text: Nerd Chick Adventures: Waterproof gadgets for summer and everyday
  As anyone who has fried their phone by accidentally dropping it into the pool can attest, water and electronics just don't mix. Summer practically mandates that we spend more time by the water — be it the ocean, the lake or lounging around the nearest pool — just to stay cool. Don't worry. We've got you covered where your electronics are concerned. Here are some essentials to keep your gadgets safe at your next pool party.
  Most of us store our lives in our smartphone and would be bereft if it were damaged by our kid's poolside cannonball demonstration. Protect it with the Lifeproof Fre phone case for $80-90 (depending on model). Designed with all your devices in mind (iPhone, Galaxy, DROID, LG, Pixel), this thing is super durable. It's water submersible for up to 6.6 feet, sealed from dirt, dust and snow, and designed to survive a drop from about 6 feet. It's not bulky like other cases of its kind can be, and once you've got your phone protected with it, you can rest easy when you head to the lake. Just remember it still doesn't float, so don't forget to take it out of your pocket when you dive in.
  Looking for temporary protection, and something more budget-conscious? Check out the dry bag pouches by Anker and JOTO. Available on Amazon for $7 to $9, they are super-sealed waterproof bags that fit multiple device types without having to remove your favorite case. The clear plastic window allows you to use most of your touchscreen functionality so you can continue to text and email without removing it from the bag. Certified waterproof for up to 100 feet, you can even take underwater pictures with it. Both brands come with a neck strap for easy portability.
  What's a good pool party without your tunes nearby? Consider including the JBL Charge 3 waterproof speaker, selling for about $150 on Amazon, at your next shindig. Available in multiple colors, it connects wirelessly to up to three smartphones. You can even take calls on the speakerphone. Its rechargeable battery gives you about 20 hours of playtime, and — bonus — it will charge your devices for you via USB. Connect multiple JBL speakers together for surround sound. Users rave about the crisp sound quality and good bass.
  For a less expensive option, check out the Grace Digital ECOPEBBLE Lite for about $40 on Amazon. It comes in multiple colors and is lightweight and shock-resistant. Users love its small size (a mere 3 inches long) with its big sound. The rechargeable battery lasts up to seven hours, and the unit will actually float on the water next to you so you're never too far away to hear your tunes. It comes with an adjustable bungee clip so it won't float away. Three-year warranty included.
  Take your summer exercise session to a whole new level with waterproof headphones and an MP3 player that attaches to your swim goggles. The Swimbuds SPORT Waterproof Headphones ($70, Amazon), have four different shaped earbuds designed to customize their fit to your ear shape and provide a water tight seal, preventing water from getting inside. Pair them with the Underwater Audio Waterproof iPod Shuffle ($125, Amazon), and you can swim your cares away, listening to music or your latest Audiobook. The Shuffle comes in multiple colors and Amazon offers a bundle discount of $20 off if you order the two items together.
  Avid readers like me know that poolside is just not the same without your favorite book in-hand. If you're addicted to your Kindle like I am, you may want to check out the Waterfi Waterproofed Kindle Paperwhite. It has a custom coating that protects your Kindle down to 210 feet underwater, making it impervious to spilled drinks, condiments or suntan lotion. You could read your book from the bottom of the pool if you wanted to. And the Paperwhite is designed to read just like a book, without the glare normal tablets experience in the sun. It costs $230, which is $100 more than its usual Paperwhite price, which covers the waterproofing treatment. Waterfi offers additional waterproofed gadgets, including iPods, headphones and FitBits.
  MoKo has a more economical option for protecting your tablet with its Universal Waterproof Case dry pouch bag. It fits devices up to 8.3 diagonal inches and is certified waterproof up to 98 feet. Again, the clear plastic allows for all your touchscreen functionality from both sides of your device while its safely sealed inside. It sells for about $10 on Amazon, and comes in three colors with a detachable neck lanyard and hand strap included.
  Summer is all about the water-based sports, and nothing documents a great lake or ocean day better than a GoPro Hero Session (Amazon, $150). It's a rugged, easy-to-use camera designed for capturing everything from your craziest action video to beautiful still shots. Small and lightweight, it's waterproof up to 33 feet. Make sure to strap it to your wrist or your head before you jump in.
  Lastly, for every other thing we haven't covered here that you'd like to keep dry, consider a drybag to keep your valuables protected from the elements. SakGear's Premium Waterproof Dry Bag offers a rugged vinyl coating on the outside, combined with welded seams keep out water, sand, mud and snow. A convenient splash-proof outer pocket gives you easy access to your wallet and keys. Comes in two sizes: the 10 Liter version for $21, and a 20 Liter one for $26.