Apple switched suppliers for their accelerometer unit with the iPhones 5s, switching from ST to Bosch. The problem is, whilst the Bosch is around a third more energy efficient, its noise ratio or accuracy level drops from +/-20mg (miili-gravities) to +/-96mg. This means that some applications, for example games, can have problems with the accuracy of their controls, because they are expecting the accuracy of previous generations of devices, whereas the new iPhone 5s is a lot more inaccurate.

This means, for example, with the EA Real Racing game, that when the iPhone 5s is placed on a level surface next to an iPhone 5, the iPhone 5 will drive straight ahead at the beginning of the race, whereas the iPhone 5s will drive the vehicle to the left.

As this is a hardware problem, it isn't easy to rectify with a software patch, but developers will be able to recalibrate their games when they launch, to try and compensate.

http://www.zdnet.com/iphone-5s-accelero ... 000022062/

I am really surprised that fundamental difference was allowed through. While battery life appears to be everything it might have been simpler to leave the old unit in unit it was as accurate.


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Glad i dont play games

Playing games on the 5s isn't a problem, even with this hardware cock-up.
Who plays games on their phone whilst resting the phone on its edge on a table? Who does this?
If you're holding it in your hands like any sane person, you can compensate.

Yes, it's still an issue and yeah it should be fixed, but for gaming this is pretty much a non-issue.

Mark

It's a fault with an iPhone and is therefore a crisis on a similar level to the US defaulting. I'm surprised BBC news don't have a correspondent stood outside the Oxford Street Apple Store already. This Would Never Have Happened If Steve Jobs Had Still Been Alive.

(note: Sarcasm)

The main thing I used the accelerometer in my old iPhone was as a spirit level. It used to be accurate enough for what I needed.

I'm guessing that and the compass are the main issues with having a screwy bit of hardware like the one we are talking about.

Mark

I doubt that will be the case in this new phone? I have never needed that feature or noticed but I guess that there will be a few who are impacted.

The way I see it you're actually using a spirit level a lot, in which case you should go out and buy a proper spirit level or rarely, in which case this bug will have only minor impact. If I saw a builder using a phone as a spirit level I'd seriously consider not hiring them.

If the phone was accurate why should it be so problematic?. Now that we know that the 5s is not as accurate then that would be a different matter. Also many builders might use the phone as a rough measure and still use a spirit level to double check.


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It was useful for setting up new desks and shelve racks in the workshop, when I didn't have a real spirit level to hand. It was "good enough" in those situations, but if the new iPhone 5s has a couple of degree bias out of the gate, such use would be out of the window.

I now just carry a ballbearing in my pocket. I'm a manager and I don't tend to have a spirit level in my pocket when checking the work of the builders etc. When something looks "off kilter", then the app was useful as a quick double check.

If it's noise, then readings will be out by a different amount one to the next. The vehicle would drive erratically.

If it always goes left, then that sounds more like a calibration error or temperature drift which might be compensated in firmware.

Well apparently the iOS 7.0.3 update has fixed the issue.

Mark