Recalculating. Again.



Which of these would best describe the component on a mobile device that can detect motion and determine which way is “up?”

A) Calibrator

B) Global positioning system

C) 802.11 radio

D) Accelerometer

E) IR sensor

F) It still won’t help me follow the map directions


The answer: D) Accelerometer

An accelerometer is used to detect the orientation of the device and recognize if the device has moved. One common use of an accelerometer is to identify when the phone has been rotated so the screen can be switched between portrait and landscape.

Want to know more? Watch “Comparing Android and iOS.”

Two of the most popular mobile operating systems are from Google and Apple. In this video, you’ll learn about some differences between Android and iOS, as well as some common features that the mobile devices share.