Jeff Campbell
12-18-2009, 08:30 PM
<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1261100771.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 1: First impressions? Nice packaging!</em></p><p>I've used several protective covers for my various iPhones since my first one back in 2007, so I'd say I have quite a bit of experience with them. Last week I was sent one to try out on my <a href="http://xoskins.com/cell-phones/apple/iphone-3gs-xo-skin-screen-protector-scratch-protector-cases-shields-armor-guards" target="_blank">iPhone 3GS from XO Skins</a> and I was pleasantly surprised by a few things. Just what exactly you may ask? Read on!.</p><p><MORE /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1261105447.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 2: Very specific directions which is a good thing.</em></p><p>To start off with, the packaging can't be beat, and while that isn't always an indicator of quality, you know what they say about first impressions. Inside we find what counts, which is a set of skins (front and back), a small spray bottle of application spray, a small but sturdy squeegee and a set of detailed instructions. Actually the nicest set of directions for one of these products that I've seen, with several warnings spread throughout such as "keep the squeegee wet to avoid burn marks" and "let your device set to dry for at least two hours before turning on." I would prefer to get two sets, as I have with other brands, but these skins are very forgiving so I found that even with my tendency for making mistakes installing these, one skin was all I needed. </p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1261101766.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 3: One set of skins.</em></p><p>So first off I started with the back skin. I have never been able to get these types of products to really fit all that well along the sides of my iPhone. This was no different. I did try but it is a matter of holding down the corners until they stick and they never quite look right. I tend to believe that this is a problem really with just the shape of the iPhone in general rather than the skin. So I did what I normally do and I trimmed off the sides so that the back skin would just fit up to the curved edge of the iPhone. You might think it would affect the appearance, but they actually look ok, and besides, your iPhone really should be in a case anyway shouldn't it? If it isn't, the problem area is usually the back of the iPhone and not the sides, so if you set it down you still would get the protection of the skin. You also get the extra gripping ability with this skin on the back which is an advantage. As far as fit on the back, this actually fit the best of any skin I've tried, even before trimming. </p><p><PAGE /></p><p>Removal was very easy, but this was after only about hour of drying time. I then tried to put it back on and had no problems, but they do caution against it as the skins can stretch and not fit correctly. I don't think I would do this after much longer than an hour, but since I needed to test it, I took one for the team and took a chance. Yes, I sacrificed my back skin for this review, but after all, aren't you, dear reader, worth it? But I digress. After removal I tried a little test of my own and only after exerting quite a bit of downward force and the sharp end of some scissors was i able to puncture the skin. You can also watch the video below to see some other examples on how well your screen is protected.</p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="600" height="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RLsteq0ESqk&ap=&fmt=18" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RLsteq0ESqk&ap=&fmt=18"></embed></object></p><p>And now for the front skin. One problem I've always had in the past with skins for the face of my iPhone has been that they never fit quite right, which eventually will cause the edges to peel up. At this point all you can do is either cut them back or take the skin off altogether since the adhesiveness is gone along the edges. Someone must have told XO Skins about this because, at least for the iPhone 3GS skin I was given, it fit perfectly. The size was just a bit smaller than the actual screen, as you can see from the photo below, so the edges didn't touch or go over the silver trim on the sides. What this does is keep it from pulling up since it sits flat against the screen. This also helps in the installation of the skin as you have more freedom of movement to get it set in just the right spot. </p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1261162437.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 5: Just close enough</em></p><p>After the front and back skins were on, I had to make sure that my iPhone covers still fit. I use a thin cover from CoZip most of the time, but I also use the <a href="http://www.applethoughts.com/news/show/94775/mophie-juicepack-air-apple-juice-defined.html" target="_blank">Mophie Juicepack Air</a> so I needed to make sure it fit in both. And it did. The only real concern for the Mophie was thickness of the back skin since the front of the iPhone is exposed and wouldn't hinder the case attachment. However it was no problem and fit perfectly even with the skin. This has been a problem in the past for me with some of the other protective covers I have used so I was pleasantly surprised that the XO Skin was thin enough to allow me to continue to use my current covers. </p><p>I have just a few warnings when installing these types of products. Number one, make sure your hands are clean and you use plenty of the applicator fluid on your finger tips so you don't leave fingerprints on the underside of the cover. Also, it is best to apply this when you can leave your device sitting for a few hours before turning it on, and when I say few I mean at least two to give it plenty of time to dry. </p><p>So what are my thoughts on this skin from XO Skins? I was pleasantly surprised at how it fit and how easy it was to apply. Especially the front skin for the face of the iPhone, they nailed the dimensions so you don't get the overlap problem that I have had in the past with skins from other companies. And you don't have to buy a full skin if all you want is screen protection as XO Skins splits it up. For the iPhone 3GS the complete skin is $24.95 USD, or just $14.95 USD for screen only protection. <a href="http://xoskins.com/" target="_blank">XO Skins</a> makes these skins for a wide variety of phones and computers, so you can pretty much cover any electronic device you have. </p><p><em>Jeff Campbell is a fan of all things Apple, an X-boxer (the 360 kind) and geek. He works as a floor supervisor in a 911 center in the Portland, OR area, and lives in a small town just north of Mt. Hood with his wife, two kids, two dogs, a snake and a tarantula. Oh, and a three legged cat named "Tres."</em></p><p> </p>