The gear • July 2017
The best pool-proof tech
Don’t let making a splash this summer stop you from your tech-fuelled poolside pursuits. Pocket-lint founder Stuart Miles picks the essential pieces of waterproof kit that will survive any watery adventure
Watch this space
Apple’s second-generation ‘smart’ watch (from £269) is water-resistant to 50 metres, making it a perfect holiday companion. Not only can you pick up your messages as you splash around, but the built-in fitness tracker allows you to record your activity, including how many laps you’ve done – so you can forget about counting and just enjoy the swim.
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Summer sounds
Able to float, this Monster SuperStar waterproof Bluetooth speaker ($149.95) will pump out tunes regardless of how wet things get. Able to connect to a device up to 10 metres away (which is safely dry), it offers seven hours of playback and even has a built-in microphone, so you can take that all-important call while you glide around on your inflatable unicorn lilo.
Out of this world
If you really can’t live without your phone by the pool, the new Samsung Galaxy S8 (£689) is probably for you. It’s water-resistant up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes, so you can enjoy YouTube or Netflix on its stunning display, even at the bottom of the pool. Just remember to breathe once in a while.
Splash, camera, action
Small, dinky, and yet still very capable, the GoPro Session (£149) video camera will take high-resolution images at incredible frame rates both in and out of water at the press of a button. Whether you’re out catching waves or posing by the pool, this is a great way to capture those moments.
Ear candy
You run to a soundtrack, so why can’t you swim to music too? Bragi Dash waterproof headphones (£249) come with two individual earpieces, which means no wires. They feature a built-in music player so you can listen to your favourite tunes in the water, Bluetooth connectivity, and even the ‘smarts’ to track your activity. The only thing you have to do is charge them every three hours.
On a roll
The cute UE Roll 2 speaker (£79.99) is waterproof up to one metre for 30 minutes, and perfect for chucking in your beach bag this summer. Connecting to your phone via Bluetooth, it’ll give you nine hours of battery from one charge. It even comes in a range of loud colours to match your beach towel.
This article has been tagged Technology, Travel Tips