We’ve got ‘em everywhere. Around our necks. In our ears. Coming out our ears. In our pockets. Clipped on our belts. In backpacks, fannypacks, and tummypacks. I’m talking about Portable Electronic Devices (we’ll refer to them as PED’s for the rest of this article). Phones. iPods. iPod wanna-bes. PDAs. GameBoys. Walk through any airport and you’ll see a veritable “Mos Eisley Cantina” of beings with futuristic modules strapped to their ears and earpieces for their music players and phones dangling almost to the floor. Some travelers have multiple devices around their waists, reminiscent of Batman’s Utility Belt. The only thing missing is the “Bat Rope” to throw around the nearest flagpole or antenna to prevent a deadly fall off a tall building. But, I digress.

A sunglasses maker recently debuted designer shades with an MP3 player built-in. It’s only a matter of time before we see eyeglasses with built-in movie screens, and cochlear-implanted cell phones and “earPods”.

We sometimes forget that these technological wonders are precision instruments that require a certain level of care to ensure their longevity. This week let’s dig deep into the PED bag of tricks to help you protect your dainty digital gear.

First, let’s face reality. In order to cut costs (thereby lowering the price but maintaining profitable margins) and to reduce product size and weight, producers of personal electronic devices must balance design, material strength, durability, and weight. You can’t expect a quality cell phone or iPod that weighs but a few ounces to be made of quarter-inch steel plate covered in a scratch-free space-age acrylic polymer. Therefore, these devices are going to get scratched, dinged and blemished during everyday use. However, you can postpone or prevent much of this damage with a little T-L-C.

Buy a case (if your device doesn’t come with one or have a protective covering as part of the design). Cases range from small sheets of “sticky” plastic film that cover everything but the controls of your gadget, to leather designer cases that cost more than the device itself. When selecting a case, ask yourself this question: “Self, (‘cause that’s what you call yourself), does this case I’m considering cover and protect the controls and the screen, without making access to the controls and screen inconvenient (or impossible)?”

The screen is likely the most vulnerable part of your PED, and needs special protection. Some cases offer a flap that covers the screen when not in use. I prefer a case with a transparent plastic “window” that covers the screen, while either leaving the controls exposed or covering them with another thin piece of clear plastic. Obviously, the case must be designed with the specific device in mind, so that ports, buttons, jacks, etc. are accessible.

Next tip from the bag of tricks is “PED placement”. In other words, where do you keep your PED when you’re not using it? Do you toss it loose into your computer bag (or purse, backpack, fannypack, or tummypack) along with your laptop (a heavy metal object), your car keys, other unprotected PEDS, pens, power adapters, CD cases, cords and cables, and TicTacs? (OK, TicTacs are not really dangerous – I just wanted to see if you were listening)

There’s a reason computer bags and briefcases have distinct pockets, cubby-holes, and dividers. They keep stuff from rubbing up against other stuff, which is when scratches and other damage can occur. Makes sense to me.

One last quick protection tip: protect your critical personal data on your PDA by setting it to prompt you for login passwords each time you power up.

© 2005 Peter F. Zimowski