Tempered Glass protects your iPhone from life’s hard knocks

As the quality of smartphones has increased, so too have the prices.  It is for this reason that many choose to use screen protectors and cases for their devices.  I have luckily broken only a single screen in the last 7 years, and quickly learned the importance of a good case and screen protection.  After testing hundreds of cases from numerous manufacturers, I continue to entrust the protection of my iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad Pro, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch Gen 6 unto a catalyst case.  Interestingly, I have relied upon catalyst gear for each of my iPhones since my first CES experience in 2016 with my iPhone 6s Plus.  After watching a CES drop test in 2019 my need for catalyst gear was solidified. 

Each September brings a double whammy.  First, I preorder the latest iPhone, and then I navigate to Catalyst to get their latest protective shell.  I continue to go back and forth between their Total Protection (Waterproof) case and their Vibe/Influence cases. Since the iPhone 13 Pro Max Total Protection case was not yet available, I chose the Vibe Case (https://macsources.com/catalyst-active-defense-vibe-series-iphone-13-pro-max-case-review/ ) and added a tempered glass screen protector. The catalyst Tempered Glass arrived in a 3 3/4 inches wide by 7 3/8 inches tall by 1/16 inches thick hanging style package.  The catalyst name/logo was printed atop the blue section of the main cover. Beneath the blue hanging tab section, you will find an attractive image of an obliquely angled iPhone 2021 during a catalyst glass installation.  Beneath the image of the iPhone, you will find photo-quality images of a male bicyclist and a snorkel/mask adjacent to three bold features: Shatter and Scratch Resistant, Fingerprint-Free, 100% Compatible with Catalyst Waterproof and Drop Proof Cases.  Lastly, you will find an orange rectangle with “Tempered Glass,” the Active Defense Screen Protector name, and a “SEE HOW IT WORKS” QR code atop another blue section.  I appreciated the vibrant blue top/bottom cap sections, the orange color accents, and the subtle city map-scape background.  The cover successfully provided an instructional yet artistic flare. 

I turned to the back panel and found many similar features were utilized.  The blue-colored top hanging section provided the same orange accent, catalyst name, and Tempered Glass Screen Protector name.  The midsection provided four multilingual product-defining icons (Shatter and Scratch Resistant, Fingerprint-Free, Ultra-Thin Glass (0.32mm), Easy Installation) above another “How to Install” QR Code link.  Beneath the QR code, you will find a multi-lingual package contents section (screen protector, alcohol cleaning pad, dust removal sticker, microfiber cloth.  Lastly, you will find a few SKU barcodes.  I loved the clean white coloration, the orange accent features, and the blue-green accent sections. 

The front panel QR code linked to a ten-second YouTube installation video, a phone compatibility list (iPhone 2021 Catalyst Waterproof Case, Influence/Vibe Cases, Most other impact cases), and three product features (Easy to Install One-Touch Installation, Shatter Resistant/Scratch Resistant, Fingerprint Resistant Oleophobic Coating).  When I tapped the three horizontal bar icon along the top left of the panel, I was directed to the shopping page.  I was then able to navigate to Accessories, Screen Protectors, and was able to add the $39.99 Screen Protector to my cart.  For those who have not upgraded to the latest iPhone 13 device, do not fret.  You can also pick up screen protectors for the iPhone 8/8Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2nd Gen, iPhone 12/ 12 Pro/12 Pro Max, and the iPhone 12 Mini. The QR code on the rear panel linked to a “Return & Warranty Claim Form and a fill-in Warranty claim form. 

When I opened the packaging, I found the 0.2-ounce screen protector and a small black plastic bag with serrated edges.  For a moment, my childhood collector card nostalgia was rekindled upon feeling and opening the accessory bag.  Within the small envelope, you will find a wet wipe, a 3 1/8 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches tall microfiber cloth, and a sticker guides/dust absorber sticker.  With my Catalyst Vibe Case preinstalled, I wiped the screen with the microfiber cloth, then used small circular motions with the alcohol pad to cleanse the surface.  I washed my hands, dried them with a hand towel microfiber cloth, and allowed the screen to dry for about thirty seconds.  Throughout this process, I kept the screen facing toward the catalyst tempered glass packaging on my table.  I again utilized the microfiber cloth and wiped the screen/case border.  I turned the tempered glass upside down and pulled the “Please peel off this mark BEFORE application” sticker approximately 25% of the way from the glass.  I slid the top edge of the glass (with notch) against the catalyst case border, gripped the instructional sticker, and applied gentle pressure with my thumbs.  

The case installation may have been the easiest glass install that I have ever completed.  By using the catalyst case as the guide and by keeping the phone screen facing down, I had only a single bubble and no debris under the glass.  Additionally, by holding the sticky side of the glass down until the last minute, I found no lint attached to the sticker side of the glass.  I was able to remove the single bubble with a few scrapes of a credit card and then cleaned the entire case/screen with Woosh spray and a microfiber pad.  I was incredibly pleased with the easy installation process, with the finger-resistant surface, and with the sensitivity/touch-feel of the glass.  I removed a single corner of the case to show the thin nature of the tempered glass protection.  Honestly, if someone else had installed this before I received the phone, I would have thought that it was stock glass.  Excitedly, the catalyst tempered glass was just as responsive as my native phone screen.  

I was pleased with the packaging, with the glass, and with the accessory pouch.  Even though I did not need the stickers with this installation, I have needed them previously.  The precision-cut Catalyst Vibe case could not have been a better installation guide for the product.  Without specifically installing the glass with other cases, I cannot know if the experience would be repeatable.  I have used the glass over the past 1 week without any major spills or tumbles. Additionally, my six and two-year-old daughters have used my iPhone for a few Cocomelon videos. I was impressed with the fingerprint resistance and I was pleased to find no chips, no scrapes, or scuffs after a few short drops onto the table. Even though I typically keep my phone inside of a nite-ize holster, I have ventured out of my comfort zone to try to test the screen protector. I have placed it into my backpack pocket, I have placed it into my front pocket with Catalyst AirPods Pro, and have not had any issues with scuffs or with scrapes. The added physical layer performed admirably and lived up to my expectation.

When needed, I used the microfiber cloth to remove stray fingerprints from the glass. I enjoyed the compact nature of the microfiber cloth and hope that Catalyst may consider a microfiber pouch crux accessory in the future.  I have a similar device on my backpack zipper for similar lens/screen cleaning needs.  As the delay in iPhone 13 Pro Max 6.7” devices abates, I suspect the demand for cases/screen protectors to rise.  If you are looking for a case/screen protector solution, navigate to the Catalyst Website and consider picking up one of the stellar Catalyst Cases and a Tempered Glass Screen protector for your iPhone. 

Learn more about Catalyst Tempered Glass
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Protect your investment with products from InvisibleShield.

When I get new Apple products, I try my best to keep them in tip-top shape. One of the best ways to do that is to keep them in cases and covered with screen protectors. I know a lot of people would rather not do that because it prevents people from seeing the natural condition of the phone, but I prefer to know my devices are well-protected. This past fall, I decided to upgrade my Apple Watch to the Series 6. Because it’s been a couple of years since I updated my watch, I decided to add on a screen protector. While there are many different brands to choose from, I prefer to use Invisible Shield screen protectors. They released a new screen protector when the Series 6 Apple Watch was announced so I upgraded to the GlassFusion+ which is an extreme hybrid glass screen protector.

DETAILS

The GlassFusion+ is designed for the Apple Watch Series 6, SE, 5, and 4. It’s considered a ‘case-friendly’ screen protector and it is available for 40mm and 44mm watch sizes. The screen protector combines military-strength materials with the aesthetic properties of glass for the ultimate protection for your Apple Watch. Because the material used to make the screen protector is flexible, shock gets absorbed and impact is dispersed before it hits your device’s screen. GlassFusion+ won’t chip and InvisibleShield makes the application simple. The screen protector has anti-bacterial technology applied to it that kills 99.99% of the most common surface bacteria. There is a not on the box that states, “It does not directly protect the user from exposure to bacteria or provide additional health benefits.” The protector has a smooth finish and 100% clarity. It’s also covered by InvisibleShield’s limited lifetime warranty. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The GlassFusion+ comes in an InvisibleShield branded box. The front of the box has an illustration of the screen protector pictures along with some details of the product. The back illustrates the anti-bacterial properties of the screen protector and the extreme shatter protection, too. I was impressed with the kit that came along with the screen protector. I’ve done my fair share of screen installations in the past and while it’s become a trend for phone screen protectors to come with an EZ apply tray, I’ve not seen that with an Apple Watch screen protector until now. 

The first step to the installation is to clean the watch. The kit comes with an alcohol wipe, but before you do that, I would recommend going over the entire watch with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth and some water. The sensor on the back of the watch can get quite dirty over time. Even if you clean your watch regularly, this is a good time to make sure your watch is in good shape. I also recommend removing your watch band. You can install the screen protector with it on, but I found it easier without the band on. Once you have used the alcohol wipe and dried the watch with the lint-free cloth provided in the kit, you can position the EZ Apply Tray on the watch. The instructions actually suggest using the dust removal sticker before putting the tray on the watch, but I saved the sticker to use right before I applied the screen protector since dust can get kicked up easily until you place the screen protector in place. 

After using the sticker to remove a few stray pieces of dust and lint, I pulled the liner away from the back of the screen protector and laid it in place. Once the screen protector had adhered to the surface, I removed the installation tray and used the squeegee to push out any air bubbles I saw. Then, I used the alcohol wipe to wipe the watch and screen protector down one more time before putting the watch back on my wrist. 

InvisibleShield makes the installation of screen protectors very easy to manage and the GlassFusion+ for Apple Watch was no exception to that. I’ve been very happy with how well the screen protector fits the Apple Watch face and I’m very impressed with how well it blends into the watch. So far, the screen protector has done a good job living up to its features. I’m pretty prone to bumping my wrist against doorways in our house and until I had the screen protector in place, I was getting a nice collection of scratches on my watch’s face. I’m grateful to have it protected again. 

CONCLUSION

While I understand the drive that some people have to keep their devices natural and case/protector-free, I will always recommend that people protect their investments with accessories like the GlassFusion+ for Apple Watch. It’s easy to install and it gets the job done. It does have a premium-level price tag, but I think it’s worth the investment for premium protection. 

For more information, visit zagg.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

With the Kensington Privacy Screen, you can keep your eyes on your own work!

Is there anything more aggravating than a shoulder pirate?  Before you jump into the gutter, let me explain.  As a father of four, I cannot scroll through Facebook, look at memes, read emails, watch movies, scroll through Amazon, etc., without a bunch of “can I see, let me see, I wanna see.”  I do not know where they come from; they suddenly appear out of nowhere.  Sometimes, it is a bit uncanny and borderline scary.  I am not interested in truly adult-themed content, but there are times that I yearn for a little privacy to complete my tasks.  As an example, I have had a HIPPA compliant shield on my monitor at work for years.  This setup is designed to shield patient data from unwanted eyes.  Thanks to Kensington, we can add a layer of privacy to our MacBooks when at home and when on-the-go. 

The Kensington UltraThin Magnetic Privacy Screen for MacBook Pro 15” arrived in a 14 7/8 inches wide by 9 5/8 inches tall by 13/16 inches thick retail package. I hope I am not unique in savoring the unboxing of a new device. I enjoy quality marketing, quality packaging, and yearn for the experience. Perhaps this provides a bit of nostalgia for opening up trading card packs in my youth. The sterile-white background reminded me a bit of an Apple product. The smooth color served as the perfect backdrop for the company and product names along the top left of the panel and for the centered, glossy-image of the privacy screen. I loved the contrasting colors of the black/blue font against the white backdrop, and the design allowed the 10-inches wide by 6-inches tall full-color image to truly pop. With a quick glance at the cover, you should have no question about the nature of the device, about the utility, nor about the installation process. Without reading the title, the small “MacBook Pro 15″ logo, coupled with the obliquely angled MacBook and screen protector should tell you everything you needed to know about the screen cover. The side panels provided the Kensington logo along the top and the same MacBook Pro 15” icon along the bottom of the panel. For continuity, they added a thin grey line along the bottom of the cover/side panels. This line served as a “follow me” point and drew the visual focus around to the back of the case, like a ribbon around a present.

The posterior panel proved to be quite busy. The Blue product name was easily identifiable along the top of the panel in blue-colored English font. Beneath this, the company translated their product name into twenty-two different languages. Just beneath this section, you will find three labeled-icons in the same languages mentioned above (EN, ES< FR-EU, FR-CA, PT-EU, PT-BR, DE, IT, NL, FI, DK, NO, RU, HU, SE, TR, PL, CZ, AR, JA, KR, TW, CN): 1. Magnetic Strip Makes it Easily Attached and Removed. 2. Protected Viewing Angle +/- 30 degrees. 3. Reduces Harmful Blue Light. On the right hand of the panel, they included the same picture as the cover. I did not feel that this added anything to the experience and likely added to the cost of the packaging. To save on cost and visual appeal, this section could have been left blank. Along the lower right, you will discover a Limited 2 Year Warranty icon, information about the packaging contents, and product manufacturing labels. trademarks. As an aside, I found it quite humorous that they had to include “Laptop Not Included” on the packaging. Turning to the bottom panel, you will find the international addresses for the company. Overall, the packaging experience was largely positive and Kensington did a good job at describing the product and promoting it to the user.

To access the product, I lifted the side flap and slid the cardboard tray out of the main packaging. Resting atop the cardboard-pedestal, I found a 14 1/8 inches wide by 9 7/16 inches tall semi-opaque plastic sleeve, a small package with warranty/magnetic-warning card/instruction- manual/microfiber cleaning cloth, and the dark screen shield. Hidden at the very bottom of the clear envelope, I found a clear plastic panel with sticker for the lower edge of the screen shield. I caution you to look closely through the product packaging before disposing of anything because that little panel will likely end up getting thrown away. Prior to installing the screen shield, I sprayed some Woosh upon the microfiber towel and cleaned the surface of the MacBook Pro 15″ screen. I did not want to risk scratching the surface of the monitor. I attached a small triangle sticker along the bottom left and bottom right corners and then aligned the top of the panel with the top of the monitor. With a strong attraction, the magnets completed the installation. As an aside, I tested the product with and without the small stickers and found that it worked just as well with and without them. If you desire to add/remove the magnetic screen shield frequently, I would consider leaving out that step. To remove the screen protector, slide a fingernail under the lateral edge and remove the top magnetic attachment point. You can then lift up on the included sticker and cover the sticker with plastic. Slide the screen protector into the included plastic protective sleeve and store the screen protector for later. When ready, slide the screen protector out of the plastic case, align the magnetic strip across the top of the MacBook Pro 15″ and let the magnets do their job another time. Thinking ahead, the Kensington name was placed at the top left, to avoid blocking any screen real-estate, and the forward-facing camera was not blocked thanks to a trapezoidal cutout.

The Kensington Privacy screen shield was incredibly easy to install/remove. I liked the design, the installation mechanism, and the overall fit/finish of the Kensington screen shield. If you have ever had to use a privacy shield on a work device, this system worked very similarly. The polarized material did add a bit of tinting to my screen and made it appear to be on the dimmer side. However, the benefit was quickly realized when I rotated my MacBook slightly or moved from right to left. The polarized panel allowed me to fully view the screen when my gaze was in line with the panel. However, as I increased the angle of view, the screen would darken and eventually blur completely. This effect was a bit tempered by a bright image. For example, I navigated to Macsources.com and perused an amazing review of the new AirPods Max by Nicholas Calderone. Text-heavy panels were nearly unreadable, whereas the headphones’ outline/shape image was still easily identifiable. I performed a similar test with my work computer and found that the technology seems to work better for font/text than imagery. Using a quick internet search of “clothing model,” I found the same limitations held. The more color/imaging a site has, the less the screen shields will actually deflect. However, neither the vibrancy of the page nor the color of the font seemed to matter much. The screen shield did a great job at preventing someone from reading what was on the screen but will still allow them to view the images on the screen. I do not feel that this test showed a limitation of the Kensington device, rather of the technology as a whole. To further test the product, I changed the screen brightness to a dimmer setting and found that it further reduced on-lookers’ ability to glimpse my screen.

As a general rule, I dislike people reading over my shoulder and want at least a hint of privacy. This device will help me maintain a touch of peace on my home MacBook without adding any heft, bulk, or difficulty to my every-day-carry setup. I was pleased that I could choose to close the screen without removing the screen protector or that I could choose to remove the device entirely. If you have the 13″ or the 16″ versions of the MacBook Pro, do not fret because Kensington also made privacy screens to suit your needs. The “seamless” magnetic integration made the device feel like it was designed as a part of the MacBook Pro and not as an afterthought accessory. The included notch, the magnetic attachment, and the ability to close/open the MacBook without removing the case proved that tenet. Although I could not test the features, the website noted that the shield reduced blue light by 22% and significantly reduced glare. The matte finish did not decrease my ability to work, and the surface protected my MacBook screen and reduced fingerprints. Lastly, the product will allow your device to sleep/awaken without removing the cover, which was highly convenient. After several days with the product, I actually forgot it was still attached to my screen. Only after my son said, “Dad, what’s wrong with your screen?” did I crack a little smile and remember that I was trying to keep the shoulder pirates at bay.

Learn more about the Kensington UltraThin Magnetic Privacy Screen
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An affordable, easy to install screen protector – the perfect stocking stuffer

When the original iPhone was released in 2007 I jumped at the chance to own one. Unfortunately, I ended up dropping it not long after I got it. The drop ended up damaging the phone to the point where it was unusable. It was quite some time before I invested in another iPhone, but fortunately for me, when I did, cases and screen protectors were available. Ever since then, I’ve never gone without a screen protector on my phone. I am quite picky about which ones I use though. Some are fingerprint collectors and others are simply a film covering. Still other screen protectors are over-priced. Smartish, one of my favorite case companies, has a tempered glass screen protector called the Tuff Sheet that not only gets the protection job done, it is easy to install, and very affordable. 

The Tuff Sheet is a tempered glass screen protector designs by Smartish. It comes as a 2-pack and is available for the iPhone 7 and newer. The screen protector is scratch resistant, exceptionally thin, and comes with an easy applicator and cleaning kit for a smooth installation process. The Tuff Sheet is also case compatible, which means you can use it with or without a case on your phone. The screen protector only comes in one color – transparent. 

INSTALLATION

I know that some people avoid adding a screen protector to their phone because they despise the installation process. I understand that frustration all too well and thankfully, Smartish does, too. They included an alignment frame, which slips right over the phone and makes it nearly impossible to misalign the glass on the screen of the phone. Before you place the glass though, you will want to ensure your phone’s screen is as clean as possible by using the Phone Tidying Kit that Smartish provides. It includes alcohol pads, a lint sticker, and a microfiber cloth for drying the screen. 

The glass itself has a film on one side that protects the adhesive from dirt and other air particles. You’ll want to remove this before applying the glass to your phone, but first, you want to put that Alignment Frame around the phone – after it’s been cleaned of course. Once the phone screen is cleaned, the frame is in place, and the film is peeled away from the screen protector, you will simply slide the screen protector to the bottom of the frame and then let gravity do the rest. You’ll see from the picture below that the screen protector adheres to the screen of your phone automatically. After the screen protector is on the screen of your phone, you will want to press out any latent air pockets that are present with your finger or a credit card. 

USER EXPERIENCE

Aside from the Tuff Sheet having an incredibly easy installation process, it’s also very functional. Since I’ve had the Tuff Sheet on my phone I’ve carried it in my pocket, taking it with me when I walk the dog, throw the phone into my purse, and I’ve even dropped it. The screen protector has done its job and protected the phone. I have a case on the phone and the Tuff Sheet works with it perfectly. While Smartish does not call this out as a feature, I’ve noticed that the screen protector doesn’t seem to be a fingerprint magnet. It doesn’t smudge easily and it’s really stayed very clean. 

CONCLUSION

I’m a big proponent of screen protectors. I think that everyone who uses their phone actively should use one. Smartish has made it very easy to install the Tuff Sheet and at a price of $9.99 for a 2-pack, it’s hard to pass up. If you know someone who needs a screen protector, grab a set of the Tuff Sheets and slip it into their stocking this year. They won’t be disappointed! 

For more details, visit SMARTISH, Facebook, and Twitter.

As we turn the corner into the fall season, we are also on the cusp of new iPhone models being released. When you upgrade, you want to make sure you have the right accessories to outfit your new phone. I always pair my phone with a solid case and screen protector. Because of unfortunate experiences in the past, I try to be prepared for the unexpected and make sure my phone is well-protected. I recently reviewed the Bold Ultra Protection iPhone Case by Casely, which I wholeheartedly recommend for all-around protection of your phone. I have found it combines nicely with the Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector also from Casely.

DETAILS

The Casely Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector is made with scratch-free, durable tempered glass. It’s designed with a strong adhesive for easy installation and it is intended to provide HD clarity. Because the screen protector is 100% tempered glass it provides better shatter and scuff protection than plastic does. This covering is also supposed to provide a smudge-free, scratch-free option for iPhone users. The screen protector is available for iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X / XS, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6/6s Plus, iPhone 6/6s, Galaxy Note 10 Plus, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10 Plus, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S9 Plus, and Galaxy S9.

USER EXPERIENCE

The first thing to note about this review is that I looked at this screen protector alongside one of Casely’s Bold Ultra Protection cases. This one, in particular, is called “Forever Grateful” and it was created to be a tribute to the Grateful Dead. The case is designed to provide military-grade protection along with a very unique look. The case features the classic skeleton donned in roses. There is a pale blue background, which creates a look that’s reminiscent of the music group. This product is officially licensed by the band and there are additional case designs included in the collection.

Even though the case provides some screen protection with its raised lip (3mm), I still like to add in an actual glass screen protector. This one from Casely has a nice design and the scratch-free, smudge-free properties are wonderful. The main complaint I have about this product is how it’s installed. I do come from a time when you had to guess where to lay the screen protector. It was awkward and almost always frustrating. But, these days, most screen protectors come with some sort of installation border/guide. This screen protector has one piece of film on the adhesive side that you remove and then place on the surface of the phone. The installation instructions simply say the following:

1. Clean – Gently clean the device with the provided wet cleaning paper, then completely dry the screen with the dry cleaning paper. Remove any excess debris with dust-absorbing
2. Peel – Pull back and remove the protective film on the sticky side of the screen protector. Avoiding touching or scratching the sticky side after removing the film.
3. Align – Hold the corner edges and carefully align the screen protector with the phone’s holes and edges, then place the protector on the screen.
4. Apply – Press the center of the glass and the adhesive will apply itself. Using your finger or a card, squeeze out air bubbles starting from the center of the screen and move outwards.

As you probably noticed, the instructions seem incomplete (look at the end of #1 – I typed it exactly as it appeared on the box). Not only that, they seem to belong to a different version of the screen protector. The style I received has a cutout at the top of the screen protector. There is no way to align the protector with ‘holes’ on the phone because there are none. In addition to the instructions seeming to be incorrect, part of the kit includes guide stickers, but the instructions don’t mention them at all. Next, it’s important to note that this screen protector might have been intended for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but it didn’t exactly fit the screen. I did my best to line the screen protector up with the surface of the phone – I even tried to use the case as a guide – but the screen protector was still off-center a bit.

CONCLUSION

While the screen protector has a solid design and is made with quality materials, I think it would be best served by revisiting the installation instructions and kit that is included with it. The user experience definitely suffers with this product because of that. The Forever Grateful case is a very unique design and the case itself is a smart choice for protecting your phone. There is no indication of whether or not these products will be reimaged for the next iPhone series, but given the history of Casely’s products, I think it’s a possibility.

For more information, visit getcasely.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Surface protection that is 3 times stronger than standard screen protectors.

I know there are a lot of people out there who don’t believe in screen protectors. They prefer to let the product designers of the smartphones take the lead when it comes to creating a protective surface for their devices. Personally, I’ve had too many instances of random scratches and almost shatters to not add a screen protector on my phone. There are hundreds of screen protectors out there and based on my experiences I only recommend tempered glass solutions to friends and family. While that narrows it down some, there are still many options to choose from in that category. I’ve spent a lot of time researching different brands and have found that the DIAMONDCLAD Tempered Glass Screen Protector from Diamond Dog is one of the best covers available.

DETAILS

The DIAMONDCLAD Tempered Glass Screen Protector provides protection and preservation with material that is 6 times harder and 3 times stronger than standard screen protectors. The screen protector comes with an easy install tray and ensures a phone screen’s optimal performance with a natural glass feel. The glass also provides HD clarity. Diamond Dog has the screen protector priced fairly and it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The “DIAMONDCLAD” part of the screen protector is the product of years of development. The screen protector features a patented Diamond-like Carbon Coating technology that has protected billions of hard drive media. The products are designed in Silicon Valley and lab tested. This screen protector is custom fit for the iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone XS, or iPhone X.

USER EXPERIENCE

The packaging of the DIAMONDCLAD Tempered Glass Screen Protector is very detail-oriented. The front of the box shows the name of the product and detail highlights while the back shows ALL the information about the screen protector. While I’m typically the type of person that likes lots of detail on a package, I could see the details being paired down a bit so that it’s a bulleted list and not paragraphs of information. The package does include the screen protector, an easy install tray, wet & dry wipes, dust/lint removal sticker, and a screen polishing cloth.

The installation instructions let you know that the first step is to clean the face of your phone with the wet wipe. You are supposed to follow that with the dry wipe, but I found the screen polishing cloth worked much better to dry the surface of the phone’s screen and it didn’t leave behind quite as much lint for me. After drying the screen off, you are ready to place the easy install tray over the phone. For me, the tray laid flat on the phone, but it didn’t stay put. Any time I moved the phone, the tray would slip out of place. I was finally able to get the tray to stay in one place long enough to lay the protector down on the phone. This part is usually nerve-wracking for people, but I find that if you line up the cutout with the speaker on the top of the phone, the protector will line up nicely.

This screen protector is actually designed to adhere to your phone’s screen automatically. If you gently tap on the center of the protector once it’s on the phone, this will start the process of it bonding to the screen. You can watch the air being pushed out between the surface of the phone and the protector. After about 30-45 seconds, the screen protector was completely attached the my phone. There was a little bit of air still trapped beneath the protector, but I was able to get that pushed out easily with the edge of a credit card (you can also use the plastic backing the protector was shipped with). Honestly, aside from the slipping install tray, this is the easiest screen protector I’ve ever installed.

CONCLUSION

The DIAMONDCLAD Tempered Glass Screen Protector is a worth-while investment. It does a great job of protecting the phone’s screen, it’s budget-friendly, and it’s very easy to install. I would recommend that smartphone users not only use a screen protector, but that they specifically use this one.

For more information, visit mydiamonddog.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

I love my iPad Pro, I love the big screen I love the Magic Keyboard and most of all I love the fact I can draw on it without wasting paper when I want to jot down a simple drawling or idea. What I have never been a big fan of is the glare and slick surface that I feel makes the drawling feel different. Now thanks to a company called Paperlike this is a thing of the past.

DETAILS

Paperlike is a screen protector for the iPad that allows creators to write and draw as they would on paper. With Paperlike, users find they have improved precision and the tactile feel of using paper rather than a glossy, smooth piece of glass. The screen protector is optimized to create the right amount of friction and stroke resistance for optimal accuracy. It’s designed to make artists feel as though they are writing on pages in a sketchbook and not on an electronic tablet. In addition to being able to draw better, Paperlike also makes it easier to write out notes by reducing muscle fatigue that is usually caused by writing on a glass tablet. The screen protector makes the iPad feel like a notebook. Paperlike not only makes the surface of the iPad feel more like paper, it also enhances your viewing experience by providing a matte, anti-glare finish. Paperlike has Nanodots technology built into it. These are microbes that are distributed across the screen protector that make Apple Pencils vibrate so it feels like your are writing on paper.

USER EXPERIENCE

The Paperlike comes in a cardboard sleeve that is decorated with abstract images of artists. When you open the sleeve you will find the Paperlike screen protector and the installation kit that comes along with it. There is a link included on the Help Stickers (and packing slip if you have one) that directs you to a How-To Video on use.paperlike.com. That page includes the aforementioned video as well as a written step-by-step installation guide. To be honest, it’s very similar to other plastic-like screen protectors. When it comes to screen protectors, I usually prefer glass ones because the installation is a lot easier given the rigidity of the material used. With plastic screen protectors, you run the risk of them folding or otherwise laying incorrectly.

The Paperlike comes with guide stickers, which I found very helpful. You place them in three places around the screen protector and use them to lay the screen protector in just the right spot. I also found it very helpful to have the ‘help’ sticker available as the handle of the screen protector so to speak. After you have the stickers in place, the next step is to clean the screen of your iPad completely. You want make sure all smudges and dust are removed before adhering the screen protector to the face of the iPad. The wet wipes that come with the Paperlike are pretty standard screen wipes. If you have another screen cleaner you like to use, then I suggest using it first and finish with the provided wet wipe. Once the screen is clean and dust-free, you are instructed to peel off the film from Side 1 (sticky side/faces the screen of the iPad) and press it to the iPad screen.

At this point, you will want to press out any air bubbles you might see under the screen protector. Some screen protectors include a card to help with this, but Paperlike did not. They state that they feel that it’s unnecessary since most people have at least one credit card available. And, that’s exactly what I used. I would say you should use some caution about how hard you press because it is, after all, still an iPad. After you have all the bubbles pressed out you can remove the protective layer of film from Side 2 (matte side of the screen protector/faces outward). At this point, you’re done with installation. If you are familiar with screen protector installation – plastic film style in particular – this is a pretty standard process.

One of the things I noticed right away with this screen protector is its ‘feel’. It’s got a really nice smooth texture to it, but it’s not smooth like the naked iPad Pro screen. After installation, I couldn’t wait to get my Apple Pencil on it. The pencil glided across the surface like a puck does across an air hockey table. Writing with the Apple Pencil seems effortless now and I find myself using it more than I did before the Paperlike. In addition to that, the matte surface of the Paperlike makes the touchscreen more enjoyable, too. I feel like fingerprints and smudges don’t show up nearly as bad as they do on the plain surface of the iPad. Finally, the glare from lights is virtually nonexistent thanks to the matte surface of the Paperlike. I have actually included an image of what direct overhead lights look like on the Paperlike. While you can still tell there are lights present, the light has been extremely dulled down.

CONCLUSION

It’s hard to imagen a simple screen protector changing your experience on the iPad as much as the Paperlike does. From removing glare to truly feeling different in the hands and with the Apple Pencil, Paperlike is designed well and has been making me love my iPad even more. I don’t say this a lot but when I do I mean it. Apple should have made the screens on the iPad Pro feel the way the Paperlike screen protector does. I truly hope that Paperlike develops options like this for the iPhone and even the MacBook Pro. Even though the MacBook Pro doesn’t have a touchscreen, the antiglare properties would make it worth the addition to its screen. I have used a lot of different styles of screen protectors over the years none of which have felt like the Paperlike.

For more details, visit Paperlike, Facebook, and Twitter.

Free yourself from fingerprints with the DIAMOND DOG screen protector. 

I always try to keep a screen protector on my phone. I’ve had too many ‘close calls’ with my phone not to. Over the years, I’ve discovered though that all screen protectors are not created equal. I personally prefer tempered glass screen protectors rather than film ones and there is one thing that all tempered glass screen protectors have in common — they are finger print magnets. So, what if you could have a screen protector that didn’t collect finger prints? Let me introduce you to DIAMOND DOG Screen Protectors. 

DETAILS

The DIAMOND DOG Screen Protector features a patented DiamondClad Diamond-Like Carbon Coating Technology, which is designed to help protect phones and preserve their brand-new look better and longer. The screen protector is designed in Silicon Valley and is lab-tested. The screen protector is custom fit for iPhone models. 

“Lab tests show DIAMOND DOG screen protectors provide up to 6 times better scratch protection, up to 5 times more abrasion protection, up to 4-6 times longer anti-fingerprint protection, and up to 3 times better breakage protection.” 

Benefits

• Protection & Preservation: Ensure the life and longevity of your indispensable mobile device up to 6 times harder and 3 times stronger
• Performance: Ensure your screen’s optimal performance with natural glass feel and HD clarity
• Pristine: Ensure your screen’s pristine appearance by fighting fingerprints, perspiration, and abrasion, up to 6 times longer
• Price-Value: Ensure you pay a fair price and get extra value, with longer life, better protection, and a worry-free limited warranty
• Peace of Mind: Ensure you’re safeguarding your phone with more than just a protective case

Package Contents: DiamondClad Tempered Glass Screen Protector, Easy Install Tray, Wet & Dry Wipe Screen Preparation, dust/lint removal sticker, and screen polishing cloth 

USER IMPRESSIONS

When I first opened up the screen protector kit, I thought, “Here we go again.” It looks very similar to other screen protectors I’ve installed and I got the impression that I was in for a similar experience. When I went to install the DIAMOND DOG, I already had a screen protector on my iPhone 11 Pro. So, I was wondering if it was going to be worth my time and effort to remove the one that I knew worked well for one that might just be ‘ok.’ 

I pulled the installed screen protector off the phone and carefully cleaned the surface of the screen. The DIAMOND DOG screen protector comes with a cleaning kit that makes it possible to clean the screen really well before you lay a new screen protector down. As it turns out, the previous screen protector had been trapping several layers of dust and dirt particles around its edges. It was gross. 

Once I got that cleaned up, I pulled out Easy Install Tray, which is probably the best innovation for cell phone accessories that has come out in the past few years. The tray slides over top of the phone and provides a guide for the screen protector. It allows you to be able to align the screen protector quickly and easily the first time. It also helps users avoid applying the screen protector and having to remove it multiple times to get the installation right. 

The next step was to apply the screen protector. I took it out of its protective sleeve and removed it from the plastic backing it was shipped with. Upon first glance, the screen protector appeared to be a solid piece of glass. It looked similar to other screen protectors I’ve used in the past, but there was a faint line going through the middle of the screen protector. It was almost as if someone put a crease in the glass. I’ve included a picture of the imperfection, but it’s pretty hard to see in the photo. Needless to say, I was concerned this would affect installation. Fortunately, it did not. The glass suctioned itself to the surface of my phone’s screen and with the exception of a few little air pockets (microscopic air pockets really) along the side, the screen protector was smooth and well-formed to the body of my iPhone 11 Pro. 

So, now I come back to my previous question — is the DIAMOND DOG screen protector better than my previous one? Yes and it’s for one very simple reason. The DIAMOND DOG screen protector does not hold fingerprints. After I had it installed, I played around on Facebook and crushed some candies and then I looked at my screen. It had 0 fingerprints on it. THIS is what sets this screen protector apart from others. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

In my opinion, any screen protector is better than no screen protector. DIAMOND DOG’s Screen Protector is a step above the rest because it includes better fingerprint resistance than any other screen protector I’ve used. That makes it an invaluable addition to my phone. The screen protector feels smooth and is barely noticeable to the naked eye. At a price of around $27, I think it’s well worth the investment. 

For more information, visit mydiamonddog.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Enjoy peace of mind with the tuff sheet screen protector from smartish

I have always relied upon smartphone cases to protect my investment. With each new iteration of smartphone, it seems that fewer and fewer people brave nature’s wrath with a naked phone. A simple swipe, a rogue twist, or a chance drop may lead to a scratch, scuff, dent, or crack. For those reasons, I either use a fully enclosed smartphone case or a screen protector combined with a bumper style case. The Smartish Tuff Sheet Tempered Glass 2 pack arrived in a 4 1/4 wide by 7 5/8 inches tall by  3/4 inches thick retail case.  Designed like a small paperback book, the top, left, and bottom panels were slightly indented.  The cover had a top-down, light-to-dark blue gradient, which served as an attractive backdrop.  The mint-green title was clearly displayed across the top, and the cheeky “Tuff Sheet” product name and “Tempered Glass Screen Protectors” were listed along the middle.  Along the bottom of the panel, you will find two 3/4-sized screen protectors.  The spine of the case provided the mint green smartish name and left the remainder of the panel unadorned.  I love when companies leave empty space, as it proves that they are not trying too hard with their advertisements.  The rear panel was broken into a top half and bottom half.  The top half displayed a cellphone with a QR code and a quaint “CONNECT WITH US, or not, whatever” phrase.   The lower half of the panel provided a brief paragraph about the companies Austin origin and what the smartest brand represented.  Lastly, you will find many of the typical manufacturing labels, SCU code and that the product was designed for the 6.5″ iPhone 11 Pro Max.  

To access the screen protectors, I removed the small piece of tape along the side of the packaging and opened the book.  The inner flap listed the included accessories (microfiber cleaning cloth, 2 alcohol prep pads, dust-lifter, and 2 tempered glass screen protectors) and the seven-step installation process.  To “GET SHEET DONE,” you will need to use the included alcohol swab to wipe away any surface residue and then dry the screen with a microfiber cloth.  Place the included alignment frame over your phone and snap it into place.  The instructions noted to clean the screen again if accidentally touched.  When ready, remove the label from the sticky side of the glass and slowly sign the sticky side with the template.  Starting from the bottom and working your way up, press the screen protector onto your phone and then push the bubbles out of the case.

Following the instructions, I opened up the accessory pouch and removed the alcohol swab. I cleaned the surface of my iPhone 11 Pro Max and then added the template making sure to align the top and bottom. Pleased that I had not touched the surface, I used the dust removal tool to remove any lint from the screen. I then removed the thin plastic sheet from the glass screen protector and installed the glass. The included template made this process markedly easier than simply trying to eyeball the installation. Lay the bottom of the glass into the template frame and then slowly install the glass bottom-to-top. I noticed two large bubbles underneath the screen protector. With gentle manipulation, the bubbles were easily pressed outward. My only request would have been an included plastic card to push out the air. Luckily, I still had one from when I installed the screen protector onto my Nintendo Switch. With tempered screen glass installed, I added my Catalyst Impact Case and found the glass aligned perfectly with the edge of the case. I sprayed a microfiber cloth with Woosh and applied it to the surface of the smartish tempered glass. The smooth surface proved to be responsive and had a nice touch-feel. Thanks to the installation template, the notch aligned perfectly.

If you are worried about scratching or breaking the surface of your iPhone 11 Pro Max, a screen protector or full 360-degree case may be the perfect choice for you. If you already have a bumper case protecting the back/sides of your phone, look to smartish glass to complete the protection. Jokingly, for less than $10, you will get two pieces of sheet. With the easy installation process, you will likely not need the other protector. So, the only other question left to consider is “what do I do with the other piece of sheet?” Jokes aside, the answer is to save it in case you break the installed glass. With the included installation template, inexpensive cost, backup protection, and overall easy installation, the tuff sheet screen protectors are hard to pass up.

Learn more about the tuff sheet screen protector from smartish.
Follow smartish on Facebook and Twitter.

Maximum Protection with Anti-bacterial Technology and Blue Light Filter

There are very few devices that get our undivided attention the way smartphones do. They are our lifelines to the world these days and as such, they are always in our hands. I don’t know about you, but I would be crushed if my phone screen was cracked or scratched up. Those types of flaws just eat away at me. So, in order to protect my phone from damage, I usually install some type of screen protector. This is actually one of those products I don’t skimp on price and quality-wise. And with so many different screen protectors brands out there, it can be difficult to choose which one will be the best for your lifestyle. For me, I prefer InvisibleShield by ZAGG. They have a superior product and I’ve never had one of their screen protectors fail on me. 

The latest addition to my phone is the InvisibleShield Glass Elite VisionGuard+. The screen protector features “advanced strength with 4-in-1 protection.” InvisibleShield mentions that it’s their “strongest glass screen protection ever.” The glass itself is made with aluminosilicate glass. It undergoes an ion exchange tempering process that increases the surface tension of the glass making it 4 times stronger than other tempered glass. The “VisionGuard” portion of the screen protector comes from the Eyesafe layer, which filters harmful high-energy visible (HEV) light from your phone’s screen. In addition to the screen protector being scratch resistant, it also has reinforced edges that help to protect corners from chips and stop cracks from starting and spreading. 

Another key feature with the Glass Elite VisionGuard+ screen protector is the ClearPrint technology that essentially hides the visibility of fingerprints on the screen protector. According to the product page from zagg.com, ClearPrint was “developed by NBD Nanotechnologies, this oleophilic process spreads oils from fingerprints so thinly on the surface that it allows light to pass through the oil, making fingerprints virtually invisible.” 

Finally, one of the key features of this screen protector is that it offers anti-baterial screen protection. The glass has bacteria defense technology built-in that kills 99.99% of surface bateria and lasts for the life of the screen protector. This technology is embedded in the glass itself so the treatment won’t wear off. Even though this particular screen protector features this technology, ZAGG still recommends that smartphone users follow these tips to reduce the risk of getting sick from bacteria that can collect on device screens. 

1. Clean your phone twice a day to prevent the spread of illness.
2. Use a screen protector that kills bacteria (and as a bonus also protects the screen). 
3. Use a phone case that kills bacteria or use a durable phone case (in plastic material) so you can easily clean it with a disinfectant wipe and wash your phone case under running water (instead of the phone).
4. Use true wireless headphones or a headset instead of pressing the phone against your cheek while talking.
5. Wash your hands regularly and, of course, after every bathroom visit.

Tech Specs

• Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Military Grade: Yes
• Glass Like Surface: Yes
• Clarity: 100%
• Weight: 0.1 lb
• Self Healing: No
• Shock Resistant: No

What’s in the Box

• InvisibleShield
• Instructions
• Cleaning Wipe
• Microfiber Cloth
• EZ Apply Tray 
• Dust Removal Sticker

USER IMPRESSIONS

I’m a stickler for details. So, when it comes to installing things like screen protectors — where the conditions have to be just right — I’m very picky. While the end product — the screen protector installed on the screen of your phone — is important, I’ve found that at least 50% of the user experience happens at the beginning of the process with the installation. If the installation is frustrating at all, it takes away from the overall user experience for me. InvisibleShield has perfected the installation system though for screen protectors. 

Each tempered glass screen protector ships with their EZ Apply Tray, which fits on top of the screen and provides for a fool-proof way to lay the glass onto your phone’s screen. You do, of course, want to thoroughly clean the screen with the provided cleaning wipe and dust removal sticker first, but the screen protector does the rest of the work. Once you place it onto the screen of your phone, the self-adhesive adheres to the phone and then you simply press out any air bubbles. 

I’ve done my fair share of installations and I feel like this process is by far the easiest. This particular installation did, unfortunately, have a couple of flaws. After I finished the installation, I noticed a couple of very small air pockets that I could not get pressed out. They aren’t horrible, but they are noticeable (see images below). The second pocket near the bottom of the phone actually disappeared within about 24 hours of installing the screen protector.

I’ve been using the screen protector for several days now and I found that it works quite well. I haven’t been able to test for the presence of bacteria due to the lack of a medical lab in my office, but I can attest that fingerprints have been nearly imperceptible and when there has been a smudge, it’s been very easy to wipe away. The surface of the screen protector is incredibly smooth and touch controls are just as sensitive as when there was no screen protector installed. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Screen protectors are an important accessory to accompany your smartphone. Because there are so many ‘bargain’ options out there that don’t do a good job of protecting your phone’s screen, I like to highlight screen protectors when they are worth the investment. This InvisibleShield is priced around $50, but with its toughness ratings and additional safety features, I feel that the investment is worth it. I’ve never had an InvisibleShield fail me and the Glass Elite VisionGuard+ is a major upgrade from other screen protectors. 

For more information, visit zagg.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Advanced strength, edge-to-edge protection, simple installation.

Even though mobile phone screens are infinitely better than they were just a few years ago, I still find myself making a screen protector one of my must-have accessories when I get a new phone. Just like with batteries, it can be hard to find a reliable option since there are so many budget-brands out there. One of my personal favorites is InvisibleShield. For me, they’ve been the most consistently excellent screen protectors I’ve used. When I got my iPhone 11 Pro this past September, I slapped the INVISIBLE SHIELD GLASS ELITE VISIONGUARD+ SCREEN PROTECTOR onto it so that the phone was protected from day one. Unfortunately, a small crack occurred on one of the corners and I felt it was time to replace it. So, I once again turned to Invisible Shield and installed the Glass Elite Edge screen protector. 

DETAILS & SPECS

As the name would suggest, the Glass Elite Edge provides edge-to-edge protection for the iPhone. As the description on the website states, it has “as subtle, painted border that matches the color of your phone, so the screen protection seems to disappear.” The screen protector is designed to protect against scratches and impact. The Glass Elite Edge provides the strongest glass screen protection ever. It features aluminosilicate glass which undergoes an ion-exchange tempering process. This process increases the surface tension of the glass. The Glass Elite Edge also features ClearPrint technology that hides the visibility of fingerprints. It’s used exclusively by InvisibleShield and was developed by NBD Nanotechnologies. 

Tech Specs

• Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Military Grade: Yes
• Clarity: 100%
• Weight: 0.1 lb
• Self Healing: No
• Shock Resistant: No

What’s in the Box

• InvisibleShield Glass Elite Edge
• Cleaning Wipe
• Microfiber Cloth
• Instructions
• EZ Apply Tray
• Dust Removal Sticker

USER IMPRESSIONS

The Glass Elite Edge screen protector comes in a solid package that includes plenty of information about the product on the box. There is a good image of the screen protector on the front of the box. In my opinion, it would be quite easy to spot on a shelf. When you open the box, the user will find a plastic tray that holds all the contents of the installation kit. 

The installation of a screen protector used to be a frustrating activity, but within the past couple of years, InvisibleShield started including a guiding tray called the EZ Apply Tray. This tray attaches to the front of the phone and allows the user to gently lay the screen protector onto the surface of the screen. With the help of this guide, it’s nearly impossible to mess up the alignment of the screen protector on the phone. 

As I mentioned, I had a screen protector on my phone already so I pulled it off and cleaned up the phone’s screen using the cleaning wipe and microfiber cloth provided in the kit. I then laid the EZ Apply Tray on the phone. Before I started the installation of the new screen protector, I took one last close look at the surface of the screen and used the Dust Removal Sticker to pull off any residual specks of dust that were kicked up by the cleaning process. 

The Glass Elite Edge has a plastic backing applied to the back of the screen protector to keep it safe while in its package. This must be pulled away from the glass before installation. Removing the plastic backing reveals the adhesive side of the glass. Once you have the plastic removed, you may use the tabs of the plastic to align the screen protector on the phone. Once you place the glass on the phone, you wait a few seconds so that it adheres to the surface of the phone and then peel back the protective film. After about 30 seconds or so, the screen protector should be completely attached to the screen of your phone. If there are any remaining air pockets, you can press them out with your fingers. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

InvisibleShield makes a solid product. I’ve never had a phone be damaged when it has an InvisibleShield attached to it. Time will tell how well the Glass Elite Edge will hold up, but it’s very easy to install and the price is affordable. The glass does seem to be fairly smudge-resistant and I’ve always found InvisibleShield screen protectors to be very easy to clean.

For more information, visit zagg.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

A premium solution for protecting your important information.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt prying eyes hanging over me from behind. It’s an unsettling feeling — especially when you are working with sensitive, private information. I don’t like the idea that anyone could have access to viewing the information that’s passed around on my laptop. I do my best to safeguard that information entrusted to me by sitting with my back to a wall or simply being observant of my surroundings. That said, sometimes it’s good to have a little extra protection like the Umbra Privacy Screen Protector from Moshi. 

DETAILS & FEATURES

The Umbra Privacy Screen Protector is a washable, reusable covering designed for MacBook Pro laptop computers. It is available for both the 13-inch and 15-inch versions of the laptop. The Umbra serves two purposes. First, it protects the screen from scratches and dents. Second, it shields the screen from people who are viewing it at an angle. Moshi considers this accessory ideal for professions that handle sensitive information like healthcare, finance, or government officials. Umbra doesn’t attach to the screen using special fasteners. It instead adheres to the screen like standard screen protectors. According to Moshi’s specs, Umbra is 100% bubble-proof and features a narrow 50-degree viewing angle. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The Umbra Privacy Screen Protector comes packaged in a simple cardboard sleeve. It does include a microfiber cloth for cleaning the laptop’s screen prior to installation. The first thing I did was to thoroughly clean the screen. The instructions provided by Moshi state not to use any cleaning solvents except pure water. I did end up using a cleaner called Whoosh, which is designed to clean consumer electronic screens. I’ve used it on my laptop, iPad, and iPhones in the past with great success so I didn’t hesitate to use it this time around. Also the Apple Store in Louisville, KY uses Whoosh on all of the screens at the end of the night when cleaning up for the next day so I felt that it would be safe.

Once the screen was clean, I moved to the next step of the process which was to peel off the backside of the Umbra. I actually followed a slightly different process than what is outlined by Moshi. I left part of the backside attached to the Umbra and peeled it off as I applied it to the screen of the laptop. This helped me to keep it aligned with the laptop’s screen without introducing foreign particles to the adhesive surface of the screen protector. The Umbra actually stuck to the surface of my MacBook Pro nicely. I didn’t have a huge issue with bubbles and those that did occur, I simply pressed out (gently) with my finger as it was covered by a microfiber cloth (as shown). 

We noticed the immediate difference that the Umbra provides in terms of privacy. My fiance purposely stood off to the side while I was Christmas shopping to see if she could see any of the presents I was purchasing. She said, she couldn’t make out anything specific on the screen — only the movements of my scrolling through the page. I’ve not noticed the privacy screen affecting any of my standard activities such as photo editing. I’ve been able to carry out regular operations without any restrictive views on the screen. 

CONCLUSION

The Umbra Privacy Screen Protector is a premium option for protecting both your laptop and your information. The installation is fairly simple with the only frustration coming with the alignment of the screen protector and your laptop screen. It would be nice to see Moshi add a plastic guide for installation so there are fewer chances for human error. I love that this is a reusable screen protector because even though I love my laptop, it’s nice to know that I can take this screen protector with me when I switch laptops the next time. 

For more information, visit moshi.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Provides protection and privacy.

I’m not usually the type of iPhone user that weighs their device down with a lot of accessories. I am actually one of ‘those’ iPhone users that believes that the iPhone was designed to be used free of cases and screen protectors. Apple designers used premium materials to ensure the devices were built to last and with that in mind, I typically don’t carry my phone inside a case or cover it with a screen protector. Those accessories have to serve multiple purposes if they are going ‘wow’ me. Moshi created a screen protector that really caught my eye — the IonGlass Privacy Screen Protector. 

DETAILS & FEATURES

The IonGlass Privacy Screen Protector is a screen protector that provides a privacy screen against prying eyes. The screen protector provides edge-to-edge coverage for the iPhone screen. It has a 50-degree viewing angle that prevents ‘side-snoopers’ from seeing what’s on your screen. The IonGlass is stronger than tempered glass. Tempered Glass only hardens the surface, but the IonGlass is chemically-reinforced through to the molecular level. Moshi claims that it’s impossible to scratch — even with a knife. 

The IonGlass Privacy Screen Protector is covered by Moshi’s Global Warranty. It has an oleophobic surface that repels natural oils on fingertips, which helps to reduce fingerprints and smudges on the screen of your iPhone. Finally, the IonGlass Privacy has a blue-light filter that helps you to sleep better and reduces eye strain. 

The IonGlass Privacy Screen Protector available for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPhone XR, and the iPhone XS Max. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The screen protector comes in a Moshi-branded box. There is an image of the product on the front of the box and some of the main features are highlighted there. The inside of the box illustrates how to install the screen protector. The screen protector comes with a small microfiber cleaning cloth and a dust remover. I was surprised that there were no installation trays or guides included in the kit because I’ve seen them quite frequently with other screen protectors. 

The installation process is pretty self-explanatory. You clean the screen of your phone using the provided materials and then you apply the screen protector to the phone. It really would have been nice if some sort of installation tray was included so that there was no guessing when it comes to lining up the screen protector with the screen of the phone. 

Once the screen protector was installed I took a very close look at how well it adhered to the surface of the phone. This is the type of screen protector that will simply stick to the phone’s screen with a simple press in the center of the screen. I like this type of screen protector except that there is usually some sort of air bubbles that occur. On my phone, I noticed some minuscule air pockets. They were enough to bother me, but they weren’t so bad that I couldn’t press them out. 

As far as the privacy part of the screen protector goes, I have noticed that it works very well. My fiance has noticed that she can only see what looks like a film negative on my screen when she glances at it from an angle. I love having both the protection of the screen protector and also the privacy shield against passersby. 

CONCLUSION

Overall, I think the Moshi IonGlass Privacy Screen Protector is a worthwhile investment. It’s a capable screen protector, but I really admire it for its privacy shield. I can recommend it to all types of users. 

For more information, visit moshi.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Superior impact protection as well as eye health protection.

I’m a fanatic about protecting my phone. I always have a case on it and it’s very rare that you find it without a screen protector on it. A couple of years ago, I noticed a sizeable scratch on the screen of my iPhone and from that moment on, I’ve always had a protector of some sort on it. The plastic screen protectors get the job done if you are only concerned about surface scratches, but for more dramatic impact issues, I’ve found that glass screen protectors are the way to go. My favorite ones come from Invisible Shield by Zagg. 

DETAILS & FEATURES

The Glass Elite VisionGuard+ provides 4-in-1 protection for iPhone users. It combines the Glass Elite – Invisible Shield’s strongest glass screen protection – with VisionGuard a blue light filter for eye care protection. The screen protector is also infused with an antimicrobial treatment that won’t wear off. That bacterial protection gives users 99.99% of surface bacteria. The screen protector does provide military-grade impact protection and 100% clarity. The shield ships with a cleaning wipe, microfiber cloth, instructions, EZ apply tray, and a dust removal sticker. 

About VisionGuard

Digital eye strain from prolonged exposure to device screens can cause premature eye aging, dry and irritated eyes, sleep disruption, and blurred vision. The protective Eyesafe® layer in Glass Elite VisionGuard+ filters harmful high-energy visible (HEV) light from your phone’s screen.

USER IMPRESSIONS

Screen protectors can be a real pain to install, but Invisible Shield has done a great  job of making sure that their product is user-friendly and easy to work with. The screen protector comes with an alcohol wipe for cleaning, a dry microfiber cleaning cloth, and a dust removal sticker to make sure your iPhone surface is spotless before installation of the protector. Invisible Shield even includes a plastic guide so that there is no opportunity to place the self-adhesive screen protector incorrectly. 

The kit that Invisible Shield includes really makes installation fool-proof. I got all the items in the kit laid out so that I could work quickly. I’ve found that if you take too much time to install a shield that you increase the chances that you might get dust or other air particles stuck to your screen or even worse – the screen protector itself. So, after lining everything up, I removed the previous screen protector that was already installed on my phone. It had done a good job and had been on my phone for 10 months. I did have a small chunk taken out of that shield at one point, but I didn’t want to remove it because I didn’t have a replacement until now. When I did pull the screen protector off, it came off in one piece, but the chip on it caused a crack to occur straight across the screen protector confirming my suspicion that its integrity had been compromised by that minor damage. 

After the old screen protector was removed, I thoroughly cleaned the screen and grabbed up several specs of dust that had floated onto the phone screen’s surface. The plastic guide lays directly on the phone’s face. It doesn’t ‘snap’ into place at all. It simply creates a border for you so that you are able to line up the shield correctly. The shield has two covers to it. The first one is the one that you remove first. It is actually a hard piece of plastic and not just a film. I was having trouble removing it until I discovered that the plastic was part of what was supposed to be removed. Once you have it pull apart from the glass you simply use the attached tabs to lay the screen protector onto the phone’s face. Then you pull that film off the front. One of the most amazing features of this shield is the bubble-free installation. Once the screen protector was on the face of the iPhone, it simply pushed air out from between the screen and the screen protector. 

So far, I really like the feel of the screen protector. It’s smooth and it doesn’t seem to be collecting too much dirt or fingerprints at all. That is always my biggest pet peeve with screen protectors — fingerprints. So, I was excited that ‘smudge-free’ was one of the features of this particular screen protector. All my screen taps and swipes have registered just fine and I was even able to put my battery case on my phone with no problems. While I’ve only had a couple of days with this screen protector, I can say that I think my eyes are a little less tired than they usually after using my phone for long periods of time. That’s probably thanks to the Eyesafe technology built into the screen protector. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

I am a big advocate for protecting your phone with a screen protector and Invisible Shield really makes the best options out there for protecting iPhone screens. This particular screen protector really does a nice job of providing added benefits — like the VisionGuard for eye protection — in addition to having a superior product for screen protection. I really couldn’t be happier with the product and can recommend it for all users. 

For more information, visit zagg.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Until this past fall, I’ve been rocking the original Apple Watch Series 0. It was still functioning, but very slow in its operations. So, when the Apple Watch Series 4 was released, I jumped in line to get one. I’ve always tried to keep my watches (and phones) in good shape, but life happens and so to surface scratches. I have a screen protector on my iPhone, but what about the Apple Watch? I have the Series 4 Nike+ Apple Watch with the aluminium case in Space Gray. And, even though the face of the watch is made with Ion-X strengthened glass, it is still susceptible to scratches and dings. So, I looked at the screen protectors available for the watch and found the Glass+ 360 Full Body Impact & Scratch Protection system from Invisible Shield. 

DETAILS

Glass+ 360 is designed to show off the natural design of the Apple Watch while protecting it. The system includes a tempered glass screen protector and a bumper guard. 

Main Features

• Custom, Curved Fit: The custom, curved fit of Glass Curve Elite has been specially designed to fit the contours of the watch’s screen. Its beveled edges seem to disappear onto the watch. 
• Impact and Scratch Protection: 100% pure tempered glass keeps the screen crystal clear and delivers unbeatable shatter protection to keep the watch looking like new.
• Stylish Edge-to-Edge Protection: Designed to perfectly match the Apple Watch, Glass+ 360 takes premium protection to a new level. The strength of high-grade tempered glass combines with a durable polycarbonate bumper for maximum protection.
• Shock Absorbent Layer: If you’re going to seize every opportunity, you can’t be afraid to use both hands. We’ve added a shock-absorbent layer that helps prevent the impact of an unexpected blow from reaching the watch’s screen.
• Enhanced Touch Sensitivity: We enhanced the touch sensitivity of the Glass Curve Elite by creating a full screen adhesive solution which ensures every inch of the screen responds to input.
• Smooth, Tempered Glass: Protecting the screen of the watch doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice its silky look and feel. Smooth, tempered glass feels just like the watch’s original screen and provides 100% clarity.

USER EXPERIENCE

One of the things I really like about Invisible Shield’s products is that they include a full installation kit including cleaning wipes and an EZ Apply Tray, which is supposed to assist with alignment of the screen protector. To get started, you will need to remove your watch band and I suggest cleaning the watch body thoroughly. Once it’s dry, place the EZ Apply Tray to the phone and then place the screen protector on the watch face. Allow the protector to adhere to the surface of your Apple Watch and attempt to press out any air bubbles that might form. I love how well the screen protector and the frame match the Apple Watch, but I was disappointed that no matter what I did, I couldn’t get the air bubbles to push out. This made some tasks on the Apple Watch too difficult or impossible. 

What I like:

• Slim form – The system does not add bulk to the watch. It’s thin and blends in with the natural design of the watch’s body.
• Easy installation – Invisible Shield provides a full installation kit and easy-to-follow instructions.
• Added protection – I like knowing that there is an additional layer of protection on my Apple Watch so that scratches and dings are absorbed by the screen protector.

What I don’t like: 

• Price – The price is a bit high for what this is. There are other options for about half the cost. 
• Air bubbles – Even though I installed the product as instructed, there were still air bubbles present and unlike screen protectors on phone’s, it was nearly impossible to push the bubbles out

CONCLUSION

While I love the idea of this type of system for the Apple Watch, I had too many difficulties with the set I put on my watch to keep it installed. I’ve had great luck with the Invisible Shield product line in the past, but this one just didn’t fit my watch quite right. Because it didn’t fit my watch correctly, my watch wasn’t functioning correctly either. I do still recommend Invisible Shield products and I think that others might have differently luck than I did. 

For more information, visit zagg.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

A great option for a protective cover for your phone with a no-hassle installation.

I’m always a little overly cautious about my iPhones and how they are protected. My very first iPhone met an untimely death when it slipped from my hands and collided with a hard tile floor in a local shopping center. The phone was unusable after that and this was in a time before Apple Care+ could replace it. This was also in a time before cases and screen protectors were even a twinkle in a product designer’s eye. Ever since that time, I’ve tried very hard to keep my phones well protected. One of the best ways to do this is to install a screen protector. When my iPhone Xs arrived that was the first accessory I wanted to buy for it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t really finding the product I wanted — until the Spigen GLAS.tR EZ Fit Screen Protector came along. 

DETAILS

The Spigen GLAS.tR EZ Fit Screen Protector is a kit that includes two Steinhall GLAS.tR EZ Fit screen protectors, cleaner, manual, dust removal stickers, and a microfiber cloth. The screen protector features 9H surface hardness and an oleophobic coating to combat fingerprints and oils from collecting on the surface. The GLAS.tR glass is designed to fit phones while leaving enough space for any case you might use with it. The special feature of this screen protector is that it comes packaged with an easy installation tray that should save users from the frustration of installing glass on their phone. 

USER EXPERIENCE

During my tenure as an iPhone user, I’ve installed many screen protectors. My least favorite type is the flimsy plastic cover style. While it does help to prevent surface scratches, it doesn’t help against heavy impact drops. After using a tempered glass protector, I’ve tried to stay away from those lesser options. The Spigen GLAS.tR EZ Fit screen protector is a heavy duty, premium tempered glass screen protector and it’s perfect for the iPhone Xs. 

The installation process is made simple with the addition of the installation tray. I’ve seen this with a few different screen protector manufacturers and I have to admit that it really takes the stress out of installing a screen protector. This particular tray holds the glass in place until you peel it away from the phone. The tray is designed to fit snuggly on top of the iPhone’s face so that the screen protector will align with your phone’s screen flawlessly. 

I only had a couple of issues as I was placing the glass. I had a small problem peeling the film off of the screen protector so that it would stick to the phone. Second, the tray didn’t want to line up 100% accurately the first time I tried to slide the two together. I was able to fix it before the screen protector stuck to the phone, but there was just a little bit of wiggle room between the phone and the tray that made it a bit awkward to make a tight seal. 

There are three main things I look for with screen protectors – 1. Easy installation, 2. Smudge-free coating, and 3. Smooth feel to the screen. The Spigen GLAS.tR EZ Fit fills all three of those needs. The screen protector has a smooth surface and your finger glides across the top of it like an ice skater on a frozen pond. The screen protector feels great and looks even better because it doesn’t collect a bunch of fingerprints or oil. I’ve only seen some surface dust appear and it brushes right off.

CONCLUSION

I can wholeheartedly recommend the GLAS.tR EZ Fit screen protector to any user of iPhones. It’s available for all sizes of new iPhone (Xs, Xr, and Xs Max) and it will fit onto it quite easily with the help of the installation tray. I didn’t have any issues with air pockets and I love the feel of this glass on my phone. 

For more information, visit spigen.com.
Find Spigen on Facebook and Twitter.

Moshi IonGlass Privacy protects from scratches and side-snoopers

Is there anything more annoying than someone trying to snatch a glance of your phone over your shoulder?  Even though I do not look at anything that I would be embarrassed to show my pastor, I would have said “Hey take a look at this!,” if I wanted you to look.  We are regularly informed of the need to protect our passwords, social media information, and computer login information.  In medical practices and many businesses, we also need to protect our monitors/screens from roaming eyes.  In those instances, we use screen privacy filters, polarized sheets of plastic that allow you to view the screen head on but decrease the ability of others to see your screen at an angle.  The best analogy I have found to how these filters work was the one provided by Patrick Allen, “How Computer Privacy Screens Work,” at lifehacker.com.  Essentially, think of the screen filter like a set of horizontal window blinds that you cannot see through unless you look at the correct angle.  

The IonGlass privacy device arrived in a 4 1/4 inches wide by 7 1/4 inches tall by 9/16 inches wide retail package.  The upper 6 inches of the cover was colored cream/off-white and the lower 1 1/4 inches was colored flat white.  Along the middle of the cover, Moshi provided an attractive 4 inches tall by 2 1/16 inches wide image of an iPhone XS Max (with notch) with an overlying screen protector/privacy filter.  Beneath the picturesque image, I found four helpful icons with descriptions: an image of an eye with an X with “For privacy and security,” the IonGlass name with a molecular diagram with “Atomically-Strengthened,” a phone with a horizontal arrow denoting “Edge-to-edge coverage and a closeup drawing of the “micro-bevel.” The IonGlass privacy title, in dark tan, contrasted beautifully with the flat white background of the lower section of the cover. Just to the left of the title, you can find a silver etched “moshi” upon a 15/16 inches square cream background (same color as above).  Turning the packaging over, I was pleased to find additional information.  I liked that the information was provided in bulleted format instead of paragraph form.  Additionally, the company provided this information in French and Spanish.   “Prevent side-snoopers from viewing what’s on your phone,” “Atomically-strengthened: stronger than tempered glass,” “Precision-molded to fit your device’s curved touchscreen,” “Up to 40% thinner than generic glass screen protectors,” and “Oleophobic coating for easily wiping away fingerprints.”  The left/right and bottom panels were devoid of writing/imagery and the top panel displayed a little information about the companies attempts at helping the environment.  The attractive packaging, coupled with enticing features drew my attention to try this product.

Within the packaging, you will find a thin plastic shell with a cardboard card/privacy screen protector, a two-panel instruction manual and attachment accessories.  Start the installation process by cleaning your screen with the included microfiber cloth.  Second, use the included screen shaped dust sticker to remove any debris on your screen.  Then peel the IonGlass Privacy from the backplate, align it with your device and lower the screen protector onto your screen.  The instructions recommended pressing the middle of the screen to install the glass and then to push out the remaining air bubbles.  I personally found it easier to align the upper notch and then to install the IonGlass from the top down.  The IonGlass affixes through electrostatic forces and is designed for single use.  I would recommend that you apply this to your screen without a case, as the privacy glass was designed to meet all edges of the iPhone XS Max.  When I tried to install the protector, while my phone was inside of a Catalyst Impact Case for iPhone XS Max, the lower corner would not affix to the screen.  To solve this problem, I removed the lower 1/2 of the case and let the screen protector rest for 30 minutes and then re-installed the case.  I had no issues with the case or screen protector after that point. 

The decision on whether or not to install a screen protector is really one of preference.  I have tried multiple liquid screen protectors, glass screen protectors and plastic screen protectors and have typically preferred the thinner plastic options to the thicker glass surfaces.  Some people do not like the texture/feel of the artificial surfaces and prefer an unadorned surface.  I enjoyed the IonGlass Privacy and felt that the surface was smooth, reactive and overall quite easy to install and use.  With the phone in a vertical position, the filter worked in the left-to-right direction only.  When the phone was rotated into a landscape position, the filter worked in an up-to-down direction only and did not people from looking over my shoulder.  I typically check my emails and messages in a vertical position, so the glass worked well for these activities.  However, I caution you that this will not stop people from sneaking a glance at your screen while positioned in landscape mode.  I did not experience any lag, any increased friction or reduction in pressure touch applications.  The glass is beautiful and may be the most attractive glass I have tested thus far.  I did not experience a break in the IonGlass, but this may be an eventuality.  In the instance that you break your glass, moshi has a “Glass Pass Program,” which offers unlimited replacements for $10 for regular size and $15 for plus-sized screens.  Basically, purchase one glass, retain your proof of purchase and contact customer support to obtain another glass.  I would much rather sacrifice a superficial layer of glass than pay to have a new screen installed on my iPhone XS Max.  Even though the glass is a bit on the pricey end, the ability to replace the product makes the price

If you navigate to the moshi website, you can purchase the IonGlass or for about $10 more you can purchase the IonGlass Privacy.

Learn more about Moshi products.
Follow moshi on Facebook and Twitter.

I am the type of person who will use a case when I feel like I need it. When I know that I need to carry less, I use a wallet case and when I know I will be out and about hiking through the woods to get photos or running around the CES show floor, I will go with a rugged case. These are times that a case of some sort becomes a necessity because I know I will be more prone to drop my phone. I do, however, recognize that it’s important to protect your investments and my iPhone X is my #1 must-have device. 

Even though I enjoy the no-case life most of the time, I have found that some sort of protection is still needed. Yes, I understand that scratches, dings, and dents are not life-threatening and sometimes they actually bring character to a product — like leather. For me, I want to keep my device protected in a nice way so that I can still show off the design of the phone. Glass screen protectors are typically the way to go for minimalist protection. Invisible Shield has an impressive layer of protection for the iPhone X with the glass+ 360. 

DETAILS

The glass+ 360 features a front and back tempered glass protector as well as a bumper case. NOTE: I actually received a different release of this product that only included the screen protectors and not the bumper case. So, this review will include information about the full package, but my experience is only based on the use of the screen protectors. 

All Invisible Shield screen protectors come with a limited lifetime warranty and feature military-grade protection. The glass is ‘engineered to disappear’ with high-definition clarity. The protector has precision touch sensitivity to be smooth and seamless. It’s oil-resistant and easy to clean, plus, it has as smooth bubble-free application. The glass+ 360 kit is designed to look and feel great and keep your phone protected from every angle. The glass has a painted border to match the edge of your iPhone perfectly. The bumper has raised edges to provide additional screen protectors. The kit comes with instructions and an installation kit that includes an EZ apply tray, microfiber cloth, cleaning wipe, and dust removal sticker. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The Invisible Shield screen protector kit comes in a well-defined package. There is a clear image of the screen protector as well as some details about the product. When you open the box, you will find the screen protectors nested inside a plastic case with the installation kit stored below it. 

Most of the glass screen protectors I have used over the years have been straight up horrible. Some have been incredibly hard to install while others have managed to catch every single little scratch and air bubble during installation. The Invisible Shield glass+ 360 is different because of the bubble-free application and how is installed. Invisible Shield provides an awesome EZ apply tray that allows you to place the screen protector without messing up the alignment. The application tray slides onto the phone like a bumper case and it’s loose fitting so that it can easily be removed after the glass is installed. I absolutely love this added bonus because installation of screen protectors is one of the most frustrating processes ever. The tray makes the process incredibly easy and not stressful at all. 

As far as how well the glass works, I’ve found that for the most part, the screen has remained clean. It has collected a few fingerprints but it cleans up really easily. I have had a few issues with responsiveness. There have been a few times where the phone doesn’t pick up a tap from my fingers. This issue has been few and far between but it has happened more than once so I wanted to note it here. The glass also makes the phone notably heavier compared to when it has nothing on it. It’s not so much heavier that it makes me want to remove the glass but it is noticeable. 

CONCLUSION

Despite the added weight and the small number of response issues I’ve had, the benefits far outweigh the negatives with this product. The glass is secure on the phone and it has proven itself to be a worthy accessory for the iPhone X. I love that Invisible Shield started including a bumper case with the glass set so that the sides also have protection and love how easy the glass is to install. If you have an iPhone X, you should invest in this screen set to help keep your phone pristine. 

For more information, visit zagg.com.
Find Zagg on Facebook and Twitter.

I am a pretty strong believer in keeping my iPhone the way it was when I pulled it out of the box. Then again I also believe in keeping it protected so depending on the circumstances will depend on when I use cases. The same is true when it comes to screen protectors. I normally just like the Privacy glass style of screen protectors that hides my screen from prying eyes but recently, I started to get pretty aggravated with fingerprints so I decided to try something new and installed the Tempered Glass Screen Protector from Catalyst onto my iPhone X.

DETAILS

Catalyst has a long-standing history of designing heavy-duty protective accessories for iPhones so I felt confident that using one of their screen protectors would not only help keep my iPhone X safe but it would also have a long lifespan. The screen protector is tempered glass with an industry leading strength of 9H hardness. The Catalyst screen protector provides one of the highest rated scratch protection available for your iPhone. It has an oleophobic coating that repels oil along with fingerprints. The glass is shatter resistant and comes packaged with an installation kit that includes a cleaning cloth, dust remover sticker, and alcohol cleaning pad.

SPECS

• 9H Scratch Resistant
• Fingerprint Free
• Shatter Resistant
• Bubble Free
• Case Friendly
• High Definition Clarity
• Easy to Install
• Compatible with Catalyst Impact Protection Cases

USER EXPERIENCE

The screen protector comes packaged in a simple Catalyst branded cardboard sleeve. The sleeve opens up like an envelope to reveal the installation kit and the glass. The packaging has quite a bit of product information included along with instructions for installation of the glass. The packaging is clearly marked according to which iPhone the product is meant to be used for.

Installation of the glass was fairly easy and the sequence of events was very similar to other screen protectors I’ve used in the past. The first thing I was instructed to do was to clean the surface of my iPhone’s screen. I did so with the provided alcohol wipe as well as another screen cleaner I already had. Even though the fingerprints were wiped away with that cleaning, there was still some lint that stuck around so I use the dust remover sticker to help remove the latent specks. I’ve found that the best way to install a glass screen protector is to move as quickly as possible once it’s clean so that you don’t chance dirt reinfecting the surface.

The Catalyst glass lays onto the iPhone X screen smoothly and with just a little effort, the air bubbles can be pushed out across the sides. I did have one very small pocket get trapped under the screen protector and I’m not sure if it’s because of dirt particles or just air, but it will not push out. Aside from that one spot, I have been very happy with the screen protector. While it doesn’t quite live up to its “fingerprint free” claim, it is certainly resistant and I’ve been able to clean it off a lot easier than my screen with no protector on it.

Even though installation was pretty simple, I ended up having a few issues with the glass. First, the screen protector seems to be cut just a little too small for the iPhone X’s screen. While this doesn’t really seem to affect the function of the glass, it’s a little off aesthically-speaking. Second, after using the screen protector for about 10 days, I’ve noticed that it’s beginning to pull away from the screen of the iPhone. I noticed this imperfection after about 8 days and it’s just gotten worse simce that time. The screen protector is plenty tough but not perfect.

CONCLUSION

Even though I’ve been resistant to housing my phone in a case, I do appreciate a strong screen protector for my iPhone. Catalyst continues to make a very nice product but I would love to see this tailored just a little better for the iPhone X and the seal be a bit more secure.

For more details, visit Catalyst.
Find Catalyst on Facebook and Twitter.

Terrible is not a strong enough word.

After paying off my Canon 5D Mark IV I decided that my camera cost me way too much to risk damaging the screen. With my Canon 70D, the screen is protected because the door will flip closed. But with the 5D Mark IV, the screen is exposed to the elements 100% of the time. Fortunately, there are screen protectors available for cameras — just like there are for phones. I found this screen protection option from VKO and decided to give it a try.

Details

The VKO LCD screen protectors come in a 2-pack, which is great in case the installation goes awry. The covers are meant to protect your screen from dirt, scratches, sweat, smears, and other damage. The screen protector is also supposed to reduce UV rays. It’s made from ultra-thin optical glass with a hardness rating of 9H. The screen protectors come with a full installation kit including wet and dry wipes. The screen protectors are compatible with Canon EOS, 5D Mark IV, 5DS, and 5DS R DSLR cameras.

User Experience

I looked at a lot of different glass screen protectors on Amazon but settled on this product. Even though it was an Amazon Prime item, delivery took much longer than the promised 2-day shipment. When it arrived, it was in a small box with a just enough writing to know what it was. The box was dinged up a bit, but not destroyed.

As I mentioned above, it comes with cleaning wipes and stickers to pull the dust from it. Installation was actually pretty easy. The screen protectors were a perfect fit with my 5D Mark IV’s display and the cover stuck to it easily once I cleaned the surface. I did, unfortunately, discover after installing the first of the two screen protectors that there was a scratch/flaw on the surface (pictured below). I know that there was a second one included, but I felt that I shouldn’t have to use the second one right away. I am sure this will still help protect my screen from accidental bumps or metal from my camera straps bumping it but still a bit aggravating to buy something new and it is already scratched up.

Besides that, one of the things in the description that caused me to purchase this over some of the others was the fact that they say it’s smear and fingerprint proof glass. You can see the part about smears in the first part of the description of the item. I have copied that part of the description right from the seller’s page and included it below in quotes.

“FUNCTIONS:Shield your screen from dirt, scratches, sweat, smears,damage;Reduce UV rays while allowing visible light in”

Next is the fingerprint claim.

“VKO VTG Tempered Glass Protector is a sheet of 0.01” ultra-thin optical glass used to protect your camera’s LCD screen. High transmittance helps the clear image display on LCD screen. The surface hardness rating of 9 H and six layers of protective material shield your screen from dirt, scratches, sweat, smears and light impact. The shatter-proof glass helps to reduce UV rays while allowing visible light in. The protector surface is also resistant to water, oil and fingerprints. 2.5D round edge provides a very comfortable and smooth surface to grip and prevent the edge from scratching fingers during installation. The glass protector is easy to install without trapping any air bubbles, and is just as simple to remove. The static adhesion method leaves no sticky residue behind your screen.”

As you can read in the above description they claim “The protector surface is also resistant to water, oil and fingerprints.” As you can see in my photo above, that this is a total lie. I understand fingerprints can get on the glass when touching but I have owned glass screen protectors for iPhones that claim they are fingerprint proof and deliver on the claim. If I was not worried about my screen getting damaged I would return this but because they are glass and fit correctly I will keep them. I just think they could have been better when having the claims like they do.

Conclusion

While the DSLR screen protectors from VKO fit the camera screen properly, they do not deliver on quality. I was sorely disappointed in this product out of the box and wouldn’t recommend it based on the fact that the smudging makes it nearly impossible to use.