Skinned iPhone 3G in its natural habitat
The story thus far: GelaSkins for iPod, good, GelaSkins for 2G iPhone, not so good. Problems with the magical adhesive technology imbued with original art for the original iPhone were twofold. First, the surface of the GelaSkin ended well before reaching the silver bezel of the iPhone, and, second, you had to pay extra for a screen protector. Well, GelaSkins for the iPhone 3G are out, and there are new problems, but not from the GelaSkins. Apple's redesign of the iPhone, including hairline cracks and a surface that collects fingerprints like a CSI hobbyist, have made Gelaskins worthy of reconsideration.
To me, GelaSkins are a kind of real-world corollary to Clarke's Third Law, that being: any sufficiently advanced personal technology is indistinguishable from pornography. I lust after the futuristic vinyl surface, which is smooth yet grippy on top, sticky yet not sticky on the bottom. While GelaSkins will readily adhere to the iPhone, there is no adhesive residue. Further, GelaSkins can be removed and placed back on the packing surface they ship with for reuse later—though this is not an advertised feature. My personal experience is that it works, allowing for the use of multiple GelaSkins, and there are many multiples to choose from. As of this review, there are 117 GelaSkins available for the iPhone 3G. I really like the work of Colin Thompson, while my wife prefers anything that is frilly and non-serious—where is the edge in that? Still, her first choice goes well with her white iPhone. Black and white surfaces are an aesthetic improvement by Apple, while GelaSkins has made their own improvement in design.
More skin is always better
Addressing one of my biggest complaints, surface coverage now extends along the sides to the silver bezel of the iPhone 3G. Besides offering more protection, that extra half an inch enhances the overall look. It's much more of a skin, and less of a sticker now.
Matching skin with iPhone color matters
Of course, it's not complete coverage. The top and bottom, as well as the controls, are still exposed. Again, careful selection of a GelaSkin can actually enhance the look of the iPhone 3G, depending on model color. Unfortunately, the GelaSkins site doesn't show how a skin would look on both the black and white models. People who have velvet paintings of dogs playing poker or decorative dinner plates of any kind might want to get help. And they should also get someone to pick out a skin that matches their iPhone. Those with an overly developed sense of aesthetics, or who are just obsessive, might need some help too, lest they have the same problem I've had.
Flaw or obsession, you be the judge
No matter how hard I tried, I could not get a perfect fit. On my iPhone, I only have wrinkles at the bottom, but on my wife's, they are on both the top and bottom. I assumed the wrinkles were a matter of inevitability, wrapping the GelaSkin over a curved surface. However, in writing to the company, they sent me a photo of a perfectly skinned iPhone. It seems that I stretched each GelaSkin when applying it. To be fair, the wrinkles aren't really visible and don't cause any harm. As I keep my iPhone in my pocket, I was worried that lint might get between the iPhone and GelaSkin, eventually causing peeling. This has not been an issue, and the GelaSkin continues to protect my iPhone and make me feel superior to everyone with a bulky case or, worse, a naked iPhone smeared with their DNA—ick. Regarding the filthy latter issue, GelaScreens are offered to protect the iPhone screen. I found GelaScreens to be much improved over the screens sold at retail Apple Stores, which are a bit too opaque for my tastes. In contrast, GelaScreens are like touching the glass surface of the iPhone, with all that implies, reflective glare and smudges—ick. Still, you would have that without any protection, so why not have GelaScreens?
GelaScreens are not included with GelaSkins for the iPhone 3G; a two-pack sells for $12.95. You can also get GelaScreens for $7.75 with the purchase of a GelaSkin for $14.95, but that's not all you have to spend. Because the company is located in the mythical land of Wayne Gretzky and universal healthcare (Canada), shipping to the US is at least $3.95, or $7.95 if you want to avoid Standard Post like the plague and use UPS. That's $30.65, or about one month of egregious data plan pricing from AT&T. There is also a buy-three-get-one-free option, but either way GelaSkins are not free, except for the wallpaper.
Nonetheless, the improvement in design, coupled with Apple introducing black and white models that complement in color, have me feeling pretty good about having disposed of my income with GelaSkins. For those who want protection from scratches and a little fine art on your iPhone, GelaSkins for the iPhone 3G make for a compelling case without the bulk of a traditional case.
Product: Gelaskins for iPhone 3G
Price: $14.95
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