PDAStreet: News: Tip: How to Keep Your Smartphone, PDA Safe This Summer

Throughout much of the country, August is the hottest time of the year. So while today is supposed to be a cooler day here in Missouri - at 99 degrees (F)! - than the 104 degrees we hit yesterday, for example, temperatures are expected to rise back up into the hundreds for the rest of the week. With such heat, it is important that you take extra care to keep your PDA or smartphone safe.

Below is a series of tips and suggestions we first published earlier this summer. The article offers advice on how to keep your PDA or smartphone safe when the sun burns bright and when you use your mobile device in environs, as is often the case during the summer, not usually conducive to handheld safety.

While sitting poolside, kayaking, or heading off to the beach may sound like heaven to you, for your mobile device, these trips can be hell. If you and your PDA or smartphone are inseparable, arm yourself with sunscreen and swimming lessons, and pick up a well-chosen accessory for your device.

Waterproof Protection
Among the most reliable waterproof protection cases are the ones offered by OtterBox. OtterBox makes waterproof cases for PDAs, tablet PCs, and laptops (see top image), as well as more generic cases that can hold cell phones, digital cameras, camcorders, or other valuables.

For some hard-core - even military-grade - waterproof protection, Fuerte Cases is a clearing house for waterproof cases from a variety of worldwide manufacturers. At the site you can browse through several flavors of cell phone and PDA cases (among others) and compare features, styles, and prices. The Waterproof Store also stocks waterproof protective cases, bags, and gear, from several manufacturers.

Most manufacturers also offer cases designed specifically to suit their devices. To find them, go to your manufacturer's Web site and look for the link labeled "Accessories."

Beach Wise: Keeping Sand Out
Although sand in our bathing suits can be a nuisance, a nice hot (or cold) shower can easily wash away the offending grit. For our smartphones and PDAs, clean up is not so simple. As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's much easier to keep the sand out than to remove it once it's in, so investing in a protective case of some kind is important.

If you didn't get a case or sleeve with your device, you can find one quickly at a brick-and-mortar retail outlet or in the Accessories section of your device's manufacturer's Web-based store.

Independent vendors also make cases and slip covers for Windows Mobile devices that range from the decorative to the practical. For a good sampling of what's available, try these vendors: Belkin; JAVOedge; PDair; Piel Frama; Pocket PC Techs; RhinoSkin; Sena Cases; or UniQase.

Screen protectors (also called "screen overlays") can also help protect against scratches from sand. If you can't find them on your device manufacturer's Web site, try a third-party such as NuShield, Pocket PC Techs, JAVOedge, or Belkin.

If you do get sand inside any of your devices, a container of canned air can help. You can find one at most office supply stores, some drugstores, and online at places such as Memorex ($6.99).

And remember, LCD screens are not made of glass; the soft surface is more vulnerable to scratches. Blowing sand away is less likely to damage the screen than wiping it away. If you must wipe sand away, do it with a microfiber cloth available from photo shops (or optometrists). You might also try a 3M Scotch-Brite Cleaning Cloth For Electronics ($2.99), available at many retail and online outlets.

Be Safe in the Sun
We know the sun's UV rays can be dangerous to our skin and eyes, and we know that it can also dehydrate us and wear us out; if we're smart, we can guard against these problems with simple solutions: sun hats, sunscreen, water, beach umbrellas. Our mobile devices are just as vulnerable as we are to overexposure, so it's important to give some thought to their safety when deciding what to take into the sun, and what to do with them once we get there.

It's wise not to expose the display of any device to direct sunlight for long periods of time. Keep your LCD in the shade as much as possible, inside a protective case, or at the very least, turned away from the sun. Keeping devices turned off when you're not using them is also smart.

Solar Power
You can also use the sun to your advantage by bringing along devices that not only like the sun, but thrive on it.

The SolarStyle Battery Charger ($35.99), for instance, can recharge several brands of PDAs and mobile phones. Freeplay also makes solar-powered batteries for mobile devices.