Apple said to be pulling all protective screen film products from its stores
By Donald Melanson 
posted March 17th 2010 12:11PM
posted March 17th 2010 12:11PM
You may now be able to choose from a wide assortment of protective screen films at Apple's online or retail stores, but it looks like that won't be the case for much longer. As iLounge is reporting from multiple sources (and we have also heard), Apple will apparently stop selling all protective screen film products starting in May. That includes both film-only products (whether they are used for protective or anti-glare purposes), as well as cases that have a protective film built into them. For its part, Apple isn't giving any reason for the move, or confirming it itself just yet, but it seems like it might not be the most popular decision if it is the case. As iLounge points out, the single most popular iPod "case" in the Apple Store right now is, in fact, a protective film for the iPod touch.
More Censorship! We can't let Apple get away with this!
The protective film manufacturers probably didn't make their scheduled payment to apple this month. :)
@Mack Stone
Agreed, that's why the next article will probably point out how the iPad sales "plateau'd" to ONLY 30,000 per day.
@PastorTom umm this is because apple is going to release new iphones/ipods without the need for a screen protector. The glass will be unbreakable/un-scratchable and there will be a privacy mode that makes the screen viewing angle change from 180' to only 90'
mark my words.
@SmilinGoat
I think the solution is to not get your products wet. Apple is no different than any of the mobile phone manufacturers with the same liquid exposure indicators in their products.
I've owned 6 apple products and serviced countless (as an ACMT) iMacs and MacBooks. The only times I've ever serviced an Apple product with spill indicators that pointed to liquid damage, the owners have fessed up to getting their products wet.
@SmilinGoat
Care to share with us how a crappy film screen protector is going to save you from water damage?
I've never understood why people put this plastic crap on a GLASS screen. My first-gen iPhone didn't have a single scratch on the screen after 2 years of use. Replaced it with a 3GS, which ended up with a few very fine, almost invisible scuffs. I'm thinking the new "super nanotech anti-smudge coating" is the culprit. BTW, that stupid new coating doesn't do a thing to prevent smudging, and the screens have always been super easy to clean with a swipe on my jeans.
Drowned that 3GS, and my new one has 0 scratches on the screen.
I just don't get why people buy these ugly protectors.
@PastorTom
Censorship? The last time I checked Apple Inc. is a private company that can do whatever it pleases with its own products. It's not a democracy.
Same with "censoring" their App Store. It's not a democracy either. They can do whatever they want.
If someone wants to make and sell protective screens, they can do so via their own point of sales. If someone wants to create a boobie app for the iPhone, just make a boobie web app and learn how to market it yourself.
Geeks are getting very confused these days.
@MrOverThere
I was being sarcastic, relax.
@Mack Stone
and it took how long for you to send a pic message?
@PastorTom
It's really, really hard to see sarcasm nowadays when it comes to things Apple does.
No worries.
@emax ohh you disclosed all the features in one go. Apple was thinking of releasing them in steps and each one as a BIG feature addition.
@SmilinGoat You don't own any apple stuff and never have. if you hate greedy businesses you must live in a cave.
@UnixSystemsEngineer
I *love* the anti-glare screen protector. It has a nice texture to it and it cuts down on glare. I don't think its crappy at all.
@PastorTom
Smells like a patent issue again. There is an interesting patent issue that may be arising in the "protective screen" industry. Simply deciding to release a sticky screen protector isn't as simple a decision as it seemed. I personally know someone who cancelled business plans in this precise area when they realized they had a patent infringement issue on their hands.
@emax So, just stop supporting the old devices that are still in need of the protectors then...bad move apple, regardless of what happens in May.
@emax
perhaps you're correct - no glass tech is coming but Apple wouldn't remove all the film like that. they would phase it out after say 30-36 months. maybe they are going to sell their own protective film. Apple store branded accessories. Steve Jobs has expressed a tad jealousy about the profit margins on ipod cases vs ipods in the past...
@UnixSystemsEngineer
Glass is a 6-7 on Moh's scale of Hardness, iron Pyrite and hardened steel file scratches glasses. So jewelry, keys, possibly zippers, etc. will scratch glass
@One Love We all know that the reason Apple is doing this is because the next-gen iPhone will have a scratch proof screen and teflon-like coating for the body to compete with the Nexus One. It's obvious.
@TMS
So, according to your own post, which is true... HARDENED Steel will scratch class.... So when was the last time you carried around Iron Pyrite or a steel file in the same pocket as your iphone? Also, jewelry, keys, zippers etc are typically made out of cheap steel, gold, silver, aluminum and brass (keys are typically brass). These things are much softer than hardened steel. Hardened steel is not used nearly as much as you might think. It's often used in tools etc. My point being, don't carry around your iphone in the same pocket as your keys (even thought they shouldn't cause scratches), metal files or any random rock minerals (pyrite) you happen to come across....
@PastorTom
"iPad sales "plateau'd" to ONLY 30,000 per day."
correction: ipad was sold to 30,000 fanboi a day. According to Fudzilla
@PastorTom
"iPad sales "plateau'd" to ONLY 30,000 per day."
correction: ipad was sold to 30,000 "fanboy" a day. According to Fudzilla
@UnixSystemsEngineer I know you are being rehtorical, but yeah, the real reason people buy them is because they are stupid. Glass doesn't really scratch. My keys sure as heck don't scratch my iphone. And the cases for the iphone not only make them look ugly, it makes them look fatter. The ones I used to use also caught sand and dust in it, rubbing it into the iphones finish. All this for a phone that that most people will replace in 1-2 years. I can see why if you want to make the phone look unique, but....I don't know.
I can't tell you how many times people have expressed amazement my iphone is "naked". But it lasts just as long as theirs, and looks better too.
@PastorTom Thats still quite a bit more than the Nexus One is selling (although I dont like it cause I really want it to succeed and in fact I am in the process of selling my iPhone to get me the 3G band N1)
@spikebrain
*Or*, you could use a screen protector and carry your iPhone around however the hell you want without worrying about it.
@UnixSystemsEngineer
I felt the same way until I dropped my 3G between my car seats and gouged the glass. It still worked but felt like I was going to cut my finger when it ran across the scratch. If you get a good screen protective film you can't even see it if installed correctly and IT WILL protect the glass from scratches like this. I know cause I replaced one that got a deep scratch in it. I thought the scratch may have penetrated to the glass but it didn't. Plus they come 2 in a pack for like $15! Geez!
@UnixSystemsEngineer
Ugly? Are you applying them correctly? I bet you won't even be able to tell I have a screen protector on.
@UnixSystemsEngineer
Everyones hands are different. If I didn't have the screen protector film on the 3GS, there would be alot of scratches on it.
Also, who and what company ever said that there screen protector film would save your iphone from water.
@One Love Just like Apple and Nokia ;D
@PastorTom
Yeah, only is appropriate. With all the pre-launch hype, it should have been more like 60k. Quit being such a whiny fanboy.
@UnixSystemsEngineer My 1st gen iphone got a gigantic scratch on the screen falling a whole two (2) feet off my bed onto a WOODEN floor in the first week. People cover the glass with plastic because the plastic is easily and cheaply replaceable.
I'm hoping this means the next iPhone will have a sapphire surface. It's not really all that expensive.
Curious. No loss, you can but these anywhere, but I wonder the reasoning.
@Kid Red but=buy
@Kid Red
So:
"Curious. No loss, you can buy these anywhere, buy I wonder the reasoning."
Well that doesn't make sense either!
@month
Kid Red's comment makes sense to me. Where did you learn English?
@month Funniest comment I 've seen today! Thanks
@Atkins I couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny or sarcastic ;-)
@month When you interchange the words he said he messed up on it makes perfect sense. Lrn2english
@Kid Red
I wonder if it was because of some touch screen accuracy issue. They realized the screen didn't need protecting and the protectors were just making the touch experience worse?
Of course the cynic ii me thinks its so screens will get scratched and replaced more often.
Who needs protective screens?
for gawd sakes, people you don't need to put a thin film of plastic over a GLASS screen! Glass is tough.
I've had a touch for nearly 2 years and don't have a film on it. the glass is 100% PERFECT. My wife's touch is the same age, no film, and it too, is PERFECT. we use our touchs every day...
@dave1812
I have a scratch on my iphone 3gs right now. I thought the same thing you did, and never used a screen protector on the 3gs...and then it got scratched.
I didn't drop it or do anything to it. I baby the hell out of my stuff...but somehow it still got scratched.
Lesson learned.
@toptekjon I thought the 3GS screen was supposed to be scratch resistant ??? I keep my 3GS in a leather slip case though to be on the safe side.
@dave1812
I didn't have a screen protector on my iPod Touch for a long time, and it was fine just in a slip case. Even with no case it would probably be fine since the screen is really tough, although the back is badly scratched from it sharing a pocket with my phone. When I used it on the beach I was worried about sand getting in the case, though, and I don't know if it would get away scratch-free if I ever dropped it on the sidewalk.
I recently got a matte screen protector for a few dollars (from dealextreme.com. It is for the 3GS, but I cut it to fit and it's close enough), and I like it because it improves the feel of the touch screen. The level of friction is more consistent on the matte surface than it would be on glass, and it does reduce fingerprints. It doesn't reduce glare any (it just spreads it out), and it makes the screen look kind of blurry, but it's worth IMO for the improved touch response.
@m854
if it makes the screen more blurry, I woudn't be interested in using such a product, especially since my screen is still perfect after nearly 2 years.
If I buy any new phone it should come with a generic case and 1 protective film in the box. :|
@One Love I bought a Cingular/AT&T HTC 8125 way back in the day it came with both of those and an extra stylus.
You don't need protective film on glass. That should be clear by now.
Does Apple try to piss off it's customers?
I bet their rationale will be "the touchscreen doesn't work as well with film over it, and that could give people the impression that our products aren't perfect" Similar to the reason they don't allow multi-tasking - because it would lessen battery life and make Apple "look bad"
@Agent007
Yes, this ultimately Apple's goal. To get people so mad they will go crazy, then, while crazed, they go to an Apple store and buy their products.
You nailed it.
@Agent007
The iphone's touch screen works even when the whole phone is in a ziplock bag.