How do you hold the iPhone?

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Level 2

369 points

How do you hold the iPhone?

How do you hold the iPhone?

I don't have any trouble holding it when I'm laying down or sitting down with a table in front of me.

I also don't have any trouble holding it horizontally. Typing is easier with the wider keypad and there's a pretty good grip.

But when I'm standing and need to typing mail or som other vertical orientation, I always feel like I'm going to drop it. Typing on the condensed,narrow keypad so far down on the front doesn't make for a confident grip when you try to be a two-thumb typist.

Does everyone just revert to one-finger typing while holding the iPhone in the other hand?

I've used a Blackberry for the last few years, and I'm used to the more sure grip.

MacBook Pro 2.16GHz/2MB/256MB vRAM & Mac mini G5 1.42GHz/1MB/32MBvRAM, Mac OS X (10.4.10), Dell WFP3007 30" Display; iPhone

Posted on Aug 8, 2007 9:12 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MrSlinky

Level 1

10 points

Aug 9, 2007 6:46 PM in response to romad

I bought the "all-purpose, 12-piece" egrips sheet (clear, not colored), and it has a couple of strips that fit nicely along each long edge. There's a 3"x0.35" strip that fits nicely along the side without the buttons, and another 1.45"x0.35" strip that works well when put in the center of the other edge.

They make a big difference in grip and handling, and my iPhone still fits into the dock.

I also put some extra pieces on the back, but those only help when the iPhone lies on a desk -- they don't really help when held.

I've only had them for a week, and, so far, they show no signs of coming off, even after multiple insertions/extractions from my incase belt pouch. They also don't make it significantly harder to put the iPhone into my pouch.

Best of all, it's cheaper than the specialized iPhone egrips, and the sheet still has another set of the same (side) strips, just in case the first set somehow comes off.

Message was edited by: MrSlinky

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Answer 2

Aug 8, 2007 9:49 PM in response to Linda Custer

I have a gel case on my phone. Since I don't hold the phone "naked", the gel gives me more confidence when holding it. I don't dare leave the house without it's "comforter" on. hee hee! The phone is just too slippery to take a chance of it falling. Whether I'm 1 thumbing or 2 thumbing, I know I have a firm grip either way.

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Answer 3

Aug 8, 2007 9:53 PM in response to Linda Custer

One finger while standing. If at a table, I can do both thumbs. If I need to get prolific, I wait until I'm at my computer to respond. My phone is naked just as it came into this world.... 🙂

Message was edited by: Richard Caughlan

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Answer 4

Aug 9, 2007 8:21 AM in response to Linda Custer

This may sound crazy but...basically I interlock my fingers about halfway down (so that the fingers from one hand rest against the edge of the webb-ish skin at the base of my fingers), forming a basket in which the iPhone rests. I curl my right pinky finger around the support the bottom of the phone so that it doesn't slip out, and type with my thumbs. I just let my hands curl naturally until they're comfortable and the phone feels secure. And I don't use any sort of grip.

I held my Treo 650 in the same way for 2 1/2 years with no drops (knock on wood). May not work for all, but it's what works for me.

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Answer 5

Aug 10, 2007 10:06 AM in response to Linda Custer

Re: How do you hold the iPhone?

As much as I can, sometimes with one hand, sometimes with two, but always naked (the iPhone I mean - no gel, plastic, or stick-ons); I always get maximum pleasure from my iPhone this way. I sometimes rub it with a microfibre cloth, which the iPhone really likes. Depending on my mood I'll use one finger, but most of the time two because it gets the job done faster.

Seriously: I use two hands when typing.
Vertically: My index and middle fingers behind the iPhone; my ring fingers behind the phone and pointing towards me providing a place for the cradle-area of the phone to rest; my thumbs on top doing the typing.
Horizontally, the same way, except that I use my middle fingers to support the lower edge and I don't use my ring fingers at all.

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Answer 6

Aug 9, 2007 6:43 PM in response to NotSoAverageJoe

I don't hold mine ever- I'm afraid that I might hurt my precious if I were to ever actually use it as a phone.

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Answer 7

romad

Level 3

933 points

Aug 10, 2007 9:51 AM in response to lostsol

Ok, I just ordered the 12 piece kit in clear.

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Answer 8

tno1

Level 1

5 points

Aug 9, 2007 7:39 AM in response to Linda Custer

I hold mine the way it came out of the pretty box. I'm just extra careful when typing and I do use my two thumbs to type. I do use an iPod sock to store my iPhone when not in use.

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Answer 9

lostsol

Level 1

4 points

Aug 8, 2007 10:23 PM in response to Linda Custer

I bought something called E-grips from the AT&T store. They're little clear rubbery strips of various sizes that stick on the iphone. They have a "bumpy" texture on them that helps you grip the phone. I put 4 small ones in strategic places where my hand grips the phone. I think they work great !! Also -- the adhesive doesn't leave any residue if you have to take them off. Rub with alcohol and you never know they were there.

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Answer 10

romad

Level 3

933 points

Aug 9, 2007 7:08 AM in response to lostsol

I went to the E-Grips website to look at them.

www.egrips.com/product info.php?cPath=5&productsid=270190

They seem to expect you to hold the iPhone by the face and back, pinched between your fingers. I hold it in my palm with the pressure on the left and right edges, but they don't have pieces for those areas. I guess I'd have to cut strips out of the back piece.

Message was edited by: romad

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Answer 11

Aug 9, 2007 7:24 PM in response to Linda Custer

I'm unique. I can hold the iPhone just fine while standing, here's how: My right hand cradles the iPhone with that pinky finger resting beneath the lower edge supporting the phone from sliding downward. Then I actually type with my right thumb and left forefinger, crazy? And I can als use this positioning to type with my left thumb only, fairly quickly

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Answer 12

lostsol

Level 1

4 points

Aug 9, 2007 11:01 PM in response to Linda Custer

I was talking about the generic all purpose egrips. I don't like the custom iPhone set. I just use the small strips and place one on each edge right where I grip the phone. Grab the phone the way you hold it and then put the strips where they'll help you grip it.

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Answer 13

MobileDev

Level 3

565 points

Aug 10, 2007 6:19 AM in response to Linda Custer

It's not just the iPhone... other smart phones have had the slickness / droppity feeling.

That's why, more and more these days, a review for the latest phones often starts with, "We really like the new rubberized feel of the paint on the body".

Eventually, functionality does win over style 🙂

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