The Public Access Weekly: Hit the road jack
This week brought us announcements from both Apple and Sony, and the typical flurry of stories, opinions, analysis, comments, think-pieces and trend stories on the news from both companies. Here in the Engadget offices, event days like this consist of editors hunched over keyboards typing furiously and video and photography staff rushing in and out for equipment. No one talks and everyone is super focused. Then the hardware arrives and we all congregate in a circle to take turns holding the shiny new device and offering initial impressions.
What can I tell you from having spent a whole… 90 seconds with the new iPhone? Much like Chris Velazco in our hands-on video, I also really like the new jet black color. However, I am not a big fan of the decision to remove the headphone jack (and I think the AirPods look really dumb when worn), and the ‘force touch’ sensor that is replacing the home button is going to take some time to get used to. But admittedly, that’s an opinion formed in literal seconds so, you know, take it with the appropriate grain of salt.
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Looking for something to read? Check out:
Gamers have been promised 1080p for a while — will the announcements of consoles like the PS4 Pro and Project Scorpio provide the performance bump that will finally result in higher resolution gaming? Do these consoles even have the power to pull off 4K? Read on for all the salient details.
What do Final Fantasy 7, the PAX convention, Edgar Allen Poe and notable hip-hop star the RZA have in common? Nerdcore! If you like Childish Gambino or Deltron 3030, hip-hop, music history or culture pieces (or if you’re just looking for some suggestions on new artists to check out) you’ll want to read this story on the grandfathers of the nerdcore movement.
Is ditching the headphone jack a “courageous” moment for Apple? Phil Schiller seemed to think so during the company’s event this week, but hundreds of commenters — and our own Roberto Baldwin — are taking umbrage with that word choice.
Looking for something to write about? Mull over:
With two high-profile Kickstarter games experiencing snags, delays, and cancellations to the dismay of backers and fans, it seems that the once robust crowdfunding moment may be over. Is crowdfunding a dying concept? What could get Kickstarter (and other similar sites) back in good standing in the eyes of backers? What expectations should backers have, and what are they guaranteed by contributing funds to a crowdsourced project?
Now that Apple has retired the 3.5mm headphone jack (long live the 3.5mm headphone jack!), the company will be focusing on the wireless, Bluetooth AirPods. It’s not the only company touting wireless earbud options — Samsung’s Gear IconX earbuds are intended for fitness fans and integrate into the Samsung/Android ecosystem. If you’ve already switched over to wireless headphones, what are you using and how do you like them compared to wired options? Review and recommend wireless headphones for those who are just getting on board with Bluetooth headphones.
Drones are increasingly used for reasons that seem, well, a bit frivolous — like delivering pizza or burritos. But there are growing examples of drones being used for more functional and practical purposes, like thwarting boat thieves and helping improve firefighter safety. What is the best use of a drone you’ve ever seen or heard of? Alternatively, what’s the best use for a drone that you can think of?
Dual Rear Camera Likely to Remain Exclusive to High-End iPhones in 2017
On the same day the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus became available for pre-order, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a new research report outlining his expectations for a dual rear camera in next year’s iPhone model.
According to Kuo, cost considerations and a niche appeal for the dual camera, which is found only on the larger iPhone 7 Plus model this year, mean that the feature is likely to remain exclusive to “high-end” models in 2017 as well. Presumably this means the dual camera would again appear only on so-called “iPhone 8 Plus” models should Apple continue to offer similar product lineups.
While an attractive addition for avid picture takers and professional photographers, the iPhone 7 Plus dual-camera is not a mass-market killer application yet. Along with its high cost (estimated at over US$30-40) and the necessity for Apple to enhance the added value of high-end iPhone models, we expect only high-end new iPhone models (30-40% of them) to have a dual-camera next year.
As for what improvements can be anticipated for the dual camera in 2017, Kuo indicates that optical image stabilization (OIS) is likely to be added to the telephoto camera. In the iPhone 7 Plus, only the wide-angle camera has OIS.
Note that for the dual- camera of iPhone 7 Plus, wide-angle CCM is equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM, while telephoto CCM only comes with general VCM. We believe the focus of the dual-camera upgrade will be equipping telephoto CCM with OIS CCM, so as to significantly enhance optical and digital zoom quality.
While 2017 would normally be considered an “S cycle” for the iPhone that would focus on internal improvements rather than changes to the external appearance of the device, rumors have suggested Apple is embarking on a major “iPhone 8” or “iPhone X” upgrade as the iPhone turns ten years old. Apple is reportedly looking to move to a glass body and a flexible edge-to-edge OLED display that curves around the sides of the device. The 2017 iPhone may also see the removal of the iconic Home button and perhaps include features such as wireless charging and an iris scanner.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8 (2017)
Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
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Laurastar Smart Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Ashlee Clark Thompson/CNET
I hate wrinkles. I also hate ironing my clothes. So I’m probably not the target audience for the more-than $1,000 smart ironing system that a Swiss company debuted at an international trade show. Yes, you read that correctly.
The Laurastar Smart was on display last week at the IFA trade show in Berlin. The Laurastar Smart, which will start at $1,400 (roughly £1,050 in the UK and AU$1,825) when it comes to the US in the coming months, includes an ironing board with a built-in water tank and filter and a Bluetooth-enabled iron.
The iron connects to an app that provides ironing tutorials and real-time guides to improve your ironing technique, just in case you’ve reached that point in your life when you can afford a $1,400 iron but don’t know how to use it. The app also gives you statistics about your equipment, such as your water levels, how much your ironing board cover is wearing and information about how much time you really spend ironing, a fun tidbit you can throw out at cocktail parties whilst wearing a crisp button-down that you ironed yourself.
Laurastar has spent more than 35 years making high-end ironing systems, some of which cost as much as $3,000 (about £2,250 and AU$3,910), according to the company’s website, so the shocking price isn’t new to its product line. Some features of its products include “a blower and vacuum system to prevent unwanted creases” and an integrated steam generator. And it looks like real-life people have not only bought, but like their expensive ironing system.
The casual ironer won’t need such an involved and expensive system as the Laurastar Smart or the brand’s other products. But maybe folks who iron a lot like seamstresses and tailors would find it useful? Honestly, I’m struggling to come up with a worthwhile reason to buy an iron that costs as much as an oven.
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- For all of CNET’s coverage from IFA, click here
Hunter 44157 review – CNET
The Good The $25 Hunter 44157 thermostat hides all of its clutter under a convenient plastic case. Its blue backlight makes the display easier to read in low-light conditions.
The Bad This thermostat’s ambient temperature reading was consistently 2 degrees lower than the four competitors I tested alongside it. I heard a faint, but distinct humming sound every time I pressed a button.
The Bottom Line I like the design of this simple programmable thermostat, but its low temperature reading and humming sound make it hard to recommend.
I recently moved from a home with a Wi-Fi-enabled Nest Learning Thermostat to a home with a very old, very basic programmable temperature controller. Maybe it’s because I regularly write about connected thermostats, but I find my comparatively “simpler” model much more confusing.
So I decided to investigate. Is this the case with all inexpensive programmable models or just mine? After testing out the Lux TX500U and the Honeywell RTHL2310B, I realized some affordable thermostats are fairly straightforward. Others, like the $25 programmable 44157 by Hunter, unfortunately aren’t.
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You can only set two programs with 5-2 thermostats like the 44157 — one for the weekdays and another for the weekends. That means this Hunter thermostat is fairly limited in terms of features.
At the same time, it has a jumble of buttons that aren’t particularly responsive, a faint, but annoying buzzing/humming sound that emanates from the thermostat for a brief period after you press any button, and an ambient temperature reading that runs roughly 2 degrees cooler on average than any of the other four models we tested alongside it.
In other thermostat news:
- These smart thermostats steal the heating and cooling spotlight
- Ecobee’s smart thermostat closes in on Nest
- Same great Nest, now with even better looks
- Thermostat buying guide
Ultimately, you’re only spending 25 bucks on this thing, so it isn’t a huge loss if you just bought Hunter’s 44157 for your home. You will have to interact with it to set programs and to override those programs during times when you want manual control, though. And this thing is downright annoying. I’d get the $30 Lux TX500U or the $25 Honeywell RTHL2310B instead.
Note: This thermostat is compatible with basic heating and cooling systems; click here for more details. If you have questions about installation, consult a professional.
Comparing thermostats
| Honeywell RTHL2310B | Hunter 44157 | Emerson 1F78-151 | White-Rodgers P200 | Lux TX500U |
| MSRP: $25 Lowe’s: $24.98 | MSRP: $25 Amazon: $20.59 | MSRP: $43 Amazon: $26 | MSRP: $50 Amazon: $23.77 | MSRP: $30 Amazon/Home Depot: $30 |
| White | White | White | White | White |
| Yes, two AAA | Yes, two AA | Yes, two AAA | Yes, two AA | Yes, two AA |
| Yes, green | Yes, blue | No | Yes, green | Yes, blue |
| 4.75 x 3.4 x 1 inches | 8 x 6 x 1.6 inches | 6.2 x 4.2 x 1.8 inches | 6.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches | 5.4 x 3.4 x 1.1 inches |
| Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital |
| Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-1-1 | Yes, 5-2 |
Emerson 1F78-151 review – CNET
The Good The Emerson 1F78-151 thermostat reliably automates your weekday and weekend temperature presets.
The Bad It feels cheap, has a particularly bland design and doesn’t come with a backlight for making manual adjustments in low-light conditions.
The Bottom Line Emerson’s 1F78-151 programmable thermostat is fine, but its competitors offer more in terms of features and design.
Of the five affordable programmable thermostats I’ve reviewed to date, Emerson’s $43 1F78-151 — sold on Amazon for $26 — is the least interesting. Sure, it will dutifully adjust the temperature for you four times a day, but it really doesn’t have much else going for it, and that makes it hard to recommend for purchase over most of its competitors.
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To begin, the 1F78-151 doesn’t come with a backlight like the Lux TX500U, the Hunter 44157, the White-Rodgers P200 and the Honeywell RTHL2310B. Of course, not having a “nightlight” feature isn’t exactly a deal-breaker at this price range, but it would definitely make the small display easier to read — especially in low-light situations.
This thermostat also feels cheaply made from its white plastic casing to its buttons and its display. I know, all of these thermostats cost at or under $30, so what should I expect? But some of these competitors really do stand out by comparison, especially the streamlined, backlit Lux TX500U.
In other thermostat news:
- These smart thermostats steal the heating and cooling spotlight
- Ecobee’s smart thermostat closes in on Nest
- Same great Nest, now with even better looks
- Thermostat buying guide
To appear more minimal, many manufacturers attach a plastic covering to their thermostats. That way, you can flip open the covering when you need to access certain buttons and can otherwise keep them covered. Instead, Emerson’s 1F78-151 displays everything up front in a way that looks cluttered.
Its default is also to flash the time and the current ambient temperature reading, something I find slightly annoying. I would much rather the thermostat display stay fixed and not alternate between different types of information. The Emerson 1F78-151 is decent, but I would consider the Lux TX500U or the Honeywell RTHL2310B instead.
Note: This thermostat is compatible with basic heating and cooling systems; click here for more details. If you have questions about installation, consult a professional.
Comparing thermostats
| Honeywell RTHL2310B | Hunter 44157 | Emerson 1F78-151 | White-Rodgers P200 | Lux TX500U |
| MSRP: $25 Lowe’s: $24.98 | MSRP: $25 Amazon: $20.59 | MSRP: $43 Amazon: $26 | MSRP: $50 Amazon: $23.77 | MSRP: $30 Amazon/Home Depot: $30 |
| White | White | White | White | White |
| Yes, two AAA | Yes, two AA | Yes, two AAA | Yes, two AA | Yes, two AA |
| Yes, green | Yes, blue | No | Yes, green | Yes, blue |
| 4.75 x 3.4 x 1 inches | 8 x 6 x 1.6 inches | 6.2 x 4.2 x 1.8 inches | 6.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches | 5.4 x 3.4 x 1.1 inches |
| Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital |
| Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-1-1 | Yes, 5-2 |
Honeywell RTHL2310B review – CNET
The Good The $25 Honeywell RTHL2310B thermostat reliably switches among preprogrammed temperature settings and it looks fairly nice for the price.
The Bad I had to grab the user manual to figure out how to program it.
The Bottom Line Get the Honeywell RTHL2310B if you want a basic, affordable thermostat that you can program to suit your schedule.
The Honeywell RTHL2310B thermostat isn’t anything like the high-end Wi-Fi enabled models we’ve reviewed so far. It isn’t fancy or innovative and it isn’t trying to be…and I like that.
Available at chain retailers like Lowe’s for just $25, the RTHL2310B keeps things simple. This temperature controller can also autoadjust four times throughout the day to manage your Wake, Leave, Return and Sleep schedules for you.
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As with other 5-2 thermostats, you can create two different schedules — one for weekdays and one for weekends. One obvious limitation here is that a lot of schedules don’t conform to the predictable 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday work week. And some, myself included, may not keep to the same schedule on Saturday and Sunday. But if your life is at least fairly predictable, the RTHL2310B is worth consideration because the preprogrammed settings work.
In other thermostat news:
- These smart thermostats steal the heating and cooling spotlight
- Ecobee’s smart thermostat closes in on Nest
- Same great Nest, now with even better looks
- Thermostat buying guide
But you’ll want to plan for minor frustration at the outset. It isn’t all that easy to figure out how to create the custom programs. That’s mainly because the Set, Hold and Run buttons aren’t very clear. Give your user manual a quick glance, though, and you’ll be on your way to a simple preprogrammed 5-2 schedule in no time.
Honeywell’s RTHL2310B is about as basic as it gets for a programmable thermostat. Still, its customizable 5-2 program gives you a degree of HVAC automation and for some folks, that’s more than enough.
Note: This thermostat is compatible with basic heating and cooling systems; click here for more details. If you have questions about installation, consult a professional.
Comparing thermostats
| Honeywell RTHL2310B | Hunter 44157 | Emerson 1F78-151 | White-Rodgers P200 | Lux TX500U |
| MSRP: $25 Lowe’s: $24.98 | MSRP: $25 Amazon: $20.59 | MSRP: $43 Amazon: $26 | MSRP: $50 Amazon: $23.77 | MSRP: $30 Amazon/Home Depot: $30 |
| White | White | White | White | White |
| Yes, two AAA | Yes, two AA | Yes, two AAA | Yes, two AA | Yes, two AA |
| Yes, green | Yes, blue | No | Yes, green | Yes, blue |
| 4.75 x 3.4 x 1 inches | 8 x 6 x 1.6 inches | 6.2 x 4.2 x 1.8 inches | 6.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches | 5.4 x 3.4 x 1.1 inches |
| Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital |
| Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-2 | Yes, 5-1-1 | Yes, 5-2 |
White-Rodgers P200 review – CNET
The Good White-Rodgers’ P200 programmable thermostat lets you program Saturday and Sunday separately; it also comes with a backlight and a simple, discreet design.
The Bad I wish the display didn’t flash between the current time and the current ambient temperature.
The Bottom Line The White-Rodgers P200 is a solid option for anyone in search of an affordable thermostat with bonus weekend programming options.
You can find the $50 White-Rodgers P200 programmable thermostat for much less at most major retailers. In particular, it’s available for $24.79 at Home Depot and for $23.77 on Amazon. While it certainly isn’t a fancy thermostat, it still has a lot to offer and I can comfortably recommend it.
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What it lacks in modern design appeal, it makes up for with a bonus feature: 5-1-1 programming.
The other four thermostats I reviewed in this price range offer 5-2 programming — that means you set one heating and cooling schedule for Monday through Friday and a second schedule for the weekend. With a 5-1-1 thermostat, Monday through Friday has the same single shared program as before, but you can program Saturday and Sunday separately to give you more customization options.
That way, if your weekend routine involves hitting the gym or going to work on Saturday morning and sleeping in a bit more on Sunday, you can program the P200 accordingly.
Lux TX500U review – CNET
The Good A large display, strong blue backlight and an intuitive control panel make the $30 Lux TX500U easy to recommend.
The Bad Its plastic covering is flimsy and fell off once during use.
The Bottom Line The Lux TX500U strikes a balance between value and function, making it my top pick if you’re in the market for a basic programmable thermostat.
The Lux TX500U is my favorite all-around option for an affordable programmable thermostat, one that I would highly recommend. Available for $30 on Amazon, Home Depot and elsewhere, the TX500U is slightly pricier than the other basic models I’ve tested. But this one is worth the extra 5 bucks.
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Its main display features up and down arrow buttons and a hold button, with everything else tucked behind a plastic covering that folds down with ease. The covering is pretty flimsy, and it popped off once when I wanted to make some adjustments t0 the program settings.
It does keep the thermostat looking pleasantly minimal, though.
In other thermostat news:
- These smart thermostats steal the heating and cooling spotlight
- Ecobee’s smart thermostat closes in on Nest
- Same great Nest, now with even better looks
- Thermostat buying guide
The TX500U also features a Next button. This may not seem like a big deal, but it made it much easier to figure out how to create programs. Most of the models I’ve tested in this price range double up on buttons so that a Program button also acts as a Next button. Not so with the TX500U.
Sony isn’t allowing Bethesda to support mods for PS4 players
Bethesda has announced that there will no longer be mod support for its PlayStation 4 titles. Unfortunately, it seems Sony has informed the company that they will not be approving user mods in the way they “should work,” where users have free reign over what they can create for Fallout 4 or Skyrim Special Edition.
Previously, Bethesda had promised mod support for the console and all of the niceties that came with it: flying Randy Savage dragons, ridiculous mods where everything looks like pizza a la some other very talented modders and more. Bethesda is “very disappointed” in Sony’s decision, but didn’t offer an explanation as to why it had been made in the first place, only lamenting the “considerable time and effort” that went into making the project come to fruition.
Bethesda still considers it an important and integral part of its plans for Fallout 4 and Skyrim on PlayStation 4, but states that it cannot move forward until Sony “allows” it to offer mod support. Unfortunately until then players won’t be able to sift through the gobs and gobs of mods out there for either game. The situation could possibly change, as the end of Bethesda’s blog attests, and there are plans to update fans if it does.
It’s a strange turn of events, especially since mod support was a large part of the marketing surrounding Fallout 4. Previously, Bethesda had only announced a series of delays with the update for PlayStation 4 users, having issues with file size limits for mods imposed by Sony.
Sony has not yet offered further comment on the matter.
Source: Bethesda
Explaining water and dust resistance ratings for your gadgets – CNET
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Many companies are advertising smartphones, tablets, activity trackers, smartwatches and even some wireless speakers as being “water-resistant,” but what does that actually mean? Can your gadgets be used in the rain? What about in the shower, or even the pool? The information these companies provide can be misleading, but I’m here to help break things down for you.
IP rating
The first thing you need to look for is a device’s International Protection Rating, more commonly referred to as an IP rating. Rating codes do not include hyphens or spaces, and consist of the letters IP followed by one or two digits. Two common ratings for consumer devices are IP67 and IP68. Read on to find out exactly what that means.
IP codes are a standard set forth by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). According to the organization, the codes are designed as a “system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment.”
The first number in the rating code represents the degree of protection provided against the entry of foreign solid objects, such as fingers or dust. These protection levels range from 0 to 6.
The second number represents the degree of protection against the entry of moisture, with protection levels ranging from 0 through 8.
An IP code with an “X” in place of the first or second number means that a device hasn’t been tested to protect against the entry of solid objects (the first number) or moisture (the second number). For example, a device with the rating IPX7 is protected from accidental submersion in 1m (about 3.3 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes, but it has not been tested against the entry of dust.
Below you will find a chart that outlines all of the protection levels set by the IEC.
Solid protection
| No protection | N/A |
| Protection from contact with any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part, such as a finger | Less than 50mm |
| Protection from fingers or similar objects | Less than 12.5mm |
| Protection from tools, thick wires or similar objects | Less than 2.5mm |
| Protection from most wires, screws or similar objects | Less than 1mm |
| Partial protection from contact with harmful dust | N/A |
| Protection from contact with harmful dust | N/A |
As an example, an electrical socket rated IP22 (typically the minimum requirement for electrical accessories designed for indoor use) is protected against insertion of fingers and won’t be damaged by vertically dripping water. Since we are talking about our gadgets, however, you only need to pay attention to IP ratings above IP5X or IP6X (for resistance or protection from dust).
Moisture protection
| No protection | N/A | N/A |
| Protection against vertically dripping water | 10 mins | Light rain |
| Protection against vertically dripping water when device is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees | 10 mins | Light rain |
| Protection against direct sprays of water when device is tilted at an angle up to 60 degrees | 5 mins | Rain and spraying |
| Protection from sprays and splashing of water in all directions. | 5 mins | Rain, spraying and splashing |
| Protection from low pressure water projected from a nozzle with a 6.3mm diameter opening in any direction | 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters | Rain, splashing and direct contact with most kitchen/bathroom faucets |
| Protection from water projected in powerful jets from a nozzle with a 12.5mm diameter opening in any direction | 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters | Rain, splashing, direct contact with kitchen/bathroom faucets, outdoor use in rough sea conditions |
| Protected from immersion in water with a depth of up to 1 meter (or 3.2ft) for up to 30 mins | 30 mins | Rain, splashing and accidental submersion |
| Protected from immersion in water with a depth of more than 1 meter (manufacturer must specify exact depth) | Varies | Rain, splashing and accidental submersion |
The iPhone 7 is certified with an IP67 rating, this means that it is fully protected from dust (6) and can also withstand being submerged in 1m (about 3.3 feet) of static water for up to 30 mins (7). Then there is the Samsung Galaxy S7, which is rated IP68. This means that like the iPhone 7, the Galaxy S7 can withstand being submerged in static water, however the specific depth and duration must be disclosed by the company, which in this case is 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) for up to 30 minutes.
Not too complicated, right? Unfortunately it’s not all cut-and-dry. Devices aren’t required to pass every test leading up to the highest rating they achieve, although many companies do test them at varies levels. In some cases, however, a smartphone rated with IP67 may not have been tested against dust protection levels 1 through 5, or water protection levels 1 through 6.
For example, since the iPhone 7 doesn’t include the IPX5 or IPX6 rating for withstanding water coming from a jet, you shouldn’t take it in the shower or run it under the sink, unless Apple specifically stated otherwise, which they didn’t. In fact, the company has said that liquid damage isn’t covered under the phone’s standard warranty.
The Sony Xperia Z5, on the other hand, is certified with an IP65 and IP68 rating, which means it is protected from dust and against low-pressure water jets, such as a faucet, when all ports are closed. The company also specifies that the Z5 can be submerged in 1.5m (4.92ft) of fresh water for up to 30 mins.
Water pressure
If anyone ever tells you that a watch is waterproof, it’s a lie. No watch is truly waterproof, and in fact the International Organization for Standardization and Federal Trade Commission prohibit watches from being labeled as being “waterproof.” While a watch may be able to withstand a certain degree of water exposure, there is always a limit to how much water pressure it can handle before it begins to leak. The term “waterproof” implies that a device will remain unscathed under even the most difficult of circumstances.
To help regulate and explain water resistance in watches, the ISO has set standards that have been adopted by many traditional watchmakers. Most smartwatches and activity trackers, however, don’t actually adhere to these standards and therefore aren’t ISO-certified. Consumer electronics tend to follow the IP code, although some companies, such as Garmin, Pebble and Polar, independently test their products to determine how much pressure they can withstand.
Pressure tests are measured in ATMs, which stands for atmospheres, and then converted to water depth to make the measurements easier to understand. Each ATM is equivalent to 10 meters or about 33 feet of static water-pressure. Below you will find a chart that outlines that basic water-resistance levels.
Water pressure
| Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 10 meters | Improved resistance to rain and splashes. No showering or swimming. |
| Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 30 meters | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion and showering. No swimming. |
| Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, surface swimming, shallow snorkeling |
| Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 100 meters | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, swimming and snorkeling. No deep water scuba diving or high-speed water sports. |
| Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 200 meters | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, swimming, snorkeling, surface diving and water sports. No deep water diving. |
Unfortunately, because there is no universal testing method, real-world usage is different for every device. For example, while the Garmin Forerunner 735XT has a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, Garmin states that the watch can be worn both in the shower and while swimming. Fitbit, on the other hand, recommends Surge users to remove the device before swimming, despite being rated 5 ATM.
It should also be noted that even though 3 ATM is rated for a certain depth, that depth is measured in static pressure. Water pressure can change quickly, such as when you move your arm to begin swimming. While you may only be in 10 feet of water, the pressure created from your arm movement could be equal to that of a couple ATMs.
As Garmin explains on its website, “even if a device is above a depth it’s rated for, it might still suffer water ingression if it is subjected to an activity that creates pressure on it that exceeds that depth rating.”
As I said earlier, it’s not all cut-and-dry. You should check the device’s website and see what the company recommends before taking a smartwatch or fitness tracker in the shower or the pool.
Things to remember
- Most resistance testing is performed in fresh water. Devices aren’t guaranteed to hold up to salt water, unless specifically stated from the manufacturer.
- While showering with IP-rated devices isn’t recommended, the device won’t break if you forget to take it off. The device could begin to leak and become damaged with continued exposure however, and water damage may not be covered under the warranty.
- Unless otherwise specified, most tests are carried out at temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius. (60 to 95 Fahrenheit). Higher temperatures in places like saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs could damage the device. For example, the Pebble has been tested to work within the temperature range of -10 to 60 degrees C (14 to 140 F).
- For obvious reasons, leather watchbands are not water-resistant.
- Make sure all flaps (such as those for charging ports) are closed before submerging your device.
- Unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer, you should avoid pressing buttons on the device while it is underwater. This could allow water to enter into the casing and damage the device.
- Make sure the device is completely dry before charging it.
- Always refer to the manufacturer’s website before taking a phone, smartwatch or fitness tracker in the shower or the pool.
Editors’ note: This article was originally published in April of 2015. It has since been updated to include information on new devices.
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