<p>In some good news for germophobes, a Japanese firm claims to have developed the world's first waterproof smartphone that can be washed with soap and water.<br /><br />Waterproof phones have been on the market for a while in Japan. However, that did not protect phones from the kind of rigorous scrubbing needed to actually clean the device and kill bacteria.</p>.<p>To address the issue, Kyocera's new 'Digno Rafre' is pitched as the world's first soap-proof phone.<br /><br />The Rafre is designed to be used in all kinds of environments without fear of getting dirty, since it can be cleaned off easily with hand soap, theverge.com reported.<br /><br />According to Kyocera, the Japan-based electronics and ceramics manufacturer, the phone is ideal for use in the kitchen, outdoors, or even the bath.<br /><br />The Rafre is said to have a touch panel that works even when wet.<br /><br />Another addition that may have helped the Rafre's durable nature is Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver, the bone-conducting technology that provides audio without a speaker.<br /><br />The Rafre runs Android 5.1 and has a 5-inch 720p display, a 13-megapixel camera, and a 3,000mAh battery inside a 10.1mm-thick frame.<br /><br />The phone will be launched next week in Japan through carrier telecom company KDDI for 57,420 Japanese Yen or about USD 465. </p>
<p>In some good news for germophobes, a Japanese firm claims to have developed the world's first waterproof smartphone that can be washed with soap and water.<br /><br />Waterproof phones have been on the market for a while in Japan. However, that did not protect phones from the kind of rigorous scrubbing needed to actually clean the device and kill bacteria.</p>.<p>To address the issue, Kyocera's new 'Digno Rafre' is pitched as the world's first soap-proof phone.<br /><br />The Rafre is designed to be used in all kinds of environments without fear of getting dirty, since it can be cleaned off easily with hand soap, theverge.com reported.<br /><br />According to Kyocera, the Japan-based electronics and ceramics manufacturer, the phone is ideal for use in the kitchen, outdoors, or even the bath.<br /><br />The Rafre is said to have a touch panel that works even when wet.<br /><br />Another addition that may have helped the Rafre's durable nature is Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver, the bone-conducting technology that provides audio without a speaker.<br /><br />The Rafre runs Android 5.1 and has a 5-inch 720p display, a 13-megapixel camera, and a 3,000mAh battery inside a 10.1mm-thick frame.<br /><br />The phone will be launched next week in Japan through carrier telecom company KDDI for 57,420 Japanese Yen or about USD 465. </p>