HzO 'WaterBlock' Technology Waterproofs Smartphones, Coming to Market in 2012
Technology that waterproofs electronics like smartphones may soon be on the market.
HzO developed a technology that allows devices outfitted with its WaterBlock technology to weather spills, sprays, or even full submersion in water without suffering serious damage.
“It is a very exciting technology that we feel will be able to change the durability and life-time value of your smartphone as well as other mobile electronic devices,” said HzO Head of Business Development Scott Gordon to the Christian Post.
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The technology was originally developed for the maritime industry to help anglers, other sea-based professions protect their electronics from water, according to HzO President and CEO Paul S. Clayson.
Manufacturer Zagg produces protective shields and cases for mobile devices and eventually bought HzO. The company then became independent and focused on integrating with the mobile market.
Clayson told the Christian Post that HzO has the potential to be useful in many different industries, including medical and solar energy.
"We are hoping to build a superior company working with markets in a broad number of areas," said Clayson.
HzO is working with a number of mobile manufacturers to integrate its WaterBlock technology into the current and future generations of smartphones.
He detailed that HzO will not be an "after market" product and will be integrated at the manufacturing level. This will allow consumers to select whether they want to buy a phone already treated with HzO WaterBlock. Clayson expects that HzO will be available on smartphones as early as summer 2012.
He noted that customers often contact HzO to find out how they can have their devices treated.
"We have so many people calling; ‘can I send in my phone?’ We would love to do this, but unfortunately that's not how the market works," he said.
While Clayson told the Christian Post that he could not comment on the manufacturers that are working with HzO, the company has tested its technology on a number of popular devices.
Gordon previously detailed to the Christian Post that the company has tested WaterBlock on devices such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPod shuffle.
At the recent press preview for the "Consumer Electronics Show," Clayson demonstrated HzO's ability with a Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone, showing that the phone could be completely submerged under water and retain function to receive calls.
