Microsoft patents whack to silent

Microsoft has patented a new method of silencing phones ringing in inopportune times which is causing some guffaws.

Apparently Microsoft aims to address the annoying problem not with the common flip to silent, which only really works when the phone is on a desk, but by the use of a sharp tap, which Microsoft unfortunately calls whacking.

Whacking your phone will send a signal to your phone’s accelerometer to silent it, and has the advantage of working through clothing, and using the same gesture people use already when trying to find their phone.

Do our readers think this is a good example of Microsoft thinking differently, or are they being a bit, well, whacky? Let us know below.

Via Patentbolt.com

Thanks Andy for the tip.