Friday, March 21, 2008 -- 10 a.m. -- on my couch

Fingerprints.

Do you love them? Or hate them?

Looking down at my iPhone right now, it's full of fingerprints. It looks like Lindsay Lohan after a night at the clubs.

But seriously, folks.

And as I grab my cloth and wipe away the fingerprints to the best of my ability, I think about how my Apple products constantly pick up the smudge marks -- nothing I own has smudges like my Apple products.

Some consider it a badge of honor ... some wouldn't dream of wiping away fingerprints.

Me, personally, I leave them alone until I really become aware of them -- on the rare occasion when the screen is off.

What about you? What do you do with your iPhone fingerprints? Wipe them away? Leave them? And why?

Thanks for calling.

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I am a constant wiper. I hate looking down at the screen and see streeks and smudges on it. Ecspecially when Im watching a video or looking at pictures. A smudge a certain way, give a glimmer of a distortion in color. I think every iPhone should have a screen protector on it as well with a sleeve of some sorts. Myself I have both, and the case I have for it is (i guess the brand name of it) Contour. Its like a bulletproof vest for your iPhone. I know a kid who has an iphone and treats it like crap. Scratches all over the place, and the phone wasnt even a month old. I lost all respect for him, honestly. Call me petty or whatever, but objects such as iPhones should be handled with care and pride.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I agree. Handle with care for sure. Kid gloves.

I actually still use the black soft cloth that was included with my iPhone when I got it last August. I've had to wash it once already. I use it daily.

For "real cleaning," I just take a soft, damp (with water only) dish rag and do a few swipes. Then I dry it with a dish towel, and the iPhone cloth. Sounds like a lot to do, but I do this once every other day or so...or when I want to watch something video on the iPhone.

I tend to be a neat freak, and that extends to my iPhone I guess.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Excellent ... and for everyone else, I remind you of Apple's specific and simple instructions for cleaning your iPhone:

Unplug all cables and turn off iPhone (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and slide the onscreen red slider). Then use the included cleaning cloth or a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings.

Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone.

Neat topic (no pun intended). I have actually picked up the habit of wiping the screen as soon as I pull the iPhone from my pocket, either on my pants or shirt. I've got a protective film, too, but it does nothing for fingerprints and oils. Not a great habit, but I hardly even notice that I do it anymore.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Funny. I have one of those simple suede cases - same material as the included cloth -- and it doubles as the cloth -- so I just wipe the phone along the inside of the case when I take it out.

Always using my shirt or pants to wipe the screen clean. Wish there was a finger proof solution but can't imagine what that would be except for buying some sort of film that covers screen and still is able to detect your inputs. Unrelated, watched 2.0 Engadget video yesterday which you probably saw; just wondering what you though etc. Also, when I post from FF lately, it doesn't seem to be getting to you for some reason- IE transmits fine it seems.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Be careful, though, Brad, that your pants don't end up scratching the glass.

Posts don't get to me with Firefox? I haven't heard that before. Are you sure??

Here's what I wrote in the other comment about the 2.0 video:

I think it's OK. The thing that I keep cautioning folks about is that what you see is not what you will necessarily get. 2.0 is a beta of a beta ... it's actually 1.2, which is only accessible to SDK users. That's the reason I won't host the videos - it violates agreements. But as far as what's there, Brad, well, I like the ability of erasing multiple mail messages. I mean, that was needed in 1.0. And I obviously am looking forward to using Exchange -- I am really hoping IT folks at my company see this, because I'm going to work hard to get that access. So get ready. And the calculator, while cool, isn't something I'll really use -- I needed that kind of calculator in 11th grade for chemistry, but not really since.

I think this is just a slight fraction of what 2.0 is. I think it's going to contain a lot more features that haven't been created/made public yet. For me, what I see here is worthy of a 1.2 bump, but it's not 2.0 software, even with the app store. So that's why I say it's going to get much better.

Since so many people love to look at and touch my iPhone. It is important to me to wipe it down before each showing. Not to meantion, I am constantly showing people how to blog from it, jailbreak it, etc. So I keep it pretty well wiped down.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I'm sure the people you show it to appreciate your great attention to detail!

Always wiping it off on my pants or shirt. Buying a film that still reads your inputs is only solution I can think of unless Apple can come up with some type of finger proof material which would be great. Unrelated, when I post from FF, it's not transmitting often times; I just sent you this from there and I don't think you got it so I'm sending it again on IE. Also, saw 2.0 video on Engadget that you've probably seen; curious what you thought etc.

SCOTT'S REPLY: In this case, Brad, I got both. The one I replied to and this one.

I bought a plastic cover called Invisible Shield. I've had the same one for about 6 months. Not a scratch, and smudges begone! Not to sound like a salesman, but the stuff is made of a super high quality plastic, the company normally makes it as a protective cover for helicopter blades. They have demo videos on their Web site of how strong it is, and how it's virtually unbreakable. Plus it's super easy to put on with this applicator spray they include which makes it non-sticky for a few moments as you position it and remove the bubbles. A little expensive, but best decision I've made.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I'm glad it works for you. I have a problem with applicator sprays on my iPhone and I think those films create air bubbles. So I choose to stay away from them. But if it works for you, that's the most important thing.

I think I'm going to be the odd one out here :-) I keep mine in a slide-in pouch when it's in my handbag to stop it being scratched, but I haven't wiped the smudges off the screen for a couple of weeks now. I tend to only clean it when it gets really bad.

I like things to look like they have had a life. Don't get me wrong, I don't want scratches or dents in my iPhone but I am fine with it having a bit of a lived-in look. No screen protectors for me.

As attached as I am to my iPhone, I know that when the next generation comes out this one will be flung aside without a second thought.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I agree with you ... wear and tear within reason is a badge of courage. People who really obsess about fingerprints may disagree. I'm middle of the road ... a few smudges and I'm good. A lot and it gets distracting.

As for tossing this one aside? I haven't thought that far ahead, Kim, but I think I may have to create a little display in my house that commemorates the first iPhone and how it changed my life.

While I would never consider using one (I prefer to soft cloth my iPhone every other day), for those who are so concerned about finger prints, there is always an iPhone stylus:

http://www.tenonedesign.com/stylus.php

Also good for glove wearing folks during the sub zero months. Then again, I prefer risking frostbite in the time just prior to a frozen LCD before putting a stylus to my iPhone.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Tell you what, Dave. If I saw someone about to lift a stylus to their iPhone, I think the world would slow down like in one of those action movies and, in slow motion, I'd run toward the person shouting NOOOOOOOO ... PUT THE STYLUS DOWN ..... DON'T DO IT.

And hopefully I'd save the day. :-D

Seeing someone's messy iPhone is sorta like seeing someone's unbrushed teeth. If I see a polished iPhone, I sense the owner likely cares enough about himself to polish his teeth, too.

Now if you're the type to be concerned about catching a cold from viruses left on doorknobs, then you'll surely look askance toward someone offering you the use of their messy looking iPhone.

Why do I clean my iPhone? Personally? Well, when I place my iPhone to my ear, it comes away with the residue of my oily complexion all over its glassy surface! You asked why.

My wife and I were in our car one day when my iPhone rang. I pulled off the road to answer the call from my son who wanted to ask his mother something. So, I passed the iPhone to her. She took one look at it and asked, "You want me to put that thing up to my ear?"

I thought about letting her use the ear plugs but...

So, with my iPhone usage, I find that it pays to always have at hand a cleaning/polishing cloth just for those instances when the iPhone is to be shared. For me, always having such a cloth around justifies the use of a pouch for my iPhone. Actually, it is a jewelry pouch, one made of a microfiber material.

Jewelry pouches are commercially available but mine is hand made to more loosely envelop the device it contains. The added looseness I've built into my pouch allows the device to be cleaned by simple thumb actions as the device is passed into and out of the pouch. Of course, a more thorough cleaning may be made by using the cloth in a more gross manner.

There is a wide variety of microfiber cloths available commercially. I bought my daughter-in-law a cloth with a green frog print, for example. My point here is that you pick your cloth as you pick your clothes. That always available jewelry cloth reflects on the image you may wish to display.

If you don't really care about the image you are presenting to others, then possibly you don't care about your messy fingerprints and facial oils being collected on your iPhone. I'm sure it's OK to leave your own impressions if that's what you want but making a jewelry cloth is the simplest of sewing tasks.

SCOTT'S REPLY: How interesting. A comparison between a smudged iPhone and unbrushed teeth. Definitely don't want that ... that's because an iPhone makes everyone smile. Don't want to see any plaque in that smile!!

And you know what ... you are right about the cloth. That's one of those accessories that really makes your iPhone yours and you -- and it should be.

A great comment, dbro ... very good stuff.

I carry mine in my pants pocket, no screen protector, no case, and I rarely wipe the screen. To me, my iPhone is a tool, not a jewel, so I only clean it when I have to.

SCOTT'S REPLY: And there's the complete other side to the comment I just replied to. Definitely a matter of personal preference. I'm glad I put this post up ... the responses are really, really interesting.

what? i can't spray a little windex on it?

sincerely,
gus portokalas

SCOTT'S REPLY: Hi, Gus. Technically, Windex could be dangerous if it seeps into the case of the iPhone. While nothing might happen, it's better if you don't.

There is a truly wonderful answer to all that wiping -- which at the same time takes away the glare and reflection that can make the iPhone difficult to see. It's the Power Support Anti-Glare Film. My husband and I have both tried several of the films to protect the screen, and this one is far the best -- and finger prints do not show! The Apple Store, both online and retail, carry it. The price, though seemingly high, is competitive with others. You really should give it a try. Everyone we have shown ours to has also bought it. Great product.

SCOTT'S REPLY: A smudge-free endorsement from Helen :-D

the anti glare screen protector at the apple store also is fingerprint resistant.

It does dull the resolution a little bit, but I prefer it.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I think the decreased resolution would have me wanting to rip the thing off. But that's just me.

I have one of the anti-glare protectors, too. I don't think if affects the resolution much at all.

The best part - I've had it 6 months now, kept in my pants pocket, no air bubbles, not a scratch or fingerprint and still in the same shape that I bought it.

One of the things I like most about the iPhone is its portability, this keeps it that way. Best $15 I spent.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I like the fact that you added this, Bill, and never looked back. That's greeaatt. Oops. Sorry about the spelling. Darn fingerprint in the way.

I bought a $14 clear screen cover from the apple store. Eventhough you can see fingerprints, it makes the screen not greasy, which I enjoy. The hard part is putting it on with no air bubbles

SCOTT'S REPLY: Yep. It takes precision and a lot of patience to avoid the air bubbles.

What I would like to see...

Nano tech screen protector. Then it could remove the dirt, oils and fingerprints it self. I don't think that will be around anytime soon though.

How about some tearoffs, Like racers use for windshields or helmet visors. You just have a whole stack of 'em on there and rip one off when you need to...

I have the Invisible Shield for now. I love it. It's a full body suit so it even keeps it from sliding around. I took it off once and had forgotten how slippery the phone was and dropped it.

I wipe probably a couple times a day, not obsessed. I do wipe before demoing it to others though.

Aloha!

SCOTT'S REPLY: Aloha to you too, Jacob. The instant idea is very intriguing. Sell it on a pad and use when needed. Really smart.

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