Don't forget to remove the plastic film on the back of the screen
I didn't realize there was another plastic film to remove until I saw it mentioned in another forum. If you slide the keyboard out, it is on the back of the screen. There is a little tab and once you get it going it comes off very easily. The keyboard slides out smoother, but still feels snug and tight.
Actually, I wish I didn't take it off. I bet that's the whole reason why my slider started to feel a lot more loose and easier to slide than before, and I liked it the other way.
Never even noticed it. Thanks for the heads up. I was worried I was removing something that was not supposed to be removed at first but then it peeled right off. The keyboard definitely slides a little better once removed.
Actually, I wish I didn't take it off. I bet that's the whole reason why my slider started to feel a lot more loose and easier to slide than before, and I liked it the other way.
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.
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.
That is odd about it being too loose for some. Mine is still very tight, almost too tight still, without the film. I guess the rule would be that if you feel as if it is a bit "grabby" as you are opening it, then take it off. If you think it is fine already, then leave it.
Or, you could go into your local Verizon store and check it out without the film (if their display model still has it, help them out and remove it for them!!!). :0)
Yeah, mine already slides apart in my pocket sometimes. Guess I'll leave the film on.
Yes, given the variations in the build (ie the tightness of the slider) it is a good thing they have that film to begin with! Those for whom it is already a bit loose can leave it, those for whom it is a bit tight can remove it. Mine works noticeably better with it removed. I thought it was fine before, but now I see that this is the way it was meant to be.
It's intended to stay on, it add's friction to the screen so it doesn't open when its in your pocket or various other places. If you notice its cut precisely to fit back there, no tabs for easy removal.
Yeah I never noticed it either untill I saw this thread.
Took it off before reading past the first post and it is def. easier to slide I just prefer the way it was prior to removing the film
i'm pretty sure its suppose to be on there as mentioned above its cut with round out where the screws are. If it was suppose to be removed it would have had tabs on it i would think.
i'm pretty sure its suppose to be on there as mentioned above its cut with round out where the screws are. If it was suppose to be removed it would have had tabs on it i would think.
A) it has a tab to remove it (top right when looking at it)
B) it has holes for the screws because it was there to protect the shiny black metal during manufacture.
Take it off folks, don't be like that crazy aunt we all have that leaves the film on their products.
I noticed that the first day I had my Droid, and mine actually has marks on it where the slider mechanism has been rubbing against it. I think I'll leave it on, I'm a little more worried about a loose slider than one that's too tight.
I noticed it the night of and had one of the employees remove the store tester. After reading this I decided to go ahead and remove it. Why not? It did not really make a difference because I had wearing marks on it (tight fit to begin with). Now if I eventually develop a problem I will give Motorola a call.
So... does anyone have streaks on the plastic where it has been rubbing? No?? Hmmm.... Must not actually touch anything then huh? Take it off!!!
Mine actually did have streaks on it where it was rubbing. I took it off, and now the keyboard slides much smoother. I also noticed after taking it off that there is a bunch of engraved paralell lines on the metal plate which the plastic was hiding. So the question is, if it wasn't meant to be removed, why engrave the lines on the plate, then cover them with plastic?
Mine actually did have streaks on it where it was rubbing. I took it off, and now the keyboard slides much smoother. I also noticed after taking it off that there is a bunch of engraved paralell lines on the metal plate which the plastic was hiding. So the question is, if it wasn't meant to be removed, why engrave the lines on the plate, then cover them with plastic?
heh, this thread is kinda funny, but what the hell, we're all obsessed droid people.
i know people's opinions of CSRs, but i was calling VZW about my plan and asked about this, too. after a lengthy pause she came back and told me that it IS supposed to be removed, so you can take that for what it's worth.
for the record, my plastic coating did have streak marks from the slider mechanism, but after i removed it i didn't notice a difference. i'm not super picky tho.
EDIT: BTW, i would have never noticed this piece of plastic if not for this thread
Last edited by GorillaTheHutt; November 18th, 2009 at 05:08 PM.
I also talked to my local Verizon folks and they said it was supposed to come off as well. But, if you are content with the way it slides now and are afraid of it getting too loose, then definitely leave it on. It doesn't seem to hurt anything to leave it.
On an aesthetic side, that panel is now nice and glossy and looks much better (not that I see it much since it is on the backside, but hey, folks on the other side get to see it and admire my phone even more!). :0)
Last edited by Vance; November 18th, 2009 at 06:21 PM.
So... does anyone have streaks on the plastic where it has been rubbing? No?? Hmmm.... Must not actually touch anything then huh? Take it off!!!
Yes actually. Mine have streaks on the plastic. Just one more reason why its intended to stay. Thats what gives it it's grip while opening. Theres a piece of foam on the inside of my battery cover, I should take that off too, clearly it serves no purpose.
My plastic had the streaks as well, so there definitely was some friction and, from what the Verizon reps were saying, it was meant to be removed so that was more friction than was intended. With the plastic gone, it is still firm and seems still slides in a tight groove, but the panels are not rubbing all down the length.
Last edited by Vance; November 18th, 2009 at 06:28 PM.
Yanked this from another forum. Looks like you guys were right, and I was wrong. My apologies. Supposedly it was pulled from Moto's support chat this guy had.
Valeria: Hi, my name is Valeria. How may I help you?
James : I just received my Motorola Droid and there is some questions on the web on if the thin plastic film on the back of the slider screen is to be removed
Valeria: Yes, is a plastic to protect the phone until is received by someone.
James Weber: Ok I wasnt sure because there is no tab on it like the plastic on the fronts screen or the one on the battery
James r: It looks like it is ment to be permanent
James r: I just didn't want to remove it if it was required to keep the slider operating properly
Valeria: Yes, that one is just for sealing protection.
James Weber: ok
James Weber: thanks
Just wanted to point out that I had the streaks on the plastic, but since taking it off there are no marks whatsoever on the actual glossy finish. So, it was not protecting the surface from those scratches, it was just enough extra to make the contact (for good or ill, depending on how tight you like it).
I took it off and don't notice any difference. When I peeled it off it was pretty obvious to me that it was meant to be removed. If it was meant to stay it wouldn't have been so thin and it would have covered the entire surface and not just the part exposed when the keyboard is open.
__________________
My phone is smarter than a fifth grader.
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 sounds clueless, like she is making it up as she goes along. There are no circuits or board covered by that plastic. It is just a metal plate with a nice, glossy finish. Looks pretty. :0)
Oh, I checked the models at my local Verizon store and they had taken the plastic off themselves.
Last edited by Vance; November 18th, 2009 at 07:52 PM.
I have to say that I think the resistance is overrated. It's like the thin plastic that covered the screen when I first got the phone. I peeled it off and don't notice a bit of change in the slide of the keyboard.
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...
I think they thought you meant the actual back of the phone/slider, not the thin clear plastic everyone here knows you meant It seems as if she is concerned that you are planning to unscrew the actual back of the phone, not peel a piece of saran wrap off.
I think they thought you meant the actual back of the phone/slider, not the thin clear plastic everyone here knows you meant It seems as if she is concerned that you are planning to unscrew the actual back of the phone, not peel a piece of saran wrap off.
I hope not. How would a thick block of plastic "peel" off? Anyhow, there's no way of telling with these support people.
I think they thought you meant the actual back of the phone/slider, not the thin clear plastic everyone here knows you meant It seems as if she is concerned that you are planning to unscrew the actual back of the phone, not peel a piece of saran wrap off.
Agreed. This woman is clueless. The other guy who chatted with Motorola seemed to have a much better experience.
Well, after reading all this chatter about a piece of, previously referred to "saran wrap", I flipped over my wonderful new piece of technology and discovered a piece of film on the back side of my slider. "Hmmm". For some reason I couldn't muster the courage to peel of this piece of plastic I didn't even notice till I read this thread. So, I decided to visit the motorola site previously mentioned. My first intension was to find this live chat and reword a few questions to provoke a different response. Instead, I found on the home page for Droid, a few pics of the Droid and I have to report that it seems have the plastic removed as most of us already knew it was suposed to be. I still ask that all of you that have removed your plastic take a look at these pics and tell us if they match up. There are a few vertical lines that are hard to see if you do have your plastic still attached.
Thank, I'll be looking for your replies.
Can you believe this? All over a piece of plastic?
I took mine off and the phone exploded, guess i need to get a new one.
Did you not notice the "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law" tag? (It was very tiny print) If someone knocks on your door, don't answer. It's probably the FBI.
Did you not notice the "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law" tag? (It was very tiny print) If someone knocks on your door, don't answer. It's probably the FBI.
I'm a Rebel, i take Chances all the time. Oh Wait.....Someone is knocking
The Motorola Droid - the first ever Verizon Android Phone - exploded onto the mobile market with an incredibly successful ad campaign that brough Android to the masses. With a huge and vibrant touchscreen, solid metal body, full QWERTY keyboard, 5M... Read More
Don't forget to remove the plastic film on the back of the screen
Denise C: Hi, my name is Denise C. How may I help you?
It seems as if she is concerned that you are planning to unscrew the actual back of the phone, not peel a piece of saran wrap off.
