N900 phone answering behaviour with resistive screen?

[peio]

Hello

I'm new here, and looking forward to the n900 to replace my eeepc900 and iphone 3G :D

I haven't found info on the N900 behaviour for call answering:
Does it have a simple button to answer, like the "END" button on this picture?

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3155/nokian90005lowres.jpg

In that case, does the screen automaticly unlock when receiving a call? If it's like that, that would probably cause unwanted answering when the phone is in the pocket, since the screen is resistive. This really bad problem was present on my HTC diamond, then HTC released a new software version with "silde to answer" fonction:

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3528/slidetoanswer.jpg

So, how does it work for N900?

Thanks and sorry for my bad english
Peio

[ruskie]

Hmm that's actually an interesting idea.

[pelago]

The screenshots I've seen when a call is incoming is like your top picture but with a green button that says Answer instead of End.

That's a good point about what happens when the screen is locked. I don't know what happens at the moment, but I like the slide to answer/ignore idea.

[jalladin]

yes, it does sound very useful if something like it already isnt implemented in the soon to be released module...

if its not, I do hope someone is able to make that type of program/fix for the N900. pretty please with sugar on top:o

[conny]

There is a proximity sensor on the phone. Probably it´s used to disable the touch feature while in your pocket. Just a guess, though :)

[aSIMULAtor]

there is a proximity sensor on the phone like conny had said.

and yes, when you receive an incoming call and your phone is locked, it will show the incoming call screen with the answer or reject button.

[peio]

Ok, so we have to wait for more info to see how the proximity sensor is used in that device. I hope it will be as accurate as on the iphone during calls (screen OFF when talking / ON when looking at the screen - works PERFECTLY, I don't know if it's coupled with the light sensor though).
But I wouldn't trust the efficacy of it if it's in a pocket.

How does it work on other nokia resistive screen devices? Are there similar issues?

[anidel]

It's used like in the iPhone. Press the green button to answer (note that the screenshot above is in the middle of an already answered call, that's why it's showind End), when talking the proximity sensor detects your face next to it and turns off the screen to save energy.

Not sure if you get a call and the phone is in your pocket tho.
I suppose it'll answer (as regular phones do with regular keys) if you accidentally press on the button...

[kopte3]

It's used like in the iPhone. Press the green button to answer (note that the screenshot above is in the middle of an already answered call, that's why it's showind End), when talking the proximity sensor detects your face next to it and turns off the screen to save energy.

Not sure if you get a call and the phone is in your pocket tho.
I suppose it'll answer (as regular phones do with regular keys) if you accidentally press on the button...

Save energy? No. That's a side effect. It turns off so you can't accidentally press something while you're talking.

[peio]

@anidel
Actually in the iphone, you have "slide to answer" when the phone is locked (it shows a normal button only when you're using the device), even if the capacitive screen already prevents unwanted answering

I just ask about it because the "unwanted answering" was a really serious problem on HTC devices, and people at xda-developpers were trying several solutions to that:
- keep the screen locked when receiving a call (the screen is dimmed so you see who's calling, and you have to first unlock it, then press answer)
- slide to answer

[zehjotkah]

Save energy? No. That's a side effect. It turns off so you can't accidentally press something while you're talking.

he meant the screen... not the touchscreen.
the screen turns off to save energy. the touchscreen turns off to prevent unwanted touches with your ear.

[anidel]

I like the slide to answer solution rather then first unlocking then answering.

[Boke]

I have a 5800 on which you answer by pressing the screen.

I never answered a call by mistake in my pocket. As far as I can tell, there's a proximity sensor and it inactivates/turn off the screen when in the the pocket.

I guess it will work just as good with the N900

[Soulfarmer]

http://www.mobile-review.com/review/image/nokia/maemo5/scr/phone-calling-app/calls10.jpg
I think that covers the answering part..

[peio]

Well thank you, so if there's no problem on 5800, we can imagine there will be no problem on N900 :)

[Duffer]

Can you disable an alarm be moving your hand near the 5800? That would be neat...

[Matic]

I have a 5800 on which you answer by pressing the screen.

I never answered a call by mistake in my pocket. As far as I can tell, there's a proximity sensor and it inactivates/turn off the screen when in the the pocket.

I guess it will work just as good with the N900



My wife has a 5800 and it sometimes answers even if the phone is in her purse. Altough it can be good to hear what she is doing(talking too) it´s kinda annoying because she can´t hear when it rings. It answers immediatelly. This has happen maybe 2-3 times in 6 months, so it´s not that big of a deal.

[Bratag]

My wife has a 5800 and it sometimes answers even if the phone is in her purse. Altough it can be good to hear what she is doing(talking too) it´s kinda annoying because she can´t hear when it rings. It answers immediatelly. This has happen maybe 2-3 times in 6 months, so it´s not that big of a deal.

My guess is the extra room in the purse V the pocket/case doesnt register on the prox sensor.

[bugelrex]

My wife has a 5800 and it sometimes answers even if the phone is in her purse. Altough it can be good to hear what she is doing(talking too) it´s kinda annoying because she can´t hear when it rings. It answers immediatelly. This has happen maybe 2-3 times in 6 months, so it´s not that big of a deal.

If you place your hand/thumb over the prox sensor and then call the 5800, I assume its impossible to answer the call by touching the screen? This would prove the prox sensor helps with unwanted answering

[ARJWright]

Can you disable an alarm be moving your hand near the 5800? That would be neat...

For most Symbian handsets these days, you can disable alarms by simply turning over (flipping) the device, or double tapping the rear of the casing will initiatize a snooze/ignore-call feature as well.

[bugelrex]

Found the answer to my question on howardforums. Basically the prox sensor is only in use when the call is active on 5800, n97.

Lets hope the N900 doesn't follow the same implementation because the screen is much more sensitive. It guess a swipe to answer would be a better implemention


http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1576285

[peio]

I found that the slide to answer option is natively included in the n97, and appears when you receive a call anf the screen is initially locked (but not in the 5800).
See "n97 swipe to answer" on google for screenshots. I hope it will be included in n900, even if the n97 screen captures look ugly compared to htc or apple solutions.

[handrea]

I found these images:
http://nigelcoldwell.co.uk/test/Scr000004.png

http://jbrasco.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/swipe.jpg

[pelago]

Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdTj3d148UI . That looks like it would be useful for N900.

[Rushmore]

Doesn't having proximity sensors on all the time add to battery drain? Seems that some hardware keys on the face of the phone would have been a better option. Call, End and Home would have been good. Looks like plenty of room around the bezel.

If the proximity sensors are based on capacitive change, they tend to draw more current than accelerometer sensors that are also on the device. Seems to add complexity to the design when hard keys would cover it.

Am I off base big time here?

[GeneralAntilles]

Doesn't having proximity sensors on all the time add to battery drain? Seems that some hardware keys on the face of the phone would have been a better option. Call, End and Home would have been good. Looks like plenty of room around the bezel.


Certainly no more than backlighting 2 or 3 large buttons. ;)


If the proximity sensors are based on capacitive change, they tend to draw more current than accelerometer sensors that are also on the device.

Proximity sensors are just little IR beams. See my earlier post (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=331788&postcount=80) on the subject.


Seems to add complexity to the design when hard keys would cover it.


Maemo is a mobile computer first and a phone second, having two big buttons on the front would interfere with its use as a mobile computer for very little benefit to the phone functionality.

[handrea]

Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdTj3d148UI . That looks like it would be useful for N900.
But at present this tool is not available for the Maemo OS, correct?

[pelago]

Correct....

[bugelrex]

Micky at nokiausers.net has the final answer on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXgqp0SEoc8

Basically the prox sensor does not help in answering a call accidentally. Looks like the only way to ensure no accidental answering is to lock the screen before you place in pocket...

But means you have to unlock the screen and then click answer to answer the call. 2 step process unfortunately

[Laughing Man]

It should be one step if it's anything like the previous tablets. Alarms and Phone calls over-ride the lock usually. It won't give you full access to the system, but you can still press the answer/hang up or turn off/snooze function.

Edit: Seems like if it's locked mode the screen just remains dark.. interesting

[nymajoak]

Micky at nokiausers.net has the final answer on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXgqp0SEoc8

Basically the prox sensor does not help in answering a call accidentally. Looks like the only way to ensure no accidental answering is to lock the screen before you place in pocket...

But means you have to unlock the screen and then click answer to answer the call. 2 step process unfortunately

Hang on.. He didn't try to uncover the sensor while the phone was ringing. Could be that the screen lock is disabled then. Or am I missing something?

[Helmuth]

It should be one step if it's anything like the previous tablets. Alarms and Phone calls over-ride the lock usually. It won't give you full access to the system, but you can still press the answer/hang up or turn off/snooze function.


Exactly. :(

I've added a Brainstorm (http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/actions_when_device_is_locked_and_a_event_like_ale art-alarm_or_call_happens) to this behavior. Please vote if you have such kind of problems or contribute here (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=476153) at talk.

[sennyk]

Here is how it works for me.

1: I put the phone in my pocket. Obviously, I lock the screen before I do this; otherwise, I'll be instructing the phone to do random things while I walk. That would also seriously drain the battery.

2: Some time goes by.

3: I get a phone call. At that time the proximity sensor keeps the touchscreen inactive.

4: I remove the phone from a tight pocket; my wallet and phone share the same pocket.

5: I look at the phone and press answer.

6: I talk, etc...

Never, have I accidentally answered a call.

[slender]

sennyk you take your phone carefully out of your pocket knowing that you can touch only sides. This is inconsistent behaviour when you compare it to how you probably would take phone out of pocket if it doesnt have touchcreen. Wild guess :)

- I put phone in my pocket without knowing how it is in there (like probably most of people)
- When I answer I try to take it out as fast as possible, Just grab it and turn around with one hand to see who i calling.

Should i change my behaviour after ~10 years. Maybe. but if there is solution already somwhere why not copy it.

[ndi]

This was an October thread?

[sennyk]

sennyk you take your phone carefully out of your pocket knowing that you can touch only sides. This is inconsistent behaviour when you compare it to how you probably would take phone out of pocket if it doesnt have touchcreen. Wild guess :)

- I put phone in my pocket without knowing how it is in there (like probably most of people)
- When I answer I try to take it out as fast as possible, Just grab it and turn around with one hand to see who i calling.

Should i change my behaviour after ~10 years. Maybe. but if there is solution already somwhere why not copy it.

It isn't possible to take the phone out very carefully. It is a tight pocket; the screen rubs my leg, my wallet, and/or my fingers touch the screen while taking it out sometimes. It just depends on how I put it in my pocket.

Your guess is way off base.

[slender]

Maybe its off but i have rejected phone calls and i'm using this same way as all other phones i have had. Just grab and answer.

[Shaichico]

I know that this has been discussed in another thread and there is a brain storm on this. But what I would like to to see is that if a call is received we should have a slider to either activate the phone touch screen or touch slide to answer the call. By having one or the other eliminates accidentally drop/answer the call.

[hermz]

I've been accidentally ending at least half of the calls I receive when trying to get the N900 out of my pocket. It's starting to frustrate the heck out of me.

Any solutions to this problem yet?

[Ulrik]

Same here. I would really like a solution to this "problem" (it is a problem for me).

[MohammadAG]

The Nokia 5800 had the same problem (solved in V40 I think)
The N97 had it fixed from release: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdTj3d148UI
Personally I like the swipe to answer and swipe to unlock part.

[msa]

hm slide to answer seems to be a nice alternative, either n97-style or htc-style. i like both.
it already happened to me that i accidently accepted or rejected a call. wouldnt happen that easily with "slide to answer"

[FreddyFish]

I've had the N900 for over three months now and I personally have never accidentally answered or rejected a phone call.

I don't use extra caution when taking it out of my pocket. However, I do put the phone in my pocket the same way every time, with the back side facing my leg. Maybe that could be of help.

[zarf]

I have to say, however much I love my truly wonderful N900, I often reject calls by mistake and often cut people off mid call due to not keeping the handset pushed to my face.

Some form of slide to answer / reject / end call would be greatly appreciated if anyone from Nokia is reading this. Hardly critical, but would enhance the user experience a lot.

[atunguyd]

Same here - even in a pouch in my pocket I often end up cancelling a call while getting it out my pocket.

[Alex Atkin UK]

And I am in the "never answered by accident" camp too. Although, its not like I get that many calls and I keep the screen against a plastic wallet holding my medical card, so that the back is facing outwards for optimal signal. ;-)

I've had the N900 for over three months now and I personally have never accidentally answered or rejected a phone call.

I don't use extra caution when taking it out of my pocket. However, I do put the phone in my pocket the same way every time, with the back side facing my leg. Maybe that could be of help.

I personally have it the opposite way around. If you have the back facing your leg, its transmitting the radio signals straight into your leg instead of outwards to the cell towers. Could shorten your battery life considerably. I always keep mine screen facing me, because logically the bit you press to your face is the bit where the radiation will be directed the most away from, for optimal reception and minimal exposure.

Believe me, the location of the antenna in the N900 is hugely relevant. If I hold it in my right hand I can lose the 3G signal entirely, in a rough reception area. It even tells you in the manual where each antenna is advising you to not cover them, a bit of a silly thing to say when GPS is in one side, Wifi in the top, GSM in the right - so where the hell are you supposed to actually hold this thing? :-p

[byte_76]

I have also never accidentally answered or dropped a call by pressing the button unintentionally but I can see how this might be a problem in some situations. I think the slider idea would be good.

I also keep my phone in my pocket with the screen facing towards my leg but the reason I do that is because I want to reduce the possibility of cracking the screen if I bump against something with my leg. I have seen that happen with a colleague that unintentionally bumped his pocket against the corner of a table and cracked the screen of his HTC touch 1st gen.

[msa]

I have also never accidentally answered or dropped a call by pressing the button unintentionally but I can see how this might be a problem in some situations. I think the slider idea would be good.


i once received a call and looked at the screen. i wanted to accept the call, so i moved my finger towards the screen.
for some reason, i actively pushed the big red reject-button instead the accept-button i originally intended to push xD i guess my brain was attracted by the red color although my mind knew my finger was going at the wrong button. it was one of those moments where you suddenly realize you're going to do something wrong but you cant prevent your body from physically moving because its too late.
i dont know why. it was like "why did i do that?!" and i literally facepalmed myself.

not that a slider-button could prevent one completely of such madness, but i think it will surely give you some extra time to draw back.

[Alex Atkin UK]

I have also never accidentally answered or dropped a call by pressing the button unintentionally but I can see how this might be a problem in some situations. I think the slider idea would be good.

I also keep my phone in my pocket with the screen facing towards my leg but the reason I do that is because I want to reduce the possibility of cracking the screen if I bump against something with my leg. I have seen that happen with a colleague that unintentionally bumped his pocket against the corner of a table and cracked the screen of his HTC touch 1st gen.

My friend did that with his N95 while playing Pool, hit the corner of the table andl bye bye LCD.

[fnordianslip]

for some reason, i actively pushed the big red reject-button instead the accept-button i originally intended to push

Please, don't ever run for president :)

[skalogre]

Please, don't ever run for president :)
:D

Good one.

I assume no one has noticed anything in the SDK, Bugtracker or user manual for PR 1.2. regarding any changes to this?

[crown77]

is it possible that when i use the hardware slide button the function dont works and the phone is still locked so i cant answer the call? couse i lost a lot of calls about this behavior..

Any known Bug about this around?

best regards Crown

[Helmuth]

Okay, some new people at this thread with the same problem...

Please don't forget to Vote for this Brainstorm: Link (http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/actions_when_device_is_locked_and_a_event_like_ale art-alarm_or_call_happens/) (you need a seperate maemo.org account)