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If you have/get a USA TP2 you will be offered the split hard shell (leather wrapped plastic) case that actually fits and works very well but it has a MAJOR design flaw. Turns out there is a proximity sensor just above and to the right of the letters HTC on the front face (can't see it and don't know how it works) that is used for blanking the screen when in a call. The case TMo will try to sell you covers that sensor and it won't work. I took a 1/2" drill bit and made a hole just to the left and below the hole for the speaker (leaving enough plastic to keep continuity of the frame) and now the sensor works.
I will be calling my local dealer in the morning to make them aware of the problem. This needs to get out because the proximity sensor really works!!!! I wish I had it instead of the light sensor on my Touch HD.
Also make sure that ANY case you buy has that area uncovered.
Regards,
Gordo
jetjockgordo said:
If you have/get a USA TP2 you will be offered the split hard shell (leather wrapped plastic) case that actually fits and works very well but it has a MAJOR design flaw. Turns out there is a proximity sensor just above and to the right of the letters HTC on the front face (can't see it and don't know how it works) that is used for blanking the screen when in a call. The case TMo will try to sell you covers that sensor and it won't work. I took a 1/2" drill bit and made a hole just to the left and below the hole for the speaker (leaving enough plastic to keep continuity of the frame) and now the sensor works.
I will be calling my local dealer in the morning to make them aware of the problem. This needs to get out because the proximity sensor really works!!!! I wish I had it instead of the light sensor on my Touch HD.
Also make sure that ANY case you buy has that area uncovered.
Regards,
Gordo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't see it and don't know how it works.. but after your cutting in the case you know it works.. i don't get it
jetjockgordo said:
...there is a proximity sensor just ... (...don't know how it works) ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A proximity sensors works by sensing if there is anything in its proximity.
xdadJeroen said:
You can't see it and don't know how it works.. but after your cutting in the case you know it works.. i don't get it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I figured out what the OP is talking about. He's referring to a hard plastic shell accessory for the phone. The TP2 has a neat feature of turning off the screen during a call when you put it next to your ear. I wouldn't have noticed it if it weren't for the OP.
vdKarel said:
A proximity sensors works by sensing if there is anything in its proximity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that was good. You got me!
xdadJeroen said:
You can't see it and don't know how it works.. but after your cutting in the case you know it works.. i don't get it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Comparing the TP2 to my HD I noticed, before I put the shell on, that screen blanks perfectly during a call when it gets about 1-2" from my face (my HD effectively does not have that feature) and functions much like, dare I say, like the iPhone for the screen blanking. It took me a while to realize the sensor is not near the LED/speaker area but about 1/16" (1-2mm) above and to the right of the letter C from HTC. I initially drilled a hole that was about 1/8" but it was too high and too far left for the sensor to work so I just made the hole larger and now it works perfectly....not pretty put it works. I actually like the hard shell (my wife, not so much since it makes the whole package bulky) and feel that it is providing good protection and good anti-slip properties.
My comment about not knowing how it works is based on the sensor is in a part of the case (phone case, not add-on protective shell case) that can not be seen, no holes, no windows, nothing. It is not infrared and is not visible at all. I guess it could be some kind of ultrasonic emitter/receiver to sense proximity, not sure. Anyone read about how that works?
Gordo
Pretty sure the sensor is optical like this:http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/562865. It can work through plastic that seems opaque to us.
On the EU version the sensor is to the left of the HTC logo about 1cm to the left of the 'H'.
strzelecki said:
Pretty sure the sensor is optical like this:http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/562865. It can work through plastic that seems opaque to us.
On the EU version the sensor is to the left of the HTC logo about 1cm to the left of the 'H'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great info, thanks. I take it the EU devices have the letters HTC in a place other than just above the top left of the screen?
Question: I am looking on Ebay for another hard/split case like the one I got from my TMo USA dealer and see that some have a hole for the sensor but it appears to be to the right of the speaker. Do the EU devices have the sensor in a different spot?
This is the link I was looking at to buy but the hole is one the wrong side or is it just a picture that has been reversed? Or is that a hole for a front side camera that the USA devices don't have???
http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-MATTE-CASE-R...ries?hash=item4147ebe116&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
My local TMo dealer said they would replace mine so i can drill the hole more accurately but I am still thinking I want to try one from Ebay.
Gordo
The hole in that one appears to be for the camera.
More screen blanking problems
Wow, after some research it looks like no shell/skin type of cases have the cutout for the in-call screen blanking proximity sensor.
If you have a shell/skin for the TP2, can you confirm that feature is/not working?
Gordo
I can confirm that the sensor does not work when I put my silicon case on. I ordered mine from ebay...there is a thread about silicon cases here. Anyway, I did a test like you did and sure enough, the sensor does not work when I have the case on. When I take the case off, the sensor turns off my screen.
Can you post a pic of where you drilled your hole? Thanks.
use a hole puncher on a piece of post-it... move that holey post-it over the suspected area... use other palm to simulate your face... move holey paper until screen blanks... and there's your sensor.
tmobile sells the body glove 2 piece snap on case (hard black case) as well as a 2 piece silicone case combo pack with a car chargeer. the silicone case with the car charger actually has an offset hole for the earpiece and proximity sensor unlike the body glove case.
moral of the story...get the tmobile combo pack that has the silicone case as well as the car charger.
What "Won't Work"?
jetjockgordo said:
If you have/get a USA TP2 you will be offered the split hard shell (leather wrapped plastic) case that actually fits and works very well but it has a MAJOR design flaw. Turns out there is a proximity sensor just above and to the right of the letters HTC on the front face (can't see it and don't know how it works) that is used for blanking the screen when in a call. The case TMo will try to sell you covers that sensor and it won't work. I took a 1/2" drill bit and made a hole just to the left and below the hole for the speaker (leaving enough plastic to keep continuity of the frame) and now the sensor works.
I will be calling my local dealer in the morning to make them aware of the problem. This needs to get out because the proximity sensor really works!!!! I wish I had it instead of the light sensor on my Touch HD.
Also make sure that ANY case you buy has that area uncovered.
Regards,
Gordo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im thinking of getting this phone and so im looking for possible issues but I don't understand why this is a problem. If the phone is in the case, then it would be in proximity to something and it ensures the screen stays off so its not wasting power or getting hot right? Then when its taken out of the case and you bring it out of suspend mode the screen and all turns back on....? what am I missing here?
jetjockgordo said:
Comparing the TP2 to my HD I noticed, before I put the shell on, that screen blanks perfectly during a call when it gets about 1-2" from my face (my HD effectively does not have that feature) and functions much like, dare I say, like the iPhone for the screen blanking. It took me a while to realize the sensor is not near the LED/speaker area but about 1/16" (1-2mm) above and to the right of the letter C from HTC. I initially drilled a hole that was about 1/8" but it was too high and too far left for the sensor to work so I just made the hole larger and now it works perfectly....not pretty put it works. I actually like the hard shell (my wife, not so much since it makes the whole package bulky) and feel that it is providing good protection and good anti-slip properties.
Gordo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Gordo,
I am curious. If the prox sensor blanks the screen when it is close to your face, wouldn't you want it to also blank the screen while in the case? That would seem to keep alerts from leaving a live screen and wearing down the batteries. (That happens to me now with my Tilt.) If so, then you do not want a hole in the case?
Dickr
OmsagroSylph said:
Im thinking of getting this phone and so im looking for possible issues but I don't understand why this is a problem. If the phone is in the case, then it would be in proximity to something and it ensures the screen stays off so its not wasting power or getting hot right? Then when its taken out of the case and you bring it out of suspend mode the screen and all turns back on....? what am I missing here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at my original post I mention that this problem is with the split shell case that is being sold by factory Tmobile retail stores in the USA. Ebay also has a number of 2 piece cases/skins/shells that, without a hole for the sensor, will frustrate people who might not know that the "screen blanking while in call" feature will be rendered unusable. Someone mentioned that it is the Body Glove, hard plastic wrapped in leather, 2 piece case that has one part clip on the display part of the phone and the other part on the back of the keyboard half of the phone. Both halves of the case are intended to remain on the phone. If you are just placing a naked TP2 in, say, a pouch case, then this is not a concern to you and should blank the screen if you are in a call while using a BT headset.
Gordo
jetjockgordo said:
If you look at my original post I mention that this problem is with the split shell case that is being sold by factory Tmobile retail stores in the USA. Ebay also has a number of 2 piece cases/skins/shells that, without a hole for the sensor, will frustrate people who might not know that the "screen blanking while in call" feature will be rendered unusable. Someone mentioned that it is the Body Glove, hard plastic wrapped in leather, 2 piece case that has one part clip on the display part of the phone and the other part on the back of the keyboard half of the phone. Both halves of the case are intended to remain on the phone. If you are just placing a naked TP2 in, say, a pouch case, then this is not a concern to you and should blank the screen if you are in a call while using a BT headset.
Gordo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gordo,
Thanks. This is much clearer and makes sense if you use a hard plastic case.
Dickr
cabranscom said:
I can confirm that the sensor does not work when I put my silicon case on. I ordered mine from ebay...there is a thread about silicon cases here. Anyway, I did a test like you did and sure enough, the sensor does not work when I have the case on. When I take the case off, the sensor turns off my screen.
Can you post a pic of where you drilled your hole? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you still need a picture of where I had to drill the hole in the hard shell case? If so I can have it posted by tomorrow.
Gordo
Gordo,
Can you please post a few pictures of the Body Glove case (thanks for replying to my previous thread). I cannot locate any decent pictures of the phone from various angles with the Body Glove case.
Thank you
mail_e36 said:
Gordo,
Can you please post a few pictures of the Body Glove case (thanks for replying to my previous thread). I cannot locate any decent pictures of the phone from various angles with the Body Glove case.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You bet. I am out of town until late tonight and will post some pictures tomorrow.
Gordo
I was experiencing random screen shutoffs after fitting my galaxy note 10.1 (2014) for a new case.
It took a while before I finally realized that the random shut offs were being triggered by the case, more specifically, when the edge of my case came in line with the edge of the tablet, which is an awesome feature when you have the cover covering the front of the unit.
But the problem is it manages to shut off screen regardless of which side of the unit the cover is on, as long as the edge of the cover is aligned with the units edge. This can be quite frustrating when trying to read while holding the tablet in certain orientations.
Questions: I was wondering if anyone else has experienced similar issues with their cases/covers (a little research seems to indicate this is not an isolated issue and many, if not all, cases/covers suffer from this issue).
1) If you have not, which cases/covers do you use? Do these cases resolve the issue by never aligning the cover to the same position when flipped backwards as when flipped forwards (i.e. skewed slightly short of the edge when in backwards position)?
2) If you have experienced this issue, how have you addressed it? Can you disable the magnetic sensor?
3) Would weakening the magnet in the case perhaps ensure that it was only sensed in the forward position?
SKida00 said:
I was experiencing random screen sback andk ffs after fitting my galaxy note 10.1 (2014) for a new case.
It took a while before I finally realized that the random shut offs were being triggered by the case, more specifically, when the edge of my case came in line with the edge of the tablet, which is an awesome feature when you have the cover covering the front of the unit.
But the problem is it manages to shut off screen regardless of which side of the unit the cover is on, as long as the edge of the cover is aligned with the units edge. This can be quite frustrating when trying to read while holding the tablet in certain orientations.
et in the case perhaps ensure that it was only sensed in the forward position?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i have the same problem. pick up A generic folio type case for my P600. Case looks and feels great. Auto wake works brilliantly when I open the cover, but there is the problem of The screen turning off when I flip the cover over to the back and the magnetic edges meet. Dunno how to fix this yet. Tried the magnetoff xposed module but that doesn't seem to work.
I got the Moko slim case and the same thing happens, what I did to circumvent the problem was to put my screen cleaning cloth between the case and the tablet. This prevents the magnet from locking the screen when completely folded backwards, the only thing is that this method will block the camera with the cloth. For me this is not a problem I don't see myself using the camera on my tablet when I can use my SGS3's camera, and this way I never forget my screen cleaning cloth .
I've read about this on other devices on various covers as well. they think it mah be due to the magnet not being properly shielded. dunno any fixes other than get another case.
I hade a cover for my old Ipad and it all so turn off the Ipad when I flipped over the cover.
It did turn out the problem was with the magnet and after getting a new one, the problem was solved.
My poetic slimline work perfectly no issues at all. Love the look and feel, I do want a carry slevee tho for more protection if I wanna bring it out of the house. Or even just to store in the house. But overall love this case.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
Get a piece of sheet metal (strip out a cheapie magnetic whiteboard , a few dollars at a variety store) cut to just less than the back of the tablet screen.
Cover it with a thin plastic film (to safeguard from cutting yourself)
It will adhere to the back of the screen magnetically and flatten the magnet's field
Now you can use the device with the keyboard tucked away behind the screen. (you may have to leave a small air gap say 5mm to 10 mm)
This does not affect the normal screen-keyboard functions when used conventionally
Same problem with Galaxy Tab A (Nougat)
There is an option in the tab to turn it off, but regardless what you choose, the tablet still responds to the magnet. Very annoying when you lay down your tablet flat. For now i just put something between the cover and the back of the tablet, like a handkerchief. This works for me, but ofcourse it's not a solution just a workaround. I'm still trying to find a solution.
Did you find any way to turn off the magnetic lock and unlock function? When I backfold my cover (aftermarket), it automatically locks my tab. Which is very irritating. I have Samsung galaxy tab S5e
There wasn't a good search result on a way to disable it via software or hardware mod so I thought I would post the solution I just did on my daughter's new tablet folio.
She has an old S3 Tab so the options are quite limited so figured modification was the only way. I ended up removing 3 magnets until I figured out which one actually did the on/off Hall effect. The smart thing to do would have been to use a magnet to find where on the tablet the Hall effect sensor was first, then remove just that magnet. The other magnets are for holding the clasp in place when the folio is open or closed.
I just cut an X over the magnet location, removed it, then filled it back in with hot glue. On her tablet, the Hall sensor was on the top left (fat arrow). It's annoying to have to do this but there's no other way. I tried the metal plate trick but that looked pretty bad and didn't always work.
Hope that helps someone
Is there a way to TEMPORARILY disable the proximity sensing of the double-tap wake feature of LG G3?
What I want is to be able to wake the phone and unlock it while the phone is in a transparent case (waterproof bike mount, armband, etc.). The phone currently thinks that it is in the pocket and does not wake on double-tap on the screen.
The power button is in the center of the back of the phone which makes it hard/impossible to reach/find when in such a case/armband.
Is there a hidden setting or an app that will make this possible? And once more - I need this for temporary situations when riding a bike. After riding a bike i'd like to re-enable the proximity sensing for pocket carrying.
sstundzia said:
Is there a way to TEMPORARILY disable the proximity sensing of the double-tap wake feature of LG G3?
What I want is to be able to wake the phone and unlock it while the phone is in a transparent case (waterproof bike mount, armband, etc.). The phone currently thinks that it is in the pocket and does not wake on double-tap on the screen.
The power button is in the center of the back of the phone which makes it hard/impossible to reach/find when in such a case/armband.
Is there a hidden setting or an app that will make this possible? And once more - I need this for temporary situations when riding a bike. After riding a bike i'd like to re-enable the proximity sensing for pocket carrying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cut out a small hole in the plastic right where the sensor is. That's how I solved the same problem.
infinitron said:
Cut out a small hole in the plastic right where the sensor is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"waterproof bike mount" :good:
Automaton locker might have a setting that will help you.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=aky.akshay.coveralgorithm
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
The OP has probably solved his problem in the meantime. I had much the same issue, and I wanted to share what I did.
Firstly, yes, there is a way to "disable" the proximity sensor: just cover it with something that a) does not emit, and b) does not reflect IR light. Because of a), a finger does not work, but a piece of black sticky tape does. If only the right of the two little lenses is covered (that is the IR LED), the ambient light sensor even continues to work.
Of course, putting on some sticky tape whenever I use my G3 in the bicycle-mounted case is not the ideal solution. So I experimented with sticking the tape to the inside of the case. That did not work too well, because the front of the case is flexible and never lies flush on zthe screen. I ended up putting some thicker, spongy rubber there.
All this was with Rixen & Kaul's Phonebag M, which otherwise worked very nicely and allowed me to use my previous phone for navigation even in the most torrential rain.
But that spongy rubber blob made the touchscreen more difficult to use, as it lifted the case's transparent front even further away from the screen. So I kept looking, and bought Topeak's new Drybag 6.
It's a bit too big for an L3, but the Drybag 5 seems to *just* be too small - you'd probably get an L3 in there, but not out again. So the size 6 is the better choice. The interesting thing is that Topeak seems to use a different material for the transparent front: it seems to reflect IR light a lot less than the Phonebag's, so I can switch on my L3 almost every time (I'd say, 95% of my attempts worked). I will keep testing it for a few more weeks.
Two other things I find nice about it: the bicycle mount doubles as a belt clip, and it has a ziplock-style - um - ziplock, so it's probably not just resisting rain and sweat, but really waterproof. When I closed the ziplock, it was air-tight.
What I don't really like about it is the flimsiness of the mount - even the screw is plastic, and the case has a lot of play in the mount. I don't think, though, that it can fall out, even on bad roads.
Hope I could help someone.
Cheers
Daniel
Does anyone know what the sensor switch is near the bottom of the Google pixel phone/near the charging point which when activated by a magnet turns the phone off?
It doesn't seem to be the normal magnet sensor which is actually located behind the finger print sensor on the Google pixel xl
I never noticed that. have you tested it? I'd have to find a magnet to check it out.
bestofrhcp said:
I never noticed that. have you tested it? I'd have to find a magnet to check it out.
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Click to collapse
Yeh I have a magnetic mount in the car for my phone.
And when I hold the magnet next to the finger print sensor where the magnetic sensor is, the screen doesn't turn off and the magnetic field strength is over like 5000.
When I put the magnet at the bottom of my phone, say near the speaker or behind the G logo on back of the phone, the magnetic field strength is no more than 130 but the screen turns off by whatever switch at the bottom behind the G logo that is detecting the magnet.
Really wanna find out what sensor is picking this up.
smash monkey said:
Yeh I have a magnetic mount in the car for my phone.
And when I hold the magnet next to the finger print sensor where the magnetic sensor is, the screen doesn't turn off and the magnetic field strength is over like 5000.
When I put the magnet at the bottom of my phone, say near the speaker or behind the G logo on back of the phone, the magnetic field strength is no more than 130 but the screen turns off by whatever switch at the bottom behind the G logo that is detecting the magnet.
Really wanna find out what sensor is picking this up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have a magnet mount in my car. I haven't encountered this. I'll have to test it out later to see if it happens to me as well. I'll let you know.
bestofrhcp said:
I also have a magnet mount in my car. I haven't encountered this. I'll have to test it out later to see if it happens to me as well. I'll let you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh that's odd. If you can't reproduce what is happening with me and il make a video on my old phone to show you what's happening with mine. I assume yours is a pixel xl too?
This has been mentioned before and is reproducible. HTC puts that sensor on some of their phones, it used for smart cases and such. Use a small magnet in the area of the home button and it will always sleep.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
ahent said:
This has been mentioned before and is reproducible. HTC puts that sensor on some of their phones, it used for smart cases and such. Use a small magnet in the area of the home button and it will always sleep.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yeh that's exactly what I'm talking about, but I'm trying to find out what it's called.
I use an app called automate, and I'm wanting to utilise this sensor in automate, and if it can utilise it in the current version I wanna let them know what this sensor is so they can look at adding it it.
just throwing it out there, not sure what good it will do, but i exclusively use magic mounts (ridiculously strong magnet, and i would reccomend and of there products to anybody). Anyways, it never fails, when i attach my device to the magic mount, the device wakes up. Ambient display and all Gestures stay off, so its not the feature that does this. its kinda weird, and i use to be worried about the magnet messing with my device, but i just ignore it.
Bosch Sensortec BMI160 low power IMU according to iFixiit, this chip is on the motherboard. I believe it can be hooked up to detect magnets for wake states (if I read the data sheet correctly, I am not an engineer). So, that's probably the name of the sensor.
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk
ahent said:
Bosch Sensortec BMI160 low power IMU according to iFixiit, this chip is on the motherboard. I believe it can be hooked up to detect magnets for wake states (if I read the data sheet correctly, I am not an engineer). So, that's probably the name of the sensor.
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see that on their site but don't believe this is the one causing the sleep in my previous descriptions in this post as it is near the G logo /towards the power socket on the phone, not at the top where the motherboard is
I just wonder if the chip is controlling the sensor, the daughter board is pretty sparse.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Laying my phone on my macbook does this. Lol FML
Sent from my Pixel XL
Guess no one else has any idea on this then
I have the same issue, magnetic car mount, I turn the phone on, in portrait mode, I open a YouTube video, and when I turn the phone in landscape mode the screen turns off. Without the magnet, the phone acts normal.
Strange.
Phone - Pixel 2 XL
I know this is a long shot but here goes. I got a 2nd hand nexus 5x but the proximity sensor does not work. It shows 0 cm on the AIDA64 app. After researching online it seems there's a piece of foam/gasket that covers the hole on the display/lcd whatever its called. It is missing on mine. Most likely the screen was replaced at the time and the new screens don't have this apparently. I even bought a new screen/digitizer on ebay but no foam. Does anyone know of a workaround for this or how I can make/buy a piece of foam this tiny? I'm not even positive this is the problem. I'm also not sure how a piece of foam would prevent the sensor from working.