Using your iPhone in Arctic Weather: Tavo Gloves Reviewed

by ChantelleJoy on February 4th, 2009

I don’t know about the rest of Canada, but here in Ontario it has been a very long, cold, snowy winter. We just received another 20-25cm of snow in the last week, and it’s positively frightful out there. Certainly most of us are bundling up with scarves, touques, and of course, gloves.

Gloves, ah, the Canadian iPhone user’s arch nemesis in wintertime. I’m certain I’m not the one only who has pawed at my iPhone when it’s ringing, trying to answer it with gloves on – a feat impossible! Well, ok, not impossible, if you have the right gloves.

Enter Tavo Gloves. A product geared specifically at this problem. Hopefully by now, this far into winter, most of you have come up with your own solutions (and I would very much like to hear about these in the comments – I suspect our readers are quite creative!) but if you haven’t this might be a great solution for you.

I had a chance to test the gloves out and I have to say I’m impressed. The tips/pads of the forefinger and thumbs are covered in a special material (The Jazzy name is ‘Playpoint Technology’) made with a conductive metal that conducts the electromagneticwozits (or Capacitance, as it’s formally known) from your finger. One thing that I found interesting was that the inside of the tips were the regular fleece material.

Lets get to how well they function with your iPhone in a second, first I want to mention that the wind resistant fleece that they’re made out of is super comfortable and extremely warm.

Having only the front of the tips covered did pose a slight challenge to me as I regularly use the very tip of my fingers, but answering and dialing calls with my thumb worked out just fine. Especially useful when driving, as my steering wheel is very cold, and I don’t want to go fumbling with my gloves when a call comes in.

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Additionally the palms and remaining fingers are covered with a non-stick pattern that is helpful. I’m certain I’m not the only person who’s accidentally had their iPhone slip out of their hands wearing regular gloves

Still skeptical on how well they work? Well, check out the video made to demonstrate the usability: Tavo Gloves Test

If you’re located in Montreal, you can pick up a pair at Layton Audio, or check out the ‘Purchase’ section at TavoProducts.com (I believe J&R will ship to Canada).

Overall I think this is a great product, super gloves and generally functional for the iPhone, definitely something Canadian iPhone users could benefit from owning.

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Posted under: Reviews, iPhone Accessories, iPhone News

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fisherg

My solution, was to make my gloves iPhone compatible by sewing a small conductive area on the index finger of the gloves. This works like a charm on all 3 pairs of gloves that I did it on (both lightweight gloves and thick skiing gloves).

Conductive thread can be purchased here: http://www.robotshop.ca/sfe-conductive-thread-1...

For directions, follow these two articles:
http://www.cultofmac.com/sew-a-needle-pulling-c...
http://modmyi.com/forums/iphone-news/692854-mak...

Tip: use a thimble to prevent injuring your finger

Tim

Heh. I've used my chin, cheek, and nose to unlock the phone. :P

Kirill

I use my nose to answer calls in an emergency case.

genny

i don't know...these gloves look pretty awesome, but kinda big.
i read a review that recommended buying a size smaller than you would usually buy...and i have pretty small hands, so i'm going to guess that even a small would be way too big. =/

ChantelleJoy

I did have the Small version, and I did find them to be a bit big, however once I wore them for a few days they felt much more comfortable. As you said, if you have really small hands the Small size might still be too big - they really are Winter Gloves built for warmth, so they're bulky.

Jimbo2NR

I use my nose to swipe to answer calls

ChantelleJoy

This seems to be the most popular alternative way so far of answering calls with gloves on. :)

travis

When my phone rings and i have my gloves on i use my nose to slide to unlock

ChantelleJoy

I have to admit -- I've done this too! LOL

Jim Moore

I use a Pogo Stylus in the cold weather. It is attached to my iPhone and it works with my gloves on. I also use it to respond to emails in cold weather.

dashparr

Cool review and vid! However, the vid quality could be a wee bit better but I get the picture.

I used to live in Ontario and I saw this one kid with these gloves that were both mittens and fingerless gloves. The mitten part could velcro to the back of your hand with ease. I've included a picture here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NWUOD2/ref=nosim/?...
Hope the link works!

Lawrence

I just press the little button on my headset to answer the phone. I guess for dialing it would be nice. I usually use mitten gloves and just fold back the mitten to free my fingers for a few moments. Anyways they look like a great idea.

Colin Ward (wardo8551)

These would be verrrrry handy here in Winnipeg. It hit -50 with the windchill about a week or so ago!!

Teebs

Yup, thanks Victoria for not being cold like anywhere else!

M

Three words: fingerless glove mittens.

RyanG

Just get gloves with out the fingertips lol remember those. :P

bc

have you seen these other gloves with open thumb and forefinger? saw them recommended by a photographer. kinda goofy looking if you ask me, and I suppose you could even make a pair for yourself.
http://www.etretouchy.com/

Gary

I recently got a sample pair of those! Expect a review soon ;)

Guest

Cool, gonna check it out ;)

MikeM

Don't have this problem here in Victoria, but these gloves are a great idea for you folks out east. That would be just about the entire rest of the country! ;-)

Guest

Sweet, these can come in handy! They will work great when shoveling, etc.

Thanks for the review ChantelleJoy ;)

tony

for when it cold? I don't know about you but it's been cold for roughly the past two months.

DjDATZ

LOL...speaking of snow, we just received another 2-3 THIS PAST NIGHT.

As for the suggestions, I wanna hear them too! I hate having to take off my gloves to answer the phone.

As for the gloves, these are badass... I might just have to get a pair or two to keep in my jackets for when it get cold out...

Jim Moore

I use my Pogo stylus with my gloves to answer the phone and to do email

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