How to Use Your Phone as a Barometer or Altimeter
Introduction:
In today’s world, smartphones offer us much more than just communication. They are equipped with advanced sensors and features that can turn them into surprisingly effective gadgets like barometers or altimeters. This article will guide you through the process of using your phone as a barometer or altimeter and introduce you to some of the best apps for this purpose.
Using Your Smartphone’s Built-In Sensors:
Most modern smartphones come equipped with pressure sensors that can be used to measure atmospheric pressure. This data can then be used to calculate altitude and provide useful information about weather conditions.
The pressure sensor in your smartphone measures the amount of force applied by air on the sensor. By comparing this measurement to standard atmospheric pressure at sea level, you can determine your altitude above sea level.
There are several apps available that make use of these sensors like My Altitude or Barometer & Altimeter Pro. To use these apps, simply install them from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android). Once installed, open the app and allow it access to your device’s sensors. It will then display the current atmospheric pressure and altitude.
Best Barometer & Altimeter Apps:
1. My Altitude (iOS, Android)
My Altitude is a popular app among outdoor enthusiasts that provides real-time altitude and elevation data using your smartphone’s GPS and barometric sensor. Simply enable GPS and access to your device’s sensors, and My Altitude will provide you with precise height measurements.
2. Barometer & Altimeter Pro (iOS, Android)
This comprehensive app offers accurate barometric readings, which can be helpful for weather forecasting and predicting thunderstorms. Its user-friendly interface allows you to easily track changes in atmospheric pressure over time.
3. Accurate Altimeter (Android)
The Accurate Altimeter app uses multiple data sources like GPS, the phone’s air pressure sensor,
and online servers to provide reliable elevation measurements. It also features a handy map view that displays your location and altitude data.
4. Altimeter & Barometer: Weather & Pressure (iOS)
With the Altimeter & Barometer app for iOS devices, you can monitor air pressure and altitude data in real-time. The app offers a history graph to track changes over time, making it an excellent tool for hikers and travelers who want to monitor their progress.
5. Barometer Reborn (Android)
This free Android app is designed with a clean, minimalistic interface for easy reading of barometric pressure and altitude data. Barometer Reborn supports multiple units like hPa, inHg, kPa, or mmHg, allowing you to customize your readings based on your preferences.
Conclusion:
Using your smartphone as a barometer or altimeter can be incredibly useful for various activities such as hiking, traveling, and weather forecasting. Numerous apps can help you do this efficiently and accurately using your phone’s built-in sensors. Choose an app that suits your needs and start taking advantage of these versatile features today!