A Nielsen study released in early November of 2011 states that 43 percent of the US population sports a smartphone. If you are included in this statistic, then you know how important it is to take care of. The screen itself should be protected from dings and scratches, and a variety of manufacturers make sticky-backed screen protectors. Some must be cut to size, while others are ready to roll right out of the box, custom designed to fit your specific device. Simple, right? Well, it's actually a lot more complicated than it seems.

I recently outfitted my Kindle with the aforementioned screen protector and although the protector was designed to fit the dimensions of the screen perfectly, it was still a stressful experience. The sticky backside seemed ultra magnetic, attracted instantly to the screen despite the fact I had it hovered above the device in an attempt to assure it was straight. Once I was satisfied it was aligned properly, I placed it on the screen. There were air bubbles all over the place, despite the fact I had performed the old credit card trick, a makeshift squeegee of sorts to reduce air bubbles. So annoying.

Say Hello to the PureTek Roll-On Screen Shield Kit

PureGear has introduced a revolutionary new system to guarantee your iPhone 4 or 4S won't be the air bubble's next victim, and it is definitely on my must-have list. Simply place your iPhone inside a special tray used for applying the screen protector (which happens to be the very package holding the protector), place the protector over the phone (it is attached to the tray so it is in the perfect place, no adjustment necessary), and use the included roller to squeeze out air bubbles. Your phone is protected, and you are spared the headaches that come with aligning and placing the protector yourself.

Those who have purchased protectors made by other brands know that despite a fancy protector, dings and scratches can mar its surface. Not so with the PureTek Screen Shield. It is made of an industrial strength material, is scratch-proof, and the surface is self-healing.

Some Issues

Some reviewers say that the protector doesn't quite line up right with the iPhone's home button, but that shouldn't deter anyone from giving it a shot. This was a common problem when it was first released, but PureGear has already redesigned the roller, seeming to put an end to this problem.

Another complained of a strange display reflection issue, only evident when the screen has a light background. It is said the screen appears to have vertical lines beneath the protector. Other reviewers have not mentioned this problem, and the one that did admitted it wasn't a reason to avoid investing in it. Slightly bothersome, but barely noticeable.

Pricing and Availability

Pick your PureTek Roll-On Screen Shield Kit for a mere 24.99 at PureGear's website. That's a great deal compared to other screen protectors which are harder to place. Some can go for as much as 30.00. Don't have an iPhone 4 or 4S? They also sell this product for the Droid Razr, Razr Maxx, and Droid 4.