Hardware compass support [UPD 28 Dec: Working in all GPS navigation software]

barty22 · Oct 24, 2009

Probably going to buy a HD2 within a few months, and I am wondering whether there is any information available about the support for the hardware compass in any navigation software like iGO8, iGO Amigo, Google Maps (which are my personal favorites).

Google Maps Update:

The new 3.3.1 update for Google Maps (permanent link to most recent Google Maps, at the time of writing 3.3.1) adds hardware compass support for the HD2! When in the 'my location' mode, it will show you the direction you are facing by means of the blue my location dot changing into a blue arrow. You may have to walk and turn around a little bit to somewhat trigger the use of the compass. Note that this doesn't work when 'my location' is off (which makes sense). What makes less sense is that it won't work in combination with GPS either. With GPS, the arrow will still be there but will always face north. Maybe a bug?

I didn't find a way to let Google Maps rotate the map on the screen, depending on the direction you are facing.

I've double checked, and this feature is not available in the stock 3.2.1 (#16) Google Maps on the HD2.

Google Maps Update (13 Dec 2009):

This can work when using GPS as well. In Google Maps, apparently it works when you set your GPS settings to manual.
For example, set your baud rate to 57600 (Options -> GPS Settings -> Set Manually: COM4, Baud 57600).

Get compass navigation support in your GPS navigation software! (28 Dec 2009):

Have been working with Mach2003 to enable support for the compass in potentially *all* GPS navigation software!
Get GpsModDriver 1.50beta: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=5233994&postcount=583

hmota78 · Oct 24, 2009

barty22 said:
Probably going to buy a HD2 within a few months, and I am wondering whether there is any information available about the support for the hardware compass in any navigation software like iGO8, iGO Amigo, Google Maps (which are my personal favorites).

Not unless HTC releases SDK for HD2

Dark Fire · Oct 24, 2009

There are three possibilities:
1. Yes, some apps such as those listed will (perhaps not immediately, but eventually) be able to access the compass.
2. Yes, but the compass is mainly there for WM7 compatibility so until a WM7 upgrade comes, most apps won't be able to access the compass.
3. No, the compass is there just for the HTC Compass app, which would be really pointless and stupid.

clubtech · Oct 24, 2009

hmota78 said:
Not unless HTC releases SDK for HD2

This is something I really don't understand about windows mobile devices.
The OEM's make such powerful phones with excellent hardware but they don't release the SDK to that developers can use these hardware feature and create good apps for the devices.
What's the point then?

I know Samsung recently starting releasing SDK's for their devices, I think HTC should follow if they want to keep people buying their devices.

kersh · Oct 25, 2009

i think that the compass will be used by some programs like igo and yes, google map, but not much more.

we will see in 2 weeks

vangrieg · Oct 25, 2009

As far as I know HTC hasn't released SDKs for their current sensors but it doesn't prevent programs from using them they were reverse engineered very quickly.

kb0n · Oct 25, 2009

Dark Fire said:
There are three possibilities:
1. Yes, some apps such as those listed will (perhaps not immediately, but eventually) be able to access the compass.
2. Yes, but the compass is mainly there for WM7 compatibility so until a WM7 upgrade comes, most apps won't be able to access the compass.

Hm, don't know which one I'd prefer =)

I don't think they'd just put a simple compass app on the device and NOT release a SDK just to get people excited for WM7. So I'm pretty sure the compass will be used in some way, either on preinstalled apps or via SDK.

bym007 · Oct 26, 2009

kersh said:
i think that the compass will be used by some programs like igo and yes, google map, but not much more.

I, for one being a Muslim, would want an application telling directions to Mecca for prayer purposes... This "would" be definitely a big plus for Muslim HD2 adopters. I know some people have similar app on iPhone, but it takes direction from internet and as a result is highly inaccurate ...

rathga · Dec 1, 2009

now thatleo's arrived, anyone know of a rotatey map program?

barty22 · Dec 1, 2009

Wooohoo, some new development.

An API has been developed by MilaCzeque. Check here!!

Next step is for some developer to somehow let Google Maps and our favourite navigation software use the API.

barty22 · Dec 9, 2009

Updated first post with information about compass support in Google Maps

Reason4444 · Dec 9, 2009

barty22 said:
Updated first post with information about compass support in Google Maps

Really good news.. Thanks barty22

Trying now..

czbird · Dec 9, 2009

can't get the arrow to respond to phone turns when standing still, which I would expect. But the location is incredibly more precise in the new version 3.3.1

barty22 · Dec 9, 2009

czbird said:
can't get the arrow to respond to phone turns when standing still, which I would expect. But the location is incredibly more precise in the new version 3.3.1

On my device the arrow even rotates when I am sitting down and just rotating my phone!

yngvebn · Dec 9, 2009

Sorry, guys, but it's just the GPS tracking the direction it thinks you're moving.... No Compass-support in Google Maps I'm afraid.

Compass-support would be for instance rotating the map according to the direction the compass is pointing...

barty22 · Dec 9, 2009

yngvebn said:
Sorry, guys, but it's just the GPS tracking the direction it thinks you're moving.... No Compass-support in Google Maps I'm afraid.

Compass-support would be for instance rotating the map according to the direction the compass is pointing...

You're wrong. It (only) works when GPS is disabled. And it does rotate according to the direction you are facing. It just doesn't rotate the map, but the arrow. It works when you rotate the phone (or when you rotate yourself while you're holding the phone

) when sitting down/standing still/not using gps...

Shasarak · Dec 9, 2009

barty22 said:
You're wrong. It (only) works when GPS is disabled. And it does rotate according to the direction you are facing. It just doesn't rotate the map, but the arrow. It works when you rotate the phone (or when you rotate yourself while you're holding the phone ) when sitting down/standing still/not using gps...

On my Touch Pro2 I get this arrow on Google Maps version 3.2.1, and that phone doesn't even have a compass

so I think it's safe to say that the arrow is not compass-based. The fact that it doesn't work unless you're moving is also a dead give-away.

DMAND · Dec 9, 2009

Only works with GPS over here, and doesnt rotate, doesnt look like it supports the compass yet.

Archer · Dec 9, 2009

I can't get it to work for me. Do I have to enable it somehow, or should it "just work" ?

bayowar · Dec 9, 2009

It worked indoor for me, without GPS, and very accurately.

I disabled GPS, hit the blue dot in the corner and waited for
a minute before it started.

Hardware compass support [UPD 28 Dec: Working in *all* GPS navigation software]

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Hardware compass support [UPD 28 Dec: Working in all GPS navigation software]