What happens when you turn your phone in a figure 8? The reason is: Tsukkomi corps for "IT gestures" (page 1/2)

　Suddenly, have you ever seen someone spinning their smartphone in a figure 8? Rotate it smoothly, like turning your wrist.

　I'm not kidding, this action has a meaning. This is one of the solutions when the electronic compass (geomagnetic sensor) does not indicate the correct direction when using the GPS (location information) function on the map application.

Serialization: Tsukkomi Squad for "IT Gestures"

Have you ever done/experienced it? The behavior, manners, and customs unique to modern times with the development of IT tools and web services ── such "IT gestures" will be introduced.

　The electronic compass is a tool that detects the geomagnetic field in the same way as a compass and tells you which direction you are facing. When using a map application, it always plays the role of showing the correct direction in the direction of travel.

Turn on the GPS function in Google Maps. A blue dot and light indicate the current location and direction

　For example, Google Maps uses GPS and an electronic compass to indicate the current location (blue dot) and direction (blue gradation). If the pointing direction is wrong and you can't fix it, you need to adjust the compass. Google Maps' help page explains that "draw the figure 8 on your phone a few times to calibrate the compass."

　In the past, even when using the map app on the iPhone, "compass interference" was displayed, It was clearly indicated in the diagram to "move to the mold and readjust".

However, the recent iPhones have fewer opportunities to see the display. This is because it is expected that due to the improved accuracy of the electronic compass, the automatic adjustment function will work even if the user does not turn the figure 8. In the past, the iPhone's electronic compass used a module made by Asahi Kasei Electronics, but it seems that Apple is repeating trial and error, such as changing to Alps Electric for the iPhone 6s / 6s Plus.

This is the correct "figure 8"

On the website of Asahi Kasei Electronics, you can see a video explaining how to calibrate (adjust) the electronic compass (published in 2011). Although the explanation is only for the company's products, the company's electronic compass has a track record of being installed in au mobile phones and iPhones.

　The premise is that "it's always automatically adjusted using the user's natural movement, so no special adjustment is usually necessary", but the surrounding magnetic environment suddenly changes When you do, you may be asked to make adjustments.

Specifically, "In a building, near home appliances, near metal furniture, on a station platform or train, near bags and accessories that use magnets", etc. Care must be taken in places where the geomagnetism is disturbed or where mobile devices are magnetized.

　It's important to turn the figure 8, but with a wrist snap, the women who used to dance at Juliana Tokyo are turning their mobile phones around like fans (?).

But why turn it into a figure 8? We asked Asahi Kasei Electronics, which devised this adjustment method.

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