Google has announced a new device orientation solution for Android map developers called the Fused Orientation Provider (FOP) API in Play Services. This API aims to provide more consistent and high-performance device orientation capabilities across devices.
“Device orientation, or attitude, is used as an input signal for many use cases: virtual or augmented reality, motion detection or compass and navigation – any time an application needs the device’s orientation relative to its environment,” Google wrote in a blog post .
“We heard from developers that it is difficult to set the orientation correctly, with frequent complaints from users when the orientation is incorrect. A map app should show the correct direction when a user navigates to an exciting restaurant in a foreign city!”
However, accurately determining the device’s orientation was a challenging task, especially in densely populated urban environments where GPS and compass readings may not be entirely reliable.
The new Fused Orientation Provider (FOP) API in Google Play Services solves these problems by merging signals from accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer sensors. It compensates for lower-quality sensors and OEM implementations, synchronizes sensors operating at different clocks and delays, and accounts for hard iron offsets (magnetometer bias).
In addition, the API combines accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer measurements to determine the device’s orientation in the world, compensates for gyroscope drift during movement, and provides a realistic estimate of compass heading accuracy.
Google Maps already uses the FOP API, including for bearing, which was recently updated to better handle magnetic interference, improving the reliability of the bearing cone displayed in the app.
One of the advantages of the FOP API as part of Play Services (Android 5 Lollipop and above) is that there is no variation in implementation between different manufacturers, and algorithm updates can be rolled out quickly.
The API complements the existing Android Rotation Vector and offers app developers an easy transition path to integrate device orientation capabilities into their apps.
By solving the challenge of accurate device orientation, Google aims to improve the user experience for various Android apps, especially those that rely on navigation and augmented reality features.
(Photo by Eric Masur on Unsplash)
See also: Google: Meta’s approach to Android 14 is a ‘blueprint’ for success
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