Imagine having hundreds of geo-tagged photos around the Eiffel Tower – compass information would tell you how many of those shots were actually taken in the direction of the tower.

Instead, what the compass really gets you is a way to know if the phone has been turned about a vertical axis (so long as you stay away from the magnetic poles). Take Google Earth on the iPhone–tilt the phone up and down and the view changes accordingly. But move it side to side (rotate about a vertical axis) and nothing changes. Why? Because the phone doesn't know side-to-side. WIth an internal compass, you can now sense that rotation. That changes the info an app can get. This feature is more apt to change games than navigation (imagine a first-person shooter where you have to actually spin about to look behind you and you'll get the idea).

there is a difference between having a mobile english to X language translator and putting in a useless feature that can tell a soldier (approximately) which way is north. the military has that figured out many many decades ago and they probably want more precise readings. stop your sheep like following of apple for a second with your knee jerk defense of all thinks mac and think for yourself for a second.

you are very welcome for my insights…

The military is already testing the iPhone in combat operations.

Thank you for your valuable insights.

actually the army is indeed starting to use the iPhone in Iraq: http://www.newsweek.com/id/194623

If adding this feature helps convince the army to make it standard issue, that alone would make it worth it to Apple.

aside from streetview, this is so that turn by turn nav can be had on the iPhone

expect to see it soon

a built in compass would be great for…ummmm…NOBODY

the only real app mentioned in the article. streetview maps. great…just what we all need. apple pushing a feature that would make a bunch of people swing their phone around in public like idiots. what a great marketing vehicle.

and John, put the punch down…you've had one too many. hikers would take a real compass…the one that doesn't need batteries…you know…just in case. truck delivery folks have this cool thing called GPS. all your other govt and military folks in your feable example will either will rely on…yes, tried and true battery-less compass or another military/government grade piece of equipment/gear and NOT their iPhone. firefighters and police? really? surveyors? they don't have more precise equipment to use?

i can see it now. SEALs are stuck in a tight spot in Fallujah. They got to call in a targeted strike to get them out of a jam. Master Sgt. calls for the coordinates for the airstrike. His teammate calls out the coordinates. Master Sgt. asks what he used. Teammate replies…huh? the Suunto X9Mi issued by the Navy to all SEALs. Master Sgt. screams "WHAT?!?!?!?! USE YOUR DAMN iPHONE like my wife would do!!!!! Do you want to die??!?!?!?"

The fact of the matter is, iPhone is revolutionary.

The other phone manufacturers are playing catchup.

But you have a point, there's too much buzz around it.

Ya ya ya, grats htc – how was your last quarter? WinMo working out well? oh you're switching to android? Way to go!