Bizarre iPhone Protection Accessory Finds A Market

The maker of a latex rubber sheath designed to be worn on the finger to prevent iPhone screens from fingerprints and smudges says his bizarre invention isn't a joke, and is beginning to gain some serious market share.

According to a Thursday report in The Register, Philipp Zumtobel, creator of Phone Fingers, says sales of the product -- which while in use looks very similar to a condom rolled up on one's finger -- have been booming since it was introduced in early October.

The Phonefingers.com Website bills the product as "probably the funniest accessory for the iPhone available" and "an eye catcher," but until today the prevailing wisdom was that the Phone Finger was more of a gag gift than a useful accessory.

This notion was reinforced by a promotional video that shows a woman using Phone Fingers, having her iPhone snatched away by an unknown miscreant, and then chasing him down the street.

According to The Register, however, Zumtobel said the strange video was simply an attempt to differentiate Phone Fingers in the growing market for iPhone accessories.

Phone Fingers are available for purchase online through the company's website, and come in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes. Bags contain 25 phone fingers and are priced at 6.90 Euros, about $10.