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| Fashion | 64% | 61 votes | Total: 95 votes | |
| Protection | 36% | 34 votes |
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Add to FavoritesThere are many products on the market that will actually protect your all mighty and necessary electronic leash to the electronic world. Unfortunately, these products are not want the consumer at large is buying. If protection was the primary concern then the product (I don't know if I can use the brand name) that is yellow and practically bulletproof would be a great seller. With the exception of the construction field, no one else seems to be interested.
In my opinion, which admittedly is a little behind the curve, I own an LG phone that does those 3 major cell phone needs: I can make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, and my own personal delight, bowling. The new terms 3G and now 4G mean nothing to me.
As I have stated in many articles, I spent 6 wonderful years in the service of Uncle Sam with the USMC. My idea of protection is bullet proof, ballistic shell that may or may not have an Electro-Magnetic Pulse protection. Not to mention encryption software.
I state all of this because I firmly believe that having a pink case that is encrusted with svorski jewels offers no protection from water (don't ask my why, but a lot of people tend to drop their phones in the toilet. I personally can wait to use the restroom and make the phone call later. It's what a 5 minute wait? Come on).
Others I have seen that have such motive as my little pony, or powder puff girls just don't give me a great sense of protection. Maybe I am just a middle age man that isn't up with the current trends, but if the phone companies are selling these accessories to the younger generation as "protection", that seems to me to be a little bit of that old thing called false advertising.
So just to summarize this little tirade of mine, I don't think that all of these jewel encrusted, popular character motif phone covers really protect the complicated electronics that go into a modern portable phone device.
If you get the plain rubber covers, or the hard construction grade plastics, then maybe you will be able to extend the life of this little electronic leash that moist Americans can't seem to live without.
With the constant upgrades that people seem to live for, then maybe protection isn't what they really want. A broken phone under warranty is a ticket to the next newest model. That seems like the driving force to many of my friends and even family. Not to mention the army of salespeople at any of the big cell phone companies that attack you every time you walk into the store, even with just a question about your bill.
Learn more about this author, T. Scott Randolph.
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Protection
Cell phone covers range from hard plastic cases to flimsy stickers affixed to the phone and people purchase covers for reasons ranging from protection to just looking good. The majority of cell phone covers that are actually plastic are designed to keep the phone safe from scratches, impacts from small drops, and minimize exposure to liquids and dust.
Plastic cell phone covers are generally two piece accessories that attach to the front and back of the phone and cover most of the exterior. It is like an extra layer of casing around the phone itself but it doesn't make the phone indestructible. Most cases won't protect against water damage if the phone falls into a liquid and most cases won't protect against hard impacts or drops of more then a few feet.
Some covers and cases are fabric and wrap around the phone covering even the inside screen; these protect more against dust and dirt then against impacts and drops. Faceplates generally only cover the front of the phone and are more for style then for projection, but full faceplates made of plastic can over some protection.
Covers that are made of stickers are generally useless for protection purposes and while they might keep some dust and liquid away they affix directly to the phone which can damage the phone's casing and some of the designs make a phone look gaudy. The whole purpose of a cell phone cover is to protect the cell phone from the abuses of daily traveling and use; not to turn it into another accessory to match one's outfit.
Cell phone companies are turning more to making their phones look good and stylish on their own, tacky adhesive sticker designs and non-functional cases/covers aren't needed to have a good looking phone that works well. That said if you are shopping around for a cover or casing for your cell phone, you should look for a cover that will cover most of the phone while not preventing you from easily using the phone. Many covers and faceplates are being made clear so that the phone's design is not hidden away from view. Your cell phone may be better designed then others so depending on the ruggedness of your phone, the kind of case, cover, or faceplate you may need will also vary. Some phones can't handle being dropped once while others can take a beating day after day.
As cell phone makers have begun to make phones that look good, the need for cases, covers, and faceplates that protect and not just decorate has increased. Protection should be more important then looks, because no matter how good your phone matches your outfit, it becomes a fashionable paper weight if it breaks.
Learn more about this author, Maxwell Payne.
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