<p>I just received a new iPod and am trying to figure out how to protect it. I’d like to use it in the car, at work, and other places and am concerned it will get damaged. Most guys that I see appear to stick them in their pockets and don’t appear to be worried about them getting damaged. </p>
<p>I like the idea of soft cases but they seem too clunky…I don’t think I see any younger folks using soft cases on their Ipods.</p>
<p>How do you protect your iPod?</p>
<p>You don’t say what iPod you are talking about. The answer is probably model specific.</p>
<p>You can usually get ‘skins’ or clear film that you apply to the iPod to protect it from scratches. They are made specific for each model.</p>
<p>Invisible Shield is one of the more popular screen protectors for iPods:</p>
<p>[ZAGG</a> | invisibleSHIELD | iPod Cases, Screen Protectors, Covers, Shields, Skins, Invisible Shield](<a href=“http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/ipod/]ZAGG”>http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/ipod/)</p>
<p>It’s an iPod Touch.</p>
<p>I know what I “can” do to protect it - but I’m wondering how others protect it. Do you use InvisibleShield on your ipods? Soft cases? Or not worry about it?</p>
<p>Yes, we have done all three at various times. For an iPod touch, I would probably put an InvisibleShield on the front, maybe on the back. If you like a case, get a case.</p>
<p>We’ve had leather wallet cases for a couple of old nanos that have worked well, but it just depends how you will carry it and what you like.</p>
<p>[I have this case I got a couple years ago @ Target for $3.](<a href=“http://www.6pm.com/skullcandy-itouch-koi-case-multi-stripe?channel=73&mr:referralID=6f5ef734-c8dc-11df-893f-001b2166becc”>Skullcandy itouch koi case multi stripe | 6pm)
I also have a no glare screen protector</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> DLO HipCase Leather Folio Case for iPod touch 2G, 3G (Black): Electronics](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AILH6A?ie=UTF8&tag=mq-ipodtouchcases-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003AILH6A]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AILH6A?ie=UTF8&tag=mq-ipodtouchcases-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003AILH6A)</p>
<p>This is the kind of thing that I use, along with a screen protector. It’s leather and flips up like a notepad. There’s a magnet so that the case can stay closed or stay opened when folded over.</p>
<p>I use a soft rubber-like protector. Mine happens to be hot pink, as differentiated from my son’s black.</p>
<p>My kids love gelaskins. They’ll protect against scratches, but won’t do much if you drop them. You can get them cell phones, iPads, etc.</p>
<p>[GelaSkins</a> | iPad Skins, iPhone Skins, iPod Skins, Laptop Skins, Gaming Skins, Custom Skins, Giclee Prints and more…](<a href=“http://www.gelaskins.com/]GelaSkins”>http://www.gelaskins.com/)</p>
<p>Maybe you don’t have to protect it too much. My brother just told me this story: With his Ipod in his pocket, he fell into his pool. Not good. It had been a gift, and we know it was bought at Costco- a $300 or $400 iPod. He figured it was off warranty, but he wasn’t sure, so he went to the local Apple store to see about getting it repaired, or at least taken apart so it could dry out. They couldn’t take it apart, and he had no receipt. They looked up the serial # or something, and they found that it had been less than a year, and THEY GAVE HIM A BRAND NEW ONE!</p>
<p>I had no idea Apple customer service was that good, especially since the product had not been bought at Apple.</p>
<p>Forget about screen protectors. Yes, buy a silicone or hard shell case if you want, so that you can protect the iPod from ‘blunt trauma’ injuries like falls onto concrete; but screen protectors only add an extra layer which decreases the visual clarity and adds 500 bubbles.</p>
<p>iPod Touch and iPhone screens are made from the same glass as car windshields. They are virtually scratch proof.</p>
<p>I disagree about the usefulness of screen protectors. Alone, they would do zip to protect your gadget, but when used together with a case (I like iFrogz hard shells), they will keep it in top working shape better than a case alone. When I go for a run, I do not bother with fancy waterproof cases and armbands - a simple ziplock bag works like a charm to keep it dry, and the touchscreen works through the plastic. I also put my iPhone in a ziplock baggie when I work in the lab. Even with the nitrile gloves on I can use the touchscreen just fine.</p>
<p>Sopranomom, your brother really lucked out that the Apple folks could not take his iPod apart. All of the Apple gadgets have a moisture sensor inside, and if that sensor is triggered, it automatically voids any warranties by Apple.</p>
<p>but screen protectors only add an extra layer which decreases the visual clarity and adds 500 bubbles.
Well I admit it is tricky to apply- but I like the screen protector, it cuts glare/reflection & adds zero bubbles.</p>
<p>I just store mine in a Sennheiser headset bag. It’s not the most elegant but it is quite practical.</p>
<p>Well, I have the zagg (very expensive for what it is) . I bought it because the sales guy took his car keys and scratched hard across the face of his iphone without issue. No bubbles but it is less sensitive. Other than that, I just use a cheapo Walmart gelskin.</p>
<p>You can scratch hard without issue across the face of a naked iphone without any screen protection!! I still stand by the fact that anyone who uses a screen protector is doing no practical service to his or her phone, besides peace of mind at the expense of either bubbles or loss of vibrancy or loss of sensitivity. I can’t really think of any one particular case where a screen protector will do any good…</p>
<p>Unless of course…there is any truth to the claims that they actually DECREASE glare. If anything, I would think an extra layer would do the opposite.</p>
<p>I just got a new iPod Touch – 3rd generation, as part of a back-to-school promotion with the purchase of a laptop for S. In researching/reading reviews of various cases online, I found a number of posts about how Apple has banned the sale of screen protectors for all its devices in their stores or online (at the Apple site.) The speculation was that Apple wanted to send a message that their screens were very durable and didn’t need protection. That said, I found a screen protector still available at my local Apple store. It was this one:</p>
<p>[Anti-Glare</a> Film Set - iPod touch 2G - Shop | Power Support USA](<a href=“powersupportusa.com - powersupportusa Resources and Information.”>powersupportusa.com - powersupportusa Resources and Information.) </p>
<p>It was incredibly easy to put on, and I have ZERO bubbles. They also make a crystal clear one, if you don’t want the anti-glare version. The screen response/sensitivity is absolutely fine. So, I completely disagree with ucigrad. (BTW, this is my 2nd Touch – I had a 1st gen and used the same screen protector on that. It also worked fine.) Other screen protectors (there are lots available) can be exceedingly difficult to put on without bubbles.</p>
<p>As for a case, I got this one:</p>
<p>[F8Z551tt</a> Belkin Grip Vue](<a href=“http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=500013]F8Z551tt”>http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=500013)</p>
<p>I found one at Best Buy for $9.99. Maybe it was last year’s color since the suggested price is $25.00+ Anyway, it offers the best of both worlds, IMO – durability of a hard case and flexibility of a soft/silicone case. Works great.</p>
<p>There is a kiosk outside the Burlington, MA Apple Store and all they do is install screen protectors on iPhones and iPods. There was a line of people at the place when I was there last and there were lots of people standing around watching the workers put the protectors on. I don’t know what they charge but they have special equipment and, I assume, special training to do what they do. I’ve put screen protectors on PDAs before and it is a royal pain.</p>