So all you got is some grooves in the plastic? I am not saying its not an after thought, but it is more than packing.
By the way, I have had my droid since the 1st week they were out and the film is not peeling at all.
I'm not sure what you mean by "all I got is some grooves in the plastic." Those grooves are not scratches, you know. They are decorative...no other function. I have had the plastic off both our Droids for nearly a month. Both keyboards operate exactly as they did "out of the box." I use the keyboard a lot, so I am opening and closing the slide out drawer dozens of times a day. If anything, they operate better now than when they were brand new, as the drawers now "click" into place more positively when closed.
What you seem to be implying is that Motorola's engineers were so incompetent that they couldn't manage to design a properly functional slide out keyboard without using Scotch Tape to tighten things up. Is that what you believe?
If I had thought for a moment that was the case, I would have returned both of my Droids immediately for a full refund from Verizon as this would clearly be indicative of an extremely slipshod design, even on a $50 "freebee" phone.
I didn't believe that when I bought the Droids and I don't believe it now.
Last edited by John Frykman; December 28th, 2009 at 08:23 AM.
Reason: Typo
I looked at this thread and thought there's no way I could have missed this plastic as I have looked at that back side several times. However I just checked and found that the plastic was there and has bubbled up some, so I went ahead and removed it. It does slide smoother and a little easier now, but it still feels solid.
I took mine off today, feels much nicer! I was getting some marks on that film anyway.. just up and decided to pull it off just to see how it would feel. It is a much better feeling slide, and doesn't feel like there is so much friction when you open it.
That does not mean that its too easy to slide, it takes the same amount of strength to slide it... there is just less friction so it feels smoother and the "click" feeling is snappier
that is not a tab that is the way it is designed cut to fit. i emailed motorola when i got my droid they recommend you leave it on.
Could you share your specific source, so the rest of us could be similarly enlightened? Did you also ask, in your email, what the exact purpose of the film is, and specifically, how it manages to make the slide out keyboard function better. And did he also tell you why it is so ugly, and why bubbles start appearing under it when left in place?
FWIW, I left my plastic on all the way but it finally lifted up and started getting stuck at the corner last week. That was my clue that the plastic was not meant to stay so I removed it and haven't noticed a big difference since. If anything, it's slightly better now. YMMV.
Yes, that happened to my milestone. One day i noticed the slide mechanism was not working properly, it was that film starting to peel, so i took it away.
Now it works even better to me.
Just took mine off. It became obvious to me it was not designed to be permanent when it started bubbling up really bad. Also taking it off verified that it is made to come off, it peels off very easily and is thin cheap plastic just like the other protectors. The keyboard is smoother and clicks stronger.
There is no doubt in my mind it is designed to come off.
I completely agree. I actually think im going to call motorolla and see if they can send me a new one. I carry my phone in my pocket and I always find the phone opening now. Sucks.
Instead of buying a plain sticker try a decal made for the back of the slider. You know, one you can customize. www.grafixpressions.com
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I actually wouldn't mind a sticker to put on the back to make the keyboard EVEN MORE DIFFICULT to slide out. The dang thing never gets any use and I've already caught my phone sliding apart in my coat pocket a few times.
I thought my droid's case was scratching the back of the screen. Turns out it was just mushing up this protective cover. Keyboard slides much smoother now!
I made it to page three of this thread and gave up. Slid the keyboard back and forth a few times to note the OEM feel. Peeled the film off and drove Home++ batty sliding the keyboard back and forth again. Seems to slide a little easier, couldn't notice a difference in the "click" action. Looks nice today, but it's going to be fingerprints in no time.
BTW I've had the Droid for about a week to the day and the film had some open/close scratches but no other wear. I baby my gear and don't even use the keyb unless I'm typing something longer then a sentence. The film did not fall off as easily as some seem to say it did but then again my droid's still a bit new.
Case closed! Keyboard closed! Circuit City closed! Not subscribing! (nothing personal! lol)
Ok, after reading through all 5 pages of this (I am a little ashamed of myself to be honest), I finally said screw it and took off the plastic, and had to sign up to post.
Whoever said it earlier that once you take it off, you will know that it was meant to is correct. It slides much smoother now.
Like others on here, I've read all of these postings went out to Motorola's site and found a link to another discussion on the same thing. Finally said "screw it" and took off the film. It is now obvious that it was only meant to protect the finish of the shiny backside of the screen, much like the protective film on the front of the screen. Take it off, it slides and looks better.
Took mine off a while back, seems to slide the same even after weeks of use. Doesn't open in my pocket unless I reach into the pocket and my hand slides it over.
I peeled mine last night thanks to this thread. I am noticing a slight squeak now when I slide the keyboard, but I discovered that it's being caused by one of the tabs on the Body Glove case. The plastic must have been deadening the sound originally. I guess it's a good thing I'm ditching the Body Glove once my Phantom Skinz get here!
I'm having this exact same problem - only it's not a slight squeak, it's a LOUD OBNOXIOUS squeak! definitely caused by the body glove case. Any suggestions on how to alter that tab without ruining the entire thing? I really don't have the money to buy a new case right now...
There is something wrong with every single one of you that have discussed this basic subject for 5 pages. Shouldn't this be like a 3 post thread? Lol...
Device(s): Moto Droid AdamZ enhanced v5.0.1 tweak'd and OC'd
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ibanez540r
There is something wrong with every single one of you that have discussed this basic subject for 5 pages. Shouldn't this be like a 3 post thread? Lol...
Well.. 2 1/2 months with my phone and my plastic is still on, no bubbles or peeling. I'm not gonna bother removing it until it becomes an issue, I like the feel of my slider the way it is.
Just read through this entire thread and finally removed this thing after changing my mind every 3rd post. The slide process does feel smoother and more natural, but it didn't seem to affect the initial push, so I'm certain it's not going to start opening in my pocket now just because I took the plastic off. Definitely a +1 for intended to be removed.
I'm having this exact same problem - only it's not a slight squeak, it's a LOUD OBNOXIOUS squeak! definitely caused by the body glove case. Any suggestions on how to alter that tab without ruining the entire thing? I really don't have the money to buy a new case right now...
I have a new Milestone (same phone) with a snap on clear plastic two piece cover.
Just peeled my plastic off the back the screen.
I noticed the Tab (same shape and place as on the body glove), on the clear plastic cover was making a lot of streaks on the peelable plastic before I removed it. (Would have worn through eventually).
Suspect the Tab will eventually scratch the shiny black plastic too.
Going to remove the rear clear plastic cover and file the tab down just a smidge, so it doesn't rub on the phone.
Should do the trick.
I expect that treatment would cure the body glove squeeks too.
I bought my droid on the day it was released, and left the film on because it wasn't harming anything. Fast forward to this week, and it's started to peel back a bit, causing the mechanism to stick. I stumbled across this thread in researching whether I should remove it. Strip removed, problem solved. No more sticking.
Hate to bring back a semi-old topic, but I didn't even know this film existed. The rep must of taken mine off when he was setting it up for me! haha. Mine does slide a bit loosely, and has trouble staying closed in my pocket. This is my 2nd Droid. My 1st one slid slower/harder, but still didn't know there was a film on the back of the screen. So IDK if it's meant to come off or not. I'd say yes b/c if it wasn't it would just peel off w/ ease, it'd feel like you were ripping it/breaking it off lol.
I just had a chat with Motorola 2 minutes ago via the "Live Assistance" tool on their website. As you can see, I was purposely trying to ask the same question in a variety of ways to see her responses. I was trying to wear her down (lol). Also, I had to be patient as she would take several minutes to answer each question.
Anyway, for what it's worth, here's the chat transcript:
Denise C: Hi, my name is Denise C. How may I help you? Me: Hello, I have a question about the Motorola Droid. There's a piece of plastic behind the screen. Is there a purpose for this plastic piece? Me: This plastic is seen when you slide the keyboard out. Denise C: I will be more than glad to assist you. Denise C: Do you mean the plastic piece that it at the back of the phone when you slide it open? Me: Yes, that is the piece I am referring to. Me: The piece behind the screen when the keyboard is slid out. Me: Hello? Denise C: I am sorry for the delay. Me: That's ok. Denise C: The plastic piece behind the screen at the back of the phone is there to protect and to cover the screen. Me: It's "behind" the screen, so how is it protecting the screen? Denise C: It is to protect the back part of the screen where all the connections are. Me: Which connections? So, that piece of plastic should not be removed? Denise C: There are circuits and boards behind the screen that should be covered and protected from damages. Me: I see, so for some users, their screens are getting "slide marks" on them and peeling off a bit. What is the down-side of peeling off the plastic? Me: sorry Me: i mean the plastic is getting marks on them, not the screen Denise C: I see. Denise C: Slide marks on this plastic cover are product of regular usage of the phone. Me: So, basically, your recommendation is to leave the plastic cover alone. Denise C: Yes, we recommend not removing the plastic piece behind the screen at any time. Me: If it peels off through heavy usage, what do we do? Get a replacement? Denise C: In case that you start noticing excessive or deep peeling off or slide marks on it, please contact us back so we can take of the warranty on the product. Me: So, that means you would replace the entire phone? Denise C: It might depend on all the warranty options available at the moment. Me: Okay, thanks for your time. Denise C: You are more than welcome.
"Circuits and boards behind the screen"? Kinda odd if you ask me...
She means the thick black sculpted plastic directly behind the screen. If you removed the screws and detached that, you would see wires. the thin film is supposed to be removed, the thick black plastic is obviously part of thhe phone.
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Denise C: Hi, my name is Denise C. How may I help you?
