Proximity Sensor

Apple patents auto iPhone volume based on proximity

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 28, 2013

Wouldn't it be great if the iPhone could detect when you are holding the handset to your ear or sitting on a desk, automatically adjusting the volume? Apple thought so, as well. Tuesday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the iPhone maker a patent on a way to adjust the speaker volume based on proximity.

The patent, filed just a year after the iPhone was unveiled, uses the smartphone's many sensors to detect the device's proximity from a user. Just as a proximity sensor is used to detect when the phone is at your ear (thus turning off the touch screen), sensors could also adjust speaker volume...

Ensure your iPhone’s screen stays dim during phone calls with DimInCall

Cody Lee ∙ May 25, 2013

Have you ever been in the middle of a phone call on your iPhone and noticed your cheek was pressing buttons? Sure, there's a proximity sensor there that's supposed to keep this from happening. But any kind of jostling can thwart its efforts.

Luckily there's a jailbreak tweak that can help with this problem. DimInCall, by developer snakeninny, will automatically dim your screen when it detects your iPhone has established a call connection. And it'll keep it dim until the call is over...

ITC drops Motorola’s complaint against Apple over proximity sensor patent

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 23, 2013

Apple's patent troubles with the struggling handset maker has largely been viewed as a proxy fight with Google, which acquired Motorola Mobility along with its vast patent portfolio in August 2011 for $12.5 billion. Two and a half years ago Motorola asserted its proximity sensor patent against Apple. Monday, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) threw Motorola's complaint out of the window, invalidating Motorola's patent because it's too obvious. That's good news for Apple as Google was hoping to leverage that patent to seek an import ban against iPhones...

iPhone Smart Cover Concept Video [Updated]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 1, 2011

So I was messing around with Ryan Petrich's VoiceKeys tweak a while ago, and stumbled upon a revelation: The tweak's proximity sensor feature, coupled with my BookBook case makes for an almost iPad 2 imitating Smart Cover feature for the iPhone.

In a nutshell, I decided it would only be right to record the functionality that I inadvertently stumbled upon, with the hopes of coercing someone in the jailbreak community to take this project head on.

What we need, is jailbreak tweak that allows one to activate the proximity sensor anywhere, in any app, not just in the Phone app (or in this case, the Messages app). Check inside for a video demonstration of the iPhone Smart Cover concept in action, along with a call to arms to any jailbreak developer who wishes to take this project on...

How to Unlock Your Mac With Your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 2, 2018

Imagine walking up to your Mac computer and watching it unlock on its own as you approached it. I'm not talking about retina or fingerprint scanners. I'm talking about Bluetooth proximity. If you have an iPhone on you at most times, and you also happen to own a Mac, you're going to love this trick.

RedmondPie passed on this interesting tip this morning, which allows you to unlock your Mac computer simply by having a Bluetooth-capable device on you. It's easy, completely free, and you aren't even required to be jailbroken. Here's how...

Dialer Shield: Stop Accidental Screen Presses While Talking on Your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ June 14, 2011

It's no secret that jailbreaking has made owning iDevices more enjoyable. If there is something that you don't like about your iPhone or iPad, chances are that the jailbreak community has a utility or app that'll help.

Dialer Shield is certainly a testament to that, as it provides an easy solution to a fairly annoying problem. Have you ever been talking on your iPhone and accidentally pressed End Call or another function with your cheek? Dialer Shield solves this by locking your iPhone screen during phone calls...

Two iPhones Going Into Space to Help Conduct Research

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

As if the iPhone 4 needed any more publicity, the device is about to get some intergalactic marketing. Cult of Mac is reporting that a pair of iPhone 4s running research software are headed for the International Space Station next month.

The 2 devices are set to launch into the stratosphere on July 8, and will be running SpaceLab software. The iOS app will help the ISS crew determine their relative position in space as well as aid in several experiments. Want to get hands on with the app?

White iPhone 4 Antenna and Proximity Sensor Tested

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Italian tech blog iSpazio has already posted one of the web's first unboxing videos, and now they've followed that up with another video showcasing the white iPhone 4's potential issues, if any.

Among the many rumored reasons why the white iPhone 4 was ever delayed in the first place was due to the fact that the material used caused proximity sensor issues. This understandably wasn't up to snuff with Apple's notorious quality assurance standards.

Eventually all of those issues got straightened out. Was it the white paint after all? We still may never know the true reasons behind the delay, but it's good to know that whatever was holding the white version of Apple's top selling smartphone back, has been fixed...

The video shows the iPhone handling any potential proximity or antenna issues like a champ. This is likely to do with the reengineering of the proximity sensor, and some tweaks to the iPhone's antenna.

We're sure iFixIt will have a full tear down of the device to spot the differences between it and the black iPhone 4 before two shakes of a donkey's tail.

Now who's ready for some good old-fashioned white iPhone 5 rumors to begin?

The Anatomy of an iPhone 4

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 21, 2010

This is the first of an ongoing series of videos that will provide in-depth coverage of the iPhone. Initially we will be targeting basic iPhone usage, such as the device's anatomy, guides on how to keep the iPhone in great shape, and other essential, but basic information.

Our goal is to provide a one-stop and comprehensive resource for all iPhone users, including those of you who are new to the wonderful world of iPhone. We hope that you will find these guides, walkthroughs, and tutorials beneficial, and encourage community feedback so that you can assist new ones.

Without further ado, let's talk about the basic anatomy of the iPhone 4, shall we?

5 Practical Jailbreak Apps That Should Be in Every iPhone Owner’s Tool Belt

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 14, 2010

We here at iDB love us some good jailbreak apps and tweaks, but there are few that stand out when you take into account sheer practicality.

For example, say you're trying to find your keys in a dark place, or need to know where to position the jumper cables on your stalled car during the cold the night hours? No sweat, you always have a flashlight with you; thanks to your iPhone and SpringFlash.

Did your favorite app make the cut? Are you totally prepared for whatever situation may confront you in a dire time of need? Are we making this way too suspenseful? Check inside and find the answer...

CallLock May Be a Workaround for Those With Proximity Sensor Issues

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 4, 2010

It's no secret that even after a few firmware updates, the proximity sensor issues are still a problem for a lot of people. Although I'm not a big talker, I still occasionally experience frustrating proximity sensor issues.

The proximity sensor is what the iPhone uses to know whether or not you are on a call. Its purpose is to sense your face, and disable the touch screen so that you don't inadvertently "face dial" or hang up on your caller.

CallLock aims to circumvent the issue by locking the iPhone altogether when on a call, but does it work?

Will You Upgrade Your iPhone to iOS 4.1?

Guest Author ∙ September 5, 2010

This week Apple will release the iOS version 4.1 for the iPhone. If our calculations are correct the newest version of the mobile operating system will be hitting iTunes on Wednesday, September 8th.

The last couple of updates from Apple haven't been anything to write home about. Version 4.0.1 simply addressed the algorithm while the antenna issue was flooding the news wire. After that, version 4.0.2 basically just patched up a security issue that Apple left exposed. As far as actual tangible features both refreshes were pretty dull at best...