Whether you are an outdoorsy person or an urbanite who prefers to hang out in cafes, chances are you will still have to deal with Singapore’s erratic weather conditions. And we are all aware that the biggest enemy of electronic devices, other than dropping and smashing, is water. But fret not, it seems that waterproof gadgets are also on the minds of major gadget makers, judging from the slew of waterproof products showcased at CES 2012. We look at the some of the latest and upcoming waterproof gizmos.

Camera

Nikon COOLPIX AW100

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According to Nikon, this shooter is waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof. Capturing pictures at 16 megapixels, this versatile compact camera comes with a 28-140mm lens, 5X optical zoom and ISO sensitivity of up to 3200 for shooting in low light conditions. With waterproof protection of up to 10 metres and a drop height of slightly over 1.5 metres, shooting pictures for your next kayaking trip or trekking expedition is now conceivable.

Other great features include a built-in GPS with an electronic map display to help you remember where pictures were taken and a new Action Control function that helps you adjust camera settings when you shake it.

It is available in orange, blue, black and camouflage print for jungle trekkers after some stealth action. Available at major electronics stores and Nikon authorised retailers for $529.

Bluetooth headset

Jabra SPORT

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For a long time now, I have been looking for a product that allows me to stream music wirelessly while running. Many of the current wired earphones or in-ear devices today either come with ridiculously long cables or tend to fall out of the ear after every 3 steps.

I recently tested out Jabra SPORT, a Bluetooth stereo headset that streams music and calls wirelessly. Designed to deliver music during workouts and outdoor activities, the headset pairs with my iPhone easily and provides decent audio quality. Another great thing about this headset is that it feels light and when worn, fits securely and comfortably over your ears. The headset’s exterior is certified rain-, dust-, and shock-resistant so you can simply clean it with a wet tissue after your workout. More importantly, the headset’s wind-shielded microphone allows for crystal clear calls while you pound the tracks. For best results, strap your phone to an armband as placing it in your pocket causes intermittent breaks in the Bluetooth connection. For a true hands-free workout, use the built-in FM radio.

Jabra SPORT is available at Challenger, Epicentre, Nubox, and authorized Jabra resellers for $148.

Digital Tablet

Toshiba Waterproof Concept Tablet

After wowing the geeks at the recent CES 2012 with its lightest and thinnest 10.1-inch tablet, the Toshiba Excite, Toshiba is out to tease consumers further with its 2012 product line-up. And one such other product is its waterproof tablet that may go on sale even before the year is up! The 10.1-inch OLED (organic light-emitting diode) tablet was unveiled to a roomful of tech enthusiasts submerged in a fish tank during the CES. Although Toshiba did not release any water resistant rating, one key feature that got everyone excited was the tablet’s ability to charge wirelessly using a technology called magnetic resonance while floating in the tank. It may not be the lightest nor thinnest tablet around but this baby lets you go for a swim without losing access to the internet.

Smartphone

Fujitsu ARROWS ES IS12F waterproof super phone

Fujitsu’s latest prototype runs on a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core 1.2GHz processor (possibly a first for a quad core chip to be installed in a smartphone), has a super big 4.6-inch display with 1280 x 720 pixels and is waterproof!  And just to make sure that it qualifies for a ‘super phone’ status, this smartphone will also come with a 13.1-megapixel camera that has an ISO sensitivity of up to 25600 that is only available in high end compact cameras and DSLRs!

Fujitsu’s hydro phone is slated for a Q2 2012 release but it will only be available in Japan. Right now, you can only wish Fujitsu ships it to the rest of Asia.

Camcorder

Sony Bloggie Sport

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The latest handheld video camera from Sony is made for the extreme environment and according to the maker “practically indestructible”. Shock proof, dirt resistant and can still keep on recording while underwater of up to 5 metres, the portable Bloggie Sport weighs less than 150 grams and has a 2.7-inch touchscreen.

The pocket camcorder capable of recording full 1080p HD video and capturing 5-megapixel images also features an ‘Underwater Mode’ that automatically adjusts white balance and contrast for a well-balanced image instead of producing images with a blue-tint—typical of underwater photography. Users with butter fingers need not worry, as this camcorder’s ruggedized casing can survive a drop height of up to 1.5 metres.