#smartphone

if you play pokemon pocket you know

Hi everyone I'm about to go crazy at work with the 8th water damaged phone at my desk this week and it's only Wednesday

"But they said it was waterproof-" No, companies say it's "water resistant***" to trick you into equating the two things it is NOT WATERPROOF

(*resistant up to a certain depth, **in specific water conditions, ***only for a certain amount of years after manufacturing)

Also rice doesn't do anything stop wasting your rice

"But I put my smartphone in rice and it fixed it-" The rice literally does nothing at all, the only way it would EVER appear to "work" is because you left the device alone and off power for a few days.

So then what are you supposed to do?

Full disclosure: the best thing you can do is take it into a phone repair shop that can properly open the device and dry it out. It really has to be open in some way for the water to get out. Regardless, you should do these things first:

(Note: if it's salt water you may be screwed already, try to take it in asap)

Turn off and keep off of power

Remove the SIM tray (if yours is removable)

Heat up the device to a moderately high degree using a hairdryer, or leave it in the sun. The water can't escape as a liquid, needs to be a vapor. But even then, without opening it is very difficult for the water to get out.

LEAVE IT ALONE FOR A WHILE- DO NOT PLUG IT IN. The most damaging thing the water is going to do in the first few hours is short out the chips on the board or the screen. Leave it alone overnight if you can.

As you leave it alone, try to lean the device on its side to avoid water corroding the board. To know what side to lean it on you'll have to look up a guide to find which side the board is on. (If in doubt, lean it so it's standing up. This may lead the water to the port or daughter board but it's better than the main board)

Try heating it up again the next day, if the lenses fog up from the inside that means there is still standing water. TAKE IT INTO A SHOP BEFORE THE WATER CORRODES THE BOARD. If not, there's a good chance there's no more water in the device and you can try to use it again.

A Dumb Phone is the best investment you'll ever make.

For me, the sense of not being tethered to everything and everyone will always be a freeing experience. It also gives a hit of focus that I can never get while my smartphone's around.

Once all of the apps and widgets are taken away, you're forced to focus on your direct environment. It's basic, but it's a renewing experience.

If this sounds compelling to you, and if you want to reap the same benefits, I highly recommend swapping out your smartphone for a week.

Give it a try, let me know if you see similar effects.