GelaSkins for the Apple iPod Nano 3G

I’ve had my share of MP3 players and have also looked at various ways to protect them. I’ve left the original wrappers on, I have even purchased silicon skins for them but the last thing I would have thought to use would be a sticker to protect my latest MP3 player, my 3^rd Generation Apple iPod Nano.

GelaSkins (a Canadian based company) offers a very thin protective cover for various electronics that are unique in style and design. Their <2mm thick skin is of a 3M premium grade adhesive that does not only give your electronic device an unique artsy look but also helps protect it from scuffs and scratches from everyday use.

GelaSkins come in a wide range of styles and designs that work with not only Apple products (such as iPods, Macbooks etc) but with cellular phones (Apple iPhone, Motorola Razrs) as well as PC laptops.

Is it a glorified sticker?

For an iPod the GelaSkins provide you with a two-piece design (front and a back) that also includes separate parts for the navigation dial and the center button and a screen protector. I find that the quality of the adhesive skin to be quite rugged and has a much less chance to tear. I was also worried about getting myself stuck to it while applying it but that was never a problem during my application of the skin.

Application of the GelaSkins was pretty straight forward and since I left the protective wrapper on my iPod I did not need to clean the unit to ensure it was dirt and dust free.

The first thing they tell you do (after you have cleaned and removed any dust from your iPod) was to place the screen protector into position. Now I don’t know about you but I am pretty bad at placing screen protectors onto screens without them becoming all bubbly with little pockets of trapped air but this particular screen protector went into place without a hitch. Just ensure you remove the film that is on top of the screen protector after you have placed it in the correct location.

After I was satisfied with the placement of the screen protector it was time to place the front skin (or is it really a sticker?). Sure it took me a couple of tries to place the front cover but luckily the special adhesive that 3M makes allows you to reapply if you do not full press down on it. As you can see from the above photo I did not place it perfect but it was as close as I could get it with my shaky hands. I repeated the process for the navigation dial and the center button.

I found applying the back skin the easiest as there are no thin parts like the bezel around the screen of the iPod Nano. The back fit nicely once I centered it and wrapped the sides around protecting the shiny mirror surface of the 3^rd Generation Nano. Why did Apple go back to the shiny, highly scratchable mirror finish again? Who knows, but my Nano’s mirror surface is now protected!

The one thing I did note while applying the back cover of the skin to my iPod Nano was that the corners are still exposed. The only action that could possible mar that section would be if I were to drop my Nano on a corner and I do not see myself doing that.

Conclusion

I would definitely say that GelaSkin’s tagline (Protection With Style. Not Bulk) is correct. The <2mm thickness of the skins that now surround my 3^rd Generation Apple iPod Nano will not interfere when I dock my Nano into my XtremeMac Luna Alarm Clock and if I did have a silicon skin I would still be able to use it without worrying of the skin coming off. The use of a 3M adhesive also ensures that the skin will not fall off over time nor will the design rub off with excessive use.

If you want a unique artsy cover that will not add bulk to your iPod Nano I would highly recommend looking into purchasing a Gelaskins protective cover for it. They cost less than the price of a decent quality silicon skin and do not add bulk. Though remember that the GelaSkins do not protect you device from physical abuse such as being dropped, or having liquids spilled on to them but will protect against scuffs and scratches that could decrease the overall look.