People older than 35: do you remember the first time you used a GPS device to get somewhere? (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 1 month ago by Servais@discuss.tchncs.de to c/casualconversation@lemm.ee

77 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] tal@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

They don't. There's typically a compass in phones that provides information useful in determining direction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetometer

Mobile phones

Many smartphones contain miniaturized microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) magnetometers which are used to detect magnetic field strength and are used as compasses. The iPhone 3GS has a magnetometer, a magnetoresistive permalloy sensor, the AN-203 produced by Honeywell. In 2009, the price of three-axis magnetometers dipped below US$1 per device and dropped rapidly. The use of a three-axis device means that it is not sensitive to the way it is held in orientation or elevation. Hall effect devices are also popular.

[-] Paradachshund@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago

Oh interesting. I guess it makes sense. Much simpler solution with high accuracy.

this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2024

74 points (98.7% liked)

Casual Conversation

1658 readers

242 users here now

Share a story, ask a question, or start a conversation about (almost) anything you desire. Maybe you'll make some friends in the process.

RULES

Be respectful: no harassment, hate speech, bigotry, and/or trolling
Keep the conversation nice and light hearted
Encourage conversation in your post
Avoid controversial topics such as politics or societal debates
Keep it clean and SFW: No illegal content or anything gross and inappropriate
No solicitation such as ads, promotional content, spam, surveys etc.
Respect privacy: Don’t ask for or share any personal information

Casual conversation communities:

Related discussion-focused communities

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

Blaze@lemm.ee

shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee

orangeNgreen@lemmy.world

neidu2@feddit.nl