iPhone4 - It changes everything - AGAIN!

[Red Jet]

When sitting up last night watching the WWDC 2010 conference where the new Apple gadget was introduced, I was astounded at a single new feature of the iPhone4 that has the potential to improve the safety and enjoyment of flying aircraft, big and small.

The iPhone 4 add a three-axis gyroscope for measuring angular velocity. It can figure out pitch, roll, and yaw; and rotation about gravity. The gyroscope plus the accelerometer provide six-axis motion sensing, and remember it also has a built in compass and 12 channel GPS. Lo and behold - it can even make phone calls!!

Within weeks you will see the first apps appearing, transforming your iPhone4 to a complete fully functioning, highly reliable and accurate ND / Artificial Horizon, utilizing a WorldWide terrain database and using GPS positioning to give you complete Synthetic Vision with Terrain View and Obstacle Warning.

Blows my socks away

[hardNfast]

I can see CASA approving it as we speak!

Love the use of technology though. Pretty cool indeed.

[Jabawocky]

We tested an iPhone recently with the iHud APP. If you do a nicely co-ordinated turn it will show wings level

So maybe now the new version will be your back up EFIS........I could do with a third one!

J

[Red Jet]

Jabawocky,

The existing iPhone (3, 3G & 3GS) uses accelerometer sensing only, and is therefore completely useless to measure anything other than what is up and down when attached to an object in a steady state. As you saw for yourself - completely useless for an aircraft in motion. The big news with the iPhone4 is that it has an ACTUAL 3-axis gyroscope (most probably a laser ring-giro, even though they are not saying yet) built in. A completely different beast altogether, and now completely useful as a device to measure attitude for an object in motion, such as an airplane in flight.

Trust me - this is a game changer.

RJ

[100.above]

when is it out? im getting one

[VH-XXX]

Late July.

If you are considering upgrading, the old 3g's are still bringing over $400 on eBay.

The iOS4 is released on June 21 for your existing 3G and 3Gs models.

[Capn Bloggs]

What's an iphone?

[Back Pressure]

You'd trust the compass in an iphone ??????????????

[Jabawocky]

Red Jet

I understand completely...........like I said, it is just the thing I need...a third EFIS

I don't think it will be everyones primary flight display, but it would be a cool toy!

Bugger me if you can make a decent phone call on it, which the current one struggles with I might actually get one!

J

PS Forkie might actually get one to back up his dodgy Air driven units!

[CazbahKid]

Hmm I can just see it now...

Get the latest app on your iPhone 7 now: AutoPilot™

The AH would be a pretty cool gadget but!

[Ultralights]

my old 3G battery now only lasts about 3 hrs.... time to upgrade.

I wonder if the cost of digital gyro instruments will come down now as a result? obviously the hardware is cheap enough now to put it into a phone and sell by the 10's of Millions..

[Wizofoz]

Now, if they put that technology into the next generation I Pad, you would have the potential for just about a full function EFIS as an emergency back-up, or for Ultralights. It would also be great in a glider providing Vario/glide computer funtions, with the possibility of having a back-ap AH in case on "Inadvertent" cloud penertration.

[eocvictim]

Damn wiz, I was just about to say if it was in the iPad it could be the next generation "garmin 1000".

[AussieAviator]

My son put this app on his Iphone and it works great!

iPhone Wind Meter

[Deaf]

most probably a l@ser ring-giro, even though they are not saying yet

More likely a tuning fork type device (3 actually). They are made in the millions mainly for car use. Take your pick of model

Gyroscopes

and there are plenty of other makers - models

[blueloo]

Hope they have improved the crap Assisted GPS. Pretty much useless unless you have 3g reception.

[Capn Bloggs]

Bloggs, buy one and download the 'US NAS Explained' App

Don't worry Owen, even Steve Jobs couldn't make a program that would explain the airspace over AVV at the mo!

[Red Jet]

Hope they have improved the crap Assisted GPS. Pretty much useless unless you have 3g reception.

Actually, that is incorrect. Assisted GPS is in fact superior to regular GPS in that you will acquire a position quicker without the need to re-initialize the GPS if it has bee moved while turned off. The "assistance" in this context is that it uses Mobile network and selected WiFi transmissions to provide initial positioning.

If you have a device, such as a mobile phone - not functioning well in an environment where you do not receive 3G, such as on board an aircraft - you need to look at other explanations for why you do not receive a good GPS signal.

I have used mobile phones with Assisted GPS more than 2000 miles away from the nearest mobile phone tower, and provided you do not shield the GPS signal - they work like a treat, except you need to provide it with some initial co-ordinates to speed up acquisition if the phone has been moved while turned off.

And Gyro - thanks for the info

More likely a tuning fork type device

and that link. I am sure you are right - I pulled the laser giro thingamajig assertion out of my arse, in a fit of excitement. Very impressive functionality though, regardless of what makes it tick

[Lodown]

The Droid has a Skype connection for free calls and video conference calling, Why fly at all?

[triadic]

Unlike Nokia, the GPS function in the iPhone is deactivated with flight mode selected. Maybe someone needs to tell Apple that GPS is a receiver and does not have to be deactivated in flight mode....!