Proximity sensor: The cheeky hang-up
Every iPhone has come equipped with a proximity sensor that detects when you put the phone to your ear. In theory, when you use the iPhone as a phone (imagine that!), the screen shuts off so that you don't accidentally select any of the on-screen options that could disrupt a call, like "mute," "hold" or "end."
But users have complained that the sensor in the iPhone 4 doesn't work properly, causing the device to accidentally drop calls or dial numbers mid-conversation. There are nearly 2,000 posts about the issue on an online forum that users created on Apple's website.
The glitch brings to mind the "butt calls" from the days of candy-bar-shaped cell phones. Remember when a friend would forget to lock his keypad, and he'd call you unknowingly from the back seat of his pants? Ah, memories ...
Apple said it is working on a software update to address the sensor issues.
NEXT: White iPhone 4: MIA
Last updated July 16 2010: 3:08 PM ET
