Apple yanking protective screen film from stores?
According to iLounge, the ban is going to cover both film-only products and cases that incorporate protective screens. It applies to products both decorative and protective across all Apple product lines.
(Credit:
Apple)
Apple is instituting a ban on all protective screen film products from its online and retail stores starting in May, according to iLounge, which cites several companies familiar with the matter. If it happens, the move will take away some of Apple's most popular third-party products. But what for?
Apparently, the ban is going to cover both film-only products and cases that incorporate protective screens. It applies to products both decorative and protective across all Apple product lines. And while the company reportedly didn't give vendors an explicit reason for the move, some have speculated that it's an attempt by Apple to promote its screen durability claims.
It's certainly not due to lack of popularity. The No. 1-selling iPhone and iPod cases are anti-glare film, and they're the sixth and seventh most popular iPhone and iPod accessories overall, according to iLounge.
Of course, these products will still be available through channels outside of the Apple Store, which makes it even more puzzling. If people want a film screen for their iPod, iPhone, or Mac, they're going to be able to find it whether it's in the Apple Store or not. And when they do, that's business Apple's missing out on.
We have contacted Apple for comment and will update this post as soon as we hear back.
This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.
