Your Cell Phone's Tale-Telling Red Dot

I got an e-mail from a client when I wrote about how to save your cell phone after it gets wet.

"Your phone may work after drying out, but if it doesn't, the wireless companies have a 'secret spot' inside all the phones, and it changes colors if dropped in water. So, Scott, even if your drying tip works, the dot will turn red and if you ever need warrantee repair, they can tell it was once wet -- and will deny that repair."

They're correct.

One PR guy is seriously incensed about the hassle (Cell Phone Customers Cursed by the 'Red Dot') and here's an expose on why you shouldn't buy cell phone on eBay (See that Red Dot on the Cell Phone you just won?). I found a possible work-around (Turn Your Cell Phone's "I Got Wet" Indicator from Red Back to White) and a sure-fire solution from eBay that'll set you back $1.

Another trick is to use a razor blade to remove the white dot and stash it somewhere, presumably dry, for safe-keeping, and replace it after it gets dunked. And don't be surprised if your cell phone doesn't have a dot-- not all phones do.