If there was an award for the strangest iPhone accessory ever invented, it would go to the makers of <a href="http://www.phonefingers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26">Phone Fingers</a>, hands down (no pun intended). The latex fingers were created specifically for the iPhone's touch screen to prevent smudges and fingerprints. And no, this is not a joke.

Elena Malykhina, Technology Journalist

October 18, 2007

1 Min Read

If there was an award for the strangest iPhone accessory ever invented, it would go to the makers of Phone Fingers, hands down (no pun intended). The latex fingers were created specifically for the iPhone's touch screen to prevent smudges and fingerprints. And no, this is not a joke.Any iPhone owner will tell you that a major disadvantage of having a touch screen-only phone is the smudge factor. Naturally the screen will reflect everything you touched before navigating through the phone's icons. But I wonder how many people would actually resort to wearing black latex finger shields to keep their iPhone screens clean?

Phone Fingers are sold in a bag that contains 25 pieces, guaranteed to last a long time with multiple usage. They cost 9.90 euros, which translates to about $14. What's even more comical is the fact that they come in different sizes: medium for an average-sized index finger and large or extra large for a thumb.

If you want to see how Phone Fingers look, click here. There's even a YouTube video demonstrating the funny accessory.

While I don't see myself ever roaming the streets of New York with my fingers covered in black latex, Phone Fingers could become a signature mark for the most passionate followers. I have a feeling the makers of this accessory intentionally wanted iPhone users to stand out from the crowd.

So what will people come up with next? Perhaps face gear for those who wear makeup so it doesn't smear all over the iPhone's screen when they're making a call.

About the Author(s)

Elena Malykhina

Technology Journalist

Elena Malykhina began her career at The Wall Street Journal, and her writing has appeared in various news media outlets, including Scientific American, Newsday, and the Associated Press. For several years, she was the online editor at Brandweek and later Adweek, where she followed the world of advertising. Having earned the nickname of "gadget girl," she is excited to be writing about technology again for InformationWeek, where she worked in the past as an associate editor covering the mobile and wireless space. She now writes about the federal government and NASA’s space missions on occasion.

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