iPhone 4 proximity sensor won't be fixed in iOS 4.1

Apple's promised fix for the iPhone 4's temperamental proximity sensor won't be included in the upcoming iOS 4.1 firmware release, according to Apple Australia spokeswoman Fiona Martin.  The fix – which will address some handsets' tendency to activate the iPhone 4's touchscreen and trigger phantom keypresses that could mute or end the call – was confirmed a work-in-progress by Apple CEO Steve Jobs back in July.

It seems that aspect of iOS 4.1 isn't quite ready for prime-time, however, despite earlier rumors that a beta of the firmware did indeed address the sensor glitch.  Martin did not give a new timescale for the fix, leaving those iPhone 4 owners affected still unclear on when their handsets will be patched.