Help Optical Track Pad doesn't work in the dark?

[Colchicine]

Last night I was hammering out some emails while watching TV. The only light in the room was from the Inc and the TV. I could not get the track pad to register my motions. I attempted to angle the phone to face the TV but still got no response.

I'm thinking this is a design failure. An optical device shouldn't be on a phone if it can't be used in the dark. Seems to me that the light sensor would affect the track pad's sensitivity based on the ambient light.

Is there any work around to getting the track pad to work in the dark?

 

[callmeox]

As a parade of Dinc owners file into a darkened room in their abode for testing, Colchicine gets a good laugh at their expense.


I just tested this in a pitch dark bathroom where the only light was the screen on the lowest illumination setting and the soft buttons and I had no issue using the optical track pad to navigate.

 

[Colchicine]

As a parade of Dinc owners file into a darkened room in their abode for testing, Colchicine gets a good laugh at their expense.

You caught me.

Alrighty then. I guess I need to do more systematic experimentation to determine when it doesn't work. Anecdotally, I've noticed it more in dark situations.

 

[callmeox]

I have had issues on and off where the trackpad is wonky when trying to edit emails, but I've not connected that with room lighting.

What app do you use for email?

 

[sabrewings]

Mine has worked just fine in the dark.

 

[adrynalyne]

Froyo is iffy with the trackpad.

Are you stock or using a leaked rom?

 

[Ovy]

who the hell even uses the optical track pad, and why! i suppose it makes a good clicker for the camera, but that's about it.

 

[adrynalyne]

who the hell even uses the optical track pad, and why! i suppose it makes a good clicker for the camera, but that's about it.

Thank you for your opinion.

 

[Colchicine]

I'm running pure stock. I've observed this problem in other text entry areas other than email (Gmail).

Ovy- the track pad has legitimate usefulness when needing to correct text that has already been entered.

 

[sabrewings]

the track pad has legitimate usefulness when needing to correct text that has already been entered.

This. Instead of trying to click repeatedly to get between the two proper letters, just shift over with the track pad.

 

[Kev13Dd]

Optical trackpads don't require the environment to be lit up

The best explanation I've ever read is an explanation of the Blackberry optical trackpad, which I assume is very similar

Inside the Trackpad: a BlackBerry Science Lesson Inside BlackBerry - Inside BlackBerry – The Official BlackBerry Blog

Long story short: the optical trackpad provides its own "light", which it bounces off your finger

K

 

[sabrewings]

Optical trackpads don't require the environment to be lit up

The best explanation I've ever read is an explanation of the Blackberry optical trackpad, which I assume is very similar

Inside the Trackpad: a BlackBerry Science Lesson Inside BlackBerry - Inside BlackBerry

 

[Colchicine]

Very interesting about the use of an infrared camera. If we assume that's what the Inc uses, what's the explanation for my trackpad not working intermittently?

 

[sabrewings]

Very interesting about the use of an infrared camera. If we assume that's what the Inc uses, what's the explanation for my trackpad not working intermittently?

I'd say a dirty lens, perhaps?

 

[Colchicine]

Update:
Since froyo, I've noticed an increase in sensitivity of the trackpad (almost to a fault). I have yet to have any issues with it not working at all. Must have been a software glitch.