Anyone know of a compass complication and app for Apple Watch? I'd really love to have a compass!
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Apps compass complication
- Thread starter rishiomedia
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I don't get it, how would a compass complication work? Surely it's impossible?
Even if the phone knows which way it is pointing (ie the compass app is active) there's no way the watch knows its relative direction to the phone.
Even if the phone knows which way it is pointing (ie the compass app is active) there's no way the watch knows its relative direction to the phone.
I should think it is impossible on the Watch, at least generation 1. Shame Apple didn't include a sensor for this - or a barometer. You could turn it into an ABC watch.
An analog face can serve as a compass, at least if you can see the sun.
That's a good point, although I forget exactly how you do that...here's the instructions http://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Analog-Watch-as-a-Compass
Bearing would be useful as a complication. the watch could know that from the phone as long as you were moving. Knowing your direction of travel is one of the most basic and important functions of having a compass. This is true in the woods and in a city. Coming out of a subway in a strange city onto the street, my most basic navigation question is often which direction am I traveling?
I see it would be useful, too, but you've noted some caveats. "As long as you're moving," which would hopefully make up for the phone sitting sideways in a pocket or purse (or a "European shoulder bag" for you hip gents); but when you emerge from a subway onto a strange street, you're not going to be moving until you know where to go.
I think it's only possible if the compass were included inside the watch. But, a compass of any kind is only half-useful until you add a map for reference. The watch would need a data connection to display a map as well (which I admit would only be a problem out in the middle of nowhere). Plus, I expect that the magnets embedded in the back of the watch would create problems for a compass chip, too.
So we're back to getting compass data from the phone. Hmm. I can't think of a way to make it reliable.
Again, I think it'd be cool to have. I just don't see it being technically feasible.
I would love it if Apple put a compass in the next Apple Watch. My app Poison Maps ("POIs on Maps") stores millions of POIs offline and, amongst other features, offers a compass mode on the phone that can show signs to anything, even when you are offline. It also has a watch app that allows you to see details on any of these POIs in just a few quick taps. So to be able to show a compass on the watch that points to the selected POI would fit in perfectly.
I considered all the hacks mentioned here but decided to wait and hope that Apple put one in the next model. The app is still great without it though...
I considered all the hacks mentioned here but decided to wait and hope that Apple put one in the next model. The app is still great without it though...