Have you tried privacy shields?

Maggie Leung · 08-01-2010, 12:23 PM

Considering getting one of these for iPad. They're like screen protectors -- a sheet of vinyl or whatever that clings to your screen -- but they're meant to shield what's on your screen from nearby eyeballs. I dunno how well they work, but it would be nice to have privacy when writing something aboard a plane, for instance. They seem to go for 50 bucks a pop, so I'd like to know how well they work and whether one brand is better than another, before I buy one.

HarryT · 08-01-2010, 12:35 PM

Such a device is negating one of the major advantages of the iPad - the virtually 180 degree viewing angle of the screen. They work by generating interference patterns if you view the screen from anything other than face-on. I think you might well find that it significantly interferes (no pun intended) with your normal use of the iPad.

June · 08-01-2010, 12:46 PM

I have a similar thing on my laptop screen - useful for work stuff on airplanes... Mine is a bit of semi-thick plastic made by 3M, it has vertical strips in the plastic - so that you can only see the screen straight on. The viewing angle is fairly narrow, if you watch from a bit off head on the screen is darker, and fron the side it's all black, so it does work as promised. I did test that my iPhone does pick up the finger touches through it, so I'm assuming the ones for iPads are a similar construction.

Maggie Leung · 08-01-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Such a device is negating one of the major advantages of the iPad - the virtually 180 degree viewing angle of the screen. They work by generating interference patterns if you view the screen from anything other than face-on. I think you might well find that it significantly interferes (no pun intended) with your normal use of the iPad.

Dunno whether all work the same, but I saw two at Fry's, and one said it was reusable. I think you're supposed to be able to remove and reapply as needed. I'm not sure whether I use my iPad any way other than face-on. I read or browse the Web, deal with e-mail.

Maggie Leung · 08-01-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by June

I have a similar thing on my laptop screen - useful for work stuff on airplanes... Mine is a bit of semi-thick plastic made by 3M, it has vertical strips in the plastic - so that you can only see the screen straight on. The viewing angle is fairly narrow, if you watch from a bit off head on the screen is darker, and fron the side it's all black, so it does work as promised. I did test that my iPhone does pick up the finger touches through it, so I'm assuming the ones for iPads are a similar construction.

June, does yours make type appear grainy? Is it reusable? Would you recommend it?

athlonkmf · 08-01-2010, 01:43 PM

I had one for the iPhone. It took 30 seconds before I took it off. Sure, it worked very good, at an angle the screen looked black. But the touchscreen doesn't work well anymore... It became very insensitive. As if it's some cheap touchscreen..

June · 08-01-2010, 02:12 PM

Mine is reusable (it's for a laptop not iPad) I don't think it affects type - I haven't compared really, I'm just happy to have it and use it on the laptop all the time... It does make the screen a little darker IMO, but not any less sharp to my eyes... Sorry I can't help more than that

junkyardwillie · 08-01-2010, 02:14 PM

I thought Steve Jobs designed the iPad to give us "Freedom from porn", now these privacy shields are trying to lock us back down?

TimMason · 08-02-2010, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Such a device is negating one of the major advantages of the iPad - the virtually 180 degree viewing angle of the screen.

Seen from most angles other than straight on, what you get after five minutes use is fingerprints.

Maggie Leung · 08-02-2010, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMason

Seen from most angles other than straight on, what you get after five minutes use is fingerprints.

Do you know this from experience? If so, please lemme know what brand you were using, so I can avoid. Fingerprints don't bother me on the bare iPad screen; with backlighting, they're not visible. I see them when I turn off the iPad, but it's not as if I spend time staring at the blank screen, lol.

Oh, never mind. I don't even care if they're visible from an angle. I read and e-mail straight on. I don't care if other people see fingerprints. They can get their own iPad, lol.

TimMason · 08-02-2010, 07:21 AM

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I'm talking about the bare screen. When I try to show photos to my wife, she sees the fingerprints before she sees the photos.

08-01-2010, 12:23 PM	#1
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	Have you tried privacy shields? Considering getting one of these for iPad. They're like screen protectors -- a sheet of vinyl or whatever that clings to your screen -- but they're meant to shield what's on your screen from nearby eyeballs. I dunno how well they work, but it would be nice to have privacy when writing something aboard a plane, for instance. They seem to go for 50 bucks a pop, so I'd like to know how well they work and whether one brand is better than another, before I buy one.

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08-01-2010, 12:35 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Such a device is negating one of the major advantages of the iPad - the virtually 180 degree viewing angle of the screen. They work by generating interference patterns if you view the screen from anything other than face-on. I think you might well find that it significantly interferes (no pun intended) with your normal use of the iPad.

08-01-2010, 12:46 PM	#3
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	I have a similar thing on my laptop screen - useful for work stuff on airplanes... Mine is a bit of semi-thick plastic made by 3M, it has vertical strips in the plastic - so that you can only see the screen straight on. The viewing angle is fairly narrow, if you watch from a bit off head on the screen is darker, and fron the side it's all black, so it does work as promised. I did test that my iPhone does pick up the finger touches through it, so I'm assuming the ones for iPads are a similar construction.

08-01-2010, 01:43 PM	#6
athlonkmf Guru Posts: 714 Karma: 1014039 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3, Sony PRS350, iPad 64GB	I had one for the iPhone. It took 30 seconds before I took it off. Sure, it worked very good, at an angle the screen looked black. But the touchscreen doesn't work well anymore... It became very insensitive. As if it's some cheap touchscreen..

08-01-2010, 02:12 PM	#7
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	Mine is reusable (it's for a laptop not iPad) I don't think it affects type - I haven't compared really, I'm just happy to have it and use it on the laptop all the time... It does make the screen a little darker IMO, but not any less sharp to my eyes... Sorry I can't help more than that

08-01-2010, 02:14 PM	#8
junkyardwillie Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 570 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Onyx Note Pro, Kobo H20 and iPad	I thought Steve Jobs designed the iPad to give us "Freedom from porn", now these privacy shields are trying to lock us back down?

08-02-2010, 07:21 AM	#11
TimMason Big Ears Posts: 191 Karma: 2229 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pontoise, France Device: Onyx Boox 60, iPad	Sorry, I wasn't clear. I'm talking about the bare screen. When I try to show photos to my wife, she sees the fingerprints before she sees the photos.

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