I just got my Incipio Smart Feather in the mail today. I have never applied a screen protector of this size before so I'm afraid of messing up given that I only have 1 to try. What's the best and most efficient way of applying the screen protector? Should I start with the home button and get that to align first?
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Most efficient way to apply the screen protector to the iPad 2?
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Yes. As the instructions say, start by lining up the home button. Take your time and allow itself to "roll" slowly to the top of iPad. Then take the squeegee provided and gently but firmly push the bubbles out by starting from CENTER of iPad to left and then right and slowly work your way around.
And MAKE SURE the screen is super clean and your in a relatively dust free environment.
And MAKE SURE the screen is super clean and your in a relatively dust free environment.
I hate screen protectors in general and find them of little/no use on iDevices. To each their own.
But the important thing is to do this in good lighting and take your time. I find its best if the light is off to the side as the reflection will help you see air bubbles quickly. Squeegies work well for bubbles at the sides, but if you get one in the center, you are best served backing up the film right away and redoing that section.
But the important thing is to do this in good lighting and take your time. I find its best if the light is off to the side as the reflection will help you see air bubbles quickly. Squeegies work well for bubbles at the sides, but if you get one in the center, you are best served backing up the film right away and redoing that section.
The best way is to not buy one. Apple applies a very nice oleophobic coating that provides a wonderful tactile experience. Why ruin that?
Same as any other screen protector, really.
...and reduce dust. Use the shower trick, if needed.
Why assume that your preference is universal? It's a subjective matter (as is anything involving the word best). Not all screen protectors are identical. There are plenty of options that do not "ruin" anything. If you don't care for screen protectors then stop clicking on screen protector threads and threadcrapping. OP already has the protector so your comment is completely irrelevant.
Do a "test" fit (without removing any of the films) first so you know what it should look like on your device. Definitely start at the end with the home button first. Make sure you're not only lining up the home button cutout but the edges as well.
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Stop trying to impose your value to me. FYI, the screen protector came with the case. So I guess I shouldn't even buy a case given the aluminium back should be sufficient too right?
Relax, this is a forum of public opinion.
I stated mine.
I couldn't care less about what you do.
It's as simple as that.
i would strongly disagree.
the right screen protector, besides making fingerprints less visible, actually enhances the tactile feeling because it reduces the friction of the fingers on the glass as they move across the screen.
we recently got a trial ipad2 in our dept for demo testing, and i find my fingers actually 'catching' on the screen because the friction coefficient is much higher with a naked screen. this is most evident when doing a multi-gesutre swipe up to expose the running apps.
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as for the OP's question, yes, i like to get the home button aligned first because the space tolerances are much tighter there than compared to the camera opening.
I put a Skonomi full cover shield for my iPod Touch and you can't even tell it's there. Only thing is no scratches, front or rear. I just bought another one for the iPad 2 I got today from my daughter and her husband for Christmas. And I won't use that iPad until it's safely inside that shield either. I do not like scratches.
I sold my iPad 1 after a year. No screen film applied, zero scratches. I do understand applying a skin to the rear since that can get scratched even with a cover on it. But personally...I find screen protectors totally unnecessary. They are a vestigal "requirement" left over from older plastic screens from earlier tech, but so many people still think they need them so they spend money on them. If it makes you more comfortable, go for it...but its wholly there for your comfort and not because its needed.
They're a nightmare to apply to iPad... I'm on my fourth, and even that has a few bubbles on the edge but I can't be bothered to go again. Thankfully I only spent £1.50 on them off eBay (no worse for quality tbh). It's amazing how much easier it is to apply to iPhone.
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I really hope you aren't ignorant enough to suggest that iOS device screens are invulnerable to scratches. Just because you managed to protect yours, doesn't mean to say we all want to hold the same level of responsibility for perfect care. With a screenprotecter on you don't need to worry or be too careful about placement.
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I really hope you aren't ignorant enough to suggest that iOS device screens are invulnerable to scratches. Just because you managed to protect yours, doesn't mean to say we all want to hold the same level of responsibility for perfect care. With a screenprotecter on you don't need to worry or be too careful about placement.
guess you don't mind looking at the reflected glare every time you use your ipad, but it would drive me crazy.
i can still use an ipad w/o a skin or a case, but an anti-glare screen is almost a necessity for me.
i can still use an ipad w/o a skin or a case, but an anti-glare screen is almost a necessity for me.
definitely make sure the screen is spotless (well at least as much as possible) also don't remove the entire backing, just enough to start (by the switch per the instructions).
i have small critters in the house so i had to use the bathroom so stray fur wouldn't find it's way to the back of the film (if it does you can use a piece of tape to get it off, just be careful of fingerprints)
good luck, i still have some smallish bubbles, but they are on the bezel and don't show
i have small critters in the house so i had to use the bathroom so stray fur wouldn't find it's way to the back of the film (if it does you can use a piece of tape to get it off, just be careful of fingerprints)
good luck, i still have some smallish bubbles, but they are on the bezel and don't show
If you find you have dust or hair trapped under it after you have finished (usually this is the cause of the bubbles), then use some scotch tape attached to the screen protector to lift the edge or corner nearest the dust and another piece of scotch tape to remove the dust/hair. Don't try and use your fingers, you'll leave marks behind.
I'd suggest lining it up and making sure the screen is covered
Not sure what you're really asking here, theres only one way to apply a screen protector.
Not sure what you're really asking here, theres only one way to apply a screen protector.
I just feel safer with the screen protected. Flip side is I have a stack of obsolete devices (Palm, Handspring Visor Deluxe, Toshiba e335, HP HX4700 plus old cellphones etc) with perfect like new screens. And I do like the feel of the Skinomi. It makes my iPod a little less slippery thus easier to hold and fingerfeel on the pad is a little softer.
I work at a cell phone store and I've put on hundreds of these things so here's my method:
1.) As most people have mentioned, dust is bad. It's the #1 reason for bubbles. So clean that baby with surgical precision, not one spec of dust should be left on there, not even a tiny one. (I've never used the shower trick but I can definitely see how it would help for this)
2.) Once all the dust is off and I mean ALL of it (can't stress that enough) line up the protector with the film still on it just to see how it lines up.
3.) Start at the bottom. Make sure you line up the home button but equally important make sure the sides line up. If you don't have it lined up perfectly straight this is where you'll get screwed, because you'll have to pull it back up and re-align it. If that DOES happen, don't panic. Just peel all the way up to one of the bottom corners and rotate the screen protector where you need it. This is where a dust-free environment is important. ANYWAYS once you're lined up as best you can tell, peel a little bit back at a time, squeegeeing as you go. Seeing as how big the screen is, it would be a good idea to take your time and try to get most of the bubbles (especially the ones toward the center) out now to avoid complications afterward.
4.) Now that you have the whole screen protector on there, it's likely there will be a few bubbles. This is normal. If you paid attention and made sure there was NO DUST anywhere, you should be able to get every single one of them out with the squeegee. Get most of these with the outer protective film still on. Then peel it off and attack the rest of the bubbles, laying this film over those areas to protect your actual screen protector. You should be able to get all of the bubbles out and have a crystal clear display.
Remember the number one rule:
ABSOLUTELY NO DUST! Not even the tiniest little spec of it.
I figured this is what you were wanting in the OP instead of people telling you whether or not to get one Good luck!!
1.) As most people have mentioned, dust is bad. It's the #1 reason for bubbles. So clean that baby with surgical precision, not one spec of dust should be left on there, not even a tiny one. (I've never used the shower trick but I can definitely see how it would help for this)
2.) Once all the dust is off and I mean ALL of it (can't stress that enough) line up the protector with the film still on it just to see how it lines up.
3.) Start at the bottom. Make sure you line up the home button but equally important make sure the sides line up. If you don't have it lined up perfectly straight this is where you'll get screwed, because you'll have to pull it back up and re-align it. If that DOES happen, don't panic. Just peel all the way up to one of the bottom corners and rotate the screen protector where you need it. This is where a dust-free environment is important. ANYWAYS once you're lined up as best you can tell, peel a little bit back at a time, squeegeeing as you go. Seeing as how big the screen is, it would be a good idea to take your time and try to get most of the bubbles (especially the ones toward the center) out now to avoid complications afterward.
4.) Now that you have the whole screen protector on there, it's likely there will be a few bubbles. This is normal. If you paid attention and made sure there was NO DUST anywhere, you should be able to get every single one of them out with the squeegee. Get most of these with the outer protective film still on. Then peel it off and attack the rest of the bubbles, laying this film over those areas to protect your actual screen protector. You should be able to get all of the bubbles out and have a crystal clear display.
Remember the number one rule:
ABSOLUTELY NO DUST! Not even the tiniest little spec of it.
I figured this is what you were wanting in the OP instead of people telling you whether or not to get one
Good luck!!
I used a short haired puppy, some friends have used a small portion of spaghetti bolognese to successfully apply a protective coating.
But really why bother? Visit your local Apple store and marvel at the ipads on display that have been mauled by 1001 sweaty kids hands yet still are to show any noticeable damage.
But really why bother? Visit your local Apple store and marvel at the ipads on display that have been mauled by 1001 sweaty kids hands yet still are to show any noticeable damage.
That's probably because your not looking properly. It's usually possible to find at least 1 small scratch on an unprotected iPad. Sure they might not be big enough to be deemed 'noticeable' but they do exist, and that's enough to make your resale value plumet. Unless your one of those people that puts something on ebay as 'like new' when it's most likely not.
I've got a screen protector on my iPad now, it gives me piece of mind. I can use my device without have to worry about anything scratching it. And yes, you can scratch it, quite easily it appears, pretty sure they didn't use Gorilla Glass in the iPad.
The iPads in an Apple store don't get carried around in bags, picked up and put down in various places, etc, all of which would increase the chance of one getting scratched.
I don't get why so many people are so against screen protectors? If you buy a decent (not even expensive) one and apply it properly, you'll never even know it's there. So why not have the extra protection? I love how a good 90% of the posts after the OP asked how to apply his screen protector have been useless replies telling him why you don't like them. haha
Sounds like you don't understand subjective preference. I prefer using them. It doesn't mean that everyone does.
Was I saying that everyone else does? No. I was saying why go out of your way to try and talk the OP out of using one instead of actually helping him.
I use the bathroom trick, run hot water to steam up the bathroom, that settles the dust and any particles floating about that seem to be magnetically attracted to iPads. Then peel back just a tiny bit of the protectors bottom plastic piece from the home button end, line it up and when you are 100% happy start to slowly peel off the rest of the bottom plastic, laying the screen protector on and just easing out any large bubbles that appear, with a credit card or similar, as you go along. Once you have it on work out any smaller bubbles and you are good to go remove the top sheet.