Weird thing happening when touching a Nexus 5 and a MacBook

The Nexus 5 has a magnetic sensor to detect when the case cover is closed shut. I suspect this is being triggered by a speaker or some other magnetic element of the MacBook.

Re: Weird thing happening when touching a Nexus 5 and a MacBook

#5

Post by micheljansen » Thu, May 14, 2015, 12:58 PM UTC

de_dave wrote: post #4

The Nexus 5 has a magnetic sensor to detect when the case cover is closed shut. I suspect this is being triggered by a speaker or some other magnetic element of the MacBook.

MacBooks use magnets to keep the lid closed (it's not a mechanical lock).

Re: Weird thing happening when touching a Nexus 5 and a MacBook

#6

Post by k-mcgrady » Thu, May 14, 2015, 12:59 PM UTC

It happens with my iPad occasionally too. Putting the iPad next to the trackpad will occasionally put the Macbook to sleep.

Re: Weird thing happening when touching a Nexus 5 and a MacBook

#7

Post by RossM » Thu, May 14, 2015, 1:02 PM UTC

I've seen the opposite happen - the MacBook screen turning off - when placing an open macbook on top of a closed one. I'm guessing that case is to do with magnets activating the closed-sensor.

I've replicated this with a Nexus 6 by placing it over the speakers of an MBP (it locks the screen, rather than turning it off) which also suggests magnetic? I'm thinking Motorola planned a Nexus 6 case similar to the Galaxy Note flip cover.

Re: Weird thing happening when touching a Nexus 5 and a MacBook

#8

Post by coldpie » Thu, May 14, 2015, 1:03 PM UTC

de_dave wrote: post #4

The Nexus 5 has a magnetic sensor to detect when the case cover is closed shut. I suspect this is being triggered by a speaker or some other magnetic element of the MacBook.

Yeah, some sort of magnet sensor. They're also used for detecting when you insert your phone into a docking station. And for Google Cardboard's button.

Re: Weird thing happening when touching a Nexus 5 and a MacBook

#9

Post by jfoster » Thu, May 14, 2015, 1:03 PM UTC

de_dave wrote: post #4

The Nexus 5 has a magnetic sensor to detect when the case cover is closed shut. I suspect this is being triggered by a speaker or some other magnetic element of the MacBook.

That's what I was thinking. There's also the MacBook electricity thing: http://www.mactalk.com.au/24/113595-static-electricity-vibra...

Re: Weird thing happening when touching a Nexus 5 and a MacBook

#10

Post by lechatleon » Thu, May 14, 2015, 1:05 PM UTC

Had the same problem with an Acer Chromebook and a Nexus 4, the Chromebook goes in sleep mode when the phone is placed over the keyboard in a particular position.