Gadget Review: touch screens

Screen protector

We all live in complete fear of dropping our mobile devices or scratching the screen after spending a small fortune on the latest device; its so hard to protect our devices properly in our busy lives.

If we do damage to our screen we tend to go on using the cracked device until the next upgrade or until we can afford a new phone; this is really down-heartening.

So how do we protect that gorgeous touch screen. We go out and spend a couple of quid on a cheapy plastic screen protector.

BUT you have just spent hundreds of pounds on your device...what are you doing...its not going to do much to protect your screen is it......?

So what do you do?

You go get yourself a Rhinoshield from the UK based Evolutive labs

Personally I have quite an obsession with my screen; those that have been following me on GGR, know I have only recently got my new gadgety baby my Samsung Galaxy S4 and have been enjoying finding the right case and even the right stylus; but I have been worrying my socks off about getting the right screen protector as I can be a real clutz and if anyone is going to drop their phone its going to be me...eeep!

So when I was offered the brand new Rhinoshield to review, I couldn't wait to try it and share this with you all. Its something that everyone will want if it really works

Is this too good to be true?

Packaging

I was really surprised when my Rhinoshield arrived, as it came in this funky bright neon yellow carded envelope. The card shows what its all about "Impact protection" designed in the colours used for crash test dummies with a crash test dummy log at the top. Im really impressed with this simple but dramatic design.

The back of the card clearly shows you how clever this screen protector actually is with its 6 layers of protection. A simple design clearly explains these layers.

Just tear a strip away along the dotted line at the base to see a black tag saying pull.

Out slides a black leaflet card, here is the front and back.

The back explains more about your new Rhinoshield.

Open up your leaflet card and inside is your Rhinoshield kit and instructions.

Your kit to apply the shield consists of

Plastic squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles,
2 Dust removal stickers- brilliant idea,
Your Rhinoshield itself with front and back stickers,
Excellent quality screen cloth.

I think this is such a well presented screen protector kit and will make a fantastic gift for anyone with a phone or touchscreen device.

Evoluted labs

I wanted to just add a brief explanation about the company behind the Rhinoshield as they are an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign see more about it HERE. They were fully funded in March this year and have gone from strength to stength already. They are based in Cambridge in the Uk...yay for a British company whoohoo, well done guys!

Eric Wang founder of Evolutive Labs and designer of the Rhinoshield is a PHD candidate in material science at Cambridge university. He said he created the shield after a few of his friends broke their own tablet and phone screens.

The Science Bit

The basic principle behind the shield is a physics equation...for those who want to know...or can understand its...

Pressure is equal to force divided by area...oh wow I remember doing this at uni myself. I maybe blonde but I do have a brain... "O look a squirrel !"... sorry what was I saying.

Dumping and dispertion layers combine together to reduce the amount of force per area, which then reduces the altitude of the force against the object...simples...

The specially formulated polymer technolgy and the dampening layer can take at least 5 times the impact energy of Gorilla glass 3. Great for me as that is whats on my S4.

Description

So why is the Rhinoshield so different from the freebies you got with your new phone case...well where to start. It absorbs 5 times more impact than normal screen protectors...need I say anymore...but I will....you know I will ! ;-)

The highly transparent Rhinoshield is comprised of 6 layers of protection (see below); which all work together to absorb and then disperse the shock of any impact or scratches. AND its still ONLY 0.029cm thick.

The way it works is that the 2 inner layers called "Impact dumping" and "dispertion" layers; combine with the outer layers to absorb any shocks when the device is dropped.

Its thickness is equivalent to only 3 sheets of printer paper.

It has a special coating technology which provides a strong hardness preventing direct scratches. Protecting it from your keys, coins and pens etc...yes even the cats claws. The Oleophobic silky smooth coating technology keeps your Rhinoshield free from fingerprints and smudges and makes it easier to clean.

My perfect screen

Use

If your reading this review hoping to see my new baby S4 turned into a crash test dummy and thrown off the top of the skyscraper, or dropped from a great height onto concrete your going to be disappointed...hey its like my child...sheesh...sorry guys.

I was surprised just how flexible the Rhinoshield is, but please dont bend any further than this or it could crack or craze one of the many layers if you bend too far.

How to apply your Rhinoshield
I wanted to share with you all just how easy it was to put on, so I commandeered my other half to put it on as he has a much steadier hand than me, while I took photos.
Before you start make sure your in a fairly dust free room, I wouldnt suggest doing this outside due to breeze or wind blowing dust around.

Its not major surgery but it pays to be prepared and set out your Rhinoshield kit ready to use; so your not faffing around trying to get things out of envelopes.

Rhinoshield have really thought of everything and have clearly marked front and back of the screen protector to make sure you apply it correctly.

Here's a quick photo rundown on how easy it is to apply to your device.

First of all make sure you remove your old screen protector if you have one on. Then wipe the screen thoroughly using the provided microfiber cloth and use the sticky dust removers to get rid of any dust particles. Then remove the backing (marked back) and carefully align the edges and cutouts to match the screen.
Apply pressure at one end of the screen and then sweep across the face of the screen using the squeegee and it will adhere using the self adhesive silicone.
Use your squeegee again to wipe downwards and outwards to the edges removing anymore tiny airbubbles.
Next peel the clear screen cover (marked front) off your NEW Virgin Rhinoshield.
Use the card to press firmly again wiping from top to bottom with even pressure.
A final press with the squeegee to eeek out any stubborn bubbles. If you have a small one, these generally work there way out over time once your Rhinoshield has settled.

We found my Rhinoshield went on smoothly and easily, but a tip is to not do this when you are in a hurry, take care to straighten the Rhinoshield right at the beginning along the top edge as you only have 1mm of play with. So try to get it right first time as there's not much room for maneuver.

TIP: If you have found its maligned; being semi rigid its fairly easy to remove if you have to; by gently peeling it off and reapplying as it has no sticky residue or strong adhesives like some screen protectors. But be careful to remove dust particles that will home in like bees to a honeypot on this spotless screen, creating more bubbles underneath.

Ta dahhh!

My pristine brand new Samsung Galaxy S4 screen with Rhinoshield applied..isn't it gooorgeous!

Just look at the colours and reflections.

I have been using my Rhinoshield for several weeks now and it doesn't compromise the touch screen capability at all, if anything its improved it as I hadn't removed my screen protector that had come with the phone yet. See how worried I was about my screen lol. So now its like having a new phone.

I have however found the finger prints a bit more smudgy not less, although they do clean off much faster than usual.

Pro's

Anti shock,
High transparency,
Oleophobic technology,
Removable if needed,
Scratch resistant,
Great presentation kit,
Peace of mind.

Con's

None.

Rhinoshield is also available for the iphones and ipads

and many other brands of phone and tablet.

See Evolutive labs

Also available on Amazon Uk and Firebox

From £17.99

See more drop tests in London below!

All my thanks to Rhinoshield for sending me this amazing screen protector for this review.
All my views and opinions are my own.

GMYLE Aluminum Stylus Pen

Hiya gadget-a-holics hope your enjoying all this hot weather and topping up that tan.

With so many of us using touchscreens on a daily basis one of our main accessories is the stylus. I have been on a mission to find the perfect stylus!

It has to be ergonomic and comfortable for longer periods of time. It has to have a good quality nib and above all I want something that looks unique and feels excellent quality.

So when I was offered the chance to review this gorgeous looking aluminum stylus for you all from GMYLE I knew I just had to try it.

I also received one of their latest smart phone cases, The Wallet Clutch which will be coming up for review for you very soon too.

Gadgets that Make Your Life Easier

Based in California and established in 2005, GMYLE is a trusted name in developing Macbook, tablet and Smartphone accessories and many other products that enhance our gadgety lives.

I have had several products from GMYLE now and I know its a brand you can depend on.

Have I found my ideal stylus?

Click below to see my video and full photo review.

Packaging

The packaging for the stylus arrived in quite a plain and simple white cardboard box, nothing flashy; but the stylus says it all.

Description

So whats so special about this stylus, its just a stylus isn't it?

Oooh no, most stylus's you can buy are mainly plastic with cheap rubber tips and if your anything like me you can wear them out regularly. I have gone through so many cheapy plastic ebay jobbies in the last year, Ive almost got a drawerful.
Then I discovered the Sensu Portable Artist brush and stylus and
the Arcpen Bubinga stylus which have been my go to stylus's so far.

This 11.7cm x 1.2cm stylus is made of solid Aluminum/Aluminium or element 13 if you like! This gives you a nice substantial weight in your hand.

It has an ergonomic triangular design for extra comfort for long use and also giving you finer control than a finger could do.

Ultra-soft beaded rubber point has fine smooth control; perfect to use for gaming, sketching or hand writing. Its semi-regid and I feel would be long lasting although its not replaceable.

The rubber nib is 7.5mm in width and has an Omni-directional point for multi-angle touch on your screen.

The GMYLE logo is printed in white along the stem.

Use

I used to be so fussy with my pens for junior school as a kid which transferred over to high school for studying for my O and A levels (now Im showing my age) as we used to use fountain pens for everything.

So now we are using stylus's to write and game, I still want that quality feel in my hand to be able to write fast and comfortably for a few hours. Plastic stylus's make my fingers ache and feel uncomfortably sweaty...ugh!

As soon as I got this out the box I knew it was going to be weightier than my other stylus's but I was surprised JUST how weighty it feels. For me however I like that you hardly need any pressure at all on the screen to get a response.

This triangular design is gorgeous; it feel sooo comfortable in my hand and the metal is so cool especially for someone like me who is always warm; its refreshing when using for longer periods of time.

Its ideal for gaming as despite the nib looking really chunky; the curve gives you fine control enabling you to touch tiny areas on the screen like when your texting etc.

My S4 is so responsive I barely need the nib to touch the screen before getting a result.

Checkout my video of me playing Fruit Ninja using the GMYLE aluminum stylus pen...Hey...yah!

You will be able to see just how bad at Fruit Ninja I really am!

Opinion
This is one of the best stylus's Ive used to date, the substantial weight and ergonomic triangular shape makes it so comfortable when your writing or gaming for a few hours. Previous plastic stylus's are hot, too light and uncomfortable. I like to feel a stylus in my hand and I really enjoy the extra weight and coolness this offers.
If you are someone who spends many hours drawing detailed diagrams or sketching you will find this so much more comfortable than your ebay plastic cheapy ones.
Those of you who suffer with RSI, arthritis or hand mobility problems may find more comfort in this stylus; as little pressure is needed on your screens than other stylus's.

The aluminum gives a gorgeous modern look and definitely something you wont be ashamed to get out your bag to use in public. Its also something small enough for jealous friends to slip into their bags so beware. ;-)

This makes an affordable, excellent quality gift for all your family and friends that have touch screen devices. Most importantly don't forget to treat yourself too!

Pro's