{{Short description|Consumer electronics accessory company}} {{advert|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = LifeProof | logo = Official LifeProof Company Logo.jpg | type = Subsidiary | founded = 2009 | founder = {{unbulleted list|Gary Rayner|}} | location_city = San Diego County, California, U.S. | area_served = Worldwide | industry = {{unbulleted list|Computer hardware|Mobile Device Accessories}} | parent = OtterBox | homepage = {{URL|https://www.lifeproof.com|LifeProof.com}} }}
'''LifeProof''' is a U.S. consumer electronics accessory company headquartered in San Diego, California, and was acquired in 2013 by OtterBox. The company designs, manufactures, and markets cases that protect the functionality and condition of smartphones and tablets from water, snow, dirt, and shock.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lifeproof About Our Company|url=http://www.lifeproof.com/en/about/our-company/|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> Their products include cases, flotation jacketing, belt clips, headphones, chargers, connectors, arm bands, bike mounts, and photography equipment.
== History == LifeProof was founded in 2009 by Gary Rayner.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carnoy|first=David|title=OtterBox acquires rival LifeProof|url=https://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57585805-233/otterbox-acquires-rival-lifeproof/|publisher=Cnet|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> He is a serial entrepreneur and has an MBA in Business from Queensland University of Technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lifeproof - Meet The Team |url=http://www.lifeproof.com/en/about/meet-the-team/ |accessdate=12 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906120757/http://www.lifeproof.com/en/about/meet-the-team/ |archivedate= 6 September 2013 }}</ref> After 18 months and a $1 million investment, the company made its public debut at the 2011 LAUNCH Conference where it won awards for the best product and best presentation after a demonstration with a LifeProof-protected iPhone 4 that included dropping it on the ground, smothering it in ketchup, mustard, and dirt, followed by successfully rinsing it off in a fish tank.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chereskin|first=Valarie|title=Lifeproof Company Backgrounder 2011 PDF|publisher=Chereskin Communications}}</ref>
In August 2011, rival manufacturer Otterbox filed a patent suit claiming the company infringed on four properties of protective device enclosures. On October 10, 2012, Ironman announced LifeProof as an official sponsor during the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.<ref name="LifeProof Immerses Smartphones and Tablets in Water, Dirt, Snow and Shock at Outdoor Retailer Winter 2013" /> Announced November 27, 2012, LifeProof became a Participating Sponsor of all 2013 XTERRA Triathlon events, marketing, and media in the United States.<ref name="LifeProof Immerses Smartphones and Tablets in Water, Dirt, Snow and Shock at Outdoor Retailer Winter 2013">{{cite web|last=Baker|first=Michele|title=LifeProof Immerses Smartphones and Tablets in Water, Dirt, Snow and Shock at Outdoor Retailer Winter 2013|url=http://n1b.goexposoftware.com/events/orw2013/FORMfields/uploads/pressreleasescurprurl13588766261607556.pdf|publisher=EMS World|accessdate=19 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714220601/http://n1b.goexposoftware.com/events/orw2013/FORMfields/uploads/pressreleasescurprurl13588766261607556.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 7, 2013, LifeProof announced a partnership with Belkin EMEA.<ref name="LifeProof Immerses Smartphones and Tablets in Water, Dirt, Snow and Shock at Outdoor Retailer Winter 2013" /> Belkin EMEA will be responsible for the sales and distribution of LifeProof products in Europe.<ref name="LifeProof Immerses Smartphones and Tablets in Water, Dirt, Snow and Shock at Outdoor Retailer Winter 2013" />
On May 23, 2013, when the company was acquired by Otterbox for an undisclosed amount, the Colorado court officially terminated the patent suit case.<ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Mikey|title=OtterBox buys rival case maker LifeProof, drops ongoing patent suit|url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/13/05/22/otterbox-buys-rival-case-maker-lifeproof-drops-ongoing-patent-suit|website=appleinsider.com/}}</ref>
== Products == The '''LifeProof Nüüd''' is a technology that exposes the original screen of the device while protecting the phone from water, dirt, snow, and drop damage. This allows for zero visual interference, glare, loss of contrast, or touch interference.
The '''Lifeproof Frē''' is a technology based on LifeProof's original technological developments and provides built-in scratch protection to safely shield device touchscreens from damage. A '''Lifeproof Frē Power''' case for the iPhone 6 incorporates a slimline battery to double the battery life of the phone, while protecting the phone from water, dirt, snow, and drop damage.
==Technology== LifeProof combines many technologies to create a case that protects electronic devices from the inside out. The case wmakes the phone resistant to water, dirt, snow, and shock..<ref name="Waterproofing Electronics--Evolution to Revolution">{{cite journal |last=Pierce |first=Alan |date=1 April 2012 |title=Waterproofing Electronics--Evolution to Revolution |url=http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bc72732a-07ff-450e-9147-58eb3e0bd6ad%40sessionmgr12&vid=6&hid=21 |journal=Tech Directions |volume=71 |issue=9 |pages=8–9 |accessdate=13 November 2013}}</ref> The case combines a polycarbonate frame, waterproof acoustic ports, a waterproof screen protector that is still fully touch-sensitive, and a built-in optical glass that covers the phone's camera lenses to prevent loss of photographic detail.<ref name="Waterproofing Electronics--Evolution to Revolution" />
To waterproof the earphone jack, LifeProof created a screw-in seal that can be used when the jack is not in use. To use the jack and still maintain the waterproof function, LifeProof provides a short waterproof earphone extension wire that screws into the jack on the case. When used with waterproof earphones, this allows a swimmer to listen to music while fully underwater, provided that the swimmer remains near the surface. For deeper submersion or vigorous surfing, a dive case with a higher rating is useful.<ref name=Lam>{{cite web|last1=Lam|first1=Brian|last2=George|first2=Alexander|title=Best Waterproof Case for iPhone 5/5S|url=https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-waterproof-iphone-case/|website=The Wirecutter|accessdate=2015-05-12|date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> Optional "Lifejacket Float" flotation jacketing can be added to some models to prevent the equipment from sinking if dropped into water.
LifeProof claims that it conducts water-resistance tests on every case before shipping.<ref name=Specifications>{{cite web|title=Specifications|url=http://www.lifeproof.com/en/why-lifeproof/specs/|publisher=LifeProof|accessdate=13 November 2013}}</ref> Following the first test, LifeProof will send the case to an independent agent to perform additional tests.<ref name=Specifications /> If the case passes both tests, the case will be shipped, and if the case does not pass, it will be scrapped.<ref name=Specifications />
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
Category:2009 establishments in the United States Category:Companies based in San Diego