[Edward Kirk]

Apple made a big deal about how the iPhone 3G S looks the same as the iPhone 3G on the outside, but it turns out that they did make one little hardware upgrade. Apple's "iPhone How To: Cleaning iPhone" page mentions a new oil-resistant coating on the iPhone 3G S's display.


Quoted from the page:

To clean iPhone, unplug all cables and turn off iPhone (press and hold the Sleep/ Wake button, then slide the onscreen slider). Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone. If your iPhone has an oleophobic coating on the screen (iPhone 3G S only), simply wipe your iPhone’s screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands and face.

According to Merriam-Webster, Oleophobic means "having or relating to a lack of strong affinity for oils." What this basically means, or so we think, is that the new iPhone's display will make it naturally repel the natural oils on your hands and face, making for less screen-cleaning. As for why this wasn't announced yesterday, your guess is as good as ours.

[via MacDailyNews]

[Michael Johnston]

I wonder if we'll see oil just running down the screen in beads like a coat of Rain-X.

[Jordan Hoffmann]

Wait a week- Griffin will come out with a mink skin iPhone "coat" to keep it oil resistant, and water tight!