The rational side of ourselves knows an item like an iPad screen cleaner is basically a functional item, one that is designed to fulfill a specific purpose. Then, once it has done its job, it can be stowed back into its hidey hole. It does not have to be pretty, but when it is, that can become the deciding factor on which one to buy and which one stays on the shelf.

The Verizon iPhone was released to the masses just last week. And yet, that short amount of time is more than enough for you to have possibly dropped and broken your precious, shiny, new toy. Thankfully, there are people on the interwebs looking out for you. One of these companies, DirectFix, has already posted a video of a complete teardown of the Verizon iPhone.

iResQ has posted some pictures of what they believe to be the glass for the 4th generation iPhone. There are two notable differences from the current iPhone glass. First, it’s taller (1/4 inch) and it has an extra hole. Gee whiz, I wonder what we think that’s for; this extra hole in the glass certainly could be for an extra, front facing camera for video chatting. I won’t deny it; I want one, that’s for sure. But at the same time, I find it too good to be true. Parts like this aren’t that difficult to fabricate, so I’m not totally sold.

As with many iPhone and iPod touch owners, my screen has become a mess of app icons. I’m five screens deep now (and that’s nothing compared to some), with little rhyme or reason on what goes where. Apple introduced iPhone app management in iTunes 9, but this feels more like an afterthought than a feature. To help users take control of this mess, Bruce Tognozzi at AskTog has a few suggestions for Apple to improve the Springboard.

According to a recently published patent filing, Apple is working on a cheaper version of Multi Touch. Although Apple tried to use plastic in the original Multi Touch, certain drawbacks forced them to use the more expensive glass instead. But, with a newer material—polyethylene terephthalate—plastic becomes a viable and inexpensive option for use in Multi more »