QUESTION OF THE MONTH
HOW DOES THE FITNESS APP ON MY PHONE KNOW HOW MANY STEPS I’VE TAKEN, ESPECIALLY IF IT’S IN MY BAG?
AMY WEBSTER, AGE 15 VIA EMAIL
Your phone uses GPS to track distance travelled. But try disabling it and you’ll notice that fitness apps will still give you step counts. They do this using your phone’s built-in sensors, which usually include an accelerometer and a gyroscope. Accelerometers measure acceleration, while gyroscopes help track the direction your phone is pointing in, usually by measuring the movements of tiny components inside them that generate electric signals as they move. According to the experts, the best place to count steps is at the hip and so putting your phone in your pocket should provide a more accurate count than putting it in your bag.