod. Ingenious silicone earplugs lock out the water, and the tiny waterproof speakers are able to be completely submerged. The “neckwrap” design of the headphones keeps it from being dislodged.
Pair the headphones with the iN3 waterproof case for your iPod, and you can surf, swim or play in the rain with your personal soundtrack. Case, $79.99; H3 headphones, $39.95; h20Audio.com
Paul Hochman is the gear and technology editor for the TODAY Show and a Fast Company magazine contributor. He covered the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Athens and Torino, Italy, for TODAY. He was also a three-year letter winner on the Dartmouth ski team and has a black belt in karate. Paul’s blog can be found at: Paulhochman.blogspot.com
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
- Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM TECH IT OUT! WITH PAUL HOCHMAN |
 Tech finds the fountain of youth |
| Add Tech it Out! with Paul Hochman headlines to your news reader: |