News
iPhone 4 users wage proximity sensor issue campaign
The lack of response by Apple to a known iPhone 4 proximity sensor issue, in which calls can be accidentally interrupted by button presses and hang-ups, has led to a grass roots campaign to force Apple to acknowledge and resolve the problem. Reader Trent Phillips, who previously emailed with the results of controlled proximity sensor testing, has launched a letter writing campaign to both technical and mainstream media outlets covering Apple products. Phillips’ message claims that Apple “is ignoring earnest requests from customers for support and resolution of this issue,” and asks recipients to cover the proximity sensor problems with the same vigor given to the iPhone 4’s reception issues.
In addition, Phillips also pointed to an Apple discussions support thread on the subject that, at 1,689 replies, had been deemed “too long” by Apple. Apple locked that thread after 113 pages of discussion, which it said was causing browser timeouts when loading, and started a continuation thread earlier today with additional replies. Prominent in the new thread is discussion of returning the device before the 30 day limit is up, as are complaints over Apple’s silence on the issue up until this point. It is still unknown whether the issue can be fixed via a software update, or whether hardware replacements will be necessary to fix the problem for affected users.
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21
The iPhone 4 is my first Apple product. I have not experienced any problems with dropped calls due to signal loss. (I live in Chicago). However, the proximity sensor issue is BAD. I put people on speaker, mute the call, and activate the keypad all the time, while holding the phone to my ear. Switching ears during a call is like playing Russian Roulette. It’s difficult to wait this out, when I have only 30 days to consider a return. So far, this has been a rocky relationship.
Posted by Jim on July 22, 2010 at 7:40 AM (PST)
22
Keith, you are THE MAN. I reset all settings, and yes, it works fine now. I suggest that everyone here gives it a try. I was on my way to the Apple store to return my iphone 4 when I read your post. Thanks again.
Posted by Kimball on July 26, 2010 at 3:09 PM (PST)
23
I have also been plagued by the proximity sensor issue. I tried using the “Reset All Settings” fix suggested above. I then made two test calls: an outgoing call on my iPhone that required access to the numeric keypad during contact (calling a mailbox number and entering a series of password codes), and a phone call from my home phone to the iPhone. In both cases, the screen on my iPhone eventually went black. To light up the screen, I had to press the power button—which ended the call. C’mon, Apple. This is wrong. Complacency and arrogance killed QuarkXPress, and it won’t help you either.
Posted by Frederick Morris on July 27, 2010 at 12:16 PM (PST)
24
i have a 3g unlocked and jailbroken. i too am having a problem with my sensor. never had a problem with my phone until i upgraded to 4.0.1
and seeing how im not on at&t, i do not have the option of returning it.
i really want to kick Job in the nuts.
Posted by aaron on August 4, 2010 at 1:43 PM (PST)
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