iPod Technology: Accelerometer

Have you wondered how your iPod knows when you turn it on it’s side or how it can be used to play games with realistic movements?

Using a small piece of technology know as an accelerometer, the iPod touch can recognize the orientation at which it is being held at. The accelerometer uses three elements; An electrical current, silicon mass, silicon springs. The silicon springs measure the position of the silicon mass and cause a fluctuation in the electrical current. The springs do this by gauging where the electrical current is moving through the silicon mass. When the silicon moves, the current changes and the LCD screen receives a different signal. This variation then sends the electrical signal to the iPod telling it to adjust the game or whatever is on the screen. By simply flipping the device from a portrait to a landscape view, you can immediately see an entire web page, control a game using only your movements or view a photo in the proper aspect ratio.