Why no Compass for the iPod Touch?

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Level 5

5,151 points

Why no Compass for the iPod Touch?

Paid $10 and didn't get a Compass.

Doesn't Apple think people with the iPod Touch are going to get lost just as much as the iPhone users? ... 🙂

Apple doesn't even have the Compass.app for sale in the iTunes Store.
What's up with that?
I guess only the 3GS iPhone has the Compass or did any of the older iPhones get the Compass also?

I know it might sound like I'm complaining but not really. I just thought it would be nice to get the Compass when paying $10. Why not? The iPhone got it and this shouldn't have anything to do with the AT&T agreement/contract...

Lost in the woods without a compass Joe...

iMac 20 (Core 2 Duo), MacBook (Core 2 Duo), Mac Mini (Core 2 Duo), Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 18, 2009 9:17 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

tom in mpls

Level 1

41 points

Jun 18, 2009 10:00 PM in response to Joseph Kriz

The 3GS has a magnetometer which lets the phone know which direction it is oriented. The iPod has no magnetometer, ergo no compass.

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Answer 2

Jun 19, 2009 1:34 AM in response to Joseph Kriz

Software updates can only add software features. The compass app requires a hardware compass. Only the iPhone 3GS has a hardware compass built-in. So, no-one who upgraded to v3.0 got the compass.

In fact, it's not even mentioned as a feature on the v3.0 update pages:

http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/softwareupdate.html
http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/

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Answer 3

Joseph Kriz Author

Level 5

5,151 points

Jun 19, 2009 4:39 PM in response to Julian Wright

According to the software update and the link you show for the iPod Touch, the "Voice Memos" are not listed in the features either.
Yet, the update contained the Voice Memos for the iPod Touch. At least for the 2G for sure.

It appears not everything is always mentioned in the features or ...

Maybe the 3G iPod Touch will have the magnetometer... Only Apple knows for now.

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Answer 4

Misha35

Level 1

54 points

Jun 20, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Joseph Kriz

You can easily add a headphone/microphone to connect to the 'Touch' (Apple sells them on their website). Hence they included 'VoiceMemos' in the OS 3.0 upgrade for the 'Touch'.

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Answer 5

Joseph Kriz Author

Level 5

5,151 points

Jun 20, 2009 4:18 PM in response to Misha35

Yes.. My point was that they do not even list the Voice Memos as a new feature in the software update for iPod Touch according to the link given...

I have had the headset from Apple as I also use it for Skype on the Touch...

Thanks

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Answer 6

Misha35

Level 1

54 points

Jun 20, 2009 4:46 PM in response to Joseph Kriz

Yes, you're correct. It wasn't listed.
BTW: I just ordered the headset from Apple. There are 'mixed' reviews out there. Does it work well with 'Skype'?

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Answer 7

Joseph Kriz Author

Level 5

5,151 points

Jun 20, 2009 6:12 PM in response to Misha35

Yes, the headset worked very well with Skype and the old 2.2.1 software. I haven't tried a call with the new 3.0 software yet but the test call works fine.

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Answer 8

Joseph Kriz Author

Level 5

5,151 points

Jun 20, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Joseph Kriz

Actually, Skype works just fine using the 3.0 software.

I am talking to a friend of mine right now as I type this.

He is using an iPhone 3G with the updated 3.0 software and I'm using the 2G iPod Touch with the 3.0 software.

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Answer 9

hotkiwi

Level 1

4 points

Sep 1, 2009 1:24 AM in response to Joseph Kriz

How about this completely free compass for your touch ?

www.appstoreapps.com/2008/08/11/compass-free/

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