Splashproof your gadgets with an invisible coating
Those who are rough with their gadgets might want to check out this new service.
A company is getting ready to launch a product called Golden Shellback, which is apparently a coating that, when applied, protects your gadget from splashes, humidity, oily liquids, dust and dirt. Sounds like a good idea for a friend of mine who is now on her 12th phone in two years (please don’t ask) or those who just want to protect their new iPod Touch from instant death by being “casually exposed to water.”
When a device is ready to be waterproofed, Golden Shellback seals it in an airless chamber. The coating is a liquid polymer at first but, after heating, it becomes a gas that is then injected into the vacuum chamber. Molecules of gas stick to the gadget both inside and out, coating any and all parts and electronic circuitry with a clear, invisible coating. This coating is invisible to the naked eye and when the device does get dirty, you can clean without fear.
Of course, there are some cons. Mainly, you have to send your gadget to Golden Shellback for treatment. Shipping could totally suck depending where you live, and this will likely be a dealbreaker for some. In addition, the service is expensive – you’ll have to fork over $120 to “Shellback” your iPod Touch, and $75 for your Garmin GPS system, though I suppose if the coating really works the high price is worth it.
That said, I bet you could give your friends a major scare by throwing your iPhone into the pool, bringing it back up and turning it on, revealing a device that still works perfectly. A very cool technology indeed; more information can be found on Golden Shellback’s website here.
I wonder if this process would void a manufacturer’s warranty, or if it would interfere with the operation of capacitive touchscreens e.g. iPhone or iPod Touch?
A true journalist would take this to the next step and actually test the service. The service should do this for free and the results independently tested. Otherwise this piece is just advertising.
The author lists as cons both the cost of the treatment and the need to send it in. He also writes “if the coating really works”. “If”? Hardly something you’d find in an advertisement. Ultimately it’s up to buyers whether to take a chance or not, something the Romans knew as Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware).
Yes it would have been nice if this author had done something besides run into something that any of us could have and actually contacted the people and researched and tested the product. What a waste of article this is. Shame on me for reading the whole thing thinking I was going to find out something.