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'Tiny' iPhone 4s update sends case makers scrambling


A few millimeters may be no big deal for most people, but it has sent makers of cases for Apple's new iPhone 4S scrambling, a tech site reported. While the iPhone 4S is nearly identical to the iPhone 4 that came before it, the 4S' ambient light sensor was moved a few millimeters to the left, CNET reported. "That created a problem for many rugged cases that covered more of the front of the iPhone: instead of peeking out through a hole cut into the case, the sensor was now hidden behind the case," CNET said. Unable to sense light, the sensor thinks the phone is in a darkened room and automatically dims the screen to look less blinding and save battery life, it added. This situation posed a problem for case makers, who initially thought their cases worked just fine with the new model. Also, some iPhone 4 cases did not have a large enough cutout for the new camera in the iPhone 4S. CNET quoted case maker Otterbox as saying one of its case series designed for the iPhone 4S can now accommodate the older iPhone 4 as well. "The ambient light sensor on the front of the iPhone 4S is in a different location than on the iPhone 4. Defender and Impact Series cases designed for iPhone 4S have a larger opening around the sensor to accommodate all versions of the iPhone 4 and 4S," it said. CNET added the camera cutout on all OtterBox cases designed for the iPhone 4S is larger, allowing for proper camera functionality with all versions of the iPhone 4 and 4S. On the other hand, another case maker - LifeProof - said users who bought LifeProof cases after the iPhone 4S was launched last Oct. 4 can send their case back and get the new version when it is released in the next couple of weeks. — TJD, GMA News

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