Of proximity sensors and the BlackBerry 88xx series

L_8800_lambskin_leather_holster_pitProximity sensors are going to start appearing in a number of mobile devices because they can add intelligent functionality simply and cheaply.  You’ve probably heard about the sensor in the iPhone that turns the screen and touch digitizer off when the phone is brought close to the face while on a call.  One of the coolest and least understood (at least by me) features of the RIM BlackBerry 8830 has to do with the holster case.  My case came with the Verizon bundle so I don’t know if all 8830s come with the case or not but if you have an 8830 and don’t have the BlackBerry holster case then you should get it.  When the 88xx is slid into the holster the phone automatically locks the keypad and turns the screen off to save battery and prevent the phone from accidental events.  You’ve probably had a phone in your pocket that inadvertently pressed buttons and called someone accidentally.  This 88xx holster prevents those things from happening.

I have to admit I’ve spent more time than I should trying to figure out how that works.  I came to the conclusion that it was activated either through pressure on the trackball when the phone goes into the case or by the magnetic closure on the holster case itself.  Research on the RIM site indicates it’s a lot more sophisticated than either of those scenarios as the case has a proximity sensor embedded that detects when the phone is inserted.  This is not only useful for saving battery life as I mentioned above but RIM has extended the functionality by making many events configurable in such a way that an event will react differently depending on whether the phone is in the holster or not.  Here’s an example.  I like to have the phone’s ringer at a medium volume level when I’m using the phone but it can be difficult to hear when it’s in the holster and the speaker is covered.  With the proximity sensor able to tell when the phone is holstered, I have configured the phone to ring louder when it’s in the case.  Simple yet very effective.   Virtually every setting (and there are many) can be programmed to do different things depending on whether the phone is holstered or not.  I am finding this incredibly useful and hats off to RIM for making what may be the first intelligent case for a phone.  Here’s what RIM says about this technology:

Proximity-sensing technology:

  • Saves power and maximizes battery life by automatically shutting off the screen
  • Canactivate different notification settings for phone, email and otherapplications based on in-holster and out-of-holster profiles

The case is only $30 so it’s a great deal all around and the craftsmanship is top-notch.  It comes in a variety of colors for the fashion conscious and there is a tote version for those who don’t like belt clips.

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