Phone Function Bug - Approximator
 

Hi Boys and Girls,

I noticed the approximator on N900 DOES NOT WORK properly under fluorescent light (ie. energy saving light or fluctuating light in certain frequency.).

If you would like to test, please:

1. get a energy saving light.

2. dial someone or your other phone under the light above.

Then you will have problems (some or all of them)...

1. Mic does not work.

2. Speakers (both) do not work.

3. Screen turns off. (this suppose to happen ONLY when the approximator is covered by your face or finger.)

When you move N900 away from the energy saving light, the approximator and the phone function will back to normal (if your ambient light is not fluorescent light!!).

How serious of this problem can be?
The phone function will not work properly under shopping center lights, because most of them are fluorescent type of light.

I can not confirm if this is a hardware or software problem, but if the iphone's has the same approximator then we need a firmware update soon.

Please consider the phone function under emergency situation.
Any solution suggestion are welcomed.

Re: Phone Function Bug - Approximator
 

There must be something specific about certain types of low-energy bulbs if you're seeing this, as my apartment is full of them and i've had no issues whatsoever with calls in situations where those bulbs have been the only source of light.

Re: Phone Function Bug - Approximator
 

Interesting. Can anyone verify? I guess you mean "proximity sensor", by the way.

Re: Phone Function Bug - Approximator
 

nop no problem with mine. NOthing, not a snitch. Mic works, approximator works, and speakers work. Something may be wrong with yours. You must of dropped it or something

Re: Phone Function Bug - Approximator
 

Yeap, no problems at all here.

Maybe it's something with that bulb or bulbs from the same manufacturer.

Re: Phone Function Bug - Approximator
 

Energy saving lights lack the color spectrum (I can imagine this kind of light is bad for your eyes, too). There are only discrete frequencies of red, green, blue (and maybe yellow to fake warm light). Maybe the lack of infrared is causing problems.

Re: Phone Function Bug - Approximator
 

The proximity sensor has it's own IR source, and I'm pretty sure it's measuring reflection from that and not ambient IR.

Having said that, out office uses fluorescent tubes for lighting and at home I use CFL:s (Compact Fluerescent Light) aka "energy saving lamps" almost exclusively.

Never had any problems with the proximity sensor, had the unit for about 4 months now (summit unit :)