Waterproof Galaxy S4 Active warranty won’t cover liquid damage, AT&T employee complains about it.

Not that it comes as a huge surprise to anyone who knows how warranties get calculated, but the waterproof Samsung Galaxy S4 Active isn’t covered for death by liquids. There is a strict certification for the handset, which says it can be dipped in up to 3 feet (1 meter) of water, and that shouldn’t last longer than 30 minutes, if you want to be on the safe side. No beer pong, no soaking your cereals in the milk with it every morning.

 

In fact, even if you follow the instructions like closing all flaps and not dipping the phone in anything else than shallow water for less than thirty minutes, the warranty still won’t cover it, says an AT&T employee over at XDA-Devs forum thread. What Samsung says in the warranty leaflet is the following:

 

This Limited Warranty does not cover: (a) defects or damage resulting from accident, misuse, abnormal use, abnormal conditions, improper storage, exposure to liquid, moisture, dampness, sand or dirt, neglect, or unusual physical, electrical or electromechanical stress […].

 

Last we checked water is liquid, so, bummer. Not that other waterproof devices are any different, since these warranties are a standard fare, but the AT&T guy in the thread below complains that he took all measures he’s been trained to, and his S4 Active still started acting up after doing a fish tank footage project. Word to the wise.

Isis to Launch this Year

Isis, the mobile payment venture backed by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless, will launch nationwide later this year. The service uses NFC and allows smartphone owners to make tap-and-go payments at participating retailers. The service has been undergoing trials in Austin and Salt Lake City since last year. It was due to launch earlier this year, but faced delays. According to Isis, 25 of the top 100 retailers are installing terminals compatible with the system. Many consumers already own smartphones with the necessary NFC components inside.

Alcatel 768 Hits T-Mobile and MetroPCS

Both T-Mobile and MetoPCS have recently added the Alcatel 768 to their respective rosters. The 768 is an entry-level flip phone that runs on T-Mobile’s GSM network. The 768 has a 2.4-inch main display with 240 by 320 pixels and a secondary display on the front that displays the time and other status indicators. The 768 features a 2-megapixel camera, FM radio, Bluetooth, GPS, and support for T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network. The device does not require a downpayment with T-Mobile’s equipment installment plan, but will add $3 per month to the service plan cost. MetroPCS is selling the Alcatel 768 outright for $49.

Sprint Refreshes the LG Rumor Reflex Messaging Phone

Sprint recently added the LG Rumor Reflex S to its lineup of feature phones. The Rumor Reflex S is a slight update to last year’s sideways slider that also includes a touch screen. It features a 3.0-inch WQVGA display, QWERTY keyboard, 2-megapixel camera with camcorder, GPS, and microSD card slot supporting up to 32GB of memory. The Rumor Reflex S is also ecologically friendly, and uses recycled materials in the redesigned outer shell. The device includes an energy efficient charger, and is free of harmful materials. It is available from Sprint’s web site for $29.99 with a new two-year contract.