Droid is not lefty compatible

[Dartful Dodger]

I bought a Droid on Friday and I've been having problems with the screen going black everytime I try and use the screen's number pad when I'm on the phone.

I can dial numbers fine but when I call an automated service that requires me to touch numbers the screen goes black as soon as I press a button.

I noticed it when I called my voicemail and have to enter my password.  I thought it was timing out because when I shook the phone after every number press it would light up again.

I just called a friend who has an automated service that wasn't waiting for me to shake the phone between press.  It would keep redirecting back to the main menu.  I decided to find out what was wrong with the phone.

After a few tests in my voice mail box I figured out that if I use my right hand to press the buttons the screen wouldn't go black, but if my left hand reached for the numbers it would.  I think the screen is programmed to go black when it senses something approaching from the left while in phone mode.  So a person (a right handed person) holding the phone in their left hand and pressing the numbers with the their right hand goes to hold the phone up to their ear it goes black instantly.

I did a search and couldn't find out anything about this feature (bug) or any way to reverse this setting.

I'm going to the store I bought the Droid from tommorrow.  I don't expect the teenager working their to know anything more about this, so I'm hoping a left hander on this board figured out a work around?  (other than using my right hand)

[RayB]

You should have bought it at The Leftorium.

[SavannahLion]

So a person (a right handed person) holding the phone in their left hand and pressing the numbers with the their right hand goes to hold the phone up to their ear it goes black instantly.

I don't have a Droid (I have an Alias and iPod Touch) but.... That seems to be a weird way to dial a cell. I'm a rightie so when I dial my cell, I use my right hand to hold the phone and use my thumb to dial. If I have to expand the keyboard, I flip the phone the other way to use the keypad with my thumbs. I do the same with the iPod.

If I need to dial with two hands, I'm more likely to dial with my left and hold the phone to my right.

Just a thought.

Isn't there an app that tests the IR sensor? Maybe there's an app that disables or modifies the sensitivity?

[EwJ]

[Hoopz]

I bought my wife a Droid for Christmas.  She's a righty and hasn't had this problem (that I know of).  When I get a chance, I'll play with it and see it I can duplicate your problem.  It's a great toy to play with.

[Dartful Dodger]

So a person (a right handed person) holding the phone in their left hand and pressing the numbers with the their right hand goes to hold the phone up to their ear it goes black instantly.

I don't have a Droid (I have an Alias and iPod Touch) but.... That seems to be a weird way to dial a cell. I'm a rightie so when I dial my cell, I use my right hand to hold the phone and use my thumb to dial. If I have to expand the keyboard, I flip the phone the other way to use the keypad with my thumbs.

When I thought the problem was just a quick timeout during an actual phone call I would slide out the keyboard and this would force the screen to stay on.

I just did another test using my thumbs and that works.

I use my thumbs to text, but my finger to punch in numbers during a call.

If the Verizon guy doesn't know of a way to change this black out setting I'll have to get use to using my thumbs.

I bought my wife a Droid for Christmas.  She's a righty and hasn't had this problem (that I know of).  When I get a chance, I'll play with it and see it I can duplicate your problem.  It's a great toy to play with.

Trying calling her voicemail and when it asks for a password press three numbers with your right hand to see how it's suppose to work and then try pressing three numbers with your left hand.

I wasn't thrilled about making this upgrade and paying for a data package.  But it's only been a few days and I can't see myself going back.  If they had an app that streams movies from Netflix I wouldn't have any buyer's remorse.

[RayB]

The iphone apparently detects when you're holding it at your ear, and turns the screen off. Maybe the Droid does something similar and your usage matches the parameters of "holding it to your ear" ?

[SavannahLion]

The iphone apparently detects when you're holding it at your ear, and turns the screen off. Maybe the Droid does something similar and your usage matches the parameters of "holding it to your ear" ?

That's kind of what I was saying in my last post. According to the Droid forums, there is an IR sensor on the upper left corner that is believed to sense when you bring it up to your head. There's an app that tests that sensor, makes sense there might be an app to modify or disable the sensitivity.

[Hoopz]

Well, my wife and I both tried this and had mixed results.  She called voicemail and tried entering numbers with her right hand and then her left.  She had the same issue you did, Dartful.

When I tried it, I must have been holding it differently because I didnt have any issues. 

Along with SavannahLion's suggestion, you may also be able to change a setting for dimming the screen.  Also, have you tried changing the angle that you're holding it?  That may not have an affect but it's something to look at.  I'm sure most people hold it at roughly the same angle though.   

[HaRuMaN]

*laughs at lefties*

[Dartful Dodger]

Holding the sides of the phone with both hands and using the thumbs works, it's only when the numbers are pressed with the pointer finger.  I think it senses the whole hand coming up from the left and assumes it's the side of some ones head.

I'll look into the IR sensor thing.  If it's to much of a pain I'll just learn to use my thumbs.



DOWN WITH RIGHTIE!

[protokatie]

DOWN WITH RIGHTIE!

VOTE DEMOCRAT!


Sorry, just had to!   

[HaRuMaN]

DOWN WITH RIGHTIE!

VOTE DEMOCRAT!


Sorry, just had to!  

Political!  Reported!  BANNED!

There's a subforum for that...

[Ed_McCarron]

DOWN WITH RIGHTIE!

VOTE DEMOCRAT!


Sorry, just had to!   

Careful, you'll attract MrC.