How Mobile Sensors Shape Our Everyday Apps

As you pick up your phone to check out a map, track your morning run, scroll through social media, or play a game which requires you to tilt the phone, out come the use of mobile sensors. We have these small components in our phones that we don’t pay much attention to but which are the backbone of what we do daily. Without them many of the features we use without a second thought would not be available.

Sure thing. What are sensors, and which apps use them daily? We will break it down in very simple terms.

What Are Mobile Sensors?

In your smartphone, there are mobile sensors which are physical components that respond to environmental inputs and user interactions. Think of these as the phone’s sensory organs — just as humans have eyes for seeing, ears for hearing or skin to feel, a phone has its sense in the sensors. They collect data and that information goes to apps, which in turn use this data to make apps better and more responsive.

In today’s mobile devices we see a large number of sensors that include:

• Accelerometer
• Gyroscope
• Magnetometer
• Proximity sensor
• Ambient light sensor
• GPS (Global Positioning System)
• Barometer
• Fingerprint sensor
• Microphone and camera (also known as sensory input devices).

Now let us see how these sensors into which we are putting our faith daily shape the apps we use.

1. Navigation and Charting.

This is a very basic application of the concept. If you have used Google Maps or any other navigation app you are a user of this. But we aren’t that dependent on GPS as you may think. Along with GPS we also have the accelerometer and the gyroscope, which we rely on greatly. For instance, they determine if you are walking, biking or are in a car.

Magnetometers that sense magnetic fields act as digital compasses, which in turn help the app determine which direction you are facing. This is very useful when you are navigating through unknown areas.

In remote areas which may include tunnels and out of range of GPS signals other sensors take over to report your direction and speed till GPS is back online. Without sensors we would not be able to present real time dynamic information.

2. Fitness and Wellness Tracking.

Apps that track your steps, distance traveled, or calories burned do so in great part thanks to accelerometers and gyroscopes. An accelerometer which measures motion in all directions reports back to the app which in turn determines if you are walking, running or climbing stairs.

Some of the devices we use also report on air pressure which in turn we use to determine altitude. That’s what makes your phone aware of when you’ve gone up many flights of stairs. In combination with GPS these sensors present a fuller picture of your activity.

Even apps that monitor your sleep use motion sensors to determine what time you wake and move through the different sleep stages. Also this all happens without the user having to put in any info manually.

3. Gameplay and Augmented Reality.

Today many mobile games use gyroscopes and accelerometers for that immersive experience. Think of those racing games where you tilt your phone to steer the car in which you are the driver — that’s the accelerometer at play.

Gyros in addition add a layer of functionality which is that of rotational control. We see this in games which feature a lot of turning, aiming, or navigation in 3D spaces which then report very real results. We also see that these sensors react to the tiniest of movements which in turn gives the player a more responsive and interactive experience.

In augmented reality apps digital elements which we see superimposed on the real world via your camera are very much dependent on these sensors. We put out the virtual items in relation to your physical environment.

4. Photo and Video Touch Up.

When you take a picture and your phone corrects it, or when a video which you are recording responds to changes in light, that is the sensor’s function. The gyroscope and accelerometer play a role in image stabilization which in turn correct for your hand’s shake. That’s what prevents your photos from coming out blurry.

Ambient light sensor, which reports on the light in the environment. It also plays a role in the camera app which may adjust exposure and brightness, which in turn may ensure that your photos are not over or under exposed. Also we see it manage screen brightness which in turn saves on battery use and improves readability.

5. Intelligent Communication Features.

When you are on a call and bring the phone up to your ear the screen goes out. This isn’t magic — what it is is the proximity sensor which also comes into play at this point. It senses that the phone is near your face which in turn disables the touch screen to avoid accidental inputs. Also it turns off the display which in turn saves battery life.

Also, we see that ambient light sensors, which are there to change your screen’s brightness as per the lighting in the environment you are in, from a dark room to right in the sun. This is also a great feature that at the same time improves your experience of using your phone.

6. Security and Access Control.

Today in the present time it is very common for smartphones to have fingerprint sensors and facial recognition. These are included in the phone’s operating system and they integrate with applications which require secure access like password managers, vaults, and banking apps (we won’t go into finance here).

Fingerprint sensors are also fast and very accurate. They enable quick logins and much more secure user authentication as compared to traditional PINs or patterns.

7. Location Based Services and Automation.

Ever got a notice from your shopping app as you pass a store? Or had your phone immediately connect to your home Wi-Fi and put your ringtone to silent when you get to the office? That’s what mobile sensors do.

GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth sensors, which apps use to determine your location. They, in turn, use your preferences to perform certain actions or to alert you. This automation, a result of that, puts the user’s convenience and time into account also improves the user experience by tailoring how apps perform in various locations.

8. Environmental Consciousness.

In some cases less common we see integration of features like thermometers, hygrometers (for humidity) and barometers into smartphones. These are useful for outdoor and adventure applications. Also they are able to predict weather changes, altitude variations and other environmental elements.

Even if your device doesn’t have all the sensors others may have, apps can still use the data from other nearby phones and the Internet of Things to improve what they do. Also the inbuilt sensors of your phone are the primary point of data collection.

9. Audio and Voice Control.

Your microphone is a very versatile sensor which goes beyond just calls or audio recordings. It enables apps that recognize music that is playing in the background, perform voice search, or let you use voice to control your phone.

In many cases audio oriented apps that adjust sound output to your environment. For example should you find yourself in a very loud setting your music or call volume may go up by itself. Should it be a quiet setting the volume reduces. Also sensors take care of all of this behind the scenes.

10. Smart Home Automation Integration.

Smartphone sensors play a role in more than just mobile apps alone — they also are the building blocks for larger ecosystems like smart home sets. We use motion and proximity sensors, geolocation, and light sensors that control the lights in your home, the security systems, or the thermostat.

For instance as soon as your phone notes that you have left for the day the app can lock the doors and turn off the appliances. At the same time when you are in the area it may automatically turn on the porch light. Sensors make this integrated experience possible.

Conclusion

Mobile sensors are integrated into the core of what smartphones do — they are not add ons. From better navigation to which photos we take, from which health data is collected to which games we play, sensors are at the base of almost every app we use daily.

Although all of this takes place in the background, you don’t see the accelerometer at work or the light sensor that adjusts your screen accordingly, but they play a key role in making the mobile experience very intuitive and responsive.

As we see the growth of the smartphone platform, sensors are becoming more advanced and integrated. They are the unsung elements of what drives innovation, which in turn makes our apps very intelligent, interactive, and useful.