Database Users

Compass super lag

Anyone notice the compass as well as other sensors respond SUPER SLOW. Fire up skymaps and find mars. Go on ill wait... Broken GPS is getting all the talk.
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There's an app called "Android Sensor Data" that can calibrate the accelerometer, but you have to run it at every boot. It doesn't fix the compass, which I expect us just broken.
The future looks so... Vibrant

Yup, it was one of the first things I noticed about the phone. The compas is definitely either broken or just not very good.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Its not only sky maps but also layer as well, once you stop moving the phone it takes a good 10 to 15 secs to position itself, very laggy, just patiently waiting for the fix now -_-"
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

one would think with Samsung preinstalling Layar on the phone the compass would work without a hitch... im hoping its a software issue not updating as frequent.

Based on how a compass works, (magnetism) I would hazard a guess that there is NO software fix. Buy a compass. If it doesn't work, it will never work. Software can't fix a bad magnet. I COULD be wrong...I HOPE I'm wrong...I DOUBT I'm wrong.
Magnets are not software. ):
The future looks so... Vibrant

I asked T-mobile if there would be a fix for the compass along with the GPS on Twitter. This was their reply:
"TMobile_USA: @fjohnette That's what is believed causing the GPS problem so its possible we will keep you updated. ^SG"
--http://www.twitter.com/TMobile_USA/status/20225466968
Sent from my Samsung Vibrant using the XDA app

fragimar said:
"TMobile_USA: @fjohnette That's what is believed causing the GPS problem so its possible we will keep you updated. ^SG"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this means it's possible that they will NOT keep you updated??
Anyway, I think we now have the word of every t-mobile CS rep and tech support person and most (if not all) don't really have any idea. I guess it's worth the effort to keep pestering. It'd sure be more comforting to have an official response.

bryon13 said:
Based on how a compass works, (magnetism) I would hazard a guess that there is NO software fix. Buy a compass. If it doesn't work, it will never work. Software can't fix a bad magnet. I COULD be wrong...I HOPE I'm wrong...I DOUBT I'm wrong.
Magnets are not software. ):
The future looks so... Vibrant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are completely correct in how a compass works... Basic magnetism... However. Just because our compass doesn't work doesn't mean the magnet bit isn't detecting north as it should. It could easily be that the other sensors that detect which way that magnet is oriented are reporting incorrect data, which is possibly fixable via firmware update. Or that the android itself is doing something wrong with that data, or any combination of the above. And these possible causes are far from exhaustive, just a few possibilities off the top of my head.
Sent from my Vibrant using the XDA app.
Typos, incorrect words, gibberish, and other nonsense brought to you courtesy of Swype.

bryon13 said:
Based on how a compass works, (magnetism) I would hazard a guess that there is NO software fix. Buy a compass. If it doesn't work, it will never work. Software can't fix a bad magnet. I COULD be wrong...I HOPE I'm wrong...I DOUBT I'm wrong.
Magnets are not software. ):
The future looks so... Vibrant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, but every single thing about how that data is collected, interpreted, and passed on to the operating system is software, not to mention the interaction with the accelerometer sensors as Arr mentioned. Lots of potential points of failure here that have everything to do with software. Fingers crossed that it's not just a borked magnetometer.

Very true. As I said, I REALLY REALLY HOPE they can fix it... I'm just worried that we're going to be stuck with broken hardware. I'll never buy a phone on launch-day again...
The future looks so... Vibrant

bryon13 said:
Very true. As I said, I REALLY REALLY HOPE they can fix it... I'm just worried that we're going to be stuck with broken hardware. I'll never buy a phone on launch-day again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is my fear as well. It bugs the **** out of me to see people all over the forums violently defending samsung and saying with absolute certainty that a firmware fix is coming.
How do they know it can be fixed with firmware? I'm not saying that it's impossible, I'll be the first to admit I have no idea how the compass actually works, but to post saying that it will be fixed is so unbelievably stupid and irresponsible that I can only attribute it to buyers remorse manifesting itself as post-purchase rationalization.
Too many idiots to have any sort of productive discussion anywhere.

hollabax said:
this is my fear as well. It bugs the **** out of me to see people all over the forums violently defending samsung and saying with absolute certainty that a firmware fix is coming.
How do they know it can be fixed with firmware? I'm not saying that it's impossible, I'll be the first to admit I have no idea how the compass actually works, but to post saying that it will be fixed is so unbelievably stupid and irresponsible that I can only attribute it to buyers remorse manifesting itself as post-purchase rationalization.
Too many idiots to have any sort of productive discussion anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7252169&postcount=21

The compass is definitely the one thing that annoys me about this phone. I really like Google Sky Maps and 3D compass and right now they are worthless.

DaMaDo said:
The compass is definitely the one thing that annoys me about this phone. I really like Google Sky Maps and 3D compass and right now they are worthless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. The GPS issues are getting so much attention that the borked compass is falling by the wayside. I actually use the compass, so this is really annoying.

you guys are brave
I returned the phone after a few days and decided to wait for a fix.
When/if the fix comes, I can easily buy the phone again.
To keep the phone is the same thing as keeping you anxiety level high, waiting for a fix, checking every board twice a day.
Is it worth it?

DaMaDo said:
The compass is definitely the one thing that annoys me about this phone. I really like Google Sky Maps and 3D compass and right now they are worthless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Sky maps works fine for me. It does lag slightly when rotating, (which seems to match what others are saying about compass lag), but i don't see how it's worthless. It's dead on for me.

Have you tried Google Street View (Compass Mode) or Yelp's 'Monocle' / Layar?
The compass will sometimes point to magnetic North. But most times, it spins around wildly, or simply points to the wrong direction and does not update correctly.

Morbo66 said:
Google Sky maps works fine for me. It does lag slightly when rotating, (which seems to match what others are saying about compass lag), but i don't see how it's worthless. It's dead on for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A friend and I bought our phones on the same day. Date on the stickers on the box (which I assume is a build date) is 7/17 on both of them. Side-by-side, Google Sky works perfectly for him, and doesn't work at all for me.
My compass points south no matter what orientation the phone is in, or what direction I face. Sometimes if I just stand still for a very long time, it'll slowly sort of drift in one direction or another, but I haven't had the patience to just wait and see whether it ever actually aligns with where I'm facing or if it's just random variation.

Check my little video on youtube about this issue demonstrating how slow the compass reacts.
YouTube, search for: SvAJrR5Gmy0
or "Samsung Vibrant Compass Issues"
still won't let me post links yet....
I did end up getting the other phone working instead of pointing in only one direction. I factory data reset the phone and tried agan and it started pointing in the correct direction at least, still very slow.
I also suggest looking at sensor data to see how your phone performs:
*#*#1472365#*#* >> Test Application >> Show Sensor data

Google Maps

Never seen this posted here because, and I didn't the answer with search.
Why does Google Maps not auto-turn? It does on the iPhone 3GS and 4, yet not on Android. Android is made by google. :|
Is it because of the compass in the iphone; does the evo not have a compass?

Auto-turn??????

I think he means that it doesn't change orientation when you turn, north is always up. We have turn by turn nav though.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

That's my biggest gripe with the evo..well, that and the battery. I wish google maps orientated in the direction you are facing like the Iphone does....I did find an app called Rmaps that does it, but it is definitely not as polished as the Iphone. Seems strange that a google phone would not have included it?!

dianneeraser said:
That's my biggest gripe with the evo..well, that and the battery. I wish google maps orientated in the direction you are facing like the Iphone does....I did find an app called Rmaps that does it, but it is definitely not as polished as the Iphone. Seems strange that a google phone would not have included it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While the gnav is super cool, especially in places that you haven't drove before, but a lot of the time, If I'm trying to get somewhere locally, I just want to see the map because I already know the area, but the damn maps never move.

dianneeraser said:
That's my biggest gripe with the evo..well, that and the battery. I wish google maps orientated in the direction you are facing like the Iphone does....I did find an app called Rmaps that does it, but it is definitely not as polished as the Iphone. Seems strange that a google phone would not have included it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Polished? Maybe things are different with the new iPhone, but I have the 3GS, and unless I was walking, it virtually never oriented in the same direction I was going. It was usually about 90 degrees off.

The Navigation app uses GMaps and orients with you.
It is the Polish for driving.

Click the compass. It changes from N-S to turn.

ThrowingKs said:
Click the compass. It changes from N-S to turn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, no it doesnt

ThrowingKs said:
Click the compass. It changes from N-S to turn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Compass moves to indicate what direction you are going not where North is.

Listen to the guy and just click the dang compass! This toggles the map from top-down north orientation to a 3d directional orientation. You must be moving to see the change.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

The new HTC sense already incorporates this. Be patient.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HTC?blend=2&ob=1#p/a/u/2/GHO9A9Zf5g8
Skip to the 5 minute mark.

fmedina2 said:
The new HTC sense already incorporates this. Be patient.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HTC?blend=2&ob=1#p/a/u/2/GHO9A9Zf5g8
Skip to the 5 minute mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I cant wait....I hope they can get this to run on the Evo...

firesquirt said:
The Navigation app uses GMaps and orients with you.
It is the Polish for driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nav app definitely kicks ass....I Actually use it more than the garmin in my ride...just wish gmaps did the orientation thing so I dont have to figure out if i need to turn left or right

Don't try to figure it out, you'll be right half the time anyway!

dianneeraser said:
The nav app definitely kicks ass....I Actually use it more than the garmin in my ride...just wish gmaps did the orientation thing so I dont have to figure out if i need to turn left or right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you please just try tapping the compass in the top left corner of gmaps as suggested?
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

domotang said:
Would you please just try tapping the compass in the top left corner of gmaps as suggested?
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Ummm....there's no compass on my gmaps...I'm running version 4.5.1 comes with the search box, places, layers, and my location buttons, but alas...no compass.

check it out....no compass

Use navigate instead of maps. Then you will see a compass.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

domotang said:
Use navigate instead of maps. Then you will see a compass.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's where the confusion is--there are THREE options in gmaps--map, directions and navigate. Map does not have a compass and does not give you turn-by-turn directions, directions is just the text listing and navigate is the turn-by-turn with voice directions and the compass. And it all works (even the compass switching)!!!

Three-axis gyroscope on the nexus....

is the Three-axis gyroscope on ur device accurate?
mine for like 1 minute shakes alot then after it stil shows a wrong direction and if i move it a bit shows a diferent but stilll eronated direction
is there any way to recalibrate it?
i played a bit on a iphone 4 and was very very accurate.....

funstuffalex said:
is the Three-axis gyroscope on ur device accurate?
mine for like 1 minute shakes alot then after it stil shows a wrong direction and if i move it a bit shows a diferent but stilll eronated direction
is there any way to recalibrate it?
i played a bit on a iphone 4 and was very very accurate.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are you using to view the orientation and information from the gyro

firstly i tried google maps navgation then i downloaded anoter 2 free aps gps test and gps status...if i hold the phone in one position it shows me one point as beeing the north...if i do a 180 degrees spin it shows me another point as beeing the north
ps i think its the digital compas thats foulty not the gyro right?

slowz3r said:
what are you using to view the orientation and information from the gyro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could use the app Phone Tester it gives you a reading of all the sensors, but that's it.

funstuffalex said:
is the Three-axis gyroscope on ur device accurate?
mine for like 1 minute shakes alot then after it stil shows a wrong direction and if i move it a bit shows a diferent but stilll eronated direction
is there any way to recalibrate it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread warrants an explanation of the differences between GPS, compass, and gyroscope.
GPS: Tells you where you are. It can be used to infer the direction in which you are moving. It can NOT tell you which way you are facing.
Compass: Tells you which way you are facing with respect to the Earth's north/south poles.
Gyroscope: Tells you how fast you are spinning about each of 3 axes (hence why it's called a "3-axis gyroscope"). It can be used to infer the direction in which you are facing (albeit not easily).
Neither the compass nor the gyroscope can tell you where you are, or the direction in which you are moving.
The problem you are seeing is with the compass, NOT with the gyroscope. Google maps does not currently do anything with the gyroscope. The digital compass can be calibrated. I use the "Compass" app, which has a calibrate function.

It's a 6-axis gyroscope, not 3.

ryude said:
It's a 6-axis gyroscope, not 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not a 6 axis. It's a 3 axis. It's listed here: http://www.google.com/nexus/#/tech-specs.
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Also general question/comment. Doesn't a gyroscope help the phone know which way is down? So technically you can have an object shown on the screen, then you can walk around that object with your phone and see all sides of the object. (Like the iPhone 4 demo Steve Jobs did with the game Jenga, he walked around the tower to see all sides)

@ ravidavi
Thanks mate yea thats it....the compas is all messed up...
On ur phones dose the north apear to be in same direction no matter witch way u turn or is this a wide spread flaw

nxt said:
Doesn't a gyroscope help the phone know which way is down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
funstuffalex said:
@ ravidavi
Thanks mate yea thats it....the compas is all messed up...
On ur phones dose the north apear to be in same direction no matter witch way u turn or is this a wide spread flaw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The compass needs to be calibrated.

ryude said:
It's a 6-axis gyroscope, not 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no such thing (in this world) as a 6-axis gyroscope. What you are thinking is the oft-quoted phrase "6-axis gaming sensor" (or 6-axis motion sensor). A 6-axis motion sensor is actually a chip that combines a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope into one package.

nxt said:
Doesn't a gyroscope help the phone know which way is down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A gyroscope only tells you how fast you are spinning about an axis. An accelerometer can (for the most part) tell you which way is down.

I found this video today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JQz7EOHAwE
I would like to know what these guys are using to test the gyro on the NS.. Actually I am not sure this app is actually testing the app or the compass / accelorometer.
any ideas?

Did that woman say the phone had a barometer...?
alitech said:
I found this video today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JQz7EOHAwE
I would like to know what these guys are using to test the gyro on the NS.. Actually I am not sure this app is actually testing the app or the compass / accelorometer.
any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Compass issue question

Hey all.
I did some searching but couldn't find if a resolution has occurred. Has anyone made a fix for the compass being off its axes? I use 3d compass. When I tilt right, the on-screen compass points up. Etc.
I know this was once discussed. Would exchanging it solve that issue?
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Dalrimple said:
Hey all.
I did some searching but couldn't find if a resolution has occurred. Has anyone made a fix for the compass being off its axes? I use 3d compass. When I tilt right, the on-screen compass points up. Etc.
I know this was once discussed. Would exchanging it solve that issue?
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believed this issue is with the developer of the software...
software that were made for phone should be updated for tablet & especially Honeycomb ... as the accelerometer/compass is reverse..etc
some appz can run on tablet properly... but it also need to support HC ( not just froyo/Gingerbread only )
there were some games that were like this ( opposite/upside down... ).... dev updated their software and it works fine in tablet

Oh that's great. Is there a good app to test the tablets compass?
It is strange that vendetta online wasn't an app that was playable due to the compass. Seems like that was all the hype for this tablet.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Try gps status in the market! It's free, does good stuff!

GPS status works ok, but remember to calibrate the compass (wave it around in a figure 8) each time you try to use it. GPS essentials does NOT work, the compass is off by 90 degrees.
Rob

No Compass on G4 (Plus)???

Is that true?? Why??

optionalmgrr.la said:
Is that true?? Why??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes true that there is no compass but really you can't expect all the sensors and high end configs for a mid-ranger. It is a mid-ranger and it will have some cons. As far as I see it, maybe the NFC would be a drawback. I wouldn't really worry about the compass sensor. I don't think it would be useful very much. But its just my opinion, you may need it.

But compass is a fairly basic sensor......
Does it mean there will be no navigation support on G4 (Plus)?
Will the gyroscope help?

Yes, I am also just worried about navigation. Is it possible for Maps to direction based on Mobile Data/Wifi in the absence of magnetometer?

AbhishekS said:
Yes, I am also just worried about navigation. Is it possible for Maps to direction based on Mobile Data/Wifi in the absence of magnetometer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
optionalmgrr.la said:
But compass is a fairly basic sensor......
Does it mean there will be no navigation support on G4 (Plus)?
Will the gyroscope help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do believe the Gyro would be suffice. Even the G3 didn't have one and I think not many people complained of it. They were able to navigate without a Gyro too. I am not sure how the compass sensors work or how useful they would be but I don't care anyway lol

optionalmgrr.la said:
But compass is a fairly basic sensor......
Does it mean there will be no navigation support on G4 (Plus)?
Will the gyroscope help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gyro won't help. However, the compass isn't necessary for navigation. The GPS is what you need, which can locate you wherever you are, so it can tell what way you're going. If you really need to know what way is north, South... and it's nighttime do you can't figure out from the sun, you'll need to open up maps, and start walking, and you'll see in what direction you're moving.
yeshwanthvshenoy said:
I do believe the Gyro would be suffice. Even the G3 didn't have one and I think not many people complained of it. They were able to navigate without a Gyro too. I am not sure how the compass sensors work or how useful they would be but I don't care anyway lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The g3 does have a compass.

tzzeri said:
The gyro won't help. However, the compass isn't necessary for navigation. The GPS is what you need, which can locate you wherever you are, so it can tell what way you're going. If you really need to know what way is north, South... and it's nighttime do you can't figure out from the sun, you'll need to open up maps, and start walking, and you'll see in what direction you're moving.
The g3 does have a compass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't aware G3 had a compass. I know its a basic sensor but maybe Motorola thought it wasn't useful so ditched it.

For VR experience isn't required ?

sirtbhopal said:
For VR experience isn't required ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is required gyroscope. Compass not a must my understanding.

1, g4plus have gyro. ?
2.SAR value ?
pl revert...
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA-Developers mobile app

optionalmgrr.la said:
Is required gyroscope. Compass not a must my understanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct
sirtbhopal said:
1, g4plus have gyro. ?
2.SAR value ?
pl revert...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to gsmarena, yes. The g2 also had, but it was a horrible gyro that was clearly not tested. I couldn't find any info on the play and regular edition

I asked the compass question in motorola's Forum and this was Matt's answer:
No, it does not have a compass/magnetometer. It does have GPS but won't support a compass app.
That make's it a NONO for hiking because a low speed or standing stil at crossroads you definitely need this to show "the way" aka rotate the map or the guiding arrow (like in Locus Pro). GPS does this at speeds above maybe 6 km/h.

as far as i know G3 does not have compass. i owned it ,

it also doesnt have NFC

[email protected] said:
as far as i know G3 does not have compass. i owned it ,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I own it and it does have a compass

There you go. Confirmed that it doesn't have the magnetic compass. Strange.. Why would Motorola do such a thing. Someone also replied on the other thread this could be the reason the phone doesn't support driving mode which was supported on g3!!!

candiesdoodle said:
There you go. Confirmed that it doesn't have the magnetic compass. Strange.. Why would Motorola do such a thing. Someone also replied on the other thread this could be the reason the phone doesn't support driving mode which was supported on g3!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would they do such a thing? Because most people won't realise and won't care. That's why. I personally do care, but I'm the minority.

Yeah pretty sucks. Hope they release G4 Turbo like G3 and include a proper compass. but don't hold your heads up the chance is slim.

sirtbhopal said:
For VR experience isn't required ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Just tried out Google cardboard on my Moto G4 Plus and it works without any issues

nrp31 said:
Nope. Just tried out Google cardboard on my Moto G4 Plus and it works without any issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course. The only issue would be with the cardboard v1, where the button, which was two magnets that didn't even touch the screen, wouldn't work as the phone doesn't contain a magnetometer (aka digital compass). Though even many phones which do don't work because of the placement.