Japanese manufacturer Asahi Kasei will be supplying Digital compass magnetometer for the new iPhone, claims Apple Insider. This claim is based on header files found in the latest and greatest iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5.
People familiar with betas of the iPhone 3.0 software developers kit recently dug up several header files attributed to the Japanese manufacturer in a directory appropriately labeled “compass.” More specifically, the files identify Asahi Kasei’s azimuth sensor No. AK8973, a 16-pin leadless IC package measuring 4mm square and 0.7mm thick, as the chip that will help future iPhone users determine their direction. It bundles a master clock oscillator.
Magnetometer was used in Google Map application demo for Android that let users to change the street view by physically moving the device around.
via MacRumors