[Lightingbird]

I've noticed that nice looking compass on the annoying iphone commericals. Do we have access to anything like that?

[ScooterG]

Nope, and neither do they without a real compass to begin with.

[Lightingbird]

Huh? Not a real compass? Do you know what I am talking about? It works with GPS to get true north to act like a real compass.

[drizzt09]

wont be out for the curve as it works on tilt technology plus GPS
Iphone and storm have tilt technology. curve does not
same reason you wont get the games that you steer your device or the level

[arieltf]

Originally Posted by Lightingbird

Huh? Not a real compass? Do you know what I am talking about? It works with GPS to get true north to act like a real compass.

The only way GPS knows the direction of true north is when the device is moving. Once the device becomes stationary, the satellites can't tell the position of the device. It can only tell its location and, at the very most, the last direction it was pointing. If you know someone that has the iPhone and that compass application, try it. Turn on the device, remain stationary, and spin the device around. It doesn't know the direction it is pointing. Then start walking/moving. The map will then orient itself correctly.

A real compass will always point to true north even when it is stationary.

If you are going to use only the iPhone, or any GPS device for that matter, as a "compass" for navigation while backpacking/trekking then you are very foolish. Get a real compass, that is not battery-powered, for navigation. Most times, you will use the compass (when you are stationary) to get your bearings in coordination with real (hard copy) maps.

The only use of that compass application on the iPhone is for eye candy, not any real situations.

--Ariel

[CO_BBTechie]

I don't know that anyone is suggesting to use your iPhone as a survival tool. Yes that would be foolish. About as foolish as relying on GPS exclusively, for anything.

[arieltf]

So what is the use of the supposed "real" compass application if it won't function like a real compass? It's there to make some people say "Ooohhhh!". Instead it makes knowledgeable people say "Meh."

But, whatever floats their boat. I'd rather have the memory for something more useful.

--Ariel

[Trimix]

Because an iPhone user might find him or herself "roughing it" in the wilderness of suburbia.

[Raptor464]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Because an iPhone user might find him or herself "roughing it" in the wilderness of suburbia.

Ahaha...so true...

[stupink]

not seen the advert, but I have this as a rough guide should I ever find myself wanting to know for whatever reason. Compass seems to do the trick but not good for rainy days lol.

[Trimix]

Originally Posted by stupink

not seen the advert, but I have this as a rough guide should I ever find myself wanting to know for whatever reason. Compass seems to do the trick but not good for rainy days lol.

That's pretty neat. Have you tried it yet?

[WillWeb]

Originally Posted by stupink

not seen the advert, but I have this as a rough guide should I ever find myself wanting to know for whatever reason. Compass seems to do the trick but not good for rainy days lol.

Interesting. I wonder if you can enter a date/time/location and get a prediction of sun/moon positions. That would be a useful app for me.