Japanese Company Launches World’s First Washable Mobile Phone

Konichiwa! How are you today? You're looking good. Keep taking those vitamins! Got time for a quick mug of coffee and a virtual muffin or treat? Why the heck not, eh! Just put your smartphone down, fill your mug, latch onto a VT or two and wander over here to the VIP table so's I can tell you about another clever Japanese product...

It may look all shiny and new, but your smartphone is probably one of the filthiest things you own. The amount of bacteria and germs it carries is disgustingly huge, which is probably why a Japanese company is targeting germaphobes with the world’s first washable phone.

The Snapdragon 410 processor, 5-inch android phone, called Digno Rafre, is all set to be released in Japan by tech company Kyocera Telecom this week. It’s USP is that it’s waterproof and soap resistant, so it can be thoroughly washed under running water. There’s no risk of water entering the device because it’s entirely sealed to keep water and bubbles from getting in. It doesn’t even have a speaker, relying instead on a Smart Sonic receiver that transmits sound through vibrations on the phone’s screen. The built-in 13MP camera is also waterproof.

Apart from being washable, the phone is also ideal for kids, for people who are clumsy and keep dropping their phones everywhere, or like to take bathtub selfies. It even comes with a special rubber duck-shaped floating stand. To wash the phone, the company suggests gently rubbing soap foam all over it before thoroughly rinsing it with plain water. And, as an added bonus, there’s no danger of scratching the phone, because its plastic back cover is supposed to be self-healing.

Digno Rafre, which comes with 16GB storage, 2GB RAM, and a 2MP front camera is priced at ¥57,420 (about $467), but it isn’t available for purchase outside of Japan. The company has announced no plans of releasing the gadget in foreign markets, but if interest is high enough, who knows?

Most people don't even think about all the germs they pick up during the day thanks to their smartphones, unsmartphones, whatever, so being able to wash them makes a lot of sense, don't'cha think? Now, you can probably make calls while swimming, bathing...and take selfies as you are jumping off the highdive board preparing to tantalize the crowd with your world-famous belly flop at the community pool. Yeah, well... just make sure you're in the deep end.

See ya, eh!

Bob