Headphone Jack Dust!

Question

Level 1

133 points

Headphone Jack Dust!

Has anybody solved the "problem" of the hole in the top of the iPhone (aka the headphone jack) that is slowing but surely filling up with pocket dust? I rarely use the earbuds/headphones: make that very rarely. I noticed this morning that there is an accumulation of dust gathering like a WWDC in this recessed area! Several companies make protectorz for the dock connector port but I have yet to discover a protector/cap/cover for the headphone jack. Anybody have any info?

MacBook Pro 17", Mac OS X (10.4.10), Intel Core Duo 2.16 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM iPhone 8GB AppleTV Video iPod

Posted on Jul 24, 2007 4:35 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 24, 2007 4:38 AM in response to Evangelist

If you put the phone into your pocket "screen in, top first" - so the phone is essentially upside down in your pocket with the screen facing your leg this may help. It also has the added benefit of having the phone be properly oriented when you pull it out for a call so you don't have to flip it around in your hand.

This is REALLY helpful once you realize that all the cases stink and you want to keep the phone naked yet slippery-as-all-get-out! 😉

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Answer 2

Evangelist Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 24, 2007 4:46 AM in response to Joe Zobkiw

Hey, Joe! Thanks! Actually, I do put the iPhone in my pocket exactly at you describe: top first, screen toward my leg. And indeed it may help, as I didn't conduct an experiment before. I actually did this to protect the screen from any inadvertent contact from outside; with the screen toward my leg it would be at least somewhat protected, plus I wanted, as you observed, to have the iPhone in a good position to take a call quickly and efficiently. I think, however, that the headphone jack being at the base of the pocket of the pants gets all that accumulated pocket lint/dust etc. I really think it would be a cinch for one of the companies making the protectorz to design a simple "plug type" cap of black plastic/rubber to just pop in and out as needed. I am not at all interested in a case. The iPhone is an awesome work of art that does not deserve to be covered up in any fashion, IMHO. Thanks again, Joe, for your suggestion.

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Answer 3

bw73

Level 1

10 points

Jul 24, 2007 5:51 PM in response to Evangelist

Try a can of compressed air that you might use for cleaning a camera lens. I haven't experienced your problem (and I've been using the upside down pocket insertion method) but having dealt with cameras and other sensitive equipment this strikes me as a possible solution.

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Answer 4

Evangelist Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 24, 2007 7:06 PM in response to bw73

I appreciate your response; however, I am not concerned about "cleaning" the headphone jack hole but rather how to cover or plug it effectively and at least somewhat attractively. It would seem that the compressed air would effectively blow out the dust/lint/whatever that accumulates in this recessed area, I am somewhat concerned that it might blow some of the particles even deeper into the receptacle. I am still seeking an effective cover or plug, alas. Thanks again.

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Answer 5

bnbzone

Level 2

405 points

Jul 24, 2007 7:12 PM in response to Evangelist

Best suggestion for you, like anything nice maintance is always required. Your car doesnt wax itself

http://www.ergoindemand.com/eck012z.htm

and for your girlfriend

http://www.slashgear.com/the-hello-kitty-keyboard-vacuum-073790.php

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Answer 6

bnbzone

Level 2

405 points

Jul 24, 2007 7:12 PM in response to Evangelist

this wont plug it but will suck out rather then push in

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Answer 7

MegaBit

Level 2

440 points

Jul 24, 2007 7:19 PM in response to bw73

Think about it- you stick the straw from the can of compressed air in the hole and force a majority of the dust into the iPhone casing. Next thing you know you're wondering why there is dust under the LCD.

Like the original poster noted, he wants a way to plug the hole, not clean it. I'm sure there has to be a rubber plug somewhere but the challenge will be finding it.

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Answer 8

bnbzone

Level 2

405 points

Jul 24, 2007 7:28 PM in response to Evangelist

vacumn is your best bet... but if you really want a cover or cap for your 3.5mm plug hole... GOTO Radio Shack

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Answer 9

Evangelist Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 25, 2007 12:07 PM in response to bnbzone

I marked this question Solved, though the solution is temporary. I had considered the plugs that come on various Walkmans and other audio players. Then I remembered I had a Sony Walkman with one of those flip plugs for the headphone jack! It was gray/metallic rubber too! So I snipped it off and trimmed it up and it pushed in the iPhone headphone jack just fine. Being a gray metallic color, it doesn't look too bad; however, it's still kinda sorta makeshift, at least in appearance. In function, it works.

Thanks to all that contribute info and suggestions! I shall keep "plugging" away to find a nice looking plug!

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