Sony has announced a new 13 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which could one day allow for thinner iPhones that take even higher quality photos and HDR (High Dynamic Range) video.

This image sensor layers the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels onto chips containing the circuit section for signal processing, which is in place of supporting substrates for conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors. This structure achieves further enhancement in image quality, superior functionalities and a more compact size that will lead to enhanced camera evolution.

The setup separates the CMOS sensor from the imaging circuits which, along with a bit of optics-magic, results in higher quality images. It also thinner, which means iPhones and iPads, if Apple implements it, could be thinner.

Source: Sony

If you have been wondering how Siri reacts so quickly when you “raise to speak”, the answer is a tiny infrared LED that’s added into the proximity sensor in the iPhone 4S. iFixIt discovered the sensor after a second look, determining that it shines brightly whenever the screen is activated. The light isn’t visible to the human eye but it’s there. And it’s constantly letting Siri know how close your face is to your iPhone 4S.

It does raise a few questions, though. IR is fairly light on battery drain but every little bit extra does add up. Also, iPhone 4 and other older models lack the extra IR sensor, making it seem even more unlikely Apple will ever offer an official port.

If you’re interested in seeing how it works you can check out iFixIt’s video via the link below.

Source: iFixIt

The iPhone is sensor-ific. It can sense if it’s turned sideways, held up close to your face, and whether or not you are in a dark room or out in the sunlight. This week’s Tip o’ the Week is a simple way to exploit one of the sensors on your iPhone to save you some steps and power at the same time. Curious? Read on for the Tip!

There are three sensors in your iPhone with three distinct functions, all of which provide a better user experience. The accelerometer detects the orientation of your iPhone – rotate your iPhone sideways and the screen is in landscape mode. The accelerometer is particularly useful when browsing on Safari, scanning Cover-Flow in iPod, and while flipping through your Photos.

Hidden behind the dark glass above the earpiece of your iPhone are the other two sensors, the proximity sensor and the ambient light sensor. The proximity sensor deactivates the touch sensitivity and illumination of the iPhone’s screen when the phone is placed against your head, but only during a call. The ambient light sensor detects lighting conditions when your iPhone is unlocked, dimming the screen in dark places and brightening the screen in sunlight to make the display easier to see.

This week’s Tip focuses on taking advantage of the ambient light sensor. You can manipulate the brightness of your screen while waking up your iPhone (unlocking it) by covering the sensor above the earpiece with your thumb. The ambient light sensor checks the lighting conditions just once per wake-up, between the time you wake up your iPhone and slide to unlock. If you cover up the sensor, your iPhone will think it’s dark and your display will be dimmer than normal. Just cover up the sensor area while unlocking your iPhone and the screen will dim.

Tricking the ambient light sensor provides two advantages: 1) Saving power – a dimmer screen = less juice; and 2) Saving taps – no need to tap ‘settings’, ‘brightness’, and adjust the brightness slider; use this shortcut instead! This Tip is ineffective if your display brightness is set to the maximum (as far as I’ve been able to test).

Try outsmarting your smart sensors today and save some steps and battery juice. Stay smart and drop by here next week for another Tip!

Disclaimer: Tip o’ the Week makes no guarantee, express or implied, that any tip found herein will be new or particularly useful to the reader (and we certainly don’t promise an extra 5 days of talk time and 2 months standby time by using this Tip).