Comments on: Phone for Direction

By: Bookmarks about Phone

Bookmarks about Phone — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:30:34 +0000

[...] – bookmarked by 3 members originally found by softballgurl33 on July 21, 2008 Phone for Direction http://meyerweb.com/eric/thoughts/2008/07/08/phone-for-direction/ – bookmarked by 4 members [...]

By: Hugh

Hugh — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:52:32 +0000

Or, for $3 or so you could get a pocket compass…

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:34:30 +0000

As mentioned above, the iPhone unlike the unreleased Android does not know it’s orientation. The accelerometers/tilt and other sensors have no clue what direction it is facing.

By: John Dowdell

John Dowdell — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:56:22 +0000

I’ve never bought from them, but their assortment looks quite attractive:
http://www.brasscompass.com/

(If an electronic device knows its position and orientation, then that could help with augmented-reality implementations.)

By: mdja

mdja — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:08:45 +0000

Firstly, maintaining a relation to the cardinal compass points in most European cities if you grew up in Europe and hence have a natural understanding of how towns and cities grow and develop in relationship to the landscape and environment around them. It’s only grid-dwellers who struggle.

Secondly, those who live in cities don’t really need to know the cardinal compass points, they only need to know where they are and how to get where they are going (in London, “down street X” or “on tube line Y”).

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:36:58 +0000

Wow that compass is such a great idea. So ironically archaic and simply futuristic at the same time.

By: Karen Ann

Karen Ann — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:55:33 +0000

I also do not have an iPhone… but it should have a clock with hands application right? (Afterall, my plain old cell phone has one)
Use the compass /slash/ watch method…. on wikihow scroll down to Watch Method, Northern Hemisphere.

By: Bridget Stewart

Bridget Stewart — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:13:25 +0000

Yep. That’s definitely an idea alright.

If only I knew how to implement the ideas I get…

By: Jeff Skinner

Jeff Skinner — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:39:56 +0000

Google's upcoming Android platform has something even better. Compass + Streetview

By: Michael Salmon

Michael Salmon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:52:22 +0000

Sorry to disillusion you but GPS can only be used to determine position, to get direction you need 2 positions which usually means that you need to move. Maybe the motion sensor can help once your direction is known.

By: Eric Meyer

Eric Meyer — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:22:53 +0000

They’re partway there, Jordan, but are missing the real key to this, which is to use the Safari icon. Seriously, that’s integral to the proposal. Maybe the Safari team will do it for us? I can but hope.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:08:05 +0000

Some is way ahead of you already: http://www.tuaw.com/2008/07/07/posimotion-unveils-unfortunately-named-iphone-app/

By: Jason Armstrong

Jason Armstrong — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:32:09 +0000

Dare I say, brilliant?

I am very excited about the new iPhone 3G.

However, I am immensely excited about the App Store and the genius and elegant apps that are sure to be created. Based on the mere glimpses we’ve had so far, the possibilities astound.