The monsoon is here but that's hardly a reason to cheer. The gadgets our lives revolve around today may boast of more computing power than NASA's Apollo spacecraft, but the harsh truth is that they are just a drop of water away from being completely useless. We all know that the dazzling watch around your wrist, the expensive smartphone in your pocket and those precious earplugs do not share your excitement for those grey skies and long spells of rain.
But don't let the showers water down your enthusiasm. There are several gizmos in the market today that can bear extreme weather conditions, including the unpredictable and unrelenting rain. Here are five waterproof gadgets that will help you enjoy the monsoon, come hell or, well, high water!
Sony Xperia Z2 tablet
10.1 inch LCD screen, 8.1MP camera, quad-core 2.3GHz processor, 3GB RAM, 16/32GB storage, IP58-certified waterproof over one metre and 30 minutes
Price: about Rs 38,000
Sony Xperia Z2 phone
5.2 inch full-HD display, 20.7MP primary camera, Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core 2.3GHz processor, 3GB RAM, scratch-resistant glass, IP58-certified waterproof over one meter and 30 minutes, Android v4.4 (KitKat) OS
Price: about Rs 48,990
You may be already aware of the Z2's waterproofing abilities thanks to its recent television advertisements. There's no doubt that the products in this series are giving Sony's competitors a run for their money. Both the phone and the tablet are packed with features such as big and bright screens, increased power, fantastic touch and sturdy bodies. But best of all is their ability to function even in wet places. They help you stay connected even when you're getting drenched (and also let you click phenomenal underwater pictures). Perhaps the only downside of these devices is that you cannot blame the rain for not answering calls or responding to texts!
Philips SHQ3000/98
Wired, In-the-ear and behind-the-ear design, 20 mW of max power input, 9mm headphone driver units
Price: about Rs 1,999
Philips made these earphones from waterproof material because they wanted to give fitness enthusiasts a device that does not get spoiled by excessive sweating and is easy to clean. But we have found another great use for them - listening to your favourite rain songs while getting drenched!
Panasonic Toughbook CF31
Processor: 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-540M, OS: MS Windows 7 Professional, RAM: 4GB, Weight: about 4kg, Screen: 13.1 inch, IP65-certified, can withstand 5.8 inch per hour of rain, Graphics card: AMD Mobility Radeon 5650, Storage capacity: 250GB
Price: about Rs 2,30,000
I am almost certain that while no one has tested it, the Panasonic Toughbook CF31 can survive an earthquake (or even the apocalypse). As its name suggests, this beast of a laptop is for those who want an extremely rugged and durable device without compromising on the standard features of an ordinary (read fragile) computing machine. It's pretty much splash-proof and waterproof and can withstand the Indian monsoon with as much ease as the average Indian can now tolerate a seven-hour-long power cut. 
Samsung Gear 2
1.63 inch Super AMOLED, IP67-certified dust and water resistant, accelerometer, gyroscope, heart-rate sensor, Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Price: about Rs 21,500
The Samsung Gear 2 is a smartwatch that hopes to render a host of the gadgets you use on a daily basis obsolete. Its natty steel finish is impressive and unlike its predecessors, the Gear 2 comes with a camera. This device primarily acts like a notification centre for your Samsung mobile phone and lets you control the phone to a great extent. The Gear 2 also comes with a heart-rate monitor and performs basic fitness tracking operations. It is IP67-certified for water and dirt resistance, which implies that you can even take it into a shower. There's still no update on whether it is shampoo-proof too.
Nikon Coolpix AW110
5x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, 3 inch OLED monitor with anti-reflection coating, 16MP camera, full-HD recording, 35mm equivalent focal length: 28-140mm, Inbuilt memory: 21MB (expandable)
Price: about Rs 16,950
Processor: 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-540M, OS: MS Windows 7 Professional, RAM: 4GB, Weight: about 4kg, Screen: 13.1 inch, IP65-certified, can withstand 5.8 inch per hour of rain, Graphics card: AMD Mobility Radeon 5650, Storage capacity: 250GB
Price: about Rs 2,30,000
I am almost certain that while no one has tested it, the Panasonic Toughbook CF31 can survive an earthquake (or even the apocalypse). As its name suggests, this beast of a laptop is for those who want an extremely rugged and durable device without compromising on the standard features of an ordinary (read fragile) computing machine. It's pretty much splash-proof and waterproof and can withstand the Indian monsoon with as much ease as the average Indian can now tolerate a seven-hour-long power cut. Samsung Gear 2
1.63 inch Super AMOLED, IP67-certified dust and water resistant, accelerometer, gyroscope, heart-rate sensor, Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Price: about Rs 21,500
The Samsung Gear 2 is a smartwatch that hopes to render a host of the gadgets you use on a daily basis obsolete. Its natty steel finish is impressive and unlike its predecessors, the Gear 2 comes with a camera. This device primarily acts like a notification centre for your Samsung mobile phone and lets you control the phone to a great extent. The Gear 2 also comes with a heart-rate monitor and performs basic fitness tracking operations. It is IP67-certified for water and dirt resistance, which implies that you can even take it into a shower. There's still no update on whether it is shampoo-proof too.
Nikon Coolpix AW110
5x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, 3 inch OLED monitor with anti-reflection coating, 16MP camera, full-HD recording, 35mm equivalent focal length: 28-140mm, Inbuilt memory: 21MB (expandable)
Price: about Rs 16,950
The Nikon Coolpix AW110 is adept at handling Mother Nature's fury. It is not just waterproof but also shockproof and freezeproof. You can use it for pictures and videos as deep as 59 feet under water and in places as cold as -10 degree Celsius. What this point-and-shoot camera lacks in style, it makes up for in features. Note: the standard box does not include swimming trunks, raincoat or shark bite antidote.
From HT Brunch, July 6
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