The Significance Of The iPhone 4 Gyroscope

The year 2010 saw the realization of a futuristic idea that of motion sensors. Motion sensing and control was first displayed in the remote control of the top three video game consoles- Xbox 360, Play station 3 and the Nintendo Wii. When this technology came to limelight, it was clear that there would be no turning back. The middle of 2010 saw Apple once again showing its amazing innovation by transporting the same radical technology to its iPhone 4.

For those who are still not aware, the iPhone 4 changed the way mobile phones were made by adding an accelerometer, gyroscope and compass into its tiny frame. The new gyroscope feature may have been buried under the other cool features of Apple's innovations, but the fact is that iPhone developers have already begun to look at it seriously. Here is a closer look at the gyroscope that has got all the iPhone development into a tizzy.

What is special about the gyroscope?

The unique combination of gyroscope, accelerometer and compass allows the iPhone with 6 axes of motion, just like the motion control sticks seen in video game consoles. The most obvious benefit of this is that it provides a richer gaming experience. However, the benefits of the gyroscope go beyond just gaming- if utilized properly, it can revolutionize the way mobile devices are used. This is why other mobile phones are quickly getting sensors installed. Within a few years, gyroscopes would be in a majority of cell phones. As of now, however, there are still a lot of areas for iPhone developers to explore and innovate.

A brief look at gyroscopes

Mobile gyroscopes are really small devices; they measure just a few millimeters in thickness, which is why they fit into something as small as an iPhone. These devices can sense motion with the help of microscopic moving elements. These elements are monitored by a very sensitive electrical field that can precisely detect motion, even on the smallest scale. The iPhone 4 is the first ever mobile phone to have this device, but the idea of a mobile gyro has been around for quite some time now.

The idea of a gyroscope built for mobile devices can be traced back to the year 2003, when a startup company in Finland predicted that this kind of technology would eventually turn into a new form of UI interaction. While this prediction has not come true yet, gyroscope technology is on its way to reach this goal. Most mobile phones today are only equipped with an accelerometer that either makes the phone too responsive or sluggish. However, with a gyro onboard these mobile devices, it is possible to strike the right balance between responsiveness and clean output.

The reason is that the accelerometer can only catch the acceleration of the mobile device. It cannot distinguish between acceleration due to motion and due to gravity. However, with a gyro fitted in to device as well, the onset of motion can be immediately sensed, making a more responsive and cleaner user interface.

While iPhone developers are still learning to catch up with the exciting possibilities of the mobile gyro, it is clear that this piece of technology is here to stay and is going to create a new era of mobility. So, without any further ado you can now be a part of this revolution.