iPhone and fingernails

Question

iPhone and fingernails

I have a french manicure that is only about .125" long. This iPhone is completely unusable for me...and I was so excited about it. Other posts I've read have suggested typing on the side of my fingers or getting a stylus. Typing on the side of my finger? It's hard to be accurate. I might as well try using my big toe. Or my nose. And the stylus suggestion... yeah... One step forward and two steps back...

I find it hard to believe that Apple did not take into consideration that females tend to have fingernails. I am a die-hard Apple fan...but this really irritates me. I CANT get an iPhone because I have nice nails. Do I have to choose?

a houseful of Apples, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Dec 20, 2007 1:30 PM

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Answer 1

Andrew T.

Level 4

3,219 points

Dec 20, 2007 1:37 PM in response to Noelle Buscher

The iPhone reacts to skin. The iPhone will not respond and or react to a Figernail.

The skin emits a small electrical charge with the Touch screen responds to. Thus allowing you to do what needs to be done on the screen.

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Answer 2

Dec 20, 2007 2:35 PM in response to Andrew T.

I've just checked and it uses pulsed of infra red light and detects touch by measuring scattered light.

Take look.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/06/07/20/insideapples_latest_ipod_touch_screen_patentfiling.html

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Answer 3

Dec 26, 2007 8:47 AM in response to Noelle Buscher

I have acrylic nails - not very long, but well past the ends of my fingertips - and I have no problems typing on my iPhone. I admit I was a bit worried at first. It took a day or two to get used to it, but I use the flat pads of my fingers and I'm quite fast and accurate. I'm working on getting better with the sides of my thumbs, too. Give it some time and practice and I bet you'll do fine!

-SB

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Answer 4

Dec 26, 2007 1:54 PM in response to Noelle Buscher

I thought it sensed heat, because when my hands are cold it does not seem to sense them till I've warmed them up.

If your nails are only 1/8" long it would seem you could just angle your approach. Though my nails are cut short, I could have 1/8" nails at the angle I touch the screen at.

Message was edited by: SimonJester753

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Answer 5

Dec 26, 2007 5:16 PM in response to Noelle Buscher

You might try typing with the edge of a knuckle. You also might do a internet search for a stylus for the iPhone. I saw one on a web sight the other day when I was surfing, but I don't know the web site now. Good luck

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Answer 6

JSH812

Level 1

0 points

Dec 26, 2007 7:38 PM in response to Noelle Buscher

Yep. It's heat sensitive, so tapping with nails, or a stylus just won't work.

I first tried out the phone with acrylics so the salesman told me I'd have to get rid of them if I wanted the iphone.

So now I paint my natural nails a pretty hot pink every other day.

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Answer 7

Jan 5, 2008 6:32 AM in response to Ansuz82

Interesting. I saw the infrared patent ages ago, long before the iphone launch. It was assumed at time by the writer of the article I was reading that this patent was to do with the iPhone but obviously that was wrong.

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Answer 8

Jan 31, 2008 1:41 PM in response to JSH812

Sorry I had to chime in. The screen uses changes in electric charge, so its the small electrical charge in our bodies that makes it work.

FYI, TOUCH THE - NEGATIVE SIDE OF AN AAA/AA BATTERY TO THE SCREEN AND IT WILL REGISTER AS A TOUCH!!

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Answer 9

soboyle

Level 1

0 points

Feb 3, 2008 11:01 AM in response to Noelle Buscher

Have you gone to the Apple Store or an At&T store and used one? I had the same thoughts before I got mine. A few min in the Apple Store totally set those fears to rest, my nails were about a 1/4 of an inch at the time and I had no problem.

HTH
Jenna

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Answer 10

Feb 9, 2008 11:04 AM in response to soboyle

So many lies about how the touch sensitive screen works in one thread!
It works by absorbing traces of conductive perspiration through micropores - joke!
Try typing with the outer edge of a little finger. That's a good way to use if you have long nails.

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