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Image via CrunchBase

CrunchGear reports that Google uses a secret call in their new mobile app called “proximityStateChanged”. This call can tell if the iPhone’s proximity sensor has been tripped.

This basically means that Google’s app can detect upward motion to your ear and then wait for your input once its there.

Why should we care?

It’s not listed in any documented feature set and Google is essentially violating the Terms of Use.

CrunchGear quotes Senor Gruber as proposing:

1. Whoever at Apple approved this Google Mobile update did not realize that it was using the private proximyStateChanged method.

2. Whoever at Apple approved it knew that it used a private API, but approved it anyway.

3. Google sought and obtained permission from Apple to use this method.

I don’t know about you, but I can just hear the black helicopters circling the Googleplex now, can’t you?

P.S. – Don’t forget to read up on how to get more traffic from iPhone users.

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