4 ms·

My understanding is that ZAGG (Invisible Shield) and Ghost Armor are making out like bandits in the new market of sexy tech toys that people don't want to put b

My understanding is that ZAGG (Invisible Shield) and Ghost Armor are making out like bandits in the new market of sexy tech toys that people don't want to put big clunky cases on. Their products fill the perfect niche - I think that many people feel that what the author says is true (a drop will have the same effect on a phone when it comes to a "full break/crack," regardless of the presence of a case), but what they are trying to prevent are scratches and scuffs marring their pristine toy. An Invisible Shield put on with care is barely noticeable - I put a wet-apply shield on my Samsung Focus screen myself - and except for a little bit of the "orange peel" texture it's almost completely undetectable. It's great insurance against killer scratches, a scuffing drop onto concrete, and spills of sticky/nasty goop. At any time I could peel it off and replace it, or just get rid of it. That said, I have nothing on my iPad but a Smart Cover, but it generally lives at home and isn't in and out of my pocket all day. On a screen of that size, I think there's something to be said for avoiding the orange-peel texture.

maqr 15y ago
But all these devices are useless after 2 or 3 years anyway... why would anyone care about scratching up the metal a bit? These aren't collectors items.
- silencio 15y ago
  It helps resale value, but more importantly, it protects you from rubbing your fingers on a scratch in the glass (nothing dangerous, just irritating) or having an unusable part. Like the plastic covering the rear camera lens. I got a case for my 4S ($10 on amazon, almost unnoticeably thin) because my 4's camera became increasingly unusable over the course of a year and change since I kept putting it down on tables, while the rest of the iPhone was in good shape for being naked (even considering I drop it at least once a week). I probably noticed the first scratch on the plastic lens cover bit a month into owning the 4, while right now there are no noticeable scratches on my 4S's which was purchased in mid-October. Compare http://twitpic.com/6n1o1b http://twitpic.com/6n1o1b and http://twitpic.com/6ubjq2 http://twitpic.com/6ubjq2 (can't even really see faces anymore, and that was with an attempt to focus and decent lighting) to http://pic.twitter.com/gHK0yi5g http://pic.twitter.com/gHK0yi5g or http://pic.twitter.com/7U1lNoA9 http://pic.twitter.com/7U1lNoA9 (where you see a little too much detail ;) ).
- nlawalker 15y ago
  >> These aren't collectors items. That's in the eye of the beholder. I don't think cars, stamps, watches or baseball cards are collectors items, but the slightest imperfection in any of them is a tragedy to some people. I don't think a lot of people out there "collect" devices, but the same instincts apply. A watch actually might be a fairly good analogy here. When you pay hundreds of dollars for a shiny, shiny device, it's natural to want to keep it in its mint state. The primary difference is related to, of course, the original topic - watches just get extra care, devices get plastic wrap put on them. I would attribute this to the fact that watches are generally inert, and can be chosen for an occasion. A device, for many people, is something that's always carried and is frequently set down, picked up, manipulated and pocketed. Additionally, device screens are precise, touch-sensitive instruments with increasingly high resolution. A small scratch in the right place can substantially diminish the experience.

maqr 15y ago

But all these devices are useless after 2 or 3 years anyway... why would anyone care about scratching up the metal a bit? These aren't collectors items.

silencio 15y ago
It helps resale value, but more importantly, it protects you from rubbing your fingers on a scratch in the glass (nothing dangerous, just irritating) or having an unusable part. Like the plastic covering the rear camera lens. I got a case for my 4S ($10 on amazon, almost unnoticeably thin) because my 4's camera became increasingly unusable over the course of a year and change since I kept putting it down on tables, while the rest of the iPhone was in good shape for being naked (even considering I drop it at least once a week). I probably noticed the first scratch on the plastic lens cover bit a month into owning the 4, while right now there are no noticeable scratches on my 4S's which was purchased in mid-October. Compare http://twitpic.com/6n1o1b http://twitpic.com/6n1o1b and http://twitpic.com/6ubjq2 http://twitpic.com/6ubjq2 (can't even really see faces anymore, and that was with an attempt to focus and decent lighting) to http://pic.twitter.com/gHK0yi5g http://pic.twitter.com/gHK0yi5g or http://pic.twitter.com/7U1lNoA9 http://pic.twitter.com/7U1lNoA9 (where you see a little too much detail ;) ).
nlawalker 15y ago
>> These aren't collectors items. That's in the eye of the beholder. I don't think cars, stamps, watches or baseball cards are collectors items, but the slightest imperfection in any of them is a tragedy to some people. I don't think a lot of people out there "collect" devices, but the same instincts apply. A watch actually might be a fairly good analogy here. When you pay hundreds of dollars for a shiny, shiny device, it's natural to want to keep it in its mint state. The primary difference is related to, of course, the original topic - watches just get extra care, devices get plastic wrap put on them. I would attribute this to the fact that watches are generally inert, and can be chosen for an occasion. A device, for many people, is something that's always carried and is frequently set down, picked up, manipulated and pocketed. Additionally, device screens are precise, touch-sensitive instruments with increasingly high resolution. A small scratch in the right place can substantially diminish the experience.