On the first of the two pre-CES nights of CES events, we saw the future of electronics waterproofing. HzO makes a nanomaterial that waterproofs electronics from the inside, creating an invisible barrier between the phone's components and the outside. It's miles away from the clunky, hyper-rubberized, hyper-masculinzed cases that we've grown used to. To get the waterproofing to happen within rather than without, HzO coats electronics' guts with WaterBlock, a nanomaterial that creates a barrier between the outside environment and the phone's components. Unlike more common hydrophobic coatings, which can hold up against a splash by repelling water molecules, WaterBlock relies on a physical shield to keep water out, even if the phone is totally submerged.

The main downside is availability: Because HzO works with electronics manufacturers, not consumers, to actually get a phone with WaterBlock inside it, you'll have to wait for Apple and co. to jump on the nanoprotection bandwagon.