TECHNOLOGY FOR CHANGE

MEMS Gyroscope Advances Potential of iPhone 4

Rebecca Kutzer-Rice | Date: 06-15-10 | Comments

The new iPhone 4 debuts as the first phone with a built-in MEMS gyroscope, which will allow for advanced motion sensing and features like more realistic virtual gaming.

At the end of 2009, we here at Smarter Technology predicted that 2010 would be the year of the gyroscope. Well, this year is only halfway through and already gyroscope technology has penetrated the mainstream smartphone trend. At the San Francisco-based Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 7, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the iPhone 4, which will be the first smartphone with a built-in three-axis MEMS gyroscope.

Traditional gyroscopes were invented in the 1800s to help understand Earth�s rotation. Unlike these large devices, modern, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes operate at the microscopic level. A MEMS gyroscope consists of a tiny vibrating bar that is able to measure movement against the Coriolis effect.

MEMS gyroscope technology will allow for a more realistic gaming experience, shown here on the new iPhone 4 (source: Apple).

The MEMS gyroscope allows a machine to sense even the smallest movements by users. This is the technology behind the Nintendo Wii accessory MotionPlus, which enables video gamers to control virtual movements more intuitively. Now the iPhone will harness this technology, along with an accelerometer, in order to achieve an advanced user experience.

While Wii�s gyroscope has only two axes, the new iPhone�s MEMS gyroscope has three. This third axis means that it can detect motion front to back (roll), side to side (pitch) and vertically (yaw). Slight movements�such as the shaking of a camera after your finger hits the shutter button�are detectable by this kind of gyroscope.

The main function of the iPhone�s gyroscope will be gaming. As the Apple Website asserts, the technology will bring �more motion gestures and greater precision for an even better gaming experience.� Other possible uses include camera stabilization and signing a check midair. Users will also be able to use the iPhone as a 3D remote control or mouse to manage other devices.

The new iPhone boasts other advanced features that, so far, have been getting good reviews. For example, the phone has high screen resolution, video calling and HD video recording.

Will you be purchasing the iPhone 4? How will its inclusion of a MEMS gyroscope affect your decision? Let us know below in the comments section!