How To

How to do more with your N95/N82 accelerometer

Naveen Selvadurai

From Light Sabre 1.4 to Accelerinvaders v0.4, here are some of the top tips, tricks and hacks for the accelerometer on the N95 and N82.

If you’ve used the camera on your N95 or N82, you’ve seen the built-in tri-axis accelerometer at work: anytime you rotate the camera, it senses the movement and determines whether to save your image in portrait or landscape mode. But that’s just the beginning of what your accelerometer can do.

To install the applications in this article, you may have to install the accelerometer sis file on your device, which can be found here [1] (newer updates may not require this additional install). Once you've done that, you’re ready to go.

Moving Ball
One of the initial applications released in late 2007 to show off the capabilities of the accelerometer was the Moving Ball [2]. It allows you to move a ball around the screen by tilting your handset, as demonstrated here [3].

LightSabre v1.4
Soon to follow was Graham Oldfield's LightSabre application, which you can read about here [4] and download in its latest version here [5]. If you haven’t seen v1.4 yet, it turns on by opening the slider and adds new FX, along with other improvements on the previous versions.

RotateMe
Another cool hacker who creates some great tools based on the accelerometer is Samir Oueldi, author of RotateMe [6]. The initial version of this application gave users the ability to change some of the default applications and menus (such as the main menu) to landscape mode, thereby making it easier to look at icons and web pages. The latest version uses the accelerometer to switch to landscape mode simply by rotating the device, as seen in this video [7]. (As of now, this app is unsigned, but you can find solutions for that online if you have trouble installing it.)

Nokmote
One of Samir's other projects is called Nokmote [8], which provides functionality similar to the Wiimote. When you leave the application running, it remaps your up/down/left/right tilts and z-axis in/out moves to the respective directional keys and center/OK button on your handset. This will allow you to navigate menus, games and other applications using only such physical movements. Check out a demonstration video of Nokmote with various menus and apps here [9].

Inclinometer
The developer known as Dr. Jukka, who has developed various other applications including Y-Tasks and Y-Browser, recently released Inclinometer [10]. This application will show you a preview of the incline of the terrain that the device is currently on. It was originally intended to be an off-road vehicle accessory: you place it on your car's dashboard as you are driving around to see real-time changes in pitch and roll of the land. The latest version will only work on your N95.

Accelerinvaders v0.4
Finally, a classic game that's been tweaked with the accelerometer in mind: Accelerinvaders [11]. I remember I used to have a clone of this game on my TI-82 calculator back when I was in school; it’s always fun to see classics reborn in new iterations. If you don't already know, the object of the game is to move around and to shoot at aliens before they destroy your ship. The accelerometer will allow you to control your ship's movement by tilting your device. You can watch video of the game being played here [12].

Now that the gauntlet has been thrown down, there are sure to be additional creative ideas on the horizon. Have you developed any new applications for the accelerometer? Share your ideas in the comments section.

[1] http://research.nokia.com/files/N95_RD_Accelerometer.zip
[2] http://research.nokia.com/files/MovingBall_Example.sisx
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRRsgu64F6Y
[4] http://graho.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/light-sabre-v14/
[5] http://www.zoeandgraham.co.uk/lightsabre/LightSabre_S60_3_X_v_1_4.sisx
[6] http://www.bysamir.fr/rotateme/
[7] http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3bvyf_rotateme-on-n95_tech
[8] http://bysamir.fr/nokmote/
[9] http://dailymotion.alice.it/video/x3f4o8_nokmote_tech
[10] http://mosh.nokia.com/content/3E1BD59369462687E040050AEE043609
[11] http://www.symbian-freak.com/downloads/app/3rd_ed/accelerinvaders.zip
[12] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzSzh1t9_CA

Comments (5)

nice cellphone
christian orlanda 3:56 am 10.07.08

I love the games you can put on nokia phones it’s just something beautiful. i have had nokia phones for years and i don’t want anything else. I have to get a n95 or n96 or even an n85 ASAP!
Daryl Johnson 12:36 am 10.08.08

Nothing works for me.
Either it’s not supported by the phone or the certificate has expired.
How do I work around this?
Leigh 10:26 am 11.30.08

Yeah, Same here it always says Expired Certifcate. And with the rotateme- that should not cost anything, well to start of with it should be included in The N95 to stop the hassle of going out and finding it. Gets very annoying
Nokia-User 8:45 am 12.22.08

Ok i have discovered how to tackle away around this problem. Nokia N95 will not allow you to download items older than 6 months, for various reasons. So change your date back 1 year and try to download again. If doesn’t work, change back another year. Also- still very annoyed about paying for rotateme. Why isn’t it free?
Nokia-User 9:02 am 12.22.08