Promise goes unfulfilled

Apple has yet to find a fix for flaws with the iPhone 4's proximity sensor, according to one of the company's Australian spokespeople, Fiona Martin. Normally the sensor detects when an iPhone is next to a person's face, and shuts off the touchscreen to prevent people from accidentally tapping onscreen buttons. In some cases the sensor is failing, potentially leading to interrupted calls.

In addressing the iPhone 4's reception problems during a July press event, Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised that the next iOS update would solve proximity sensor issues. It instead dealt with a PDF-based exploit, which while allowing jailbreaking also represented a serious security threat. Apple is currently working on iOS 4.1, which could be released as soon as this week to support new iPods.

The head of Apple Australia, Tony King, is meanwhile slated to make a rare appearance at a roundtable meeting, featuring 10 representatives from Tasmanian technology companies. King is said to shun interviews as a rule, and rarely attend events in the IT industry. Tasmania's premier, David Bartlett, suggests that mobile apps may come up as a topic in relation to job growth. He also describes King as "fully aware" of "Tasmania's emerging broadband advantage," referring to the region's position in the National Broadband Network. The NBN could potentially be canceled, however, if the Coalition wins Australia's debated federal election.

by MacNN Staff