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iPhone Touchscreen a Challenge for Some Women [UPDATED]

Some women with long nails have a hard time typing on the iPhone's touchscreen because the nail itself doesn't have the right electrical properties. When Apple announced all the new iPhone 2.0 features on June 9th, there was nothing new that solved that problem.

Right after the WWDC Keynote on June 9th, when many new features for the iPhone 2.0 software were announced, Erica Watson-Currie of Newport Beach, Calif felt frustrated. She told the L.A. Times about her problems typing on her iPhone.

"Considering ergonomics and user studies indicating men and women use their fingers and nails differently, why does Apple persist in this misogyny?" Ms. Watson-Currie wrote.

Of course, one of the key design points of the iPhone is its ability to operate without real plastic keys and/or a stylus. While a stylus would really help for some, it's just not something Apple wants to do.

The problem stems from the fact that the iPhone touchscreen responds to the electrical charge of the human fingertip -- but not the finger nail itself. Some observers even predicted that might become a problem with teenage girls. So far, however, sales number suggest there hasn't been a problem, and sales to women are growing faster than to men lately.

There is one solution. Ten One Design sells a iPhone stylus. Another idea from an ergonomic consultant that doesn't yet exist: nail polish that has the desired electrical properties.

The tenor of the situation was summarized by another woman reader: "Why are they still discriminating against those of us with fingernails? ... Guess it's a Blackberry for me :("

[UPDATE: Michelle Quinn at the L.A. Times has written a follow-up story on Wednesday.]

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Sir Harry Flashman said:

member since 08 Feb 2007 with 792 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

I just took out a patent on an electrically charged finger cot, The iCot available in various colors and bling.

I had a similar problem with my iPod case. When it was cold I couldn't get the scroll wheel to react, I cut out the cover over that area.

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jbruni said:

member since 14 Jul 2006 with 105 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

misogyny??

My dictionary shows that word means a hatred of women. Once again we have word games in an effort to show victimhood.

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A guest said: (hide)

So are women who don't have long fingernails (incl. my wife) "misogynist" too?

Oh, and some guitarists - including men I should note - grow long nails for plucking the strings. They would likely have trouble with the iPhone's touchscreen, too. So perhaps "misogyny" isn't the problem.

(p.s. that word is used so incorrectly these days that it really doesn't mean what it once did anymore)

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geoduck said:

member since 30 Dec 2003 with 1922 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Quote:
The tenor of the situation was summarized by another woman reader: "Why are they still discriminating against those of us with fingernails?

More precisely, "those of us with freakishly long, bizarre, nails that scream 'I'm too concerned about my appearance and stuck in last century fashion to do real work' ". My wife has very nice nails, but they don't interfere with her doing anything, including using a touch screen.

It may just be the curmudgeon in me coming out, or the group I associate with, but all the women I know that have jobs, type, work with tools, handle material, or raise kids, don't have nails so long they interfere with their fingers. That's so 1950s.

Harrumph

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A guest said: (hide)

Two words, everyone - nail clippers. Imagine the iPhone kept away from ALL of us because of a bunch of plasticky Newport Beach type "ladies" who continually want the world to revolve around them. Besides, that 'ho' look and an iPhone is rather confusing.

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A guest said: (hide)

Guest wrote:
So are women who don't have long fingernails (incl. my wife) "misogynist" too?

Oh, and some guitarists - including men I should note - grow long nails for plucking the strings. They would likely have trouble with the iPhone's touchscreen, too. So perhaps "misogyny" isn't the problem.

(p.s. that word is used so incorrectly these days that it really doesn't mean what it once did anymore)

Guitarists also have to cut their left hand nails to fret properly. I guess music is mycologistic as well.

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A guest said: (hide)

Guest wrote:

Guitarists also have to cut their left hand nails to fret properly. I guess music is mycologistic as well.

'misogynistic'

Guess I can't type either.

Better cut my nails.

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A guest said: (hide)

Will someone Osama directions to Orange County? (j/k)

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geoduck said:

member since 30 Dec 2003 with 1922 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Actually this is a marketing opportunity that some third party will exploit. Sell these women a stylus with the right electrical properties to use as a prosthetic finger.

Heck, if I knew how I'd GIVE them a finger.

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mhikl said:

member since 20 Aug 2003 with 15 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

The argument is just that, and tiresome. All the men and women I know have grown beyond this silliness. Let's get down to reality and stop the games. The iPhone and Touch are setting new standards and beat the heck out of Palm, Blackberry, etc. We have choices so make the best choice for you and learn to live with it. Apple all the way!

Cheers,

mhikl

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A guest said: (hide)

I do not think'a that word means what'a you think it means.

Also, give me a break.

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A guest said: (hide)

use yer frickin knuckle.

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A guest said: (hide)

This is just another article that (maybe unintentionally) propagates the conception that "girls are dumb"

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A guest said: (hide)

So, about that update: Paul Saffo feels I don't have Stockholm Syndrome. Yeah, I'm really feeling the burn now! Global warming will doubtless soon solve those whining glove-wearers problems, so they won't need a stylus-option come next winter. Or perhaps those of you who persist in siding with your captors would say they should move to warmer climates to use their iPhones?

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