I don’t normally use screen protectors on my electronics.  Most screen and body protectors require liquid for a smooth application, and the application directions warn you to remove the battery and keep the device turned off for a couple of days until the liquid has all evaporated.  That’s great, but Apple iPhones and iPads don’t have removable batteries, and I’m afraid of frying my expensive device during the wet application.  I’ve seen a couple of dry-apply screen covers, but they are usually for small devices.  The companies that make those dry-apply skins often have iPad-sized screen protectors, but they always seem to say that liquid is required for a satisfactory application of a screen protector that size.  Wrapsol offers tablet-sized screen protectors that require no liquid for application.  I was happy to be selected to review their Ultra Screen Protector for iPad 2 and New iPad when they offered a review sample to The Gadgeteer.

The Ultra Screen Protector came with a microfiber cleaning cloth, a long cardboard squeegee, and an instruction sheet.

The screen protector is made of high-strength polyurethane.  I have no way to measure something that thin, and Wrapsol information doesn’t tell me the thickness of the film.  Although it feels very substantial and there is a noticeable raised edge on the screen after application, the film is no thicker than my fingernail’s thickness.   I wanted to get a good application, so I didn’t get destructive with it, but the screen protector is very flexible.

The screen protector ships with a protective sheet over the adhesive side.  It’s shown facing up in the picture, and it’s marked with a little label so you’ll know which side to remove first.  There’s also a protective film over the front of the screen protector, to prevent scratching it while you’re squeegeeing it on.

There are also four tabs, two at the top end and two at the bottom end.  These tabs are designed to use during application so you don’t leave behind fingerprints in the adhesive to mar your screen, then they break away afterwards.  Three of the application tabs had broken off my screen protector before I even removed it from the box.  You can see two of them making the white X on the yellow microfiber cloth.  Luckily the protective front film still had tabs that I could use during application.

I hate applying most screen and body protectors because they often have tiny little holes in them for the camera, buttons, and ports.  Even when the protector has been cut to exacting standards, I often have trouble getting the protector lined up just right to fit perfectly over everything.  You’ll notice in the picture above that the Wrapsol Ultra has little slots cut out for the home button and the front-facing camera and ambient light sensor areas.  Somehow, having that one extra degree of freedom made lining up the screen protector so much easier.

I was a little nervous about doing the application because, as I’ve mentioned before, I live in the dustiest house in the world.  I used the microfiber cloth to clean and polish my new iPad’s screen, then I pulled off the backing and got down to business.  I started at the home button end, and lined up the film’s edges with the iPad’s edges and centered the home button in the slot.

I used the large cardboard squeegee to slide along the screen to press the screen cover to the glass.  Spending just a couple of seconds to line up the bottom and the side edges near the home button paid off, because I was able to make it completely to the other end without having one of the long edges start hanging over the side.

I was happy to see that all four sides of the Ultra were lined up within the edges of the iPad.  The Ultra is slightly smaller than the iPad’s screen, so it stops just short of the iPad’s edges.  I’m able to use the Ultra with my snap-on back cover without worrying that the back cover is pulling up the edges.  I’m not sure how well it would work with a back cover that wraps over the edges and lays on the front of the iPad; that might pull up the edges a bit.

Once I had the whole thing adhered and the home button and the front-facing camera and ambient light sensors properly lined up in their slots, I used the squeegee to make sure everything was attached.  I started in the center and pushed to the edge in all four directions, hoping that this would push any remaining air bubbles out to the sides.  I was then ready to remove the film protecting the front surface.  I also removed the one remaining application tab.  (The protective film is still on the Ultra in the above photo.)

When I removed the protective film, I was shocked to see there were almost no air bubbles on the screen itself.  There were two tiny pieces of lint trapped over the screen.  If you enlarge the above phote, you’ll see white lint on the screen, but that’s on the outside.

For some reason, I had a lot of air bubbles on the bezel.  You can see a lot around the home button, above.  I quite frankly don’t care about air bubbles on the bezel, but Wrapsol promises that any air bubbles will dissipate within a few days.

Still, I used the microfiber cloth and rubbed it over the screen several times, using some pressure to work the remaining air bubbles to the edge.  I was able to squeeze a few under the edge, but many still remained on the bezel.

I took the above photo in my car using my iPhone, because the light in the car showed the air bubbles well.  I could see that there were fewer bubbles, and they seemed smaller.  You’ll notice there are two bubbles on the bezel that have tiny pieces of lint under them.

Within four days, all the bubbles, save those with lint trapped in them, have completely disappeared.  The above photo shows one piece of lint trapped over the screen.  It’s visible when the screen is dark, but I can’t see it when my screen is on.  I can barely feel it with my finger when I rub over it, but it doesn’t interfere with using the screen at all.

The screen isn’t sticky at all, but it does have just a bit more grab to it than the naked Gorilla Glass does.  It makes my grip on the iPad a bit more secure, but it doesn’t have any effects on touching, typing, or swiping on the screen with my fingers.  I tried it with my Monteverde One Touch Stylus Pen, and I had a bit more trouble.  The stylus worked great for tapping and selecting, but it didn’t work so well for drawing or handwriting in apps that allow it.  The stylus moved smoothly enough, but the captured lines were broken and missing sections.  If you only use your fingers with your iPad, as Steve intended us to do , then you shouldn’t have any problems with the Ultra screen protector.

The Ultra is extremely clear, and it didn’t cause any degradation of the screen’s image.  Everything still looks clear and very sharp.  The Ultra is glossy, but no more so than the iPad’s screen.  It seems to be a little more smudge and fingerprint resistant than the glass is.

Wrapsol says their screen protectors “help prevent everyday dings, dents and scratches.”  I just won’t attempt to damage my devices to check out a products claims, but I will say the screen protector feels thick enough to be protective against scratches.  It has a bit of “give” to it when I press it with my fingernail, so it probably would offer some protection against light bumps or key gouges.  I hope I never have a chance to test these protective claims, but I’ll let you know if something does accidentally happen to my iPad’s screen while it’s wearing the Wrapsol Ultra.

I like the Ultra screen protector, and I don’t want to remove it.  That means I can’t tell you if it removes without leaving behind sticky residue.  Wrapsol claims their screen protectors don’t get “dog-earred” from handling, so I’m hoping the edges stay firmly adhered and I won’t need to remove it.  If I ever do, I’ll come back and let you know if there’s sticky residue.

Wrapsol also guarantees their protectors with a lifetime replacement warranty.  Even if I do have a problem, I should be able to get a replacement screen protector with no problems.  Again, should I ever need this, I’ll come back and let you know.

As I already said, I do like the Wrapsol Ultra Screen Protector.  It fits under my Smart Cover without problems.  You can’t even tell it’s there.  Finally I found something to protect my iPad’s screen that doesn’t endanger my iPad’s electronics with application liquids.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: Screen Protector

Wrapsol Ultra Screen Protector for iPad 2 and New iPad Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 20, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Protecting your iPhone’s display from scratches is important to a lot of people. As a result, there are a wide variety of screen protector brands on the market. I’ve personally avoided applying screen protectors to my own iPhone 4s mainly because I tend to have problems lining them up perfectly. I bet a lot of people want to protect their screen, but fail to do so because they figure they will waste their purchase on a bad install. That must be why we’re seeing a few new screen protectors popping up on the market that claim to give you a perfect install every time. A couple months ago I reviewed the PureGear protector and found their unique install method to be a great idea. ScreenPro is a new player on the scene that looks to offer an even better way to install a screen protector on your iPhone 4s.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

My iPhone 4s has had the PureGear protector installed since the beginning of February. At first I really liked it, but as the weeks, months have gone by, I’ve become a little less enamored by it for a couple of reasons. The main reason is that it has a rubbery soft texture that makes it almost impossible to use with a stylus. That means it’s tough to do drawings when playing Draw Something. It also means that over time I’ve started noticing a slight orange peel type effect. I’m not sure you can see what I mean by clicking on the image above, but if you look at the edge where the the shadow falls across the screen, you’ll notice what looks like pitting in the protector. This effect doesn’t hinder what you can see on the screen or the sensitivity of the capacitive screen. It just looks crummy. This protector also gets smeared and streaked easily.

When I found the ScreenPro protectors in my mailbox, I wasn’t all that excited till I looked at the packaging a little closer and saw that they claim a perfect fit every time. Cool… So I peeled off the PureGear and opened the ScreenPro package.

ScreenPro offers 3 different iPhone 4s protectors: Clear, Anti-glare and Privacy. I opted to try the Anti-glare version first. Inside each package is an instruction sheet, polishing cloth and 1 screen protector.

The screen protector is “glued” into a special plastic tray that has been designed especially for the iPhone 4s.

Installation is very easy. First make sure your iPhone’s screen is clean and dust free (easier said than done…). Then peel off the top layer of film from the protector.

Then the iPhone is snapped into the tray face down after making sure you have the iPhone oriented correctly first of course.

Then all you have to do is flip the tray over and pop it off.

Some little dabs of sticky goo glue can be peeled off and then using the polishing cloth, you can squeegee out the bubbles.

Unfortunately, two bubbles with a tiny dust particle in the center remained after I rubbed and buffed for several minutes. Darn dust!

Pulling off the remaining film reveals the screen protector. As you can see in addition to the 2 bubbles, I also have a problem with the bottom edge not sticking. Not sure why that is, but no matter how much rubbing I did, I could not get it to stick. I was able to get rid of the one main bubble by sticking a piece of tape on the lower edge, lifting up the protector and then using a 2nd piece of tape to “grab” the piece of dust on the underside of the protector and then smoothing it back down. I had to do this 3 times as each time I lifted the protector, I would introduce more dust particles. Argh…

This Anti-glare protector has a nice matte finish that is visible and tactile. I’m happy to report that you can use a stylus with this protector with no trouble. It does make the gorgeous retina display look a little grainy though. And as far as I can tell, it really doesn’t help that much with direct sunlight.

I think the ScreenPro protector (so far) is a definite improvement over the PureGear. It’s quicker and easier to install and the protector itself is thinner and less rubbery feeling. I’ll try the Privacy and Clear versions in a few weeks after I get a chance to really use this Anti-glare version. Even though it’s early, I am going to recommend ScreenPro for ease of install and stylus compatibility.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: iPhone, Screen Protector

ScreenPro iPhone 4s Screen Protector Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 16, 2012 at 4:18 pm.

We all know that a screen protector will help keep your iPhone’s display as pristine as the day you bought it. But installing one can be a huge pain in the butt. First you have to make sure the screen is clean so you don’t install the protector over dust particles. That’s actually the easy part. The difficult part is getting it lined up correctly and bubble free. There are many screen protector brands on the market. Some require water to install and some are dry apply. But none of them are as easy to apply as the PureGear PureTek Roll-On Screen Shield Kit for iPhone 4/4S. Their install method is pure genius.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

First of all, this is how my iPhone 4S looked before I installed the PureGear PureTek Roll-On Screen Shield. You will notice that I have a screen protector installed (I don’t recall the brand – it probably came with a case I reviewed), but there are bubbles. Those dreaded bubbles. Argh… No matter how careful you are it’s almost impossible to avoid them. With the PureGear protector, bubbles are a thing of the past.

The packaging is actually a fixture that has been designed to align your iPhone and the screen protector for perfect installation.

Just tear the paper tab on the back and pull off the outer cover / instructions.

What you’re left with is a plastic tray that has the screen protector attached to it. Also included is a microfiber cloth to polish the phone’s screen and a special roller.

The protector lifts up to reveal a tray that holds an iPhone 4/4S. PureGear also offers versions of this kit for the Motorola Droid 4 and Motorola Droid Razr.

Included with the kit is a dual roller that you use to install the protector. If you’ve ever installed other screen protectors, you have probably used a credit card to smooth out the protector. I like this roller a lot better.

With the iPhone’s screen wiped off with the microfiber cloth and firmly seated in the holder, the protector can flop back over the phone as shown above. Then all you have to do is place the special roller between the “rails” and roll it down the length of the phone.

As you guide the roller, it separates the top layer as it sticks the protector to the phone. The trick is to roll it slowly without stopping. I know this because I screwed up 2 protectors in the process of writing this review. With my first try, I didn’t roll it without stopping. I rolled it a few inches, snapped some pictures for the review, rolled it a bit further, took some more pictures, etc. I ended up with a protector that had several bubbles that would not go away. I knew the problem was completely my fault, so I pulled off the protector and installed a 2nd one that PureGear sent me. This time I rolled it in one continuous motion. I thought it had installed perfectly till I looked closely and noticed that t was not lined up correctly with the home button. Darn it! I emailed PureGear to tell them about my experiences and they agreed to send me another one.

That is a concern that you only get one shot to get the protector installed correctly. You won’t be able to peel it up and reseat it.

As they say, 3rd time is the charm. My last try was a complete success.

When you’re done, you’re left with a piece of plastic that you have to peel off.

You might notice that the dual roller looks different in this picture when compared to the earlier pictures. I think the new design may be based on the fact that people were having some issues with the protector not lining up correctly like I did on my 2nd try. This 3rd time it lined up just fine though.

Here is the finished product. No bubbles and perfectly lined up with the home button and the speaker at the top.The protector is slightly smaller than the display, meaning that it should work great with bumper cases.

If you click the image to zoom in, you might notice a couple spots along the very top edge. They disappeared after 24hrs leaving me with a perfectly protected display. The protector is made of an industrial strength film that has self healing technology. It feels smooth and looks clear.

Installing the PureGear PureTek Roll-On Screen Shield is easier and faster than any protector I’ve ever installed. As long as you pay attention to what you’re doing and don’t go too fast, you should end up with great results.

Update 2/9/12 – This morning after having the protector installed for 2 days, I noticed that there is a weird reflection issue when the display background is a light color. It sort of looks like thin vertical lines under the protector. This might be what some people refer to as a moire problem. I only noticed it when I went to send someone an text message. The background is a light Blue and I thought the screen had grease strikes on it. But, there’s nothing there. It’s very slightly distracting, but not horribly so. Unfortunately I can’t photograph the problem.

Filed in categories: Android related, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: Screen Protector

PureGear PureTek Roll-On Screen Shield Kit for iPhone 4/4S Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 8, 2012 at 3:58 pm.

Do you love your iPhone’s glass screen?  Do you hate when you stick on those screen protectors that makes it feels tacky and prevents you from touching that smooth glass?  Spigen’s GLAS.t has solved that problem by providing a screen protector that’s made of glass.  The GLAS.t is 0.4mm thick and made up of chemically-treated transparent premium tempered glass.  It also has a oleophobic coating to prevent fingerprints.  The GLAS.t also comes with a set of epoxy coated home button covers that makes it easier to push the home button because of that extra 0.4mm thickness.  It’s priced at $27.99 direct from Spigen.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPhone 4/4S, Screen Protector

Protect your iPhone 4S’s Glass Screen with GLAS.t originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2012 at 8:45 am.

When SGP Case sent me the iPhone 4 Valentinus case I reviewed recently, they included a couple of extra goodies in the box.  They sent along the Steinheil Ultra Mirror Half Mirror Screen Protector for iPhone 4S/iPhone 4/CDMA iPhone 4 and the Kuel H10 Stylus Pen.  While the screen protector is obviously only for iPhones, the stylus should work with any capacitive screen.  How do they work?

The Kuel H10 (that’s H and the number 10) High Sensitive Stylus Pen packaging says it works with iPhone and iPad, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for any capacitive screen.  It’s available in black, red, yellow, pink, and white;  I received the black.  It’s about 3″ long, not including the hanging loop, and about 5/16″ in diameter.  It weighs about 0.2 oz.

The barrel of the stylus is made of brass.  It’s coated with a textured paint, or as SGP says, “harmless-material-plated brass.”  The cap is a silver-colored metal, and there’s a thin cord coming out of the top.  If your case has a lanyard connector on it, you could loop this cord through to attach the stylus to your device.  If you don’t have a lanyard attachment, you can attach the cap to the small plastic strap plug that you’ll see near the bottom of the package.

Getting the snap plug attached with a bit difficult; the cord was just barely long enough to work.  The snap plug goes in the iPhone’s headphone jack.  You can see it worked with my Bumper Case, too.

The stylus tip is made with “special silicone with high polymer abrasion-resistant coating.”  It has a diameter of just under 1/4″.  It doesn’t have any padding underneath; it feels like just a thin layer of the silicone.  It compresses very easily.  There’s a hard nub inside that you can feel when you completely compress the tip.

The barrel of the Kuel H10 is only about 2.75″ long without the cap.  It’s short enough that it’s difficult to support the top end against your hand.  It caused my hands to cramp up very quickly.  Luckily, the Kuel isn’t designed to be used this way.

Grab the sliver tip and pull to extend the barrel to almost 4″.  That length is long enough to allow the Kuel to rest against your hand.  It feels more like holding a normal pencil or pen, and it doesn’t cause my hand to get tired or crampy nearly as quickly.

Like with all styluses I’ve tried, I have to press harder with the stylus tip than I do with my finger tip.  Some styluses require you to hold the barrel almost perpendicular to the screen, but that’s not the case with the Kuel H10.  I could hold it at the same angle I hold pens, and it worked great.  I could tap, swipe, and slide with the Kuel.

The Kuel H10 Stylus would be a great accessory for people who wear gloves in the winter or for people who just don’t like to get smears on their screens.  The snap plug will fit into any 3.5mm headphone jack to keep the stylus handy for those people who aren’t always using their headphones.  It’s cheaper than a lot of styluses I’ve seen, too.

I debated whether I should review the Steinheil Ultra Mirror Half Mirror Screen Protector.  It wasn’t that I didn’t like it or think it would work.  The package says it’s only for the black phone, and I have a white phone.  I decided I would try it, because I wanted a screen protector.

The package contains two front screen protectors, a microfiber cloth to clean your iPhone before application, and a squeegee to remove air bubbles.  The directions are found on the back of the package.

Both the back and the front of the screen protector are covered with a protective film.  You can see from this photo that these screen protectors are those seemingly opaque sliver films.  The package calls it a “half mirror,” and that apparently means there’s a layer of silvering that’s dense enough to increase reflectivity but not enough to make it look like a regular mirror.

Application was easy.  I was very happy that no water was involved in the application.  Those wet-apply films always tell you to remove the battery and not use the device for a couple of days, but you can’t remove the battery from an iPhone.  I cleaned the screen of my iPhone with the included microfiber cloth, removed the film from the top of the backside of the protector, lined up the holes at the top of the protector with my phone, and began.

I only ended up with a couple of air bubbles, and they were quickly removed with the squeegee.  After I was happy with the appearance, I removed the top protective film.

You can see I was just the tiniest bit off lining it up with the home button.  You can also see that the screen definitely doesn’t appear like an opaque silver mirror.  On the white areas, the protector almost has a pearlescent look.  If you had a black phone, it would all look like the black screen area on my iPhone.  I understand that SGP Case was going for a uniform look, but I don’t mind the appearance of the white bezel at all.  The bezel area doesn’t work as part of the mirror, but the black touchscreen area is big enough to check your appearance.

You’ll also notice that the Ultra Mirror Screen Protector has cutouts for the front-facing camera and the phone’s speaker, but the ambient light/proximity sensors are covered by the film.  The sensors still seem to work.  I have found that the screen protector does make my display appear a bit dimmer.  That’s not because of the ambient light sensor; I don’t use the auto-brightness feature with my phone.  I increased the brightness of my phone a little, and it looks great.

The screen protector is just a bit smaller than the screen itself.  I was able to put my Bumper Case back on without peeling up the edges of the protector.  SGP Case says the “Steinheil Ultra Mirror does not peel after extended use due to the optical nanotechnology that offers higher abrasion resistance than regular films.”

You can see the screen protector is reflective enough that my camera focused on it’s own reflection instead of the icons.  It doesn’t appear reflective like that to my naked eye, though.  Once I brightened up the screen a bit, it’s easy to see my screen.  The Ultra Mirror screen protector is as slick and slippery as the naked Gorilla Glass itself, so it doesn’t interfere with using the touchscreen at all.

SGP Case says the “oleophobic coating on the Ultra Mirror enhances your phone’s picture quality, prevents fingerprints, and protects your LCD from scratches and dust.”  I haven’t seen as many fingerprints on my iPhone using the Steinheil, but I still do see some smears when I put the phone against my face, and I do see dust sometimes.  The screen cleans up easily using the little gray microfiber cloth, though.

SGP also says that the reflective coating should protect your screen from prying eyes, but I haven’t found that to be true.  It’s much shinier than the naked screen itself, but I can still read the screen from other angles.

To test the claims that it can be removed without leaving behind residue, I sacrificed the first screen protector I had applied.  It lifted right off without undue tension on the screen, and it did leave the screen perfectly clean.

I like the Steinheil Ultra Mirror Half Mirror Screen Protectors well enough that I installed the second one on my iPhone 4.  Now I don’t have to worry so much about scratches to my iPhone’s screen.  I only wish they had included a protector for the back of my phone, too.

Filed in categories: Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: Screen Protector, Stylus for capacitive touchscreen

SGP Case Steinheil Ultra Mirror Half Mirror Screen Protectors and Kuel H10 Stylus Pen Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 27, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Last month I did a review of the Crimson Frame Case for the iPhone 4. While I thought their aluminum case was too boxy and utilitarian, I loved the iPhone 4 screen protectors that Crimson included with the case. So much so, I wanted to see if their screen protectors for the MacBook Air series were just as nice.  So, I made the request and Crimson sent me the Anti-Glare surface protector for 11″ MacBook Air to try on my new laptop.

Contents:

• One (1) piece of Anti-glare screen protector
• Microfiber cleaning cloth

Crimson does an intense job of packaging the screen protector. The plastic sleeve and instructions sheet that the screen protector comes in is MANY times thicker than the product itself. Of course this thick, rigid protection is necessary since the screen protector obviously can not be bent or folded.

Features:

• Made from the highest quality, multi-layered, Japanese-manufactured film
• The ultimate protection against dust, scratches, oil, and dirt for your MacBook Air screen
• Advanced silicone adhesive minimizes bubbles during application and allows for easy removal – without residue
• Surface Protectors can be cleaned with water and reapplied
• No “rainbow” effect
• Microfiber cleaning cloth included

The screen protector is ready to apply onto the Air’s screen once the simple backing is removed. Applying the plastic film is a relatively easy process. Not nearly as ‘dicey’ as the wet process that a ZAGG invisibleSHIELD requires. The application process is very similar to the Power Support laptop screen protector I reviewed years ago.

Like many smartphone and tablet screen protectors I have installed over the years, the first step is to completely clean the screen itself….making sure all dust, fingerprints, and perhaps even a bit of snot is removed. If you are as AR as I am, it totally irritates/bothers me when gunk is caught between the screen and protector, forever trapping it there :-I. Once the screen is cleaned to your satisfaction, you align the plastic before beginning and then squeegee the piece of plastic as you go, minimizing the number of residual air bubbles needing to be dealt with later.

Once applied, the next step is to carefully force the remaining air bubbles out from between the MBAir screen and the protector. This part of the process was surprisingly easy; much more so than a majority of other plastic films I have installed in the past.

If for whatever reason you need to remove it, the silicone layer that enables the protector to adhere to the screen, also allows for (relatively) easy removal. The screen protector can be washed/cleaned with water and then reapplied as desired. I have not attempted this, but according to Crimson it is an option.

Bottom line: the anti-glare film looks great. It uses a special matte finish that effectively reduces glare for easier/better viewing. You can hardly tell it is there. Along with the anti-glare viewing experience, the protection it provides against materials marring the screen is stellar. I find the $30 cost of the Crimson Anti-Glare Screen Protector a reasonable price to pay for the added protection it provides. Considering its relatively simply/easy installation, I would recommend it to anyone who asks….

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews, Tablet Computers and Gear

Tagged: anti-glare, Laptop, Screen Protector

Crimson Anti-Glare Screen Protector for MacBook Air Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 3, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Earlier this week I was reading tweets from bratty kids cursing their parents and wishing them dead because they didn’t get a car for Christmas or got the wrong color iPad 2.  Instead of cursing about the iPad 2, add an Easyscreen Screen Protector from MediaDevil.  Not only can you cover up the offending colored bezel with a color more to your liking, you’ll add a 3-layer anti-glare protective layer that prevents scratches and fingerprints.  Adhesive is only used under the colored border, so there will be no air bubbles on the screen.  With ten colors (white, black, silver, red, blue, pink, green, orange, yellow, and purple) to select from, even the most demanding customer should find what they like.  They are £16.97 (about $26) from MediaDevil, or $16.97 at Amazon.com (just do a search on MediaDevil Easyscreen iPad 2).

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPad 2 accessory, Screen Protector

Easyscreen Adds a Pop of Color to iPad 2 Screen Protection originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

Recently I bought one of Apple’s new 13″ MacBook Airs and resolved myself to use it naked (aka without any protection). Using the MBAir without a case definitely goes against my anal-retentive nature. I have used a case with every MacBook I have ever owned. These cases, while doing a great job of protecting my laptops, added a significant amount of weight and a bit of bulk to my MacBooks. I did not want to burden my new 2.9 pound piece of tech-candy with any additional weight and/or bulk, plus show it off a little as well . All of that said (& being the AR guy that I am), I do want to take care of my MBAir, protect it, and keep it looking as nice as possible. So, when I was asked if I would like to try/review one of Wrapsol’s protective films I jumped at the chance.

Wrapsol protective films are very similar to the invisibleSHIELD I installed on my iPad a few months ago. Wrapsol promises that their films are stronger, clearer, longer lasting, and easier to apply than invisibleSHIELD. Like ZAGG (the maker of invisibleSHIELDs), Wrapsol creates protective films for a multitude of devices. In this case, this film is great way to add protection to your MBAir without sacrificing its lightweight and slim figure.

Wrapsol includes:

• Custom-cut films to cover the MacBook Air’s top, bottom, palm rest, keyboard surround, and trackpad
• Mister with application solution
• Cleaning cloth (aka microfiber towelette)
• Squeegee
• Instructions

Wrapsol directly compares themselves to invisibleSHIELD in a several tests and according to their results/graphs they are superior in all of their comparisons; strength, clarity, and durability.

Installing Wrapsol’s protective film is nearly identical to installing ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD. The installation involves using a liquid solution to place the film. To keep your fingers and hands from sticking to or leaving prints on the film, you must first spray your hands before touching the film.

After removing the film from its backing, you ‘mist’ the sticky side prior to placing it on the device. The liquid allows you to maneuver the film exactly into place. There is definitely a fine line between too much liquid and not enough. Too much makes a mess; while not enough makes it difficult to place and maneuver the film.

Placing the film perfectly takes a good amount of patience, time, and a bit of luck. After installing six invisibleSHIELDs over the past few months, I consider myself relatively experienced at the task. It is not something you can bang out in 5 minutes. Once I got everything pre-placed/staged, actually installing the films took me about 20-25 minutes.

Once the film is in place, you squeegee out all of the extra liquid and air bubbles locking it in place. The residue liquid completely dries over the next 24 hours locking the two together. Throughout the entire process, I was using a cloth to absorb the excess liquid I squeegeed out; to prevent any moisture from getting into the guts of the MBAir.

There were many folks that commented on my invisibleSHIELD review about the difficultly they had during the install procedure. While Wrapsol calms to be ‘easier’, I would say it takes the same amount of patience and skill. For those of you who have never installed a film like this, I suggest watching the Wrapsol online instruction video first and potentially having an extra set of hands ready to assist.

After the film has dried, you can barely tell its there. There were a few minor bubbles here and there….hardly noticeable. I have been slowly rubbing them out over the first few days and most are gone. For the few that would not go away, I carefully lanced them with a needle, releasing the air, allowing that small portion of the film to lay flat.

All of the pieces are precisely cut and fit perfectly in their intended locations.

The one interesting design choice Wrapsol made worth mentioning, is that they did not leave screw cutouts in case Apple (or you) ever needed to access the internal workings of the MBAir. I will cross my fingers that need never comes to pass. Because removing the film is an effort…..

The Wrapsol protective film does add extra ‘gripability’ to the slick MacBook Air. Although, the Wrapsol film does not have as tacky of a feel to it as the invisibleSHIELD does (which I find a good thing). Overall, the film does a great job of protecting the main surfaces of my MacBook Air from ‘everyday scuffs and scratches’. While this film will not protect my MBAir from drops, dents, and dings like my Vaja i-volution cases protected my previous MacBooks, it does not add a pound of added weight either. The Wrapsol protective film costs $50, a fair trade for the protection it provides. Wrapsol backs their films with a lifetime warranty.

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Screen Protector

Wrapsol Protective Film Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 10, 2010 at 11:50 am.

Are you paranoid that your shiny new iPhone 4′s display will get a nasty scratch on it? Maybe you’ve thought about protecting it with a case, but didn’t want to deal with the bulk? Or you might have considered a screen protector but installing it seemed a little intimidating. I’m not really paranoid about scratches, but that doesn’t mean that I want my brand new gadget to have one. I don’t like to use a case and I’m not a big fan of screen protectors because they are a hassle to install and always seem to make touch screens feel less responsive. Guess what? I’ve just changed my mind about screen protectors after trying the new BodyGuardz Dry Apply protectors.

BodyGuardz Dry Apply protectors are available for various devices, in both a screen only protector kit and full body protector kits. I was sent the full body Dry Apply kit for the iPhone 4.

Package Contents

2 sets of screen protectors, back protectors and side protectors
Microfiber polishing cloth
Squeegee card

To be perfectly honest, I’ve not tried installing a screen protectors on my phones in quite a few years. They always seem to require you to spritz the screen with water and other gymnastics in order to get them to install perfectly. I don’t have much patience when it comes to doing stuff like that and prior experiences years ago resulted in bubbles, dust and other junk between the screen and the protector. For that reason, I wasn’t too excited when the folks at BodyGuardz offered to send me a free set of full body protectors for my iPhone 4. I fully intended to bribe… I mean give them to one of the other team members to review, but in the end I accepted the sample for myself because they didn’t require water to install them.

The first thing I did was read the directions, which seemed pretty straight forward. I then watched two very short videos on the BodyGuardz site demonstrating the installation. Next it was my turn.

Using the supplied microfiber cloth, I polished the back of my iPhone 4 and made sure that the surface was free of dust. I then peeled the backing from the top of the protector as instructed and without touching it.

The next step was to line it up with the top edge and then using the plastic squeegee, slide it down the rest of the surface to affix the protector. The whole task from polish to end took less than 2 minutes.

It really helps that the protectors are not made of super flimsy thin material. They are thicker and almost rigid. Lining up the edges was not a problem. The only issue I noticed was the top most edge and one bubble that would not go away no matter how much I tried to squeegee it. Click the image above for a large view.

I applied the top surface protector using the same method. The result was a few bubbles at the top edge as you can see in the image above (you can click for a larger view). I wasn’t very happy with the way it looked, but decided to keep going and do the edges protectors next.

I found it more difficult to apply the edge protectors. The material seems to be more stretchy than the top and bottom protectors. The instructional videos mention not stretching them and I really didn’t think I did, but as you can see here, both edges overlap the speakers slightly.

You can see how close I stuck the Right side stickers…

and Left side. The Left side does bridge the antenna area, but I can’t tell you if it has any effect on attenuation issues as my iPhone is no longer active on AT&T’s network.

Top surface.

I didn’t really like the feel of the side protectors and I obviously didn’t like the look with the overlapping edges.

Looking back at the top and bottom protectors, I wasn’t too happy with the bubbles either. The rest of the surface of the phone looked fine to me though. I then remembered that the video said to wait 24-48hrs for the bubbles to go away. I wasn’t convinced that they would disappear, but what the heck… I gave it 24hrs. And…

They weren’t just blowing smoke, the bubbles did go away! Totally! Check it out (click the image for a larger view). I was completely surprised and impressed.

The one bubble on the back side remained, but It’s not a bubble,  I think there’s an actual piece of dust between the protector and the phone. Bummer.

You will notice something in these close up pictures though… It seems that dust particles like to stick around the edges of the protectors. This is more noticeable if you look at the earphone cutout and camera cutout. Yes, I’m being crazy picky, but I have to find at least something to complain about right?

Another very surprising fact is that once installed, I am not seeing any degradation of screen clarity or sensitivity. Actually, if I wasn’t already aware that my phone had a protector installed on it, I would not know it. It does not feel any differently or behave differently.

I removed the side protectors after 24hrs, but the top and bottom ones are staying put. I will definitely recommend BodyGuardz Dry Apply protectors for any device. They are very easy to apply, not overly expensive and will protect your device from scratches.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: iPhone, Screen Protector

BodyGuardz Dry Apply for iPhone 4 Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 20, 2010 at 8:39 pm.

If you’re looking for a way to protect your iPhone without increasing its size and weight, check out the Invisible Shield. It has been  specifically designed to protect every inch of the iPhone while maintaining the original look. The shield is a clear film that is cut to the exact dimensions of the phone. It is made of a very tough and durable material called polyurethane. The material was originally used by the military to protect helicopter blades. With the Invisible Shield being both clear and tough as nails it turns out to be the perfect iPhone cover.

InvisibleSkinz.com is a leading online dealer of the Invisible Shield. In addition to the iPhone, they offer skins for over 1,500 electronic devices including cell phones, lap tops, gaming systems, iPods, and even watches. Gadgeteer readers can use the coupon code gadget20 to receive a 20% discount on all products purchased on the InvisibleSkinz site. The code is good for 2yrs!

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Gear Diary, Screen Protector

Protect your gadgets with Invisible SHIELD – Special Gadgeteer Discount originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 17, 2009 at 12:40 pm.

The Wrapsol protection system is a family of products that strive to wrap your various devices in a sheath of protecting film. They sent me a pile of systems, and I tried the Android G1, iPod Touch, and Sony PSP systems for this review. Essentially the system is the same for any supported device, but I figured doing it three times was sufficient to get a feel for the repeatability of my results.

The company uses eco-friendly packaging – a claim they repeat often all over the packaging as they urge you to recycle/reuse everything – that varies depending on if you buy it retail or order it from them. The photo above is the Web packaging opened up to reveal the goodies, the photo below is the retail version stacked on top of the Web box.

For the Web version they apply a shipping label right to the package and send it – a nice change from the usual “box inside a shipping box” experience.

No matter what you’re wrapping up, the contents of your kit will be similar to the photo below, which shows the stuff for a G1 phone:

All the kits include a squirt bottle of water, a microfiber cloth, a squeegee, the same generic instruction page, and the all important baggie of film bits to apply. As you can see in that photo the film bag contains the template sheet for the bits, which helps a little in figuring out which bit goes where.

Getting Wrapped

The generic instructions say to begin with the screen protector, and after that’s done move on to the bits for the body. But first, you have to power off the device, pull the battery if possible, and plug holes that might be exposed to water during the install. Yep, you read that right, you’ll be using water. Turns out its not a lot of water, and seems mostly safe to do what they tell you to do, but it is a little disconcerting Here is my G1 ready for surgery:

Since I lack three or four hands I wasn’t able to take photos of the process itself. Here is the basic steps:

Clean everything (device, your hands) and find as dust free a setting as possible. Then

1. Wet hand with little spritzer
2. Gently start one corner up, to begin removing film from backing. As soon as you can, spritz the sticky side with some water. Continue peeling and for luck, spritz it one more time. Mostly this is to keep your fingers from sticking to the sticky side if you happen to touch it.
3. The film now off the backing, laying on its non-stick side on your wet palm, you spray it a few more times to get it damp, but not running/dripping wet.
4. Do whatever you do to find your happy place…
5. Place wet/sticky side DOWN onto your several hundred dollar device. The water now acts as, well, a slippery agent giving you some attempts at getting things lined up Just So…
6. When its lined up, begin squeezing out the water. I found it helpful to use the microfiber cloth to mop up the water as I squeegeed it out.
7. When one bit is done, repeat for the remaining pieces. You use your hands to press/set/mush down odd shaped bits and to get it to conform to curves.

Sounds complicated? It is. But here’s the thing… it actually worked. Three times. For the G1, the PSP, and the iPod Touch I was able to get a perfectly bubble free application.  Getting the body elements on is a bit twitchy, but I was able to get it all done in less then an hour.

Proof in the Pudding

Bottom line so far, you can get the stuff onto your device, and the resulting film actually goes on bubble-free without too much difficulty. Here are some before and after shots.

First, the G1 back:

It’s a bit textured so you get more grip. Next, the front before & after:

Unlike the back, the front is glossy, and the screen cover is a bit thicker then the body coverings. Here is a detailed shot of the screen right after application. The wavy pattern is an artifact of the digital camera, but you can see a slight distortion in it:

Notice that “blurry” bit on the left side? That’s the moisture left under the sheet after the application. It went away completely after a couple hours on the charger – Wrapsol’s instructions say it will go away in 24 hours, and it did on the iPod Touch and PSP. Here’s some shots of the Touch.

Front after application – note the slightly reduced glare vs the glass screen. Like the G1, the Touch back gives the device more grip, but you lose the mirror effect:

Final Thoughts

As I told Julie as I updated her on the progress of the review… “Finally, a John-proof installation system for screen protectors!” I’m pretty sure it’s just me, but I’ve never had much luck with any “dry” system. I end up with bubbles, finger prints on the underside, alignment issues, and generally unusable results. This wet system works really well, at least in my case.

I’m not a fan of adding an additional layer onto these tiny LCD screens, but this system actually produces results for me that match the photos on the web site, and that’s saying something. The body coating bits seem to stay put after they set up, and the whole thing produces an effect that is visually pleasing. Clarity of the screen is excellent on the three devices I tested, and for the touch screen ones the Wrapsol screen seems to show fewer finger smudges then the naked screens.

Filed in categories: Android related, Blackberry related, Gaming Gear

Tagged: Case, Screen Protector

Wrapsol Protection System Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 21, 2009 at 9:23 am.

Those of you who try their utmost to keep their electronics in nice/pristine/perfect
condition should consider a LappyMat
screen protector for your laptop. They are designed to protect your laptop
screen from the keyboard while traveling. I grant you most laptop manufactures
engineer their laptops to avoid the keyboard touching or scratching the screen,
but things happen. The LappyMats are a reasonably priced accessory designed
to reduce that risk.

LappyMats come in ‘deep’ black and ‘liquid’ silver and range in size to fit
11.1" to 20" laptops. They also include a small Mini Wipe with each
order. According to LappyMats.com,
they offer sizes for over 30 manufactures and 758 different laptop models. You
can also contact them directly to have their ‘Chop Shop’ custom make you a LappyMat
to your exact specifications.

The LappyMats I received fit my MacBook Pro perfectly. The microfiber material
is soft and very suede-like. I have no worries using it as a wipe cloth for
any part of my laptop, including the screen. The fabric is 0.803mm thick and
causes no additional stress on the lid or hinges. You can even wash them in
cold water, air dry them and they are good to go.

I will definitely use a LappyMat when I travel with my MacBook (although I’m
not sure which color looks best). Priced below $25, it is definitely worth the
money for the added screen protection.

Price ranges from $10.95 to $21.95

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Laptop, Screen Protector

LappyMat Laptop Screen Protectors originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 21, 2007 at 11:00 am.

Last weekend I went a bit out of control and purchased a 17″ Macbook Pro replacing my three year old 15″ Powerbook. The screen of my old Powerbook has been somewhat marred by the iSkin keyboard cover I have used since day one. The marks on the screen are only noticeable when the screen is off, so I decided not to use an iSkin again. Having learned my lesson, I wanted true screen protection for the incredibly vivid screen. A few months ago MacWorld mentioned Power Support as having one of the best screen protectors out there. So, the day I bought my laptop I ordered Power Support’s Crystal Film for the 17" Macbook Pro.

The Crystal Film is presented nicely in very well made packaging.

The Crystal Film has a simple backing that once removed is ready to apply onto the Macbook Pro. The Film itself is quite thick for a screen protector and very well made.

The Crystal Film is perfectly fitted for the screen. Power Support makes screen protectors in both Antiglare and Crystal for the 12" & 14" iBooks, 12", 15", & 17" Powerbook G4′s, 13" Macbook, and 15" & 17" Macbook Pros. According to their website, they are developing screen protectors for the iMacs.

Being such a large piece of plastic, I did get quite a few bubbles during my first attempt at applying the Film.

My second attempt faired much better. I had only a few bubbles that took about 15 minutes to work them out. There are 4 small bubbles that you can not see when the screen is on, that I haven’t worked out yet.

I’m very pleased how the screen looks with the Crystal Film screen protector on. You can’t even tell its there. I debated prior to buying it on whether I was being too AR. In retrospect, I’m glad I spent the $40 to protect my $3,000 laptop…..

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Laptop, Screen Protector

Power Support Crystal Film for the 17″ Macbook Pro originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 2, 2007 at 6:25 pm.

One of the first things I did after getting the

HTC Apache / Sprint PPC-6700 was to start looking for accessories, but it
has not been easy. As has been the case every time a new device has come to
market, there was a bit of a time lag between acquiring the device and acquiring
the accessories I needed. Luckily, getting a quality screen protector was never
a problem as BoxWave was one of the first
companies to realize that they had one that would already work beautifully.

I have favorably reviewed their line of
ClearTouch Crystal protectors in the past, and once again I feel that they
deserve a mention for 

PPC-6700 owners that may not have heard of them, or may not have considered
their products.

You’ll notice that the shiny spot on the packaging is almost obscuring the
fact that this protector will also fit a Mini 02 / XDA.

Included in the package is one 99% clear, dust resistant, washable and
reusable screen protector, a lint free screen cleaning cloth and a squeegee to
help install the protector without incurring any air bubbles.

Installation is accomplished by first wiping the entire surface of the PDA’s
screen with the cloth and then peeling off the larger tab on the protector, the
one that is labeled "Remove this plastic backing in advance".

Pulling the smaller tab, labeled "remove me", peels back the clear plastic
sheet which covers the side of the protector with the mild silicone based
adhesive. This is the side which goes against the PDA’s screen.

I like to start a the top of the PDA. After peeling the protective cover back
about one third of the way down, I line the exposed protector’s adhesive edge to
the top of the screen. Once everything is straight, I’ll use the squeegee to
smooth the protector as it is applied. As I squeegee down the screen, the clear
cover is rolled from the underside of the protector. The entire process only
takes a couple seconds to do, it actually took me much longer to write about it
than it would to perform!

Once the protector is in place, it is as if there were no protector; the
screen is very similar to its naked state – almost the same feel and virtually
the same original clarity.

BoxWave ClearTouch Crystal Screen Protectors are extremely durable and long
lasting. Depending on how heavy handed one is with their stylus, the first
protector that is applied will likely last for the entire life of the PDA.

It would be a mistake to own a PPC-6700 and not put a screen protector on it.
Not only does the protector keep scratches and nicks from appearing on the
screen, it also keeps facial moisture off the screen. In fact, this is where the
reusable blue cloth comes in very handy. If you haven’t bought a
protector for your PPC-6700 yet, then I strongly urge you to give the BoxWave
ClearTouch Crystal a try.

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Screen Protector

BoxWave ClearTouch Crystal for the HTC Apache / PPC-6700 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 15, 2006 at 11:09 am.

Protecting the gorgeous display on the Sony Playstation Portable is a big deal to owners of this popular handheld gaming device. Besides housing the PSP in a case when it is not in use, you also have to consider some type of protection when you’re actually playing games on it. Brando has a simple product that might just take up permanent residence over your PSP’s display. The Crystal Cover II is a plastic screen protector that covers almost the entire face of your device, giving you see-through and play-through convenience.

When you buy this product, you receive a thin plastic cover and a replacement thick rubber joypad cover.

The Crystal Cover rests right over the existing display and is held in place with 2 screws that thread into the PSP.

When attached, the cover adds very little to the weight and size of the gaming device.

The included rubber joypad cover may be an asset or hinderance, depending on the player. At first I thought it would work out much better than the thin profile one included with the PSP. But once I started playing games with the new pad in place, I realized that the additional height made my thumb cramp up. So, your milage may vary.

There are cutouts for the 2 sets of buttons on either side of the PSP. These cutouts match up perfectly allowing easy game play.

Viewing games or video content through the Crystal Cover II is just as nice as when this protector is not in place. The only problem that I noticed was the fact that dust under the cover tended to show up as black specks on the screen, reminding me of dead pixels. Also the Crystal Cover seems to scratch pretty easily… I guess it’s better that it get scratched other than the PSP though.

The bottom line is that this product will protect your display from scratches. I’m just not sure that it’s any more valuable than a stick on protector or just using a bit of caution.

Filed in categories: Portable and Console Gaming

Tagged: Plastic, PSP, Screen Protector

Brando PSP Crystal Cover II originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 30, 2005 at 7:56 pm.

The

Samsung SPH-i500 is a unique PDA phone in that it uses not one, but two
screens for display and data entry. BoxWave
is the only company I am aware of that takes into account both of these screens
in their line of protectors.

Today I will take a look at their

ClearTouch Crystal for the Samsung SPH-i500. Included in the package is a
screen cloth, a squeegee and a protector sized for each of the i500′s two
screens.

Like other premium protectors, the ClearTouch uses a silicone based adhesive
which allows for easy application and removal from the phone’s screen. These
next generation protectors are long lasting, cleanable and reusable. The
ClearTouch Crystal is, as the name implies, crystal clear.

Once applied, the colors of the PDA’s screen shine through – in their full
unmuted glory.

The protector made for the graffiti area protects this portion from scratches
and other damage that can occur.

As with other BoxWave protectors I have reviewed in the past, I found these
to be perfectly cut to the size of the PDA’s screen. Writing on the protected
screen was smooth, very similar to writing on a naked PDA’s screen.

The beauty of this new generation of screen protectors is that they can last
for many months – even years. Place this protector on your PDA phone, and you
may never have to think about protection again. I call it cheap insurance!

Price: $12.95

Pros:
Extremely clear screen protection
Long lasting
Removable, cleanable, reusable
Inexpensive screen insurance

Cons:
None

Product Requirements:
Device:
Samsung SPH-i500

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Screen Protector

BoxWave ClearTouch Crystal for the Samsung SPH-i500 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 12, 2005 at 2:32 pm.

(Horizontal and Vertical) for Treo 650 (Proclip item number
229012) vs.
Seidio Shield Holster
for Treo 650

Proclip swivel clips

Seidio swivel clip

Seidio

Price: $24.95 for the
Proclip Belt
Clip Holster, $27.95 for the
Seidio Shield Holster
 

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Belt Clip, Case, Palm, Palm OS related, Plastic, Screen Protector

Proclip Belt Clip Holster vs. Seidio Shield Holster originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 30, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:


Fossil Wrist PDA

After Julie and I returned from
CES, I
was very excited about getting my hands on a Fossil
Palm Powered

Wrist PDA. One of the first things I realized upon its receipt was that if
ever there was a solid case for screen protection, this huge watch with the
exposed screen was it. Not only was there a danger from inadvertently scratching
its screen with a stylus, there was also the issue of a fragile PDA screen that
had no possibility of protection from a case…ever.

I happened to have a spare iPAQ 4700 protector in my spare drawer, so I did a
bit of trimming and came up with a decent temporary solution. But I knew that I
was going to want something a bit more correctly sized in the long run, so I
wrote to Abe at BoxWave and asked if they
would be interested in producing a protector for this new device. He had me take
a bunch of measurements and several scans of the watch’s face next to a ruler,
and about a month later I opened a package to find the following…

…pretty cool!

Not only had BoxWave created the

ClearTouch Crystal that I had asked for, they had also made a

ClearTouch Anti-Glare version.

Inside each package is a screen protector, a lint-free cloth and a stiff
paper squeegee.

Just like their larger sized counter-parts which I have previously reviewed,
each version of the Wrist PDA protector uses a silicone based adhesive that will
not leave any residue on the watch’s screen. They are removable, cleanable, and
will last for months on end.

Here is a shot of the ClearTouch Anti-Glare version…

…as well as the ClearTouch Crystal.

It’s hard to see it in the pictures, but in person – just as their names
imply, there are some differences.

For starters, the Anti-Glare model does not show fingerprints as easily and
it has a slight haze that cuts down on reflective glare. The Crystal version is
completely clear, and I personally like it better. Since this PDA doesn’t have a
color screen and it is a bit dim compared to what most of us are used to these
days, I feel that the Crystal version is the better choice.

If you have a Fossil Wrist PDA, don’t take a chance on getting a scratch
across your screen; protect it! Even if you are not using the stylus to enter
information, odds are that you will scratch the screen somehow. It would be
better to be safe than to be sorry.

Price: $8.95 for one or $19.33 for three

Pros:
Protects screen
Either anti-glare or crystal clear protection is available
Removable, cleanable
Long lasting
Inexpensive insurance against screen damage

Cons:
None

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Screen Protector

BoxWave ClearTouch Screen Protectors for the Palm Powered Fossil Wrist PDA Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 11, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
Just about any
portable electronic device
with a TFT screen, but will not adhere to LCD screens

Back in the early days of PDAs, there really wasn’t much one could do to keep
from scratching their touch screen. The average user would buy a PDA that would
come with some sort of static overlay on the screen to protect it from the
factory. If the overlay had no writing on it, then the vigilant PDA owner might
try to keep the overlay in place for as long as possible – knowing that the
minute it came off, the count down to their first screen scratch would begin.

Before too long, screen protectors began to make an appearance. They were
made out of thin plastic sheets that were highly sticky on one side, and quite
tricky to apply. The protectors would usually come in packs of twelve. The
reason given by the manufacturers was that each protector would last for
approximately one month with "normal" usage, so they were actually selling a
year’s supply for the $25 – $30 that was being charged. This seemed reasonable
at the time to me and many other PDA owners, we were more than willing to pay to
protect our screens.

Until I became a Jedi-master at applying those old style protectors, it was
not uncommon for me to kill at least two or three during the installation
process,. Because these protectors could not be lifted and reseated when they
were crookedly applied, because bubbles were so easily trapped under those
overlays, and because they never lasted as long as a month for me, a
year’s supply might dwindle to a couple of months’ worth in one frustrating
afternoon.

Once the application technique had been mastered, including the trick of
sticking pesky bubbles with the point of a needle, I could get a good three
weeks’ worth of use from a protector. The problem came when it was time for
removal. Quite often, I would get a nasty milky residue left on the screen that
could be near impossible to fully remove, even with a dab of alcohol. Oh, I
don’t miss those days at all!

Over time, I have thankfully watched as that sticky-adhesive type protector
of the past went the way of the dinosaur, and two new type protectors emerged to
take its place. Thanks to advances that have been made in the materials used to
produce today’s screen protection, most of the protectors now available are long
lasting, removable, reusable and economically priced. These protectors are
available in versions that either use no adhesive at all, relying rather on the
tension between the touch screen and the plastic or metal that surrounds it, or
they use a silicone based adhesive which ensure bubble-free installation and
easy removal and reapplication if necessary.

Today, I will take a look at the
ScreenGuardz  Ultra-Slim PDA Screen Protectors. I was sent a packet for both
my Tapwave Zodiac and my daily driver, the HP iPAQ 4700. Believe it or not, I
really do like trying out screen protectors, so I pulled PAQo from his case and
set him on my desk, ready to be a guinea pig once again.

The first thing that threw me off about the ScreenGuardz protectors was that
the packets were so thick. I am used to today’s protectors coming in a
thin package that includes a maximum of two, so judging by the thickness I
thought that there must be three or four of them in there. I was thinking, wow –
this is a great deal!

Before actually opening the item, I went to the
website to check out the
price. On the corner of the page was a blurb about how there were fifteen
protectors to a parcel…fifteen! For the inexpensive price that they
were asking, I have to admit that I started to worry; I was afraid that I was
going to open the kit and find a goblin from the past.

That’s when I put PAQo up and instead pulled out my Zodiac…

I opened the paper tri-fold and saw the instructions on the right side. The
application looked just the same as the old style…

I almost shut the package when I saw the squeegee!

I pulled out a single protector and the squeegee to take the photo…debating
whether I really wanted to go through with this…

Up until this point I had no clue what the protectors were going to be
like; I was afraid that they were going to be someone’s bad idea for reviving a
retro product. I started to peel the corner back on one side, but for some
reason the paper separated – causing me to think it was the glue on the back of
the protector that wouldn’t let go! Deep breath…

Then I got another corner to properly disengage. I started to pull back the
protector to ready it for application, and I quickly realized that things were
not as I had feared – that this was instead yet another type of
protector. Whew!

Instead of using any adhesive at all, this protector relies on static
cling. I suppose the best way to describe it would be to ask you to envision
a more refined version of the overlay that comes on the screens of new
electronics. Unlike those clumsy protectors however, these are perfectly cut,
thinner, and once applied do not seem to drag against the tip of a stylus when
one is writing. But I am getting ahead of myself…back to the installation
process.

Starting with a perfectly cleaned screen, I pulled the white paper backing
away from the protector to expose about an inch. Starting from the top, I
patiently squeegeed the protector down as I slowly rolled the paper back to
reveal more and more, eventually freeing the protector from the backing which I
then discarded. I was pleased that I had managed to get the protector on
perfectly straight the first try, but I was not very happy with the plethora of
bubbles which were revealed – even after my careful squeegeeing. Urgh.

I was able to chase a few bubbles away by running the squeegee gently over
the screen once again, but there were a couple that would not go away. Great
care must be taken when applying the squeegee, because the protector will
stretch if you push too hard. According to the website, if you can wait 24
hours, the last few bubbles should eventually work themselves out. Since I
didn’t want to wait 24 hours, I borrowed a trick from a friend of mine that
installs window tint – I sprayed a very fine mist of water over the
Zodiac’s screen and then set it in a sunny window. About an hour later, all the
bubbles were basically gone.

Once installed, the ScreenGuardz are very clear. Though they advertise that
they will reduce glare, they are just about as shiny as the ultra clear,
glasslike protectors that I favor. I was afraid that the soft plastic might drag
against the tip of my stylus, but I was pleased to find that it did not.

When the PDA is turned on, the screen shines through quite brightly and with
no milky haze.

What about if you should get a bit of lint under the screen while in the
process of application? Well, I found that to a limited extent I could pull the
protector back and dab at it with a piece of clear tape. Care had to be taken
not to stretch it in any way, as the protector is much more flexible than
the protectors I am now used to.

The ScreenGuardz Ultra-Slim PDA Screen Protectors appear to be holding up
quite well, but unlike the long-lasting protectors that I have become accustomed
to, they will show more marks and dings from typical daily usage. I would
guess that they might last as little as two weeks to as much as a month,
depending on how often you are actually writing or tapping on your screen.

The neat thing about these protectors is that since there are so many in a
package, you might find other uses for them. I trimmed a protector down and
applied one piece to the screen of my cellular phone, and another to my digital
music player.

Since these items are easily scratched, yet their screens are never rubbed
with a stylus, I anticipate that the ScreenGuardz will stay in place for years.
As I mentioned before, ScreenGuardz use static cling to adhere. This means that
just about any glass or polished plastic screen like the ones on PDAs, cell
phones, digital music players and digital cameras will work; however, LCD
screens like those on laptops or video cameras will not.

The only real con that I see to these protectors is that once you have
achieved the perfect application, you will eventually have to do it again – and
it may be sooner than you anticipated. I admit that I have grown spoiled with
the thicker silicone adhesive protectors, since they are so easily installed and
once in place they can last up to a year.

Price: $11.99, promotionally priced at $9.99

Pros:
Inexpensive, 15 in a package
Can be used on other portable electronics with TFT screens
Clear
Non adhesive, won’t damage screen

Cons:
Can be tricky to apply
Not as long lasting as other protectors on the market

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Screen Protector

ScreenGuardz Ultra-Slim PDA Screen Protectors Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 11, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Devices listed
here

Covertec
makes some of the nicest mid-range cases I have ever reviewed, and I am pleased
to see them entering the screen protector arena. This week, I have been testing
out their new Ultra Clear Screen Protector for the iPAQ hx4700. I am happy to
announce that they are making these of the same next-generation materials as
some other screen protector manufacturers, and like the ones I most happily
endorse, these are brilliantly clear.

A pleasant surprise inside the package is that there are actually two
protectors included. This makes the Covertec a bit better value than its
competition straight out of the wrapper.

However, there is one issue that keeps me from being thrilled with this
protector. Note in these pictures how it does not cover the entire surface of
the PDA’s huge screen? The HP iPAQ hx4700′s screen measures 3.242" (8.236cm)
tall by 2.458" (6.244cm) wide, and 4.047" (10.279cm) diagonally. The Covertec
protector easily leaves a full millimeter or two around the entire screen that
is not covered, as you can see in this picture.

This "gap" seems to operate very well as a dust and lint magnet as the PDA is
used, as you can see here.

If the protector could be remade in the correct size, I would be able to
recommend it without reservation, because it has all of the properties I want in
a protector: It uses a low-tack adhesive, it is crystal clear, it can be removed
and reused, and it will last for ages without needing replacement.

Price: $14.95 for two

Pros:
Excellent, long lasting protection for your screen
Crystal Clear
Easy to remove – non "tacky" adhesive
Reusable
Smooth writing surface
Excellent value, with two to the pack

Cons:
Protector did not properly fit my PDA’s screen

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Screen Protector

Covertec Ultra Clear PDA Screen Protector Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 17, 2004 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Available for
these
devices

I am really glad that screen protector manufacturers are coming out with more
of the crystal clear versions that don’t use a tacky adhesive and that have
extremely long service lives. The latest of this new generation of screen
protectors is the BoxWave
ClearTouch
Crystal Screen Protector. Similarly made to the
BoxWave ClearTouch
protector I reviewed two years ago, this new version has one thing which the old
did not – perfect clarity.

I happen to think that anti-glare properties are over-rated, especially when
you want to see all of the colors on your

iPAQ hx4700 series gorgeous VGA screen. With that in mind, the glass-like
clearness of the new ClearTouch Crystal is exactly what I want in a protector.

One of the many things that this protector has going for it is that it is
extremely easy to install. The tacky side of the protector is covered with a
thin sheet of tabbed plastic that is peeled back as the protector is installed.

Because of the nature of the protector’s low-tack adhesive, any lint or
bubbles caught underneath while installing can be easily removed. Once on, the
protector’s clearness allows you to see your PDA’s screen without any dullness
or anti-glare milkyness. This is exactly how your screen looks when it is fresh
out of the box.

One thing I was very pleased to see was that this protector covered the
entire surface of the screen. There were no gaps or other areas, which seem to
serve as lint-magnets when they exist.

The superior materials used for this new generation screen protector allow it
to be used for months on end with no real wear. If you have not yet purchased a
protector for your PDA, then I encourage you to give the BoxWave ClearTouch
Crystal a try.

Price: $12.95, 3-pack bundle is available for
$27.95

Pros:
Excellent, long lasting protection for your screen
Crystal Clear
Easy to remove – non "tacky" adhesive
Reusable
Smooth writing surface

Cons:
None

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Screen Protector

BoxWave ClearTouch Crystal Screen Protector Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 17, 2004 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
One of the PDAs or Tablet PCs listed
on this page

The large gorgeous screen on the new
iPAQ hx4700 was one of the biggest deciding factors for my purchase. For the
first couple of days after I received the PDA, I did not have a screen protector
installed. Every time I went to touch my stylus to the screen, I practically
held my breath – afraid that this might be the time when I would leave a
scratch. As worrisome as using an unprotected screen was, I did grow to
appreciate how beautiful the display appeared with nothing covering it. This
reinforced my long held opinion that the clearer the protector, the better.

Since the 4700 was so new, none of my usual screen protector sources had any
available yet that would fit. Leonard with
Pocket PC Techs was kind enough to
ask me the dimensions of the PDA’s screen so that he could send out properly
sized samples in their new
C²
Premium Deluxe Screen Protection Kit. 

It has been some time since I reviewed
the WriteSHIELD line form PPC
Techs, and while I had been happy with the anti-glare of the AG line before, I
knew that I did not want anything that would dull this new iPAQ’s brilliance. I
needn’t have worried, for I was soon to find out that the C²
line is, as the name implies, crystal clear.

Billed as "The best screen protector sold in the USA,"
The Deluxe Double Pack kit comes in a cardboard presentation box that includes
two WriteSHIELD™ C² screen protectors, two Klear Screen Wet Single packs, a
3.25" horse-hair brush, three plastic applicator/removal picks, an Optical
quality Micro Fiber cloth, a 2oz bottle of Klear Screen cleaner and fully
illustrated instructions.

Application was a breeze because everything I might need for a lint-free install
was included in the box. I used the horsehair brush to make sure that all of the
sides and corners of the screen were free from dust, lint or other foreign
matter, and then I wiped down the iPAQ’s screen with the Klear Screen wet and
dry wipes. The last step of prepping the screen was running the blue micro fiber
cloth over its pristine area to make sure that the entire surface was dry and
lint free.

Next, I pulled back the yellow tab on the protector to expose the top, or
writing surface of the protector.

Pushing down the sides of the C²’s
borders exposed the tacky side of the protector, which was to be placed against
the iPAQ’s screen. Working slowly and without exposing too much of the protector
until it was time to actually apply it, I lightly used my driver’s license as a
squeegee to ensure a completely bubble free installation.

Like most of the high end modern protectors, the C²
does not use old fashioned adhesives that can be damaging to a PDA’s screen.
Instead, a light tacky silicone-like backing holds the protector to the screen.
Because there is no traditional adhesive, the protector can be removed and
repositioned many times. This becomes especially important should a bit of lint
somehow find its way onto the screen while you are installing the protector. You
can simply lift the C² with one of the included plastic picks, and then use a
piece of transparent tape to lift away the offending grit.

Installed, the C² has a glass-like finish that
does not provide anti-glare properties, but that also does not change the
appearance of the PDA’s brilliant screen. All you see is the true color and
beauty, which is especially important when you have splurged on a VGA PDA.

Un-retouched photo of the iPAQ 4700′s screen with a C²
in place

As you can see by the dark Today screen I use, these protectors show
everything! If I had gotten a piece of lint or grit under a traditional screen
protector during the installation process, then I would have had to start all
over again. Since I live in dusty West Texas, I did manage to get a small piece
of "something" under the protector, but I was also able to immediately remove it
with the process I mentioned.

If you do a lot of writing on your PDA’s screen, then over time you may
notice little phantom lines appearing on the screen protector in your heavily
used areas. This is where the micro fiber cloth and the Klear Screen Cleaner
will come in very handy. A squirt of the long-lasting spray (I still have a
bottle from over a year ago) onto the cloth then used to wipe down the C²
protected screen will render the protector as new.

Fortunately for me, those few unprotected days did no real harm to my screen.
However, every day that anyone goes without a screen protector on their PDA is
another day when the inevitable may happen. Why take that chance? The
C²
Premium Deluxe Screen Protection Kit is
reasonably priced for the amount of time that it lasts and for all of the extras
that it includes. Considering the price of replacing a damaged PDA or Tablet PC
screen, the C²s, available from
Pocket PC Techs are cheap
insurance.

Price: $36.99

Pros:
Crystal clear protection
Glass-like writing surface
Long lasting, reusable and cleanable
Lots of extras in the kit that can be used in the future

Cons:
None

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Screen Protector

WriteSHIELD C² Premium Screen Protection Kit Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2004 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Any of the PDAs, Cell Phones or
Digital Cameras listed
here

Most of you know by now that my favorite protectors are the ultra clear ones
- the type that look and feel like a naked PDA’s screen when installed. One of
Julie’s and my favorite vendors, Brando
Workshop, has recently come out with their answer for those that feel the
same, the
Ultra Clear Protector Plus.

Unlike the previously reviewed
Protector Plus offered by Brando, these do not have a slight opaqueness for
anti-glare nor do they have a textured feel for those that like the sensation of
writing on paper when they enter data in their PDA. Instead, these Brandos are
glass-like in their transparency and completely smooth in feel.

Similar to the ARM Kit
protector that I previously reviewed, the Brando has a thin plastic film
covering both its front and rear sides. You must first expose the back side,
install the protector, then remove the plastic covering the front. Unlike the
ARM Kit, the Brando protector has tabs attached to the film making it much
easier for a beginner (or someone more experienced) to install.

Due to the gentle silicone adhesive, it is extremely easy to lift a corner
should you get a bit of lint under the protector while installing. You can also
pull the entire protector up and start over, should you realize that you had it
misaligned from the start.

Once on, the Brando provides clear, beautiful, unadulterated viewing of the
screen. While Julie was here in Texas, I installed one on her TH55. She doesn’t
usually use screen protection, but since I am always harping at her about how
bad it is to use an exposed PDA screen, she agreed to give this one a try. 
Julie mentioned to me the other day that it was still on her TH55 and that she
could almost forget that she had a protector on – it was so clear. That’s high
praise, indeed!

Modern screen Protectors sure have come a long way, haven’t they? As with
most of the other premium protectors available, the Brandos are removable,
washable, and unless you are brutal with your stylus – very long lasting.
They are a veritable bargain, considering that you should get at least six
month’s use from them.

Price: $13

Pros:
Extremely clear
Long lasting
Removable
Washable
Easy to apply
Inexpensive

Cons:
None

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Other PDA related, Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Screen Protector

Brando Workshop Ultra Clear Protector Plus Screen Protector originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 14, 2004 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Any PDA listed
here

It would appear that the sticky adhesive screen protectors of yesterday, the
ones that had to be changed every month (if not earlier) and left a tacky
residue when removed, are finally going the way of the dinosaur – and
that is a very good thing.

Nowadays, all screen protectors must meet the minimum criteria of being
scratch-proof and reusable. If they use an adhesive, then it must be a gentle
silicone type that instead of actually sticking to the PDA’s screen, clings
to it. It would appear that for those who choose to use an adhesive based
protector, versus a non-adhesive, that  there are only two criteria left to
decide upon: clarity and price.

The Bosity Enhancement
PDA Screen Protector fits into this new generation that uses long lasting
plastic backed with a gentle adhesive.

The kit includes the screen protector, a lint-free cotton cloth, and a stiff
paper squeegee – not too shabby for the price!

To apply the protector, you wipe the PDA’s screen with the cloth, then peel
back a portion of the plastic backing from the protector. There is a tab of tape
on the plastic backing to help get the process started. Using the squeegee, you
can push off any bubbles that appear as the protector is unrolled across the
screen. Should you get a bit of lint or a defiant bubble, you can use a length
of scotch tape to lift the corner of the protector, then re-apply.

The clarity of the Bosity is on par with that of the
Brando, which I have previously
reviewed. Because the Bosity is designed to be anti-glare, it has a slight
opaqueness and texture. I prefer a clearer glass-like surface, much like the way
a naked screen looks and feels. But those that like the feel of paper under
their stylus and less of a glare when under a light will most likely prefer this
type protector instead.

The Bosity does not sit flush with the sides or bottom of the PDA which does
not make it any less easy to use. In fact, if you need to remove and reapply the
protector at any time, this will make it easier.

If you prefer less glare from your screen protector and like a slight "pen on
paper" fell from your stylus, then you should like the Bosity. For the price and
the included accessories, it is one of the better available values.

Bosity Enhancement PDA Screen Protectors are available
here.

Price: $6.95

Pros:
Inexpensive
Anti-glare
Reusable
Long lasting
Kit comes with unexpected extras for the price

Cons:
None

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Screen Protector

Bosity Enhancement PDA Screen Protector Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 3, 2004 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Any PDA listed
here

As I have previously mentioned on numerous occasions, I prefer to use a
screen protector that is extremely clear and has a glass like writing surface.
To date, I have only found two that offered what I felt was the best in class –
the G2 (a non-adhesive protector)
and the Martin Fields Overlay (gentle
adhesive). Now I can add one more… the
ARM Kit Crystal
Touch Edition Screen Protector.

Unlike other companies, no attempt has been made to make up for the small
size of the ARM protector by bulking up on the packaging. This is not a bad
thing, but I have to admit that after reviewing other less expensive model
protectors, I might have liked to see at least a lint free cloth or a squeegee
included to help take the sting out of the price.

The ARM protector comes on a Gold card that lists the model PDA it will fit.
I received the HP iPAQ 1940 version, which follows the shape of the PDA. Even
with the tiny size of the wrapper, there are still four levels of packaging you
have to get through in order to install the ARM.

I broke through the first two levels by running a letter opener along the top
edge of the protector, which freed it from the card and the film overlay.

Next, I had to remove the thin overlay that was covering the top of the
protector. Lastly, I peeled back the edge of the overlay from the sticky side of
the protector to prepare for application.

I should note that I have been using protectors for years and I am used to
some of the lengths manufacturer’s will go to to keep their protectors in
pristine shape. But if I were a newbie, this whole process might have thrown me
off. It can be difficult enough to apply a protector without picking up
fingerprints or lint if you are new to the process, add thin sheets of plastic
that need separating without a tab to get the process started and you might hear
some curse words uttered by those without much of a fingernail free-edge.

Once the overlay sheet was pulled back ¾", I
used an ID card to slide it across the PDA’s screen without any bubbles.
Like other protectors that use a gentle silicone type adhesive, the ARM can be
peeled back up and reapplied should you get a bubble or piece of lint
underneath. 

Once installed, the ARM is beautifully clear and glasslike – similar to the
screen on a naked PDA. This is definitely the type of protection I want on all
of my PDAs.

If you like a screen protector that gives the appearance of being no more
than your PDA’s original screen, then you might want to take a look at the ARM
Kit Crystal Touch Edition Screen Protector. It is available for sale
here.

Price: $16.45

Pros:
Extremely clear
Long lasting
Removable
Reusable

Cons:
Expensive
More difficult to prep and apply than most

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Screen Protector

ARM Kit Crystal Touch Edition Screen Protector Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 3, 2004 at 12:00 am.