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jason2811

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 8, 2006
729
2
I noticed that Apple approved some flashlight apps that take advantage of the LED camera flash. Is it possible for someone to develop an app whereby the LED camera flash blinks slightly when you have a notification waiting? The iPhone lacks an indicator notification light that is found on Blackberrys and other phones and this is something people have wanted for a while. Is this possible to develop?
 
This is an excellent idea! However I would think that this would significantly drain battery. And some may think that the flash is too bright to be blinking constantly.
 
My concern with all these new apps using the LED of the iPhone 4 is that the light will eventually burn out. And replacing it is not an easy or inexpensive task.
 
Unless it activated only when the phone was moved? Though I guess walking around would cause this to activate all the time.
 
My concern with all these new apps using the LED of the iPhone 4 is that the light will eventually burn out. And replacing it is not an easy or inexpensive task.
But let's say excessive use of a flashlight app fried your LED. As long as it happened in the first year, it's covered by warranty, no?
 
But let's say excessive use of a flashlight app fried your LED. As long as it happened in the first year, it's covered by warranty, no?

On the LOW end of the scale an LED can generally last 50,000 hours. That works out to just under 6 years being on.
 
My concern with all these new apps using the LED of the iPhone 4 is that the light will eventually burn out. And replacing it is not an easy or inexpensive task.

FALSE, on both statements. LED lights last a hell of a long time and the whole phone cost less than $190 to make.
 
I didn't think the tiny LED would require so much battery, but someone stated that their percentage would go down significantly with mild use.
 
I noticed that Apple approved some flashlight apps that take advantage of the LED camera flash. Is it possible for someone to develop an app whereby the LED camera flash blinks slightly when you have a notification waiting? The iPhone lacks an indicator notification light that is found on Blackberrys and other phones and this is something people have wanted for a while. Is this possible to develop?

I already asked a developer, said that the messaging API's were offlimits, private coding, so a notification app is no possible because you cant read the phones texts/emails. May be possible with an instant messenger app or other text app if they implement their own, but would only work with each apps individual messages.
 
This is an excellent idea! However I would think that this would significantly drain battery. And some may think that the flash is too bright to be blinking constantly.

Many types of LEDs are rated up to 50k or 100k hours. Its highly unlikely that you could burn out the LED even if you tried.
 
I agree 100% that they should have added an LED for notifications.

Even MORE badass would be having the Home button (square) pulse/glow for notifications.

And even BETTER if you could configure colors for certain events: text = green, missed call = blue, voicemail = red, email = orange (or whatever you wanted).
 
I wish they would put an LED notification light on the front of their phones like BlackBerry. Oh well, I guess we can't have it ALL.
 
if( phone is not moving for a while) and if( phone is on its back) and if(notifications are in) then pulse flash slowly
 
I agree 100% that they should have added an LED for notifications.

Even MORE badass would be having the Home button (square) pulse/glow for notifications.

And even BETTER if you could configure colors for certain events: text = green, missed call = blue, voicemail = red, email = orange (or whatever you wanted).

great idea - multi color orb notification is such a HOME RUN

patent this NOW !
 
I agree 100% that they should have added an LED for notifications.

Even MORE badass would be having the Home button (square) pulse/glow for notifications.

And even BETTER if you could configure colors for certain events: text = green, missed call = blue, voicemail = red, email = orange (or whatever you wanted).

+1000, this is one of the best enhancements ive heard for the iphone
 
I agree 100% that they should have added an LED for notifications.

Even MORE badass would be having the Home button (square) pulse/glow for notifications.

And even BETTER if you could configure colors for certain events: text = green, missed call = blue, voicemail = red, email = orange (or whatever you wanted).

Disagree 100%. If you want an LED for notifications, making it a BLINDING flash would piss me right off, especially when everyone starts flashing (ooer) at the cinema, or - heck - the middle of the night when a text comes in. NO THANK YOU.
 
The status light is ok to have, but I can do without. But modifying it to use the flash is prob not a good idea. I see a quick battery drain just waiting to happen.
 
Disagree 100%. If you want an LED for notifications, making it a BLINDING flash would piss me right off, especially when everyone starts flashing (ooer) at the cinema, or - heck - the middle of the night when a text comes in. NO THANK YOU.

1) it could be optional

2) LEDs don't have to be a bright flash. It depends on what surface the LED is under (smooth/clear vs soft/matte). So it could "glow" like I mentioned. This is done on other devices and you wouldn't see any light unless looking at the button (wouldn't emit enough light to shine on anything)
 
a lit ring around the home button that you could configure with different colors for different notifications would be really nice
 
Idd prefer something more like the battery indicator on the macbook pro's.

A faint green light just built in to the attena strip which you cant see unless its on.
 
I wonder if you can control the brightness of the LED.

I notice that when you take a picture, the white LED comes on for a second (usually to reduce redeye) then turns off and then comes on SUPER BRIGHT while it takes the photo. Using the LED for Video or one of the many LED flashlight apps will turn it on the same brightness as the pre-flash.
 
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