Watch this video:

Rep. Maxine Waters: The report cites a December 2004 Los Angeles Times investigation disclosing how members of the congresswoman’s family have made more than $1 million in the last eight years by doing business with companies, candidates and causes that Waters has helped. Before publication of the Times investigation last year, Waters declined to be interviewed, but said of her family members: “They do their business, and I do mine.”

In my previous post about cleaning the iPhone I mentioned a glare/protective cover.  Forget that product.  Think about Tim the Tool Man saying “Ohhh Hooo Ho… more power.”

I came across a company that does military grade stuff - the stuff they coat military helicopter blades with. Zagg. No the price is not like a government contract price its reasonable and this stuff covers your entire iPhone.  Apparently these guys have also been talked about on Fox News and CNN. Here is their marketing blurb:

The invisibleSHIELD is made from a unique material originally created for the military to protect the leading edges of helicopter blades, the invisibleSHIELD™ offers protection that other screen protectors, covers, skins, or cases just can’t match. With over 2,000 copyrighted, precision-cut designs for a variety of gadgets, including iPods, smartphones, and cell phones, you can protect all your devices from scratches.

The invisibleSHIELD isn’t just another screen protector. Custom-cut Full Body Shields, available for many devices, offer protection for your entire device. With this patent-pending full-body contour wrap, your device will always look like it did the day you bought it.

Can’t find an invisibleSHIELD for your device? No problem - we’ll custom design one for you.

If you aren’t completely satisfied with the coverage of the invisibleSHIELD, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund. And if the invisibleSHIELD ever scratches, we will replace it for free, for life. So what do you have to lose other than those unsightly scratches?

Pretty damn cool eh?  A scratch proof protective cover.  Now what sold me was actually watching the video on youtube.  Check it out:

If I think about my old cell phone and how scratched up it got after a year of being in my pocket with my keys.  I wish I had this stuff 2 years ago.  But now, I’m going to pick up one of these.  I’ll follow up with another post when I get one on how to apply them, good points/bad points.  Anyway, check it out here if your interested.

I’ve been looking around for good information about cleaning the screen of the iPhone and while the iPhone has a glass screen you would think windex is ok but you pose a risk of getting it in the ear piece the button, etc. What is really suggested is put non-alcohol or chemical cleaner  just good old soap and water. If you clean your LCD most likely that cleaner is just fine because it doesn’t contain chemicals that will break down your screen. Check out the apple knowledge base article that describes the correct way to clean it here.

I suggest getting a microfiber cloth and spray it directly then clean the screen. Then put a screen cover on it cause really as soon as you use the phone again your stuck with smudges again.

There are several iPhone film covers out there, I suggest the matt finish Power Support film set for iPhone 3G.

When applying these film covers you have to clean the screen really well.  They also come with this “pre-application film” which is just another film that sticks to the screen and removes particles that you can’t see.  This is REALLY important because if you have any dust particles between the film and the screen you will have air bubbles that you can’t get rid of and it will annoy the bejesus out of you.   Below is the instructions for applying these:

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

1st Step: Thorough Cleaning

1. Clean your iPhone LCD screen with a lint free cloth and a small amount of glass cleaner. Ensure that all fingerprints and particles have been removed.
2. Wipe off any excess glass cleaner so that the screen is completely dry.

2nd Step (Pre-Installation Film): Removing any dust particles that may have fallen onto your screen.

1. Remove one half of the white backing of the pre-installation film.
2. Without touching the LCD screen directly with your fingers, place the half of the film without the backing onto the LCD screen.
3. Without touching the LCD screen, remove the second half of the backing. Apply the rest of the film to the LCD screen. Rub it down thoroughly to ensure that the Pre-Installation film has captured all dust particles.
4. Remove the Pre-Installation film by pulling it off by the excess film. Do not touch the LCD Screen.

3rd Step (Crystal/Anti-Glare Film): Applying the Film

Note: Power Support’s Protective Screen Films come attached to a basic transparent plastic backing. Whenever applying films, you can touch either side of this transparent backing and the non-adhesive side of the film. However, do not touch the adhesive side of the film because the oils from your skin will compromise the adhesive qualities of the static cling adhesive.

1. Without touching the adhesive side of the film, push down on the backing to expose the adhesive side.
2. lign the edge of the film with the bottom of the face of the iPhone. You can use the button or ear piece hole as alignment tools. Once a proper alignment is found, apply part of the film.
3. Without touching the face of the iPhone or the adhesive side of the film, allow for the rest of the film to apply by peeling off the rest of the backing from underneath the film.
4. Cover your finger in a lint-free cloth and rub out vigorously  any air bubbles.

Another tid-bit, forget about getting the Apple Store employees to apply this for you.  I was in there buying one and didn’t even think to ask about it but the guy just told me that they stopped doing it because of how picky customers were about the application and if they messed up they had to get another one etc, etc.  So, do your due diligence and apply them correctly and it will work amazingly well.