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

21 replies

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Dec 20, 2007 2:31 PM in response to Noiseboy2006

There is an electrically sensitive membrane under the glass that senses the bioelectric energy in your fingers.

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Dec 20, 2007 2:39 PM in response to Noelle Buscher

You could get this:
http://www.tenonedesign.com/stylus.php

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Dec 20, 2007 2:40 PM in response to Noiseboy2006

Thats not the method the iPhone uses to detect touch:

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/iphone1.htm

Jan 5, 2008 9:45 PM in response to Noiseboy2006

There is a stylus made for the iPhone, as viali17 mentioned above. I can't imagine that the stylus is warm, though maybe the tip creates friction enough to trigger a response?

Feb 3, 2008 9:29 AM in response to Noelle Buscher

Hi,
I had the same problem at first. But I am able to use my pinky finger and it really works very well. Took a little getting used to, but now that I am used to it, it's second nature.

Nathan C

Level 5

6,266 points

Feb 9, 2008 7:44 AM in response to Noiseboy2006

Noiseboy2006,

The iPhone uses infrared for the proximity sensor to detect when it is near your face or in your pocket, and disable the touch screen.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

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iPhone and fingernails