Proximity sensor: A guide
 

Hello,
Searched, found little here...

Is there a guide to what the Proximity sensor does/is?
I want to know if mine is working as intended, but don't really know what this is.

Is it meant to 'light up the screen' when I near? and turn off when I'm not?

Thanks for your help team.

This Kiwi has been playing with my n900 for 2 days now, me likes a lot.....!

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

afaik, its the other way round - when it recognizes something near (like your head/ear when talking with someone), it turns off the screen to save energy.

other than that i dont know what it does right now.

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

it will turn the screen off when you have it next to your face while talking to save power

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

I believe it's only "officially" used by the phone application (you know, the bit that makes telephone calls ;) ), and the effect is to darken the screen and turn off touch input when it's next to your face, so you don't inadvertently hang up by clenching your jaw while taking a call from your lawyer.

"Unofficially", there are other plans for it :)

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

Quake 3 uses it as a hardware button. Lots of possibilities with it. :)

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

If I'm not mistaken it's also used to stop you answering the phone when it's in your pocket.

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

...and to not hang up the call when the touchscreen is mushed into your face & ear.

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

Though it is unfortunately quite easy to hang up once you take the phone out of your pocket if you're holding the wrong bit. Will have to check if this is a bug or I moved my finger...

Re: Proximity sensor: A guide
 

that is correct, the proximity sensor prevents your ears to press buttons on the screen when you are speaking on the phone, its not a battery issue or anything.