“A U.S. patent application published on Thursday reveals Apple is actively researching ways to make its products resistant to moisture,” Mikey Campbell reports for AppleInsider.
“Apple’s filing for ‘Methods for shielding electronic components from moisture’ outlines a process for coating sensitive device components using advanced vapor deposition technology and protecting solder leads with silicone seals,” Campbell reports. “Instead of sealing off the entire device housing like a common wristwatch, Apple proposes coating integral components, like the printed circuit board (PCB), with a hydrophobic coating.”
“It is unclear if Apple will employ more aggressive moisture protection in future products, but as the company moves into the wearables industry with Apple Watch, consumers may come to expect a certain level of waterproofing from its devices,” Campbell reports. “Apple Watch itself was designed with at least a minimal level of splash resistance, as CEO Tim Cook recently revealed it can be worn in the shower.”
More details and Apple’s patent application illustrations in the full article here.
Smart idea. I’d love to see an MDN poll that would look something like this:
1. I have had an iPhone, iPod, or iPad suffer water or moisture damage.
2. I haven’t personally had water or moisture damage an Apple device, but I know someone who has.
3. Neither myself nor anyone I know has had an Apple device damaged by water or moisture.
Number 1 for me. – An iPhone. (and no, it wasn’t the toilet)
My son, who was 4 at the time, put his mother’s iPhone 3G in a water fountain in our garden. It didn’t float well. 🙁
When the thing dried out, the camera no longer functioned and the battery life was cut in half. But damn, it still worked!
Does this mean Apple will no longer keep the water sensitive paper inside the iPhone that will void the warrantee if is shows it got wet?
Android advertisements would lead you to believe that all their phones are waterproof even through most, if not all, people I meet (I know, a small sampling) do not have the waterproof version.
Is there a disadvantage to their waterproof phones? Do the touch screens not work as well? Is there a problem with the connectors?
I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.
I have an iPhone app that makes it waterproof. 😛
Can’t talk about this, without risk of jinx.
When getting into situations where there is a known risk of getting my iPhone wet, I have found that a snack size ZipLoc bag works great. No problems with touch screens or fingerprint sensor.
The probably got the idea from these guys…