If you know your way around a smartphone, then you're surely aware of their versatility. There's a substantial number of every-day tools and devices a smartphone can replace, such as a camera, a radio, an alarm clock, a flashlight, a sound recorder... we can go on. The humble compass is also on that list, as you may or may not know. Inside your handset there is a tiny magnet spinning around an axis and pointing at the planet's north pole.
Okay, we lied. Compass functionality in phones and tablets is enabled by something a bit more sophisticated – a sensor called a magnetometer, which is used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. By analyzing Earth's magnetic field, the sensor allows a phone to determine its orientation pretty accurately.
Does your Android phone have a magnetometer? Yup, chances are that it does as most Android devices do. Even if you have an old or a cheap phone, there's likely a magnetometer inside of it. However, there's one more thing you need before you can use an Android device as a compass – a compass application. Now, most Android handsets don't have one pre-loaded, and yours probably lacks one as well. But the Play Store is full of free compass applications, so you can just pick one and enjoy the great outdoors.
Smart Compass for Android is an app we'd recommend. In fact, it is probably the only compass app you'll ever need. But before you can use the app effectively, you have to calibrate your phone's magnetic sensor, and the app will surely remind you to do so. To calibrate your Android phone's magnetometer after launching Smart Compass, hold it up and move it around in a figure 8 fashion. Several spins should do the trick. While calibrating, make sure you're far from computers, electric fans, Wi-Fi routers, or other electronics as these may interfere with the magnetic sensor and its readings. Metal isn't welcome either, so remove any rings or jewelry that are close to your phone.
So now Smart Compass should be pointing (fairly accurately) towards the north pole. It should have also turned on your camera, with the compass overlayed over the video feed. Why? Well, if you hold your phone vertically, a crosshair will appear pointing at the exact direction you need to go in order to follow the degree shown. Clever, huh? You may turn off the camera feature from the settings menu if you prefer to save your battery. And if you like the app, consider supporting its developer. The Pro version of Smart Compass ($0.99) adds a speedometer and the option to send GPS coordinates via SMS or email.
Okay, we lied. Compass functionality in phones and tablets is enabled by something a bit more sophisticated – a sensor called a magnetometer, which is used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. By analyzing Earth's magnetic field, the sensor allows a phone to determine its orientation pretty accurately.
Does your Android phone have a magnetometer? Yup, chances are that it does as most Android devices do. Even if you have an old or a cheap phone, there's likely a magnetometer inside of it. However, there's one more thing you need before you can use an Android device as a compass – a compass application. Now, most Android handsets don't have one pre-loaded, and yours probably lacks one as well. But the Play Store is full of free compass applications, so you can just pick one and enjoy the great outdoors.
Smart Compass for Android is an app we'd recommend. In fact, it is probably the only compass app you'll ever need. But before you can use the app effectively, you have to calibrate your phone's magnetic sensor, and the app will surely remind you to do so. To calibrate your Android phone's magnetometer after launching Smart Compass, hold it up and move it around in a figure 8 fashion. Several spins should do the trick. While calibrating, make sure you're far from computers, electric fans, Wi-Fi routers, or other electronics as these may interfere with the magnetic sensor and its readings. Metal isn't welcome either, so remove any rings or jewelry that are close to your phone.
So now Smart Compass should be pointing (fairly accurately) towards the north pole. It should have also turned on your camera, with the compass overlayed over the video feed. Why? Well, if you hold your phone vertically, a crosshair will appear pointing at the exact direction you need to go in order to follow the degree shown. Clever, huh? You may turn off the camera feature from the settings menu if you prefer to save your battery. And if you like the app, consider supporting its developer. The Pro version of Smart Compass ($0.99) adds a speedometer and the option to send GPS coordinates via SMS or email.
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