We've all had those days where we were outside on a cold day with our gloves on trying to use our iPhone and noticed sometimes it was easier said then done. There have been a few assorted reviews posted for some interesting options for people looking to use their mobile devices in the cold.
(image found on AP website)The Associated Press found one option:
A company called 4sight Products Inc. has a solution: $40 gloves that have electrically conductive gold-colored material on the tip of the index finger and thumb. Apple must think it's a good idea as well — it has filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for gloves that would essentially do the same thing. (Apple didn't return a call seeking comment.)
The gloves, sold under the Tavo brand, aren't perfect. But they could be a welcome addition for people who need to answer a call in the cold, or can't wait to get to a warmer location before firing off a text message or e-mail.
(image found on Gizmodo)Also, Gizmodo has done a rating of gloves for use with the iPhone. They've realized like the rest of us that the iPhone doesn't work too well with normal gloves on the touch screen.
They ran the test using 3 assorted gloves without having to much of a great result.
The Freehands Stretch (http://shop.freehands.com/, $21) was rated worst, with material that wasn’t hand-friendly (wetsuit material adorns the hand hinges where it allows your fingertips to actually touch the screen), and poor quality in terms of finish and fit, but was the best with 100% responsiveness. The North Face E-Tip was rated best overall (http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/etip-glove.html?parent_category_rn=, $40) with good solid feel, about 85% responsiveness (so no long e-mails wearing these), and thin enough to wear as normal gloves under skiing gear, etc. The company seems to be sold out right now, but there’s plans to release them again in Fall 2009.
The tavo Gloves (http://www.tavoproducts.com/, $30) were so-so, with 70% responsiveness, but better design (looks more like a normal everyday glove).
Now there was also another article run in the Chicago Tribune on gloves for the iPhone and Blackberry...
(image found at Chicago Tribune)
They found a pair of gloves, that seem to work ok on cold days but if it gets too cold you might have some issues with frozen fingers.
With spring-like temps, they are perfect. The Etre “Touchy” gloves are best for cool weather, not bitter cold, as the recent winter warming trend has illustrated during my tests.
Mostly, I love these gloves because they offer the best of both worlds: finger-less forefingers and thumbs. Your six other digits stay under cover.
The gloves are made and sold by Etre, a London-based communications agency. Two of the firm’s principals thought there was a better alternative to regular finger-less gloves that left too much hand exposed to the elements.
The Touchy gloves are good for more than messaging addicts. They make many cool-weather tasks easier, such as dialing a mobile phone, reading a paper and even changing songs on your iPod.
I do question the durability of these gloves, however. The Etre Touchy’s are made from an acrylic knit and I’ve noticed minor fraying after wearing them for a few weeks. The good news: they are not terribly expensive.
You can buy them online at etretouchy.com, a U.K. Web site. The listed price is in pounds, but it currently converts to roughly $22 in the U.S. Shipping is included in the cost, a spokesman for the company said, and they should arrive within 10 days after placing an order.
The gloves come in one color—charcoal gray with turquoise trim—and one size, large. But they are stretchy, so don’t worry if you have big hands. They’ll fit.
Another thing they recommended because of them being so thin as using them as a liner under your regular gloves. Now that might be an idea. But, hopefully you won't have to spend too much time out of your regular gloves texting or replying to an email because it can get sometimes real cold real fast depending on where you are in the world.
Review: Gloves with fancy fingers for iPhone use (Associated Press)Gizmodo rates iPhone gloves (Gizmodo)Gloves for iPhones and BlackBerries keep (most of) your fingers warm (Chicago Tribune)
(image found on AP website)
(image found on Gizmodo)
