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iPad Skins: Clothe And Protect Your iPad With Personality

By | June 25, 2010 | 4 comments
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Editor’s note: This is a guest post authored by Stephen Markas, Editor In Chief of iPadAccessories.com. Stephen’s article gives you great information about the different companies that make iPad skins.

The Apple iPad exploded into the technological scene with the power and the most diverse list of abilities imaginable, and the iPad is continuing it’s amazing success with over 3 million units sold already! The iPad’s price tag can get quite hefty, and as such, it’s  a tool that is worth investing in and merits care and protection to insure a long life.

New iPad protective skins are available to guard against every day bumps and scratches. To further enjoy the whole experience, tons of cool features are available to customize your iPad making it as unique as yourself.

Artistic decals are a must have addition to tailor the iPad to your personality. Here’s a review of some of the best iPad decals and protective skins on the market right now:

The invisibleShield by Zagg

First off is the king of iPad protection. This iPad protective skin is made with a super durable film, is completely transparent, and matches exactly to the size of your iPad. It protects the screen and back of the iPad from damaging scratches, even from jagged edges of metal objects, such as keys.

Another useful feature is that, since the material was originally developed to military grade specs, it is highly durable and guards the screen against corrosive substances like the accidental spray of cleaning fluids or the oils from fingers and hands. The invisibleShield enhances your visual enjoyment by reducing glare and smudges, making it a truly an amazing product and our favorite clear iPad protector on the market right now.

Gelaskins

However, perhaps you are looking to give your iPad a little more personality. GelaSkins have the two-fold purpose of providing defense against nicks and scrapes, while clothing your iPad in style and oozing personality out every port.

GelaSkins come in hundreds of pre-made varieties by top modern artists, and they also have the option to create your own skin design that is unique to you. Just upload your artwork or photos onto GelaSkins’ website and enjoy the endless opportunities to create and enhance the appearance of your iPad. GelaSkins use 3M technology for simple application and clean removal.

Invisible Defenders

Invisible Defenders skins accomplish a completely original look for your iPad. It shields your device from wear and tear while giving it a smooth celebrity appearance. Each skin comes complete with simple instructions for application.

The designs are printed on resilient 3M or AVERY vinyl that adheres to the iPad without air bubbles or sticky residue. The vinyl is also laminated with a transparent film, so the images will never fade, rub off, or scratch. Skins can be customized to fit your wants without canceling your warranty.

Also, Invisible Defenders provide application tape to help you align the skin perfectly to your device.  You never have to touch the adhesive with your hand, which causes the skin to lose it’s grip.

SkinIt iPad Decals

Finally, we have the SkinIt iPad decals. Similar to GelaSkins and Invisible Defenders, the creators of Skinit skins have designed 24 different categories of skins and release new skin styles every week. Some of these include sports, Disney, art, military, entertainment, seasonal, and American Idol. Or you can upload shapes, images, or text to customize your own skin.

All of Skinit skins are made of premium glossy vinyl and use a distinctive high resolution six color process. Then the design is covered with clear coating for extra protection.

In summary, unfortunately the iPads are prone to scratches and denting. As soon as you purchase your exciting new tablet, don’t leave it naked and exposed to the elements and dangers of everyday life.

Since the iPad cases that you choose are as much a fashion statement as they are a social statement, don’t hesitate to express your individual character and style on the iPad with the abundance of amazing iPad decals and protective skins available today.

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About Roberto: A blogger with a passion for applications, gadgets, new technologies, and everything new in this ever-changing technological world. Contact me via Twitter: @PG_Roberto

  • Florin

    I tried the The invisibleShield by Zagg and I can’t say that I’m impressed by it. What none of the websites is telling you is that all the stuff is delivered in a small square shaped tube, which causes the shield to curl.

    secondly the shield is but too deep, this sounds perhaps weird, but it’s like you want to peal off the shield from the paper and it’s almost impossible because the paper comes partly with it.

    When I finally got a little corner of the shield loose from the paper, it was “easy” to pull it off from the paper, until the second corner comes loose, then the curling behavior off the shield comes in playing again. In my case it curled over and got stuck to the shield it self. And it sticks so well that I couldn’t get it loose again.

    At that moment I dumped the the invisibleShield into the garbage bin.

    If you have 6 hands and think you’re up to the challenge with the invisibleShield, then I have to tell you that the little spray bottle on the picture isn’t for decorative purposes. It’s to avoid that any fingerprints etc. will become visible when applying the shield, you have to spray it on your fingertips. Not only are you supposed to spray it on your fingertips, once you manage with your 4 extra hands to peel the shield of the paper, you have to spray both sides of the shield with it. Since I didn’t get that far, I can only hope for those who want to buy this product, that the spray doesn’t drip of that shield as it did from my fingers. Electronics and fluids always scares me a bit, but perhaps not you.

    When you are successfully in placing the invisibleShield on the iPad screen, rubbed all the air bubbles away and dried up all the fluids that is dripping over your iPad, you have to keep your hands of it, so the fluids can dry up, so it will probably be best to apply the shield before you go to bed.

    For those who wants to know how it ended up in my case, I ended up buying a unknown chinese brand screen protector from a online shop and it works perfectly.

  • Mr. Reeee

    Zagg products generally get bad reviews.

    The Power Support Anti-Glare Film (they also make glossy) is excellent.

    Fingers glide more easily across the iPad’s glass surface more easily than the bare glass. I have one for my iPod touch, too. The best thing is that fingerprints barely show.

    http://www.powersupportusa.com/accessories/ipad/anti-glare-film-set.html

  • NorthCoast

    I would agree with Florin that the installation of the invisibleShield is maddening, especially the curling issue. The kit comes with only enough applicator solution to give you one shot at installation; probably best to have it installed by someone who knows what he/she is doing.

    Once installed, I found its tactile feedback to be very rubbery, especially when sliding/pinching. The surface is also somewhat textured, certainly not as smooth as the glass.

    Note: You cannot re-use the screen if you ever remove it; however, ZAGG will replace any screen that gets damaged, as long as you return the damaged screen.

    Ultimately, I was not satisfied with the product. It is now protecting the bottom of my trash can.

  • Murple

    The iPad’s screen is already very scratch resistant, so other than fingerprints I don’t know why someone would mess around with the invisible shield. I have had a lot of success controlling fingerprints by using a cleaning cloth called Ultimate Cloth on both the screen and it’s case. They have a video here that has some tips.