G1- Magnetometer (compass) on maps

**Potato** · 02-09-2010, 05:15 PM

Just curious if the magnetometer (also known as a compass) functions on maps to show the user which way they are oriented. The only thing I have to compare it to is the iphone 3gs, which shows the users orientation with a little cone on the map application and rotates the map to point in the same direction (rather than asways pointing north). It is extremely useful.

Compasses really work best when overlayed ion a map. Is it used on other apps other than just as a compass?

**CaliLove310** · 02-09-2010, 05:55 PM

We have that feature as well.

In Google Maps Menu>More>Labs

It's called Compass Arrow

There is also some other Labs in there that are quite handy. I have all except 2 enabled, the measure and terrain Lab.

**extorian** · 02-09-2010, 06:11 PM

Wow! I never knew about the Labs option in Google Maps. There's some really cool stuff in there.

**CaliLove310** · 02-09-2010, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by extorian

Wow! I never knew about the Labs option in Google Maps. There's some really cool stuff in there.

I only found out about these a couple of days after I got my N1.

They're very helpful.

**extorian** · 02-09-2010, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Potato

Is it used on other apps other than just as a compass?

Yes - the G1 uses an Asahi Kasei Microsystems AK8976A Hall Effect IC which is highly sensitive. One of the first apps I ever saw on the G1 was a metal detector app. It will detect the presense of any ferrous metals within about 6" of the phone.

The compass is used in a number of apps - Geobeagle for geocaching, Wikitude for some cool augmented reality stuff, Google Skymap to figure out exactly what stars you're looking at...