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I have been looking for a compass app for ages, is there any decent ones out there?
geee, when HTC actually put a magnetic compass sensor in a phone, there might be an app to support it...
Shouldn't really be a problem for a nifty developer if based on the same principle as a waterlevel with the G-Sensor. Just need to calibrate it yourself to, say North, by using another compass or GPS and voila.
stoutseun said:
Shouldn't really be a problem for a nifty developer if based on the same principle as a waterlevel with the G-Sensor. Just need to calibrate it yourself to, say North, by using another compass or GPS and voila.
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Click to collapse
Ahhhh... I thing the G sensor works on the vertical plane not the horizontal plane that would be required.
I use GPSTuner as compass and I think it is a satisfying solution don't you?
Obviously it is far from being a fast and smooth compass as it is an Iphone 3GS but whatever (fortunately, I don't really like exploding screens xD). You can also buy a real compass...
bigjezza said:
geee, when HTC actually put a magnetic compass sensor in a phone, there might be an app to support it...
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Click to collapse
the hero has one.
Obs3rv3r said:
I have been looking for a compass app for ages, is there any decent ones out there?
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Click to collapse
WMMiniGPS will do the trick for you.
There are a few others that will use the GPS to show your heading. You can find them here.
A GPS tool will show you the (correct) North only if you are moving.
Only if our device would have a magnetic sensor inside, we could have a software repeater on the screen. Otherwise all we can have is a fake. Unfortunately... A pseudo-compass.
all the best!
Thanks guys! I'll check out those apps, but it looks like I won't be throwing my SILVA compass away just yet!
Obs3rv3r said:
I have been looking for a compass app for ages, is there any decent ones out there?
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Click to collapse
give this a try, i have no idea if it works.
http://www.cjcraft.com/blog/2008/06/04/30DaysOfNETWindowsMobileApplicationsDay03GPSCompass.aspx
eac said:
A GPS tool will show you the (correct) North only if you are moving.
Only if our device would have a magnetic sensor inside, we could have a software repeater on the screen. Otherwise all we can have is a fake. Unfortunately... A pseudo-compass.
all the best!
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Click to collapse
Yes, Yes. GPS will give you course (derived), not heading (It doesn't know which way you are facing, just which way you are going).
the omnia 2 has a compass and a compass app. maybe you can pull it off of that. why go through the effort of putting the compass hardware in the device if you dont give apps to support it? maybe google will make the next version of maps capable like the iphone and android.
The Jack of Clubs said:
why go through the effort of putting the compass hardware in the device if you dont give apps to support it?
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Click to collapse
Indeed. Fortunately, HTC did *NOT* put compass hardware in the TP2, and therefore, did not waste any effort.
Phew. Such a relief, isn't it?
oh cool. ^5 for low standards in hardware!
i use igo8 nav software for my compass..a standalone compass would i guess be useful...but our phones have gps built in..so ur gonnna need gps software which in turn have compasses..i didnt like tomtom7's compass but igo8 on the other hand has a very solid compass, and amazing 3D maps so...
Great Compass App!
"Where is" has a great compass in it. You have to be moving for the gps to pick up your speed and then the compass works, but even just walking is enough speed. Compass is very accurate too and great looking compass too...http://simosoftprojects.com
Anyone notice the compass as well as other sensors respond SUPER SLOW. Fire up skymaps and find mars. Go on ill wait... Broken GPS is getting all the talk.
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
There's an app called "Android Sensor Data" that can calibrate the accelerometer, but you have to run it at every boot. It doesn't fix the compass, which I expect us just broken.
The future looks so... Vibrant
Yup, it was one of the first things I noticed about the phone. The compas is definitely either broken or just not very good.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Its not only sky maps but also layer as well, once you stop moving the phone it takes a good 10 to 15 secs to position itself, very laggy, just patiently waiting for the fix now -_-"
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
one would think with Samsung preinstalling Layar on the phone the compass would work without a hitch... im hoping its a software issue not updating as frequent.
Based on how a compass works, (magnetism) I would hazard a guess that there is NO software fix. Buy a compass. If it doesn't work, it will never work. Software can't fix a bad magnet. I COULD be wrong...I HOPE I'm wrong...I DOUBT I'm wrong.
Magnets are not software. ):
The future looks so... Vibrant
I asked T-mobile if there would be a fix for the compass along with the GPS on Twitter. This was their reply:
"TMobile_USA: @fjohnette That's what is believed causing the GPS problem so its possible we will keep you updated. ^SG"
--http://www.twitter.com/TMobile_USA/status/20225466968
Sent from my Samsung Vibrant using the XDA app
fragimar said:
"TMobile_USA: @fjohnette That's what is believed causing the GPS problem so its possible we will keep you updated. ^SG"
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Click to collapse
So this means it's possible that they will NOT keep you updated??
Anyway, I think we now have the word of every t-mobile CS rep and tech support person and most (if not all) don't really have any idea. I guess it's worth the effort to keep pestering. It'd sure be more comforting to have an official response.
bryon13 said:
Based on how a compass works, (magnetism) I would hazard a guess that there is NO software fix. Buy a compass. If it doesn't work, it will never work. Software can't fix a bad magnet. I COULD be wrong...I HOPE I'm wrong...I DOUBT I'm wrong.
Magnets are not software. ):
The future looks so... Vibrant
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Click to collapse
You are completely correct in how a compass works... Basic magnetism... However. Just because our compass doesn't work doesn't mean the magnet bit isn't detecting north as it should. It could easily be that the other sensors that detect which way that magnet is oriented are reporting incorrect data, which is possibly fixable via firmware update. Or that the android itself is doing something wrong with that data, or any combination of the above. And these possible causes are far from exhaustive, just a few possibilities off the top of my head.
Sent from my Vibrant using the XDA app.
Typos, incorrect words, gibberish, and other nonsense brought to you courtesy of Swype.
bryon13 said:
Based on how a compass works, (magnetism) I would hazard a guess that there is NO software fix. Buy a compass. If it doesn't work, it will never work. Software can't fix a bad magnet. I COULD be wrong...I HOPE I'm wrong...I DOUBT I'm wrong.
Magnets are not software. ):
The future looks so... Vibrant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, but every single thing about how that data is collected, interpreted, and passed on to the operating system is software, not to mention the interaction with the accelerometer sensors as Arr mentioned. Lots of potential points of failure here that have everything to do with software. Fingers crossed that it's not just a borked magnetometer.
Very true. As I said, I REALLY REALLY HOPE they can fix it... I'm just worried that we're going to be stuck with broken hardware. I'll never buy a phone on launch-day again...
The future looks so... Vibrant
bryon13 said:
Very true. As I said, I REALLY REALLY HOPE they can fix it... I'm just worried that we're going to be stuck with broken hardware. I'll never buy a phone on launch-day again...
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this is my fear as well. It bugs the **** out of me to see people all over the forums violently defending samsung and saying with absolute certainty that a firmware fix is coming.
How do they know it can be fixed with firmware? I'm not saying that it's impossible, I'll be the first to admit I have no idea how the compass actually works, but to post saying that it will be fixed is so unbelievably stupid and irresponsible that I can only attribute it to buyers remorse manifesting itself as post-purchase rationalization.
Too many idiots to have any sort of productive discussion anywhere.
hollabax said:
this is my fear as well. It bugs the **** out of me to see people all over the forums violently defending samsung and saying with absolute certainty that a firmware fix is coming.
How do they know it can be fixed with firmware? I'm not saying that it's impossible, I'll be the first to admit I have no idea how the compass actually works, but to post saying that it will be fixed is so unbelievably stupid and irresponsible that I can only attribute it to buyers remorse manifesting itself as post-purchase rationalization.
Too many idiots to have any sort of productive discussion anywhere.
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Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7252169&postcount=21
The compass is definitely the one thing that annoys me about this phone. I really like Google Sky Maps and 3D compass and right now they are worthless.
DaMaDo said:
The compass is definitely the one thing that annoys me about this phone. I really like Google Sky Maps and 3D compass and right now they are worthless.
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Click to collapse
Agreed. The GPS issues are getting so much attention that the borked compass is falling by the wayside. I actually use the compass, so this is really annoying.
you guys are brave
I returned the phone after a few days and decided to wait for a fix.
When/if the fix comes, I can easily buy the phone again.
To keep the phone is the same thing as keeping you anxiety level high, waiting for a fix, checking every board twice a day.
Is it worth it?
DaMaDo said:
The compass is definitely the one thing that annoys me about this phone. I really like Google Sky Maps and 3D compass and right now they are worthless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Sky maps works fine for me. It does lag slightly when rotating, (which seems to match what others are saying about compass lag), but i don't see how it's worthless. It's dead on for me.
Have you tried Google Street View (Compass Mode) or Yelp's 'Monocle' / Layar?
The compass will sometimes point to magnetic North. But most times, it spins around wildly, or simply points to the wrong direction and does not update correctly.
Morbo66 said:
Google Sky maps works fine for me. It does lag slightly when rotating, (which seems to match what others are saying about compass lag), but i don't see how it's worthless. It's dead on for me.
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Click to collapse
A friend and I bought our phones on the same day. Date on the stickers on the box (which I assume is a build date) is 7/17 on both of them. Side-by-side, Google Sky works perfectly for him, and doesn't work at all for me.
My compass points south no matter what orientation the phone is in, or what direction I face. Sometimes if I just stand still for a very long time, it'll slowly sort of drift in one direction or another, but I haven't had the patience to just wait and see whether it ever actually aligns with where I'm facing or if it's just random variation.
Check my little video on youtube about this issue demonstrating how slow the compass reacts.
YouTube, search for: SvAJrR5Gmy0
or "Samsung Vibrant Compass Issues"
still won't let me post links yet....
I did end up getting the other phone working instead of pointing in only one direction. I factory data reset the phone and tried agan and it started pointing in the correct direction at least, still very slow.
I also suggest looking at sensor data to see how your phone performs:
*#*#1472365#*#* >> Test Application >> Show Sensor data
is the Three-axis gyroscope on ur device accurate?
mine for like 1 minute shakes alot then after it stil shows a wrong direction and if i move it a bit shows a diferent but stilll eronated direction
is there any way to recalibrate it?
i played a bit on a iphone 4 and was very very accurate.....
funstuffalex said:
is the Three-axis gyroscope on ur device accurate?
mine for like 1 minute shakes alot then after it stil shows a wrong direction and if i move it a bit shows a diferent but stilll eronated direction
is there any way to recalibrate it?
i played a bit on a iphone 4 and was very very accurate.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are you using to view the orientation and information from the gyro
firstly i tried google maps navgation then i downloaded anoter 2 free aps gps test and gps status...if i hold the phone in one position it shows me one point as beeing the north...if i do a 180 degrees spin it shows me another point as beeing the north
ps i think its the digital compas thats foulty not the gyro right?
slowz3r said:
what are you using to view the orientation and information from the gyro
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Click to collapse
You could use the app Phone Tester it gives you a reading of all the sensors, but that's it.
funstuffalex said:
is the Three-axis gyroscope on ur device accurate?
mine for like 1 minute shakes alot then after it stil shows a wrong direction and if i move it a bit shows a diferent but stilll eronated direction
is there any way to recalibrate it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread warrants an explanation of the differences between GPS, compass, and gyroscope.
GPS: Tells you where you are. It can be used to infer the direction in which you are moving. It can NOT tell you which way you are facing.
Compass: Tells you which way you are facing with respect to the Earth's north/south poles.
Gyroscope: Tells you how fast you are spinning about each of 3 axes (hence why it's called a "3-axis gyroscope"). It can be used to infer the direction in which you are facing (albeit not easily).
Neither the compass nor the gyroscope can tell you where you are, or the direction in which you are moving.
The problem you are seeing is with the compass, NOT with the gyroscope. Google maps does not currently do anything with the gyroscope. The digital compass can be calibrated. I use the "Compass" app, which has a calibrate function.
It's a 6-axis gyroscope, not 3.
ryude said:
It's a 6-axis gyroscope, not 3.
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Click to collapse
No it's not a 6 axis. It's a 3 axis. It's listed here: http://www.google.com/nexus/#/tech-specs.
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Also general question/comment. Doesn't a gyroscope help the phone know which way is down? So technically you can have an object shown on the screen, then you can walk around that object with your phone and see all sides of the object. (Like the iPhone 4 demo Steve Jobs did with the game Jenga, he walked around the tower to see all sides)
@ ravidavi
Thanks mate yea thats it....the compas is all messed up...
On ur phones dose the north apear to be in same direction no matter witch way u turn or is this a wide spread flaw
nxt said:
Doesn't a gyroscope help the phone know which way is down?
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Click to collapse
No.
funstuffalex said:
@ ravidavi
Thanks mate yea thats it....the compas is all messed up...
On ur phones dose the north apear to be in same direction no matter witch way u turn or is this a wide spread flaw
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Click to collapse
The compass needs to be calibrated.
ryude said:
It's a 6-axis gyroscope, not 3.
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Click to collapse
There's no such thing (in this world) as a 6-axis gyroscope. What you are thinking is the oft-quoted phrase "6-axis gaming sensor" (or 6-axis motion sensor). A 6-axis motion sensor is actually a chip that combines a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope into one package.
nxt said:
Doesn't a gyroscope help the phone know which way is down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A gyroscope only tells you how fast you are spinning about an axis. An accelerometer can (for the most part) tell you which way is down.
I found this video today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JQz7EOHAwE
I would like to know what these guys are using to test the gyro on the NS.. Actually I am not sure this app is actually testing the app or the compass / accelorometer.
any ideas?
Did that woman say the phone had a barometer...?
alitech said:
I found this video today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JQz7EOHAwE
I would like to know what these guys are using to test the gyro on the NS.. Actually I am not sure this app is actually testing the app or the compass / accelorometer.
any ideas?
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Click to collapse
Hey guys, i'm sure you've noticed that the gyro on the moto g 2014 is very shaky !
Well, great news, it is not shaky anymore in Marshmallow, all the cardboard users will be happy !
Wth is Gyro? Is that internet slang for anal sex? Really i have no clue. #noob
StewieTech said:
Wth is Gyro? Is that internet slang for anal sex? Really i have no clue. #noob
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xD not at all, gyro is gyroscope it's for games, basically it's detecting your movements
Is that true?? Why??
optionalmgrr.la said:
Is that true?? Why??
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Yes true that there is no compass but really you can't expect all the sensors and high end configs for a mid-ranger. It is a mid-ranger and it will have some cons. As far as I see it, maybe the NFC would be a drawback. I wouldn't really worry about the compass sensor. I don't think it would be useful very much. But its just my opinion, you may need it.
But compass is a fairly basic sensor......
Does it mean there will be no navigation support on G4 (Plus)?
Will the gyroscope help?
Yes, I am also just worried about navigation. Is it possible for Maps to direction based on Mobile Data/Wifi in the absence of magnetometer?
AbhishekS said:
Yes, I am also just worried about navigation. Is it possible for Maps to direction based on Mobile Data/Wifi in the absence of magnetometer?
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Click to collapse
optionalmgrr.la said:
But compass is a fairly basic sensor......
Does it mean there will be no navigation support on G4 (Plus)?
Will the gyroscope help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do believe the Gyro would be suffice. Even the G3 didn't have one and I think not many people complained of it. They were able to navigate without a Gyro too. I am not sure how the compass sensors work or how useful they would be but I don't care anyway lol
optionalmgrr.la said:
But compass is a fairly basic sensor......
Does it mean there will be no navigation support on G4 (Plus)?
Will the gyroscope help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gyro won't help. However, the compass isn't necessary for navigation. The GPS is what you need, which can locate you wherever you are, so it can tell what way you're going. If you really need to know what way is north, South... and it's nighttime do you can't figure out from the sun, you'll need to open up maps, and start walking, and you'll see in what direction you're moving.
yeshwanthvshenoy said:
I do believe the Gyro would be suffice. Even the G3 didn't have one and I think not many people complained of it. They were able to navigate without a Gyro too. I am not sure how the compass sensors work or how useful they would be but I don't care anyway lol
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Click to collapse
The g3 does have a compass.
tzzeri said:
The gyro won't help. However, the compass isn't necessary for navigation. The GPS is what you need, which can locate you wherever you are, so it can tell what way you're going. If you really need to know what way is north, South... and it's nighttime do you can't figure out from the sun, you'll need to open up maps, and start walking, and you'll see in what direction you're moving.
The g3 does have a compass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't aware G3 had a compass. I know its a basic sensor but maybe Motorola thought it wasn't useful so ditched it.
For VR experience isn't required ?
sirtbhopal said:
For VR experience isn't required ?
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Click to collapse
Is required gyroscope. Compass not a must my understanding.
1, g4plus have gyro. ?
2.SAR value ?
pl revert...
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA-Developers mobile app
optionalmgrr.la said:
Is required gyroscope. Compass not a must my understanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct
sirtbhopal said:
1, g4plus have gyro. ?
2.SAR value ?
pl revert...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to gsmarena, yes. The g2 also had, but it was a horrible gyro that was clearly not tested. I couldn't find any info on the play and regular edition
I asked the compass question in motorola's Forum and this was Matt's answer:
No, it does not have a compass/magnetometer. It does have GPS but won't support a compass app.
That make's it a NONO for hiking because a low speed or standing stil at crossroads you definitely need this to show "the way" aka rotate the map or the guiding arrow (like in Locus Pro). GPS does this at speeds above maybe 6 km/h.
as far as i know G3 does not have compass. i owned it ,
it also doesnt have NFC
[email protected] said:
as far as i know G3 does not have compass. i owned it ,
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Click to collapse
I own it and it does have a compass
There you go. Confirmed that it doesn't have the magnetic compass. Strange.. Why would Motorola do such a thing. Someone also replied on the other thread this could be the reason the phone doesn't support driving mode which was supported on g3!!!
candiesdoodle said:
There you go. Confirmed that it doesn't have the magnetic compass. Strange.. Why would Motorola do such a thing. Someone also replied on the other thread this could be the reason the phone doesn't support driving mode which was supported on g3!!!
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Click to collapse
Why would they do such a thing? Because most people won't realise and won't care. That's why. I personally do care, but I'm the minority.
Yeah pretty sucks. Hope they release G4 Turbo like G3 and include a proper compass. but don't hold your heads up the chance is slim.
sirtbhopal said:
For VR experience isn't required ?
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Click to collapse
Nope. Just tried out Google cardboard on my Moto G4 Plus and it works without any issues
nrp31 said:
Nope. Just tried out Google cardboard on my Moto G4 Plus and it works without any issues
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Click to collapse
Of course. The only issue would be with the cardboard v1, where the button, which was two magnets that didn't even touch the screen, wouldn't work as the phone doesn't contain a magnetometer (aka digital compass). Though even many phones which do don't work because of the placement.