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No ear speaker

mason.kramer

mason.kramer

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 16, 2007
270
18
Watertown, MA
I just watched the ipod introduction video available at www.apple.com/iphone. I couldn't help but notice that the slit above the screen, what I had expected to be an ear speaker, was in fact only a proximity / light sensor. At least, that was what I gathered from watching the video from around 12:30 to 15:00. It seems that the only speaker is on the bottom of the phone, near the microphone. I also noticed that, in th keynote, he never makes a private phone call - he's always using speakerphone mode (though that could be just so the call will be picked up by his mic, I realize that). But he was very thorough in his keynote, but he never talks about quiet conversation mode. I can see where the designers might have decided that, in order to keep the phone's size down, they could leave off the ear speaker and expect people to use a bluetooth headset or headphones. So, my question, does anyone know if it is going to be possible to have a private phone conversation using the phone, or will we have to be wearing headphones/bluetooth headset to have that functionality?
 
actually he did in the keynote, the whole purpose of the proximity sensor is so when you do put it up to your ear it locks the screen and ignores unintended touches. it also saves on battery life.
 
I suppose my question is more something like this. I realize that the phone has a mode in which you can have a conversation by placing the phone to your ear. However, when you press the phone to your ear, the speaker is on the bottom. Doesn't it seem like other people near you will be able to hear both sides conversation that way?

I'm really just asking, I am not claiming that this is how it actually is. Perhaps someone who's used the phone could clear this up?
 
mason.kramer said:
Perhaps someone who's used the phone could clear this up?
Click to expand...

No need. I'll give you a rule of thumb. If you think of something that would just be incredibly, ridiculously, and mind-bogglingly stupid, you can just assume that Apple didn't do that thing.

By the way, did you hear that the new MacBook Pro will have the screen and keyboard on opposite sides of the device, so that it's thinner and doesn't have to fold open?
 
mason.kramer said:
However, when you press the phone to your ear, the speaker is on the bottom.
Click to expand...

...No, it's not. It's by your ear. The proximity sensor is ALSO there, because that's the part that will be closest to your head. The only reason the proximity sensor is identified and the speaker isn't is because it's patently ****ing obvious that that's where the speaker is. :rolleyes:
 
Chaszmyr said:
No need. I'll give you a rule of thumb. If you think of something that would just be incredibly, ridiculously, and mind-bogglingly stupid, you can just assume that Apple didn't do that thing.
Click to expand...

Unless it's so stupid it's brilliant!
 
mason.kramer said:
Doesn't it seem like other people near you will be able to hear both sides conversation that way?
Click to expand...

Don't be ridiculous, they also mentioned a tilt sensor. The phone will know if you're talking or listening depending on how you hold it. Simply turn the phone between your ear and mouth to speak or listen, just as naturally as if you were drinking from a bottle!
 
File this along with the "I bought an iMac and there wasn't a computer in the box, only a screen" threads.

Really. Okay Thomas, stick your fingers in my side.

No but. No but. No but. Enough already.
 
You need a license to drive a car.
Must be 21 to legally drink.

But anyone can start an inane thread.
Search, and think, before you post.
Say it with me like a mantra.

Half the threads out here go something like this. Newbie A. posts thread asking about new _______ (fill in the blank). Newbie B. sitting right next to Newbie A. isn't listenting, and raises hand. "Hey when are new ________s (same blank) coming out. I'm drowning in redundancy, lack of common sense and way too much of it's easier to create more waste than look for the answers that are already there. I'm not just venting either. If I could raise the age requirement to 18 for MR, I would. Maybe there should be a MR adult version. And no, not with pictures of naked Macs.
 
roland.g said:
You need a license to drive a car.
Must be 21 to legally drink.

But anyone can start an inane thread.
Search, and think, before you post.
Click to expand...

If this question is so blindingly stupid, it seems like there wouldn't be another thread about it. Indeed, there isn't.

But honestly, I don't think this is a stupid question. Does the phone have an ear speaker? Only one person on this thread has claimed that it does, and that Steve Jobs just forgot to point out the speaker in his 90 minute introductory presentation. This seems far fetched to me, particularly after watching minutes 12 to 15. Now, if none of you are disputing that the phone doesn't have an ear speaker, why is it so inane to ask whether or not it will have the ability to do private conversations? Let me try to drill this in a little more:
The phone does not have an ear speaker.
The phone does not have an ear speaker.
(say it with me like a mantra)
The phone does not have an ear speaker.
The phone does not have an ear speaker.
The phone does not have an ear speaker.
Ahhh, it feels nice. My mind is clearer already. NOW I see what the difficulty is! THERE IS NO EAR SPEAKER!

So why is it a stupid question to ask, "Without an ear speaker, how will we get our quiet conversations?"

The answer of everyone in this forum has been:
You're an idiot. That's stupid. Everything will be fine.

But that's not really an answer, is it? A simple description of the way in which the apple engineers have redesigned the laws of physics so that their phone can transmit sound waves in a new and exciting way is all I'm asking for. Then I'll be satisfied.
 
You have got to be kidding me...
Thread-Crap-ComicBookGuy.jpg


BB
 
It's a phone. A place to hear from and a mic to talk into. The proximity sensor is in the slot that is the ear speaker so that when your ear gets close to it, it does its job. A speakerphone/headset only cellphone? C'mon. Sorry if you felt I was a little harsh. My apologies. When it comes out, take a closer look at it. Till then, rest assured.
 
mason.kramer,

You might have also noticed in the keynote that a battery was not specifically displayed in the schematic you refer to. So, I'm assuming that since Steve didn't mention that the iPhone has a battery, then according to your bulletproof logic, it must not have one! Use your head, son. Some things are just plain obvious. There is an ear speaker and it's exactly where you'd expect it to be (in case I'm not being clear enough, it's not at the bottom).
 
Gosh, you've spotted the iPhone's one big flaw. If I were you I'd get on to Apple right away - that way they might be able to fix it before launch. There might even be a reward for you.
 
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