Unfortunately, this app requires you to establish a zero error to begin with by having a known level surface, or a another level to set near it to adjust properly. Most iphone 5s users will not run out to get a level to make sure table they set it on is level, and then set phone to zero error.
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iPhone 5s accelerometer/gyroscope/compass values incorrect
- Thread starter tharepairguy
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Unfortunately, this app requires you to establish a zero error to begin with by having a known level surface, or a another level to set near it to adjust properly. Most iphone 5s users will not run out to get a level to make sure table they set it on is level, and then set phone to zero error.
The problem is not with any single app, rather it is with the data being returned to EVERY app that requests it. Adding calibration to the Compass/Level app would only fix that app. The problem would remain in every other app that uses orientation data, including games, astromony apps, augmented reality apps, and more.
Some sort of calibration routine could provide a solution, but it should be done at the iOS system level -- such that the API compensates the data for EVERY app that requests it. The alternative is expecting every developer to implement their own calibration/compensation routines in thousands of apps -- which would be a fragmented and inconsistent approach to solving a problem whose root is at the hardware and/or iOS layer.
I calibrated iHandy with the phone on its back. After the first calibration, I turned it 180 degrees (end-for-end, still face-up) and calibrated again. I then checked the long edge opposite the volume button side.
No argument. I would much rather do a one-time system calibration procedure than swap out my "otherwise perfect" device. But I would want to see that implemented at the system level, retained as a system setting, and compensate the data at the API level so that apps get the corrected data. I don't want every single app to have its own different approach to calibration.
Again, the problem is NOT with the compass/level app. The problem is with the data being returned to that app -- and to hundreds if not thousands of other apps (games, astronomy apps, augmented reality apps, etc).
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Ok so I got another 5S, how concerned should I be with this gyroscope/compass defect? I am just a casual user, call, text, social media, not much on games and I don't construct buildings. 
I'm asking cos it would be very hard for me to do a replacement right now as I'm abroad.
I'm asking cos it would be very hard for me to do a replacement right now as I'm abroad.It's a hardware issue. No doubt about it. The sensors are set wrong. No software update will fix that. 700$ for something that doesn't work as advertised. Should've kept my iphone 5.
How can a software update fix this, when everybody is off by different degrees.
It's a hardware issue because if u set it on a level surface. Then it off by let's say 3 degrees. If u rotate 180, it should've be off by the same amount of degrees. But mine it moves up a degree.
How can a software update fix this, when everybody is off by different degrees.
It's a hardware issue because if u set it on a level surface. Then it off by let's say 3 degrees. If u rotate 180, it should've be off by the same amount of degrees. But mine it moves up a degree.
I agree. In the end, Apple will say any error less than 5 degrees will be within tolerance, and thus your phone will not be exchanged. They are exchanging now, because they haven't officially stated that is their policy. But once they realize the magnitude of this issue, they will have no other choice. They will pull the infamous Steve Jobs and claim that there was nothing wrong with the 4's antenna. Instead of giving up a free bumper, they will give us a free paid app such as ihandy pro. They will silently fix future phones before they leave the factory, and those of us who jumped on board early will be left out in the cold.
One scenario that could be fixed by a software update... Let's say that it is normal for individual sensors to give slightly different raw values, and that iOS already has a boot-up calibration function where it reads baseline reference signals and then compensates the raw data via the API. If that function were broken in the iOS boot process, compensation wouldn't occur and the varying raw values would be reported to apps without compensation.
Admittedly, I just made up that entire scenario.
I don't have the schematics or microcode source. But the point is there are plausible scenarios where a software problem COULD result in varying degrees of error on different units.But let's say it is a hardware problem, where the sensors are just not consistent and there is no inbuilt reference or calibration available in hardware. Apple could still add a system setting in iOS that allowed the user to do a one-time calibration procedure, placing the phone in various positions, and calculating the needed offsets for each orientation. Stored in the system settings, the motion APIs could then compensate the raw data appropriately before reporting it to requesting apps.
All I'm saying here is there is a good chance this could be fixed -- or at least compensated -- via a software patch, even if the actual problem is in hardware.
Look, part of the problem is self defeating. You chose to live where you do. There's inconveniences all around because of that. A good friend of mine, lives in Wyoming, the closest grocery store is over an hour away. No complaints from him. So anything related to inconvenience for you, is part of the territory. There are other options.
As far as "precision" devices. $1000 is pretty mediocre, all around. If you are talking about scientific precision, then consider $10,000 to $100,000. This includes, radio scanners, Ethernet packet scanners, surveying equipment.
For a smartphone, you are talking about a lot of precise functioning components are working for a $1000. The level, and compass is worth about $7 or so. And that's what you get, a ho hum level/compass.
Frankly I would never put my life on the line with a smartphone compass, no matter the maker. However give me a physical compass and a calibration map, then we are talking. (keep in mind, magnetic north, can fluctuate by 8 degrees across the continent.)
If the issue is a hardware problem which I am 99% certain that it is then legally Apple don't have a leg to stand on as the phone is not fit for purpose for certain functions. Apple would be legally responsible to offer refunds or exchanges.
As they don't manufacture parts of the hardware themselves, the financial implications could fall back on the chip manufacturers however Apple would have signed the hardware off as being tested and within tolerance levels before manufacturing had even started.
This could become a real legal mess. As I said in an earlier post I can't understand how this problem got past Apples quality control process
As they don't manufacture parts of the hardware themselves, the financial implications could fall back on the chip manufacturers however Apple would have signed the hardware off as being tested and within tolerance levels before manufacturing had even started.
This could become a real legal mess. As I said in an earlier post I can't understand how this problem got past Apples quality control process
They may have legal issues, but it will end just like the class action lawsuit with the iphone 4. You had a choice of a case or $15. Apple never fixed the actual antenna for those with the problem.
I am not sure what you are saying, however there is only one side of the physical phone you can measure with. Why? It has no buttons. That's the right side, the bottom also has no obstructions and is flat, but being narrow would have less accuracy, I would think.
When they say flip it, be sure you are on a level surface already, and the measurement is off. Run the calibration. After that, rotate the phone 180 degrees IE: the screen away from you, so the right side of the phone is still on the surface you are measuring. If it still reads 0 degrees, then the phone is fine, hardware wise. If it not level, then divide the number it's off, by 2, and that's the true error your phone is physically off and calibration may never work.
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It will be interesting to see if people still report issues with week 40 builds onwards
If you build a house, or any structure, with an iPhone as the level, I think that's crazy. You could hang a picture though. I suggest that 1 degree off is visible to the naked eye and so for that purpose it needs to work right. However it's inherit value is not $1000, $100, or even $20. If Apple were to say, give everyone who feels a loss, a $10 iTunes gift card, then I could see that as an appropriate compensation.
I think this is ultimately a "non-issue" Nobody should depend on this. However if it detracts from playing games, then it is an issue, and needs to be fixed one way or another.
I can't say this is a QA issue. Why? maybe the prototypes are fine. The problem could easily be a bad batch of chips from the gyroscope manufacture. Also the M7 is a new function, maybe this has some impact not shown in limited supply testing, but only manifested in ramping up.
I bet some internal engineers at Apple, knew about this problem before any phones shipped. But the value of the problem is minuscule compared to the value of getting these phones shipped out.
I think this is ultimately a "non-issue" Nobody should depend on this. However if it detracts from playing games, then it is an issue, and needs to be fixed one way or another.
I can't say this is a QA issue. Why? maybe the prototypes are fine. The problem could easily be a bad batch of chips from the gyroscope manufacture. Also the M7 is a new function, maybe this has some impact not shown in limited supply testing, but only manifested in ramping up.
I bet some internal engineers at Apple, knew about this problem before any phones shipped. But the value of the problem is minuscule compared to the value of getting these phones shipped out.
I am not so sure. As one site reported, One orienteer with a good lawyer plus one 5s who falls down
a hole due to incorrect mapping data could result in a very expensive court case for Apple
UK people who ordered online on the 20th are receiving theirs today. didn't want to ask on the UK thread as they are all very excited
. I am sure some of them read this thread too and will be able to tell us if the latest batch to hit the UK is affected.
S
syd430
Guest
The antenna issue was a design issue that required you to hold it in a very specific way to replicate. This is potentially a straight hardware issue, and so I doubt would be subject to the same denial.
I tried asking this on the UK thread, but everyone is pretty excited about receiving the iPhones and I got pretty ignored. No biggie, I understand.
But anyway, there are numerous phones being delivered today across the UK.
On these latest phones, how are the sensors?
Cheers!
But anyway, there are numerous phones being delivered today across the UK.
On these latest phones, how are the sensors?
Cheers!
Yes. Hence the reason were all upset. We're not all pissed because the level app no one uses is off
So it seems you have calibrated a zero nicely, but what about other degrees and combinations e.g. 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 45 degrees + twisted about the axis...
Do the other angles all make sense or are they now off by some significant number of degrees?