This is a solution for smartphone screen protectors that are incorporated into a protective case. For me, this is the OtterBox Defender Case for iPhone 3G S. I use this top-notch case because it really protects the device from drops and from exposure to water (but it’s not waterproof!). The case includes a screen protector. The problem is the protector lies on top of the iPhone screen. It doesn’t use adhesive to stick to the screen. Therefore, with general use, the protector sticks to the screen in some areas and not in others. This issue might or might not bother users, but it isn’t attractive. Some people call this a watermark (a watermark is something else, actually).

Then I saw a tip about using baby powder to solve this problem. Initially skeptical, I read on. Then I tried it. And it worked! I don’t see any powder, and I don’t see any air bubbles, either. It’s great!

1. Disassemble the OtterBox Defender and remove the iPhone.
2. Thoroughly clean the iPhone screen and the inner side of the screen protector. I find that microfiber cloths work very well.
3. Ensure the powder container is closed. Vigorously shake the container for about 15 seconds. This creates a “cloud” of powder within the container.
4. Tap the dispenser lid to have the powder clumps fall away from the lid.
5. Open the dispenser lid and hold the inner side of the screen protector over the lid. About 2 or 3 inches should work.
6. Gently but quickly squeeze container so that the “puff” contacts the screen protector. Remember: If you see the puff, then you’ve likely applied too much to the protector.
7. Without touching the screen protector, check for powder spots. If you see any, then repeat steps 2 through 6.
8. Once you’re satisfied with the powder application, place the protector over the iPhone to test it. You should not see any powder and you should be able to press firmly on any part of the protector without it sticking to the iPhone screen. If either of these tests fails, then repeat steps 2 through 8.
9. Reassemble the OtterBox Defender case. And you’re done.

As a fan of Chickenfoot (Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith, Micheal Anthony), I was happy to hear that the quartet are headed back into the studio to record a second album in April 2010. I saw them at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, and it was a terrific show. Can’t wait to see them again.

Oddly enough I read this tidbit in an article that denied rumors that Hagar was going to join Aerosmith.

Now, let’s see … Chickenfoot and Sammy Hagar have release how many albums since the last Van Halen record in 1998? I lost count.

C’mon, Eddie! Wake up and record some new music before you die.

It’s a relief to see that Microsoft did not take the easy route by copying Apple’s popular and dominant iPhone for its upcoming Windows Mobile 7 operating system.

I recognize the heavy influence from the latest Zune version. Overall it’s a nicely implemented user interface for new phone devices.

Iranian Ayatollah lapdog and presidential facade, Mahmoud Ahmadinjad, was allowed to see hit movie Avatar in 3D.

The movie’s distributor, Twientieth Century Fox, supplied the governmental figurehead’s entourage with special 3D glasses and talked them into wearing them for a photo op (see at right).

Moviegoers sitting nearby, were unnerved by Ahmadinjad’s barely-containable giddy behavior when the story’s antagonists were wrecking havoc.

When the movie concluded, Ahmadinjad was asked what he thought of the show. Through an interpreter, he stated that he’d need to find out what his opinion was the next time he spoke to an Ayatollah. He did wonder aloud if the minterals on Pandora could be used to enrich uranium.

The brainless Iranian leader then wandered away with this special 3D glasses still on, his arms outstretched, and looking around him exclaiming that world looked more interesting in 3D.

Disclaimer: Yes, this is satire. Yes, Ahmadinjad is a brainless Ayatollah shill.

I’ve read and heard several opinions about the health care reform effort here in the United States. This Congressional effort has clearly been derailed and will likely die. Many are disappointed by this, but I am not (but please read on).

The bills that passed through both Houses of Congress were vastly complex. There were over 1,000 pages in these bills, and many influential politicians had to be bribed into supporting it with sweetheart deals for their constituents. The public was barred from watching the discussions even after then-presidential candidate Barack Obama promised to air the process on C-SPAN several times (I saw the footage myself). This is the most damning: During the debates, I heard no backlash from health insurers. If these bills threatened this industry with its mighty lobby and nearly limitless marketing budget, then you would have heard and seen scare-tactics on primetime TV and on the sides of buses.

Scott Brown’s senate win in Massachusetts is an indicator not just of that state but of the country as a whole. Most people aren’t lemmings. Most people believe in ideology, not cults of personality. Most people don’t like shady backroom deals among politicians and powerful special interest groups to support a baffling health care reform bill that they refuse to explain in any meaningful way. Most people don’t like being led about like children or, worse, sheep.

I like our president. Obama is clearly a bright and intelligent man. He is new to national leadership, but that doesn’t make him weak or ineffective. I truly believe his ability to lead effectively is overwhelmed by the Democratic party’s influence and far-left agenda (public trials for terrorists, anyone?). If President Obama could assert his own ideals – the ones we heard on the campaign trail – America would get behind him like it did with Reagan in the 80s. Reagan did it with charisma and conviction. Obama has at least as much charisma, but his conviction is being stifled by his party. If he would stand up to his Democrat peers and lead from his own conviction, then he would become more influential than Reagan could have dreamed.

I would love to see effective health care reform, but a nanny-state is not the answer. America’s capitalist nature can’t accept government-run health care. I know that I cannot, even though I concede there are some compelling arguments.

My suggestion: Obama should allow insurers to easily operate across state lines. Open competition will drive down prices and increase services. If not immediately, then within a few years. And the public option wasn’t going to kick in until a few years, anyway. On top of that, regulators should not allow insurers to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions. Make those changes and assess the results before we bring politics into health care.

I mean, think about it. When the GOP becomes the dominant political force again, would you want planned parenthood to suddenly become unfunded?

Pop a Tylenol and click this link for some mind-bending images.

Optical Illusions at FoxNews.com. And they’re not specifically complementary to the GOP…

You can get the full thumbnails in Firefox in Windows 7 just like Internet Explorer 8.

1. Navigate to about:config.
2. If prompted, confirm that you know what you’re doing.
3. In the filter text field type browser.taskbar.previews.enable.
4. Double click the entry that appears in the list. The value should change from false to true.
5. Hover your mouse over the taskbar tile to see the expanded thumbnails.

Nice.

Thanks to Ed Bott for posting this tip!

Okay, so I predicted Apple’s tablet existed and was right. This is what I said:

The tablet will be announced. Whether it’s called the iSlate, iTablet, (gawd-forbid) iPad, or something else, the name will be instantly cool after it leaves the Apple CEO’s lips.

So what does Steve Jobs do? He named it – you guessed it – the iPad. Ugh.

Learn more at Apple.

Everyone is wondering about it, and some folks are frothing at the mouth about it. The rumored Apple tablet overshadowed real products at CES 2010. It’s been the hot topic on blogs and fan sites. It spilled over into the tech press. And it’s even hitting mainstream news outlets who swear they have the inside word. Who knows. Maybe they do.

The buzz has gone from “does it exist” to “what it will be.” Again, who knows. Until Steve Jobs walks off the stage, it’s all a big guess.

So here’s my guess: The tablet will be announced. Whether it’s called the iSlate, iTablet, (gawd-forbid) iPad, or something else, the name will be instantly cool after it leaves the Apple CEO’s lips. I think the tablet device will be an mix of existing ideas innovatively packaged. If anyone can do this, Apple can. It’ll be expensive. And it will be popular.

Frankly, what I’m more interested in is any announcement regarding iPhone 4.0. My wireless service contract is about up, and I’m interested in learning if I need to wait for better hardware. And if iPhone goes to Verizon, I predict AT&T’s data network woes will significantly decrease.

We’ll all see on Wednesday (Jan 27, 2010).

What is the world coming to?

We have the government taking out an Everest-sized mountain of debt to bail out financial institutions that begged to fail. We’re entertaining another load of debt and taxation for health care reform that no one understands, that requires back-room deals to gain supporters, and has everyone but health insurance companies up in arms. We have terrorists being tried in civil court in New York City where they (allegedly) perpetrated their crimes. We have a Failed Christmas Day Underwear Bomber also headed to the civilian judicial system. Meanshile, our president supports blowing away suspected terrorists with military drones but will read Miranda rights to the ones caught alive.

And the Supreme Court just overturned a 20-year ruling that now allows corporations to spend freely on political causes. With the sort of money at play here, it could be impossible for any candidate or group to effectively voice any different opinion from that of a corporate giant. If you thought the era of Bread and Circuses was bad now, just wait for the fall. Corporate Big Brother will feed us any opinions we need.

I’m packing up and moving to the Moon.