Zip It Good: A New Way to Silence Your Phone's Ringer

[Chuong Nguyen]

When Palm debuted the Treo line of smartphones, the press loved the ringer switch found on top of the phone to quickly silence the phone. Nokia is now showing off a new way to hit the silent switch. Found on the N95 is an accelerometer, like the iPhone, which has traditionally been used to switch orientation from landscape to portrait. However, The Boy Genius Report (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/01/14/flip-silent-for-s60-silence-calls-by-flipping-your-phone/) notes that the accelerometer can be used to silence the phone by flipping it upside down. With the leaked screenshots for Windows Mobile 7 (http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=4912) featuring gestures and a slick user interface, WM hardware needs some accelerometer action. What are your thoughts--gimmick or useful?

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[Pony99CA]

With the leaked screenshots for Windows Mobile 7 (http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=4912) featuring gestures and a slick user interface, WM hardware needs some accelerometer action.
According to the original post at InsideMicrosoft (http://microsoft.blognewschannel.com/archives/2008/01/06/exclusive-windows-mobile-7-to-focus-on-touch-and-motion-gestures/), WM 7 won't need accelerometers and/or gyroscopes; it will use the camera.

Windows Mobile 7 will use motion gestures, something the iPhone does not. It will not use an intricate and complicated series of gyroscopes and accelerometers. Instead, it will use the camera on the phone to detect motions and create appropriate actions. You will be able to shake, twist and otherwise manipulate the phone and get things done. The phone will be able to perform actions when placed face down on a surface, and it will know when it is in your pocket or bag.

What are your thoughts--gimmick or useful?
Marginally useful, but mostly a gimmick. There was an accelerometer dongle for the old-style iPAQs way back when, and I don't recall it taking off.

It could be useful for games, though.

Steve