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Calibration on iPhone 5s Compass and Level Appears Incorrect
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I know it's a problem, but I've done some work with various types of instrumentation, and I can tell you , there's an amazing amount of calibration/control done at the firmware/software level.
Side note: checked with a good level and a physical compass ... my iPhone is almost perfect
Check out the link to the Gizmodo Article. Read it. Watch the video of a iPhone 5s running Real Racing 3 and as the phone is held level the car drives off a straight to the left becuase the phone THINKS its being held crooked.
I plan on testing this myself.
Mostly because I can't watch YouTube vids on the company network.
I suppose people need something to complain about.....good grief.
Have fun!
Yes. this is a basic thing that should be right from factory. I have exchanged two phones before for this being not correct. It affects lost of things.
Lol what ? it's not an iOS7 problem, it's only specific to iPhone 5s,not 5c or 5 or 4S or any other device on iOS7. Be on iOS 6 and keep feeling glad !
How do we know the Stanley level is 'level'?
I would like to see the same test done with DeWalt or some other brand.
My iPhone reports the level fine on iOS 7.
I would like to see the same test done with DeWalt or some other brand.
My iPhone reports the level fine on iOS 7.
I noticed this. I tested both the level and inclinometer against my roommate's 4S and his was far more accurate.
In that case, they should just allow you to calibrate the level in a way that makes it look like you've changed the "absolute" value. Most crappy level apps have this feature, and once calibrated, you would not be able to tell that it's been calibrated, only that it's showing the right values. This is a common problem and almost all real measurement devices can be easily calibrated.
By this point in time, I know I really shouldn't be surprised by things like this anymore, but I just can't help it - Is it really that much of a pain to use, oh I don't know, real, physical compasses and levels? I just find myself so often dumbfounded by these so-called "features" on electronic devices these days; they all kind of seem...incredibly non-essential.
I just find myself so often dumbfounded by these so-called "features" on electronic devices these days; they all kind of seem...incredibly non-essential.
No biggie
Seriously? Recall? I don't recall hearing Apple making any claims about the accuracy of it's compass app. In fact, I don't recall hearing anything about this app in the lead-up to iOS 7. It was a pleasant surprise, and even if it's slightly inaccurate, it's miles ahead in functionality of the previous compass app.
Just because one app gives readings that are slightly off does not mean every app will be screwed. Most (if not all) apps make their own calibrations.
Either way, the iPhone does not actually have a level, so of course it does not inherently know what "level" is. It has an accelerometer, which spits out raw acceleration data for each of three axes, normal to each other but having an arbitrary absolute orientation. The interpretation of this data, and designation of "level", is handled by software/firmware.
Likewise, the iPhone does not actually have a compass, so of course it does not inherently know which way is north. It has a magnetometer, which spits out raw data directly related to the changes in the magnetic field. Software/firmware then combines this data with accelerometer readings to figure out where exactly to point the needle on the screen.
Unless your compass/level is sporadically jumping all over the place, I'd say this could be fixed by an OTA update.
Seriously? Recall? I don't recall hearing Apple making any claims about the accuracy of it's compass app. In fact, I don't recall hearing anything about this app in the lead-up to iOS 7. It was a pleasant surprise, and even if it's slightly inaccurate, it's miles ahead in functionality of the previous compass app.
Just because one app gives readings that are slightly off does not mean every app will be screwed. Most (if not all) apps make their own calibrations.
Either way, the iPhone does not actually have a level, so of course it does not inherently know what "level" is. It has an accelerometer, which spits out raw acceleration data for each of three axes, normal to each other but having an arbitrary absolute orientation. The interpretation of this data, and designation of "level", is handled by software/firmware.
Likewise, the iPhone does not actually have a compass, so of course it does not inherently know which way is north. It has a magnetometer, which spits out raw data directly related to the changes in the magnetic field. Software/firmware then combines this data with accelerometer readings to figure out where exactly to point the needle on the screen.
Unless your compass/level is sporadically jumping all over the place, I'd say this could be fixed by an OTA update.
Did you know this folks?
A spirit level is only accurate on it's given length. If you compare one like on the iPhone that is 2 inches in length against one who is 6 inches in length, they will not give the same readings. A 6 inches lenght compass against a 3 feet long one will also give different readings. The longer the better...yes size matters when it comes to compass accuracy.
So before you all laugh at it we should think of where would it be accurate to use such a spirit level. That's all...only my two penny's worth.
As a carpenter it makes me chuckle the gripe that some of you seems to have about it.
A spirit level is only accurate on it's given length. If you compare one like on the iPhone that is 2 inches in length against one who is 6 inches in length, they will not give the same readings. A 6 inches lenght compass against a 3 feet long one will also give different readings. The longer the better...yes size matters when it comes to compass accuracy.
So before you all laugh at it we should think of where would it be accurate to use such a spirit level. That's all...only my two penny's worth.
As a carpenter it makes me chuckle the gripe that some of you seems to have about it.
A test to see the problem
Use the included iOs compass app, swipe to page 2. Put your phone flat on some level table. Mine shows -2. Rotate the phone keeping it flat on the table. Mine shows -2 in every orientation. Tap to set to 0 at some orientation. Rotate 180 degrees. Mine then shows -4.
My phone level is broke - something is wrong.
One way to check calibration of any level is to check for level then reverse the level. If something is actually level it will show 0 both orientations.
Use the included iOs compass app, swipe to page 2. Put your phone flat on some level table. Mine shows -2. Rotate the phone keeping it flat on the table. Mine shows -2 in every orientation. Tap to set to 0 at some orientation. Rotate 180 degrees. Mine then shows -4.
My phone level is broke - something is wrong.
One way to check calibration of any level is to check for level then reverse the level. If something is actually level it will show 0 both orientations.