Look, we all know that the new iPhone 3G S is supposed to be wicked fast--certainly faster than all previous iPhone generations. Apple even put an "s" in the name for speed, for heaven's sake. But the thing that has me excited is the new oleophobic membrane on the iPhone 3G S screen.
This new technology actually repels oils and smudges that you usually get when you use a shiny new phone. At least that's the claim. I met with Apple VP Greg Joswiak earlier today and he quickly demonstrated the oil-repelling properties with his fingers. He rubbed the iPhone 3G S screen and there were no smudges. He did it again and it smudged a tiny bit. Then he rubbed it once on his jeans and that itty bitty smudge was gone. "That's nice," I thought, but I had a better, more rigorous test in mind.
Ever since I started using these big-screen smartphones, I've been appalled to notice just how much ear-grease I leave on the screens. It's disgusting. I decided to bring in all three iPhone generations to put this oleophobic covering to the ultimate test. Could it repel my ever-present ear-grease? The first two failed miserably. The new 3G S?
The video tells the astounding tale, but in a nutshell, my ear smudges are no match for the iPhone 3G S's oleophobic covering.
I cannot think of another topic that's stupider than this. Ear grease? Please! Don't you BATHE? (Oh, I forgot... we're talking "Apple User" here.) And I don't care to watch the video. I think I may hurl. As for me? I use a bluetooth headset. So I don't care about the smudges left on an iPhone.
Posted by:
marco June 20, 2009 8:05 AM
With all the geniuses at Apple, I don't understand why they don't simply address this problem by putting the speaker/microphone on the "back" of the phone for standard phone use... This would not only address the screen smudge issue, but would also allow them to run rolling ads to all passers-by while the user was chatting.
Posted by:
Ron June 20, 2009 12:44 PM
Well to some of you the matter of oil or smudges on a phone may seem like a personal hygienge matter. Some people,myself included, have skin that is much more naturally oily. It is not a matter of why don't we wash more often, because I shower sometimes several times a day. It's a matter of genetics just like blue eyes or red hair. Those of you who are so gouche as to suggest differently should have spent more brain power matriculating. Oh, and for those with a small or deviant mind, Ron loves the Southeastern Conference (NCAA) Go Dawgs and War Eagle!!
I love how the same people who complained and griped and whined about fingerprints on the back of the iPhone's shiny case are the same people who apparently "don't care" anymore about it. Any excuse you can find to hate that which you don't understand, I suppose.
In any event, it's kind of entertaining that Apple's managed to find a material (and spend money researching) that allows its devices to keep their characteristic shininess without being dulled by oils form your skin or fingers. Now I can eat that burger and still use my phone!
@marco: most cell phone companies know by now that putting the speaker/microphone on the back of the phone isn't very effective - when a phone's on speaker and you're not holding it, do you have it on a desk face down? Of course not - most of them put that stuff on the bottom of the phone, or the bottom towards the back so the sound can reflect off of the horizontal surface it's resting on.
Posted by:
Mike June 25, 2009 11:15 AM
Wolfie is so awesome that his sebacious glands produce no oil between baths resulting in pristine auricular cleanliness. Thanks for the useful comment dude.
My ears leave ear grease. Furthermore, the opening for the earpiece seems to accumulate pocket lint AND ear grease and this bugs me. The back of my phone's protected with a black, Incase Slider but I don't know what to do about the front. I know it's smudge/scratch proof but, you know, still. It's that little "earhole" that gets me... And screen covers have cutouts for the earhole which don't solve the problem of earhole accumulation. I put a piece of static covering OVER the earhole but it blocked 99% of the sound. Any suggestions? (besides the inevitable "bathe more often" Har dee har har)
Posted by:
Jules June 25, 2009 6:24 PM
@Mike: Mike, you could occasionally use a short burst of compressed air to blast that stuff outta there... just a thought.
Anyone know if this membrane is subject to wearing down (sorta like weatherproofing on boots and whatnot)?
Posted by:
Brad June 29, 2009 5:13 PM
I have the 3GS and the screen is really one of the key new features. It actually makes to the phone more pleasurable to use. Whenever I pull it out of my pocket, it is flawless - not the slightest smudge.
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June 19, 2009 7:32 PM
I cannot think of another topic that's stupider than this. Ear grease? Please! Don't you BATHE? (Oh, I forgot... we're talking "Apple User" here.) And I don't care to watch the video. I think I may hurl. As for me? I use a bluetooth headset. So I don't care about the smudges left on an iPhone.
June 20, 2009 8:05 AM
With all the geniuses at Apple, I don't understand why they don't simply address this problem by putting the speaker/microphone on the "back" of the phone for standard phone use... This would not only address the screen smudge issue, but would also allow them to run rolling ads to all passers-by while the user was chatting.
June 20, 2009 12:44 PM
Well to some of you the matter of oil or smudges on a phone may seem like a personal hygienge matter. Some people,myself included, have skin that is much more naturally oily. It is not a matter of why don't we wash more often, because I shower sometimes several times a day. It's a matter of genetics just like blue eyes or red hair. Those of you who are so gouche as to suggest differently should have spent more brain power matriculating. Oh, and for those with a small or deviant mind, Ron loves the Southeastern Conference (NCAA) Go Dawgs and War Eagle!!
June 20, 2009 12:46 PM
I love how the same people who complained and griped and whined about fingerprints on the back of the iPhone's shiny case are the same people who apparently "don't care" anymore about it. Any excuse you can find to hate that which you don't understand, I suppose.
In any event, it's kind of entertaining that Apple's managed to find a material (and spend money researching) that allows its devices to keep their characteristic shininess without being dulled by oils form your skin or fingers. Now I can eat that burger and still use my phone!
@marco: most cell phone companies know by now that putting the speaker/microphone on the back of the phone isn't very effective - when a phone's on speaker and you're not holding it, do you have it on a desk face down? Of course not - most of them put that stuff on the bottom of the phone, or the bottom towards the back so the sound can reflect off of the horizontal surface it's resting on.
June 25, 2009 11:15 AM
Wolfie is so awesome that his sebacious glands produce no oil between baths resulting in pristine auricular cleanliness. Thanks for the useful comment dude.
My ears leave ear grease. Furthermore, the opening for the earpiece seems to accumulate pocket lint AND ear grease and this bugs me. The back of my phone's protected with a black, Incase Slider but I don't know what to do about the front. I know it's smudge/scratch proof but, you know, still. It's that little "earhole" that gets me... And screen covers have cutouts for the earhole which don't solve the problem of earhole accumulation. I put a piece of static covering OVER the earhole but it blocked 99% of the sound. Any suggestions? (besides the inevitable "bathe more often" Har dee har har)
June 25, 2009 6:24 PM
@Mike: Mike, you could occasionally use a short burst of compressed air to blast that stuff outta there... just a thought.
Anyone know if this membrane is subject to wearing down (sorta like weatherproofing on boots and whatnot)?
June 29, 2009 5:13 PM
I have the 3GS and the screen is really one of the key new features. It actually makes to the phone more pleasurable to use. Whenever I pull it out of my pocket, it is flawless - not the slightest smudge.