CES 2013: Liquipel Announces 2.0 Watersafe Nanocoating For Waterproofing Devices

[MacRumors]

Water-resistant nanocoating has been around for some time now, but Santa Ana-based company Liquipel has debuted a more effective version, Liquipel 2.0, which it says is up to 100 times more effective than the watersafe nanocoating it first introduced at CES 2012.

Liquipel's product is designed to protect electronic devices from water damage, adding a vapor-applied water resistant coating that does not compromise the performance of the device.

According to Liquipel's Managing Director Sam Winkler, who spoke to Engadget, a device that is treated with the new version of Liquipel is able to achieve a water resistance rating of IPX7, which means the device can be submerged in a meter of water for 30 minutes.

Though Liquipel did not previously offer a warranty for treated electronics and some users had experienced issues with devices treated with original Liquipel formula not surviving liquid exposure, the company announced its Liquipel Performance Guarantee at CES. The new warranty, which currently covers only U.S. customers but should be extended to other countries in the future, offers protection from damage due to accidental liquid exposure on Liquipel-treated devices.

The coverage excludes intentional submerging of devices in liquid. However, everyday life events that can cause liquid damage will be covered, such as: rain, splashing, sweat, dropping in the sink or toilet and spilled drinks.

Liquipel's nanocoating operation has also gone portable with its new "Liquipods," 4x4 foot boxes that can be leased by shops who want to offer the Liquipel treatment.

TechCrunch reports that Liquipel is also opening its own retail locations, beginning with an inaugural store at the West Edmonton Mall in Canada this February.

Liquipel currently offers an online service, where customers can ship devices to be professionally coated by Liquipel itself, with prices starting at $59.

Article Link: CES 2013: Liquipel Announces 2.0 Watersafe Nanocoating For Waterproofing Devices

[Leonard1818]

be sweet if they ever incorporate this into the device from the factory!

[AppleGuesser]

Why would I want this when I have a Lifeproof? That is all I need

Ok, seriously, this is pretty cool. I would love to have this coating on my iPhone

[mrxak]

Originally Posted by AppleGuesser

Why would I want this when I have a Lifeproof? That is all I need

Ok, seriously, this is pretty cool. I would love to have this coating on my iPhone

The advantage of a LifeProof (besides the drop resistance) is that it keeps water out of the device. With this, it sounds to me (I could be wrong) that water does get into the device. That means it'll be leaking back out over the course of minutes or hours after submersion. That could get annoying.

Now, I'm all in favor of making just about everything waterproof, if we can. But I'd rather do it with seals at the case, not something sprayed onto electrical components.

[sulpfiction]

Originally Posted by AppleGuesser

Why would I want this when I have a Lifeproof? That is all I need

Can't tell if ur being sarcastic, but I hope so. Because lifeproof cases are aesthetically horrible. I own one because my 2 young kids have iPad. But unless I was a Bering sea crab fishermen, I would never consider one on my phone.

[TrentS]

Originally Posted by AppleGuesser

Why would I want this when I have a Lifeproof?

"Why" would I "want" to do dishes?!

[jclardy]

So they say around 30 minutes or so...does that mean the coating wears off at that point and if I drop it in water again it will go under?

Either way it would be nice if manufactures would start using this. I haven't had a water damaged iPhone but know a few people who could have benefited from it.

Also would be nice to safely use your phone in the rain.

[treyjustice]

$59 to do this? I might try it!

[spiderman0616]

I don't know--I've seen some people test this and it doesn't work. And I'm not talking they dunked it in water and pulled it out--I've seen people just quickly drop it in water and pull it right back out, and the phone died every time.

I don't trust it.

[JHankwitz]

Originally Posted by spiderman0616

I don't know--I've seen some people test this and it doesn't work. And I'm not talking they dunked it in water and pulled it out--I've seen people just quickly drop it in water and pull it right back out, and the phone died every time.

I don't trust it.

I thought version 2 of this product is new. You must have seen this at the show, or where?

I wonder what impact this coating has on the mechanical switches and jacks.

[JaySoul]

We need this in the UK asap.

[ARandomFellow]

Originally Posted by spiderman0616

I don't know--I've seen some people test this and it doesn't work. And I'm not talking they dunked it in water and pulled it out--I've seen people just quickly drop it in water and pull it right back out, and the phone died every time.

I don't trust it.

That's weird, because I dropped my iPhone 5 in a pail of water and took it right out and it is fine. And mine isn't even treated.

[somethingelsefl]

Originally Posted by spiderman0616

I don't know--I've seen some people test this and it doesn't work. And I'm not talking they dunked it in water and pulled it out--I've seen people just quickly drop it in water and pull it right back out, and the phone died every time.

I don't trust it.

Can you post a link or source to what you're talking about? I almost had this done, but was hesitant because I wasn't sure about real-world use.

[DisMyMac]

That hand model has tattoos on his wrist. How progressive.

[afireintonto]

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

be sweet if they ever incorporate this into the device from the factory!

Seriously! That would be a nice option

[Cod3rror]

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

be sweet if they ever incorporate this into the device from the factory!

I agree, much like "Oleophobic" coating is applied straight from the factory, this should be too.

[spetznatz]

I'd be first in the queue for this...

[FrankieTDouglas]

Their first store is in Canada, but their warranty is only for US customers?

[ConCat]

Originally Posted by FrankieTDouglas

Their first store is in Canada, but their warranty is only for US customers?

That's bureaucracy-quality decision making right there. They're not as far as I know though. Go figure.

[jclo]

Originally Posted by FrankieTDouglas

Their first store is in Canada, but their warranty is only for US customers?

The store isn't open yet. Presumably when it opens, the warranty will be valid in Canada too, at least on devices treated at the store.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by FrankieTDouglas

Their first store is in Canada, but their warranty is only for US customers?

Maybe Canadian water is more penetrative than American water.

[TrentS]

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

be sweet if they ever incorporate this into the device from the factory!

That's what I've been saying for over a year!



----------

Originally Posted by SockRolid

Two comments:

1. Even if Watersafe 2.0 were used in, say, iPhones, Apple might not want to disclose that fact. The last thing any cell phone manufacturer would want is half their new handset customers dousing their phones in the the nearest faucet or dipping them in their Diet Cokes. Every time someone asks "Is that one of those waterproof phones?"

2. Liquipel would take over the world if they introduced a "Dirtsafe" car wax that repels dirt as well as Watersafe 2.0 repels water. Is nanocoating the next car wax innovation?

I'd prefer a coating that makes a devise water-resistant and make it float!

[somethingelsefl]

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

be sweet if they ever incorporate this into the device from the factory!

That's actually a pretty reasonable request. The new Xperia lineup at CES (as dreadful as the Xperia line normally is)...actually has waterproofing for up to 3ft straight from the factory.

Pretty cool.

[koa]

Does the technology that can determine if a phone was accidentally vs deliberately submerged also come from the surface of the sun?

[blackhand1001]

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

be sweet if they ever incorporate this into the device from the factory!

I believe the droid razr incorporates something similar from the factory. (yup just checked, all the droid razr phones have a nano coating appiled to the internal electronics and exterior) Its definitely possible.