Submitted by Chad Shmukler on
With the iPhone's beautiful and vibrant LCD, the last thing anyone wants to do is risk damaging or negatively affecting it. One of the most typical problems with LCD screens on mobile phones, smartphones, and PDAs is dust and dirt getting behind the screen. In many cases, what users identify as dead pixels is actually dust or dirt.
If you're like us, with the iPhone's two big, wide-open inputs, you might be feeling a little paranoid about dust and dirt getting inside the iPhone itself. If you carry your iPhone in your pocket, chances are every time you pull it out you'll find a bit of dust or pocket lint lingering in the dock connector. More worrisome, perhaps, is the headphone jack. When the LCD screen is illuminated, it's easy to see just how far down inside the iPhone offending particles can travel via the headphone jack.
The good news is that there's a neat and tidy solution to the problem - well, at least part of it. For usually less than $5, you can pick up a rubber dummy plug that protects the dock connector from unwanted particles when in your pocket, a purse, or wherever.
Here are a couple of links to some dummy dock plugs we found online, these fit the iPod too: eBay, RadTech.
Clearly, a similar solution must be available for the headphone jack, although the iPhone's recessed input may require a bit of customization or waiting for a iPhone jack protector to come along. If anyone has any helpful links to headphone jack protectors, please post them in the comments.
Comments
anonymouse replied on Permalink
excellent ... I'm constantly cleaning fuzz and dust out of there.
LepNinja replied on Permalink
There is an instructable on how to make a dummy plug for the IPhone Headphone jack at http://www.instructables.com/id/Apple-IPhone-Headphone-Jack-Plug/
JD Megargel replied on Permalink
Here are a few from my 20 minutes of research.
This brilliant case includes silicon plugs for both the headset jack and the 30-pin dock. http://www.switcheasy.com/products/Neo/Neo.php
This clever inexpensive SIM card ejector is alleged by several forum contributors (including a Gizmodo blogger, http://gizmodo.com/5032718/usbfever-reinvents-iphone-3g-sim+eject-tool-sells-it-for-3) to fit into the headphone jack. However, there is a note on the website stating it does not. Whether this is true or one of those anti-litigious statements is uncertain. It seems cheap enough so that if it didn't, who cares. What strikes me as obvious is that it SHOULD. Re-tool the thing and make it work, charge a few more bucks and be done with it. Where the heck else are you going to store that thing? http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=730
This link isn't intended to be a protector but it is. It's a break-away system similar to Apple's MagSafe system. You could order just the replacement plug for $4.95 for a set of 2 in 3 colors (black, white, and green). Unfortunately, all are out of stock with no indication of replishment. If you don't mind paying a bit more, you can buy the whole system for as cheap as $13.00. http://www.replug.com/products_list.php
It's been 30 minutes since beginning this search and my ADD is kicking in. I'm going with the Switcheasy CapsuleNeo (1st reference). It's a gorgeous clean yet complex case and a good value at $30. It includes both the 30-pin and headset jack protectors I'm looking for.
Good luck with your own searches. Cheers...
Anonymous replied on Permalink
this might help
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280356085015
Todd Pravata - ... replied on Permalink
Elfa Cart drawer pins
You get these at The Container Store. They're these little plastic pins that are used to keep the drawers on the cart from sliding out the back. They fit perfectly and snugly in the iPhone headphone jack (1G). About 20 come in a package for less than a dollar so losing one is not an issue at all. I keep a package of them in the car. Don't know whether these will fit the 3G. The only slight drawback is that they are white. I doubt that they come in black, but maybe silver.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
I just received these from Deal Extreme http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15259. The port connecter one fits real well. The headphone jack cover sticks up and might snag going in and out of your pocket. Although the picture shows clear ones the headphone jack one is black and the port connector one is grey.
Jack replied on Permalink
I FOUND JACKCAPS! @ iJackCap.com. New product, just launched. Made of 100% resilient rubber silicone ~ will not melt n phone, guaranteed. Weather, water and electrical resistant. Universal 3.5mm - fits gr8 w/ mobile phone audio jacks! *NO sharp metal piece ;)
Anonymous replied on Permalink
I found that the silicone "Plugs for refilling Canon BCI, CLI & PGI cartridges" fits nicely into a 3.5mm jack and I just ordered 15 for $3 + postage of $2.50. These plugs fit almost flush and I can afford to lose some at that price. Do a google on the above quote- I found them on eBay Canada.
DaveG023 replied on Permalink
Ya, these are the first thing I bought even before I got my phone... Cause' I'm weird like that ;-). Actually I just dint want stuff getting in there- anyways, I found a great site as well.. Their black or white, but I got the headphone jack & the 30 pin dock connector!! Black or white! Came together in about 4 days, for 10$.. Worth it to me. They both fit excellent !! www.radtech.com
Jess replied on Permalink
found that most of the current covers don't fit iphone 4. finally found another website (www.topicovers.com) that has full solutions including for iphone 4. Seems like they have the different ones for iphone 4, ipad, iphone 3GS and other usb ones as well.
I am considering getting a pack of 5 different covers and get a discount. Got the discount email with the code here:
5% discount for 5 items or more -> 5TOPIS
10% discount for 10 items or more -> 10TOPIS
20% discount for 20 items or more -> MANYTOPIS
hope this helps.
Mike replied on Permalink
PROTECT YOUR iPhone, iPad & iPod. PROTECT YOUR WARRANTY
iCorkz is the sensible solution, providing protection for your gear’s sensitive ports. iCorkz are molded to exact specification to ensure a perfectly sealed and secure fit. When fitted with custom molded iCorkz, the iDevice ports stay clean, dry and protected from foreign objects.
The iCorkz Combo Pack includes: 3.5mm Audio Jack iCorkz with Built-in SIM Card Removal Tool & 30-pin dock iCorkz and is available for just $9.95 at www.icorkz.com.
Milford replied on Permalink
The cell phone is really cool, but it seems that each phone will cause noises now, is it so? i bought a jammer for blocking it, Am i right? memory the days before phones
Jammerall.com
Anonymous replied on Permalink
really cool, i bought a weapon to block the signals of cell phones, jammer, peace around me!!
Jammerall.com