A friend of mine named Roger has the ability to apply a screen protector perfectly. His is a thing of beauty. Perfect alignment and no bubbles, ripples, or any other defect. I asked him how he did it and he looked at me like I was an idiot. Like it was a natural ability. As we all, or at least most of us, know, applying a screen protector can be extremely frustrating.
Almost everyone, except Roger, who has installed or applied a screen protector has stories. Usually they’re not good. The demos and videos on YouTube make it look easy. But how many times have you heard that it was a good thing that the package contained two protectors because one was lost during the first application attempt. And even though some vendors claim that you can re-attach the protector, I’ve never had any luck in that regard. I admit that I can now apply a screen protector reasonably well but it takes me about 10 to 15 minutes. And don’t get me started about applying screen protectors to iPads. The large surface makes it very difficult.
A few months ago I read about a company with a novel idea for installing a screen protector. I sent the company an email just to say that I thought it was a brilliant idea. One of those ideas that you look at and wonder why no one thought of it sooner. Then I filed it away for whenever it was actually available.
Imagine my surprise when they contacted me to do a review of their product. The product is called the Kioky and the key is the Perfect Fit Applicator.
Package and the Perfect Fit Applicator
What I received was a pre-production package. It’s close to final, but they’re still tweaking some things like the instructions. What was in the package was the pre-loaded Perfect Fit Applicator (with one side for the iPhone 4 and one for the 3G/3GS), extra screen protectors, extra adhesive to hold the protector to the applicator, a credit card sized plastic squeegee, a small microfiber towel, and instructions.
The only thing I didn’t use was the towel. It was a little small and I have a number of very nice towels that I use to clean my glasses. Michael at Kioky (http://www.kioky.com) has told me that they were going to be replacing that towel in the production kit.
So what’s the big deal anyway? Normally, one cleans the iPhone in as dust free a room as possible, unwraps the screen protector and spends the next 10 to 20 minutes trying to align the thing and squeeze the bubbles out.
With the Kioky, the first step is the same, clean the iPhone’s screen. Then you load the screen protector into the Applicator. The Applicator comes pre-loaded. There are small groves to guide the fit. The adhesive holding the protector to the Applicator is like the sticky stuff they hold credit cards onto paper with. If you’re careful removing the protector, you can re-use the adhesive. But regardless, Kioky provides enough for all the protectors in the package.
The Kioky screen protector is covered on both sides with a thin film. The film has numbered tabs so it’s easy to see what to do. In the pre-loaded Applicator, the film with tab number 1 is up. You carefully peel back tab number 1 exposing the adhesive side of the screen protector. Then you place your clean iPhone into the Applicator and press firmly down all around the back of the iPhone for 5 to 10 seconds. The iPhone fits exactly into the Applicator. As long as you align the home button with the appropriate hole in the protector, there’s no room for error.
My iPhone in the Applicator. This shows the back of my iPhone that has an old, very poorly applied screen protector on it. The only reason it’s there is to protect the back against dust when it’s in my snap on plastic case.
Next you gently push the slots on the back of the Applicator and push the iPhone out. At this point you may have to press down on the protector to make sure it’s set. Also, check to see if the adhesive has come off with the protector. If so, rub it off with a finger.
Your screen protector is now perfectly aligned. All you need to do is remove the bubbles. Aha you say, just like all the others. Removing the bubbles never works. Well, I don’t know what material Kioky uses for their protectors, but removing the bubbles was surprisingly easy. You use the plastic squeegee to push any bubbles from the inside to the outside and push the smaller ones down. I often wrap the cleaning cloth around the squeegee to avoid any scratches, although at this point the second protective film is still attached.
Once the bubbles are out, gently and carefully pull the number 2 tab to expose your installed Kioky screen protector.
At this point I want to add one personal caveat. We have 3 dogs and 7 cats. This makes for a lot of air born dust and fur. It’s almost impossible to get a completely clean application. I don’t hold that against any screen protector.
Perfect alignment and no bubbles. The diagonal line you see on the bottom right is a stray cat hair. The Kioky is great, but it doesn’t come with a dust-free room.
The first time I did it, I took my time and noted every move for this review. Plus I took some photos. Total time was 10 to 15 minutes. The next time I did it, it was about 5. The guys at Kioky can do it a lot faster, but they’re just trying to make a point. There’s no need to rush. What is very refreshing is that the result is great and there’s no frustration. There’s none of the usual putting a corner on, starting to press down, seeing the alignment is off, pulling the protector off, and starting over, hoping that the protector’s adhesive is still good and that you haven’t picked up any dust. Or with other protectors, spraying a solution on and then squeegeeing it out all the while hoping you’re not going to get water where it shouldn’t be.
So now that it was on, how was the screen protector itself. After all, installation is one thing, but the protector must be good as well. I’m happy to say that this one is excellent. I’ve used it for about a week now. The pre-production package had clear protectors because all of the anti-glare stock was in boxes for CES. I used to use the matte anti-glare protectors all the time. I may switch.
There’s a noticeable difference on an iPhone 4 between a matte finish and a clear finish. Guess which is better. As well, the surface is very smooth. No drag at all. As you know, if you’ve read my previous review, I use a Stylus Sock. It just glides over the surface.
I tried scratching the surface. Not with a sharp edge, but with a dull metal edge. Nothing. Then I went further and tried the sharp edge of a key. I got a slight dent but no tear. And the only way the dent was visible is if I shine a light on it and catch the reflection. Very impressive. And better, after about half an hour, the dent has almost disappeared.
Any clear protector will pick up fingerprints and this one’s no exception. But they aren’t noticeable face on and a quick wipe on a shirt and they’re gone.
One of the knocks on clear protectors is glare. Take them outdoors and they’re useless. Well, your mileage may vary, but I found the Kioky not bad at all. I stood with my back to the sun and sure there was a reflection on the screen, but only at the point of the sun’s image. The rest of the screen was readable. Again, very impressive.
Since this was a review copy, I got a couple of extra protectors. There are normally 3 in a package. So I went through the application process a few times. I’m also happy to report that there was no residual adhesive if you remove the Kioky protector.
Pricing is only preliminary but I’ve been told that their aim is to price similar to other screen protectors so that the Applicator is almost free.
The plan is to have them available soon. The folks at Kioky are a small group and they’re raising the money for production. You can sign up to get one when it’s released at http://www.kioky.com. They also have an iPad version planned. I’ve already signed up for mine.
So unless your name is Roger or have Roger’s talent, the Kioky Applicator is for you. It certainly is for me. Highly recommended.
Bob
Shame they only seem to be making them for the Apple range. In my experience Brando’s BW UltraClear range are one of the better protectors for application. I can now apply them pretty much flawlessly. invisibleSHIELD however was a nightmare from start to finish. It lasted as long as it took to get the Brando one shipped from Hong Kong.
someone one said to me that they fit their screen protectors in the bathroom having run a shower for a little while which helps clear the air of dust… we don’t have a problem here so I haven’t tried it.
sShaun, might be worth trying next time?
I can also recommend the bathroom as the place to apply protectors. I find that the bath is better than the shower though the shower is usually in a cubicle of some sort.
Half fill the bath with only hot water and then close the door and go and have a cup of tea. The steam from the hot water will attach to the dust and keep it away from the screen. (Don’t have it so steamy that you can’t see). Not only is there no dust, but after you have applied the screen protector you have a nice relaxing bath waiting.
Absolutely, the bathroom is the place to apply screen protectors. I usually run the shower for 5 minutes, use latex gloves, and an air blower. That usually eliminates the dust and hair. But I still get the odd bubble or a misaligned protector. For this review, I sat at my home office desk, so no dust protection. But I didn’t want to take my camera into the bathroom.
What the Kioky does is make the business of application a breeze. No fiddling with alignment and no bubbles. The no bubbles part is at least partially a property of the film used for the protector. The film that’s used in the Kioky protectors must be very good.
Bob
Way ahead of you Paul:) http://www.pda-247.com/wordpress/2008/02/how-to-apply-a-screen-protector/