The only problem is that the stupid oleophobic coating itself scratches! It's just a plastic coating on top of an otherwise unscratchable glass surface.
My first gen iPhone remained scratch free for 2 years. My 3GS had a scratch in the middle within a week.
Either way, this is foolish for Apple. People are used to these film coatings, and unless there is some sort of technical innovation rendering film screens useless (and I don't know how technology can innovative out of the human need to protect an expensive gadget), they're just going to be annoying customers, and making Apple Stores less of a one-stop shop.
There is no need for this type of protector. The glass is hugely resilient and can be cleaned with glasses cleaner. Good move Apple, this is a 'limited functionality' add on and can make way for more useful accessories in store.
not only for scratches, but protects against falls and cracks as well. i'm had my fully protected iphone fall on concrete and there isn't a scratch on it. i've seen people's iphones and ipods with cracked glass and all kinds of crazy things because they don't protect them. and since my 2 year old likes my iphone, protection is a must
This is totally false, or at best the existence of the "reports" is true, even though they have no basis in fact.
I think you should back this nonsense up or remove it from the article. We aren't Republican's here. You can't just repeat lies over and over until they are believed.
Other than a few nutbars with videos on YouTube of dubious authenticity, there are no "widespread reports" of problems with the iPhone screen scratching. The only serious attempts at testing the durability of the screen that I've seen show people scratching really hard across the surface with sets of keys without leaving a scratch. In fact, it's very very difficult to scratch an iPhone screen. It's tougher than any of the silly plastic coverings for sale that supposedly "protect it."
I wouldn't mind betting that Apple removed them because they don't want to get involved in a fraud lawsuit for selling products that actually don't do anything close to what they are advertised as doing. It's borderline fraud to be selling a plastic screen "protector" for a hardened, tempered glass screen.
You may want a full-fledged case for your iPhone and the chrome ring and the plastic back will certainly get scuffed, but the *last* thing you need protection for is the tough glass screen.
I've never seen an iPhone with scratches on the screen either. The metal bezel and plastic backing are the only places an iPhone will get scratches. You would probably have to scratch it with a diamond to make a mark.
It's great they are discontinuing these gimmicky products.
you guys are all insane. My iPhone 2G got scratched the first week, I got a screen protector. My GF's touch has a huge scratch in the front because was kept with keys without a protection.
Also, the oleophobic coating feels sticky when you drag something, the screen protector makes easier.
But again, you're all insane, you can't be THAT much of a Cool Aid drinker for a company that CHARGES you for products. Seriously.
I can take my keys to my iPod touch's screen like a mad man and it doesn't scratch. If you've done something that forceful in order to scratch the glass then I highly doubt a strip of plastic in front would have saved it.
I wont take a chance carrying my Iphone without a screen protector or a case. A screen protector is just the first line of defense for the screen. If you say drop your phone and it happens to hit something in a way that scratches the screen let the protector get scratched first. I have friends who have ipod classics and never used a case or screen protector and they look horrible. I kept my ipod 5G 80gig in a case with a protector and it remained pristine for 3 and a half years and sold it for top dollar.
Why does the headline call it a ban? So Apple doesn't want to sell screen protectors in their store, big deal. I don't think it really qualifies as a ban as that word connotes public condemnation. I doubt they are that passionate about it.
not only for scratches, but protects against falls and cracks as well. i'm had my fully protected iphone fall on concrete and there isn't a scratch on it. i've seen people's iphones and ipods with cracked glass and all kinds of crazy things because they don't protect them. and since my 2 year old likes my iphone, protection is a must
A screen protector wont protect the glass from breaking. I've had my non-"protected" iPhone fall many times screen down and the screen has never broken or scratched either. It is purely chance if your screen breaks or not. A case might help prevent a broken screen in a fall because it actually has substance to it. This is simple physics...
Consumers seeking a protective film for the screen on their iPhone, iPod, iPad or Mac will soon have to look outside of Apple's retail stores, which will soon halt sales of the accessories indefinitely.
Citing sources at a number of iPhone and iPod accessory makers, iLounge claims that Apple has been in dialog with these vendors for "some time now" regarding the impending ban.
"Apple has said that it will remove*both film-only solutions from its stores, as well as any case or other accessory that includes film protection as part of its package, such as cases that include film screen protectors," according to the report.
It adds that the ban -- which covers film protectors for iPods, iPhones, iPads, and Mac -- will impact all forms of screen film, "including completely clear film, anti-glare film, and mirrored film, regardless of whether the purpose of the film is protective, decorative, or both."
The move, which goes into affect in May, will reportedly represent a significant setback for screen film vendors, who generate a large portion of their sales through Apple's online and brick-and-mortar retail stores.
A quick check at AppleStore.com shows that an anti-glare film protector from market leader Power Support is the top selling item listed as part of the store's "Cases" department, while similar offerings for the iPhone and iPod rank as the 6th and 7th most popular "Accessories" overall, respectively.
In usual Apple fashion, the company is remaining mum on the motives behind its decision. Left to speculate, one film vendor suggested the ban may be an attempt by electronics maker to better promote the durability of its display screens, this despite widespread reports of scratches appearing quite easily on its handheld offerings for years.
Beginning with the release of the iPhone 3GS last June, Apple also debuted an oil-based, "fingerprint-resistant" oleophobic coating on the handset which is rendered useless if a protective film is adhered on top of it. Therefore, it's possible that plans for more widespread use of this technology across all of Apple's offerings could also serve as a reason for the ban.
Why does the headline call it a ban? So Apple doesn't want to sell screen protectors in their store, big deal. I don't think it really qualifies as a ban as that word connotes public condemnation. I doubt they are that passionate about it.
Sounds like they search your iPhone when you go to the store and make you remove the screen protector before they let you in.
Both my iPod touch (1G) and my iPhone 3GS have scratches on their screens. The 1G iPod touch screen is definitely not very scratch resistant. I think the small scratch on the 3GS was caused by the rivet on my jeans while putting it in my pocket.
I had several Nokia phones before my iPhone and over the course of many years, I experienced zero scratched screens despite carrying them in my pockets w/o any case. Of course, one could argue that the surface area of the screens on those phones were relatively smaller and did not include touchscreen functionality.
My guess is that the "ban" on film protectors is more likely either because Apple has some data which shows that film protectors interfere with multitouch functionality or reduce the perceived image quality (e.g. contrast) of the display. Alternatively, it is also possible that films reduce heat dissipation by acting as thermal isolators which may not be good for the Phone.
Im still going to keep my screen protector on mine. I do like having that extra later there just in case.
So what's next for Apple to ban? Headphones at the stores? The iPod/iPhone headphones are good enough and having 3rd party headphones being sold at the stores would mean that the quality of the Apple headphones is sub par.
Not that I would actually buy the headphones at the Apple store...and yes, I still use the white iPhone ones.
Comments
My first gen iPhone remained scratch free for 2 years. My 3GS had a scratch in the middle within a week.
Either way, this is foolish for Apple. People are used to these film coatings, and unless there is some sort of technical innovation rendering film screens useless (and I don't know how technology can innovative out of the human need to protect an expensive gadget), they're just going to be annoying customers, and making Apple Stores less of a one-stop shop.
With coins? Pretty sure no one is trying that except in torture tests.
It's a problem because the original iPhone could survive such activity just fine.
A new feature isn't an improvement if it makes the device more prone to damage with what has been established as everyday use, imo.
This is totally false, or at best the existence of the "reports" is true, even though they have no basis in fact.
I think you should back this nonsense up or remove it from the article. We aren't Republican's here. You can't just repeat lies over and over until they are believed.
Other than a few nutbars with videos on YouTube of dubious authenticity, there are no "widespread reports" of problems with the iPhone screen scratching. The only serious attempts at testing the durability of the screen that I've seen show people scratching really hard across the surface with sets of keys without leaving a scratch. In fact, it's very very difficult to scratch an iPhone screen. It's tougher than any of the silly plastic coverings for sale that supposedly "protect it."
I wouldn't mind betting that Apple removed them because they don't want to get involved in a fraud lawsuit for selling products that actually don't do anything close to what they are advertised as doing. It's borderline fraud to be selling a plastic screen "protector" for a hardened, tempered glass screen.
You may want a full-fledged case for your iPhone and the chrome ring and the plastic back will certainly get scuffed, but the *last* thing you need protection for is the tough glass screen.
I've never seen an iPhone with scratches on the screen either. The metal bezel and plastic backing are the only places an iPhone will get scratches. You would probably have to scratch it with a diamond to make a mark.
It's great they are discontinuing these gimmicky products.
you guys are all insane. My iPhone 2G got scratched the first week, I got a screen protector. My GF's touch has a huge scratch in the front because was kept with keys without a protection.
Also, the oleophobic coating feels sticky when you drag something, the screen protector makes easier.
But again, you're all insane, you can't be THAT much of a Cool Aid drinker for a company that CHARGES you for products. Seriously.
I can take my keys to my iPod touch's screen like a mad man and it doesn't scratch. If you've done something that forceful in order to scratch the glass then I highly doubt a strip of plastic in front would have saved it.
not only for scratches, but protects against falls and cracks as well. i'm had my fully protected iphone fall on concrete and there isn't a scratch on it. i've seen people's iphones and ipods with cracked glass and all kinds of crazy things because they don't protect them. and since my 2 year old likes my iphone, protection is a must
A screen protector wont protect the glass from breaking. I've had my non-"protected" iPhone fall many times screen down and the screen has never broken or scratched either. It is purely chance if your screen breaks or not. A case might help prevent a broken screen in a fall because it actually has substance to it. This is simple physics...
This has to be one of Apple's stranger moves! I don't understand why they removed them!
They were probably tired of complaints that they fall off, don't work, etc.
Consumers seeking a protective film for the screen on their iPhone, iPod, iPad or Mac will soon have to look outside of Apple's retail stores, which will soon halt sales of the accessories indefinitely.
Citing sources at a number of iPhone and iPod accessory makers, iLounge claims that Apple has been in dialog with these vendors for "some time now" regarding the impending ban.
"Apple has said that it will remove*both film-only solutions from its stores, as well as any case or other accessory that includes film protection as part of its package, such as cases that include film screen protectors," according to the report.
It adds that the ban -- which covers film protectors for iPods, iPhones, iPads, and Mac -- will impact all forms of screen film, "including completely clear film, anti-glare film, and mirrored film, regardless of whether the purpose of the film is protective, decorative, or both."
The move, which goes into affect in May, will reportedly represent a significant setback for screen film vendors, who generate a large portion of their sales through Apple's online and brick-and-mortar retail stores.
A quick check at AppleStore.com shows that an anti-glare film protector from market leader Power Support is the top selling item listed as part of the store's "Cases" department, while similar offerings for the iPhone and iPod rank as the 6th and 7th most popular "Accessories" overall, respectively.
In usual Apple fashion, the company is remaining mum on the motives behind its decision. Left to speculate, one film vendor suggested the ban may be an attempt by electronics maker to better promote the durability of its display screens, this despite widespread reports of scratches appearing quite easily on its handheld offerings for years.
Beginning with the release of the iPhone 3GS last June, Apple also debuted an oil-based, "fingerprint-resistant" oleophobic coating on the handset which is rendered useless if a protective film is adhered on top of it. Therefore, it's possible that plans for more widespread use of this technology across all of Apple's offerings could also serve as a reason for the ban.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Its about time!! Thanks, Steve!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yNh0N2qbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUR70...1&feature=fvwp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkXlr...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-sRb...eature=related
With the screen off, and reflecting into a light, I can see a lot of tiny scratches after a year of heavy use.
But when the screen is on, they all disappear, which is all I care about.
Why does the headline call it a ban? So Apple doesn't want to sell screen protectors in their store, big deal. I don't think it really qualifies as a ban as that word connotes public condemnation. I doubt they are that passionate about it.
Sounds like they search your iPhone when you go to the store and make you remove the screen protector before they let you in.
I had several Nokia phones before my iPhone and over the course of many years, I experienced zero scratched screens despite carrying them in my pockets w/o any case. Of course, one could argue that the surface area of the screens on those phones were relatively smaller and did not include touchscreen functionality.
My guess is that the "ban" on film protectors is more likely either because Apple has some data which shows that film protectors interfere with multitouch functionality or reduce the perceived image quality (e.g. contrast) of the display. Alternatively, it is also possible that films reduce heat dissipation by acting as thermal isolators which may not be good for the Phone.
So what's next for Apple to ban? Headphones at the stores? The iPod/iPhone headphones are good enough and having 3rd party headphones being sold at the stores would mean that the quality of the Apple headphones is sub par.
Not that I would actually buy the headphones at the Apple store...and yes, I still use the white iPhone ones.