Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.
Since my husband works for Best Buy and we get a discount on Invisible Shield screen protectors we have always purchased those. I recently had my Palm Pre screen fixed (after my son decided to chuck it across the airplane during our summer adventures). My old screen, with the protector on it, was replaced, and I was in the market for new screen protection. Well it just so happens that my next door neighbor created XO Skins and I decided to give them a shot. Screen protectors are screen protectors, right? WRONG!
When I first talked to him about screen protectors he asked what I was already using, and I told him Invisible Shield, he mentioned “orange peel”. I had no idea what he was talking about. After I
put the protector on my Palm Pre, I understood. I held it up next to my husband’s Palm Pre that had the Invisible Shield, and mine with the XO Skins. The surface of his phone looked bumpy like an orange peel. Not that there were any bubbles on either device, just the actual surface of the screen protector was a bit bumpy on the Invisible Shield. On my XO skins it was not noticable at all.
The next thing I compared was installation. I put both of the protectors on my Pre (the Invisible Shield on the Pre before screen crackage, and the XO skins on my Pre post screen crackage). With the Invisible Shield, if you don’t line it up exactly right when you are putting it on, you are going to constantly rip it off and attempt to replace it just right, which doesn’t make for a very pretty installation. With the XO Skins the solution you put on the protector makes it very slippery, and I was able to slide it to exactly the spot I wanted to install it on.
If you are local in Utah you can stop by their brand new kiosk in University Mall near GameStop! Otherwise you can get some great screen protectors from their website at www.xoskins.com The screen protectors are guaranteed for LIFE! If there is ever anything wrong with yours you can get a replacement for only the cost of shipping!
I’m definitely much happier with the protector on my Pre. The design of the Pre makes it a bit difficult to place a protector on, and the design of this protector is much easier to install and has less “hanging” parts that can easily start coming off the phone like on my husband’s phone.
This is definitely a small business worth checking out, especially since you’ll be helping out a great family, that just happens to be my next door neighbors!
Make sure to “like” American Express’ Small Business Saturday, and support locally owned business!
*Disclosure – I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I was also given a free XO skin for my phone.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase using the links.
I am surprised you referred to the “orange peel” look as a negative thing. I have had the invisibleSHIELD on my iPod for over a year and absolutely love it. That texture is actually what makes it heal itself and also hide scratches or blemishes better. Also it doesn’t affect the perfect clarity of the ZAGG SHIELD at all.
I appreciate your sense of duty to support your neighbor but I also must say I think you should be loyal to your husbanf’s company’s first endorsed choice (and mine) brand as well as supporting the original company that created this industry and not some local copycat.
If I’m not mistaken ZAGG is also headquartered in Utah. Either this is a coincidence or this new conpany is 1- licensed from
ZAGG or 2- taking trade secrets or practices and copying them.
Also as an investor in ZAGG : NASDAQ I also am aware that ZAGG has multiple patents protecting their products and practices so I send a word of caution.
The only patents Zagg owns are on their earbuds and printed skins. “Google” http://www.freepatentsonline.com/D607875.html
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0270189.html
They may own a patent on their specific film, but the stuff that XO Skins uses is clearly different. Try not to let your investment in a company blind you from reality. Example: How many car companies are/were based in Detroit? Just because a company is first to market, doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best.