watering

Right after the new iPhone 3GS launched, I wrote an article about how the impending onslaught of iPhone videos would just lead to more losses for YouTube. Well, the onslaught has begun, and so have readers' e-mails asking me to promote their YouTube videos.

Today's pick comes from Jeremy, who lives in Chandler, Ariz. He says he got his iPhone 3GS on June 19 and has been recording ever since.

I'd rate the video a strong 7, or maybe an 8 if I was being generous (it's good that it's short). If anybody else wants to submit an iPhone video, click on the e-mail link in my bio below. It has to have been shot with the iPhone, and it's gotta be good. Come on, you can do better than this, can't you?

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See bonus video from Jeremy after the jump: Boa plays pool.… Read more

Nokia's new dust-, water-, and shock-resistant GSM phone, the 3720 Classic, is good news for people who've lost one or two mobiles in a pool of water.

It's not the only one on the market, though--well-protected phones for iDEN and CDMA networks have been around for a long time, and starting a few years ago a new series of GSM mobiles from Sony Ericsson, Samsung, and small American manufacturer Sonim were certified according to the so-called IP-54 standard.

All are fresh alternatives to trustworthy and historic companions such as the Ericsson R310 from 2000 (the "shark fin"), the Nokia 5210 from 2002, and the Nokia 5500 Sports from 2006.

American users might not have had the pleasure of torturing these phones, as GSM networks were scarce in the U.S. at the time the Ericsson R310 and Nokia 5210 launched. Furthermore, they were only dual band for European frequencies.

The IP Code that's used for certifying the new models is an international standard that defines protection against dust and water.

The first digit ranges from 0 to 6 and regards dust, the second ranges from 0 to 8 and regards water. IP-54 means, more or less, that the device is almost completely protected against dust and that it resists splashing water from any direction.

Last year I had great fun putting the Samsung M110, Sonim XP1, and Sony Ericsson C702 to the test (article in Swedish). I put the phones in a vacuum cleaner bag while cleaning, held them under the shower spray, launched them from a second-floor balcony, and dropped them in a glass of beer.

The Samsung M110 turned out to be the clear winner, happily receiving calls even when immersed in a mug of brew. … Read more

I've been checking out a new social-networking site called SuperFan, and I think it could eventually become an interesting resource for music fans. But only if they make it easier to post and share content about favorite bands.

If you've used Facebook, MySpace, Imeem, or any of the other countless social-networking sites out there, the drill will be familiar: enter your information to create a profile (here's mine), invite your friends, then engage in various activities like updating your status and uploading video and photos.

The key difference is that SuperFan is organized around the stuff you … Read more

It's a hot summer day, and you're out shopping. You've got your look together and your accessories are perfect. With the minor exception of the plastic water bottle in your hand.

In addition to the environmental faux pas, it just looks...cheap. Dress up your outfit instead with a stainless steel water flask from Eva Solo.

The flask, which costs $75, will keep your water cool and refreshing all day long. Yes, you can freeze your plastic water bottle for the same effect. But it'll sweat all over everything in your bag, and depending on just … Read more

Life Photo Maker enables users to animate their photos by adding music, weather, and water effects. Though we would have liked to see more slideshow options, the program was simple and fun to use.

The program's clean and attractive interface makes it easy to get started with your project. Choose the New option and the program will direct you. It is not a traditional image-manipulating program, and its effects would be best enjoyed onscreen. The program allows you to add water and snow effects to your photos, as well as add sound for background music and animated screensavers. Users … Read more

WaterMark Master lets users put their stamp on photos and videos by placing a watermark across the image. This program can be a help for users aiming to keep others from borrowing their work, but it takes some effort to get there.

We were initially very excited that this program offered a start-up wizard because the main screen was overwhelming with options, icons, and boxes offering to do all sorts of tasks. While the wizard helped us get on our feet, we quickly grew annoyed as it gave mostly advanced customization options that would only appeal to experienced users. However, … Read more

Years ago, I stopped packing sippy cups full of juice in my kids' lunchboxes and switched to bottled water. But buying those bottles--ugh! The cost, for one, the plastic, for another--it's enough to make a mom crazy. And I love the convenience of grabbing a bottle of water to take with me on errands, but I hate, hate, hate paying for bottled water. And again with the plastic.... What's a girl to do?

Wellness h2.o is a personal, reusable water bottle. OK, I hear you saying. The girl discovered reusable plastic bottles. So what? Well, this one … Read more

When I lived in Colorado, I drank water from the tap with abandon. It wasn't until I tried tap water from other places that I realized I had taken the crystal clear and fresh-tasting Rocky Mountain tap water for granted. I clearly remember drinking tap water that tasted like dirt once on vacation and recoiling in horror.

Now that I live in a big city with areas that are notorious for polluted water or old plumbing systems, I stand confidently behind my tap-mounted water filter and my filtered water pitcher. My complaint about the screw-on tap filter is that … Read more

Pentax has announced two new entry-level WR (water-resistant) series lenses: the DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR and the DA 50-200mm AL WR. They coincide with the launch of the company's new K-7 dSLR body, which has a dust- and water-resistant lens mount.

Both lenses offer water and dust resistance when used with a complementary water-resistant K series body, such as the K-7 or the K-20. The lenses feature weather-resistant seals for damp and inclement conditions. The DA 18-55mm WR replaces the existing model while adding the water-resistance. The DA 50-200mm WR also replaces the existing model while … Read more