Barometer and accelerometer: How are they useful?

[Murph5150]

Coming from a Rezound, I'm pretty sure these were features I didn't have. What benefits do having a gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, digital compass, and barometer offer the user? I understand it has to do with the phone orientation but am unclear in their benefits. Any explanation would be great! Thanks!

 

[superbleester]

Proximity sensor is helpful during calls as it turns off the screen when your face come within a certain range. Accelerometer is for screen rotation. Gyroscope is just a more advanced accelerometer it had 4 axises. Barometer detects air pressure, and but I don't think it has a use yet.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[JediJesus95]

The barometer is a way to check altitude and will give you a faster GPS signal.

 

[bear_lx]

also useful when using maps, it will show what direction you are facing as opposed to just dot... certain games utilize them as well

 

[2waterfowl]

I love the barometer feature on my GN! Here's an app that I have been using that takes advantage of the sensor. It's called SyPressure, it's free (upgrade is $1.30). It's pretty accurate at predicting rain in the area (dropping pressure), and even has a widget alert system to warn you of changing conditions. Just install it, let it run a few hours to let it find a trend... Enjoy!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sy.android.sypressure&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsInN5LmFuZHJvaWQuc3lwcmVzc3VyZSJd

 

[Murph5150]

Great explanations. Thank you all for your feedback! Waterfowl- I downloaded that app. Pretty cool. I have to play around with it. Thanks for the link .

 

[DenverRalphy]

Gyroscope

• Provides the orientation (or attitude) of the device, it's much more accurate and reliable than accelerometers for this purpose.

Accelerometers

• Provides the magnitude and direction in which the device is moving. As the name implies, it measures the acceleration along any given axis.
• Can be used to determine orientation of the device if you use accelerometers along 3 or 4 axis, but is significantly less accurate and prone to errors.

Compass

• As the name implies, it provides you your heading. It is aligned assuming you're holding the device face up and the top of the device away from you.
• Input from the Gyroscope and Accelerometers allow for more reliable compass readings should your device not be oriented flat and face up.

Barometer

• Provides barometric pressure to aid in determining your altitude. Knowing your altitude can speed up a GPS lock. I'm not entirely sold on the success of this yet, since barometric pressure is not a constant with altitude.

 

[Murph5150]

Gyroscope

• Provides the orientation (or attitude) of the device, it's much more accurate and reliable than accelerometers for this purpose.

Accelerometers

• Provides the magnitude and direction in which the device is moving. As the name implies, it measures the acceleration along any given axis.
• Can be used to determine orientation of the device if you use accelerometers along 3 or 4 axis, but is significantly less accurate and prone to errors.

Compass

• As the name implies, it provides you your heading. It is aligned assuming you're holding the device face up and the top of the device away from you.
• Input from the Gyroscope and Accelerometers allow for more reliable compass readings should your device not be oriented flat and face up.

Barometer

• Provides barometric pressure to aid in determining your altitude. Knowing your altitude can speed up a GPS lock. I'm not entirely sold on the success of this yet, since barometric pressure is not a constant with altitude.

Great explanations. Thank you very much!

 

[Downwind]

We have a barometer? I had no idea. I just downloaded SyPressure to play with it. Thanks to everybody for the heads up.