iPod 4G Nano's accelerometer is SO irritating!

[GuyNextDoor]

I don't have a current iPod nano. I'm saying sandisk figured out that the accelerometer shouldn't be active by default all the time. Why hasn't Apple Caught on?

The nano does have a menu setting to turn off shake-to-shuffle. It's not mandatory.

The accelerometer is a mechanical device that produces an output signal - what the firmware does with that signal is entirely up to the programming. It would be a fairly easy programming fix to give the option to turn off cover-flow and stay in menu mode regardless the orientation of the nano. Whether or not the accelerometer itself can be "turned off" so it doesn't pull any juice would be a function of the hardware architecture.

So yeah, a fix is absolutely possible.

 

[superhuman]

The nano does have a menu setting to turn off shake-to-shuffle. It's not mandatory.

The accelerometer is a mechanical device that produces an output signal - what the firmware does with that signal is entirely up to the programming. It would be a fairly easy programming fix to give the option to turn off cover-flow and stay in menu mode regardless the orientation of the nano. Whether or not the accelerometer itself can be "turned off" so it doesn't pull any juice would be a function of the hardware architecture.

So yeah, a fix is absolutely possible.

No word from apple on a fix. Is anybody here genius enough to design a firmware update?

 

[hazza.jockel]

Greetings.

I spend a good deal of time lying in bed, listening to music - and I constantly flick through tracks and change volume. However, due to the accelerometer always setting off cover flow, the screen is constantly being turned on whenever I move my arm, and I can't adjust volume without rotating the iPod. I think it is hopeless. I find myself going back and using my 3G Nano, simply because I can hold it in any position I like without coverflow kicking in and wasting battery life, as well as hindering my ability to change volume. It is beyond me as to why Apple didn't include an option to turn the acclerometer off. What, do they assume that EVERYONE uses coverflow? I never use it, I use playlists.

Cheers.

Yeh, i have the same problem with my iPhone about the bed bit. Otherwise it never bothers me. But still a problem none the less. Coverflow is stupid for me anyway because i cant be bothered getting album art work for all my songs so scrolling throw it is pointless as you get a lot of blank albums. Anyone know of a way to automatically download album artwork for all your songs at once?

Hopefully if the option to turn of the accelerometer on the nano is made it will be the same for the iPhone and iPod touch.

 

[juswest]

Yeh, i have the same problem with my iPhone about the bed bit. Otherwise it never bothers me. But still a problem none the less. Coverflow is stupid for me anyway because i cant be bothered getting album art work for all my songs so scrolling throw it is pointless as you get a lot of blank albums. Anyone know of a way to automatically download album artwork for all your songs at once?

Hopefully if the option to turn of the accelerometer on the nano is made it will be the same for the iPhone and iPod touch.

I forget where it's at in the windows itunes but it should be in advanced and go down to Get Album Artwork

 

[chrono1081]

After having my nano since 6 days after their release I have to say I actually really like it and am not bothered by the accellerometer at all. You may have a "sensitive" one. My office mate bought one too and has no problems with his. It behaves just the way I expect it would..

 

[hazza.jockel]

I forget where it's at in the windows itunes but it should be in advanced and go down to Get Album Artwork

Cheers. I think it worked. At the moment it is processing album ArtWork but it will be a while before its done.

EDIT: it worked for a lot of albums but not all of them so there are still big gaps in my coverflow

 

[m4cm3]

Well I'm using the 3rd gen at the moment, because the battery life (for me, personally) is much better. Apart from Steve's keynotes always sucking me in, the 4th gen Nano was actually a logical purchase for me this time around, as they placed the click wheel further away from the screen. I never really liked layout of the 3G, too cramped.

OMG, it's spaced out, by what? 1 cm.
If you don't like it being so cramped why dont you opt for the old school classic? It had a MASSIVE wheel just for the fat-fingered or long-sighted, very hard to miss.

I purchased my new chromatic baby today and I'm in love with it. At first I had second thoughts on whether it was for me, but now I'm certain that I've made a great choice

LOL@Rtb1.

 

[m4cm3]

Oh dear god. On my $2 Sandisk Shaker you needed to press a button to activate the shake-to-shuffle feature. I thought FOR SURE Apple would at least have that much insight.

chyeaaaaaaaaah I'm guessing that you don't own a 4g nano? Because if you did and were smart simultaneously, you'd know that you can turn off shake-to-shuffle.

Accelerometer is fine, doesn't bother me. And I don't see what the big deal is with using the hold button. If it weren't I'm pretty sure everyone would STILL be complaining.

 

[m4cm3]

Oh dear god. On my $2 Sandisk Shaker you needed to press a button to activate the shake-to-shuffle feature. I thought FOR SURE Apple would at least have that much insight.

chyeaaaaaaaaah I'm guessing that you don't own a 4g nano? Because if you did and were smart simultaneously, you'd know that you can turn off shake-to-shuffle. Seems it is YOU who needs to catch on.

Accelerometer is fine, doesn't bother me. And I don't see what the big deal is with using the hold button. If it weren't there, I'm pretty sure everyone would STILL be complaining.

nevertheless, and once again, tops to apple (Y)

 

[Majestic.]

OMG, it's spaced out, by what? 1 cm.
If you don't like it being so cramped why dont you opt for the old school classic? It had a MASSIVE wheel just for the fat-fingered or long-sighted, very hard to miss.

I purchased my new chromatic baby today and I'm in love with it. At first I had second thoughts on whether it was for me, but now I'm certain that I've made a great choice

LOL@Rtb1.

I like Nanos because they are small. Hence the name, "Nano". I'd rather not carry something bulky in my pocket whilst jogging. And yes, regarding the click wheel, 1cm makes quite a difference on such a small device. I'm not fat fingered or short sighted either.

Regarding your suggestion to use the hold button every time you want to adjust something - it is an inconvenience for obvious reasons

After having my nano since 6 days after their release I have to say I actually really like it and am not bothered by the accellerometer at all. You may have a "sensitive" one. My office mate bought one too and has no problems with his. It behaves just the way I expect it would.

I guess it depends on how you use it. With numerous other people in this thread complaining of the same problem, it can't be put down to a single abnormal unit.

 

[superhuman]

chyeaaaaaaaaah I'm guessing that you don't own a 4g nano? Because if you did and were smart simultaneously, you'd know that you can turn off shake-to-shuffle. Seems it is YOU who needs to catch on.

Accelerometer is fine, doesn't bother me. And I don't see what the big deal is with using the hold button. If it weren't there, I'm pretty sure everyone would STILL be complaining.

nevertheless, and once again, tops to apple (Y)

Wow, do you work for Apple or something?

The accelerometer is TERRIBLE for anybody who puts their Nano in a case. The standard position is upside down (the headphone jack is on the bottom) and as soon as you put it in a case and, subsequently, on your belt or in your pocket, you are no longer able to control volume or maneuver through the standard menu. You have to turn the thing over, WAIT for the accelerometer to register the turn, and THEN make your changes. It is very inconvenient and VERY poor engineering.

 

[superhuman]

Wow, do you work for Apple or something?

The accelerometer is TERRIBLE for anybody who puts their Nano in a case. The standard position is upside down (the headphone jack is on the bottom) and as soon as you put it in a case and, subsequently, on your belt or in your pocket, you are no longer able to control volume or maneuver through the standard menu. You have to turn the thing over, WAIT for the accelerometer to register the turn, and THEN make your changes. It is very inconvenient and VERY poor engineering.

PS... If you love it so much "as is", you should have no problem with an OPTION to turn off cover flow.

 

[rain.queen]

Acceleromter Fix

well.. never mind then...

 

[Roy Hobbs]

To anyone having trouble with the accelerometer on the Nano, I have a fix. It would be better if Apple fixed it so it could be turned on or off but I think this is better than nothing.

Take each album and create a playlist for it, I made the album title the playlist title. Then select every track on the playlist and under get info/options, change the media kind to "audiobook." The accelerometer is only activated by music. You must change every single song or album you want to have on your nano to "audiobook." If there is even one song on your Nano, the accelerometer will come on.

When you sync, sync only the selected playlists. Again, having even one file that is media type: music will activate the accelerometer, even if you are playing a audiobook or podcast file. You then access your music from the Playlists Menu.

Maybe not ideal, l but it has worked great for me and maybe can help some of you that are ready to take a hammer to your Nano.

Or you can just install the software update for the Nano that was released today

 

[JWest]

Yup, Apple just released a patch that allows you to disable coverflow from the accelerometer and add a "coverflow" menu item in the menu. Good to see they listen to their customers.

 

[andiwm2003]

ahh, finally! I'm so gonna switch off that coverflow......
should have been there from the start.

 

[jbgh]

Take each album and create a playlist for it, I made the album title the playlist title. Then select every track on the playlist and under get info/options, change the media kind to "audiobook." The accelerometer is only activated by music. You must change every single song or album you want to have on your nano to "audiobook." If there is even one song on your Nano, the accelerometer will come on.

wow, i had a fix too before 1.0.3, if hold it upright, go to the settings menu, then turn it sideways and go back to any other menu (including music) it doesnt switch into coverflow until you turn it back upright and then sideways.
i cant believe you went to that much trouble! haha

 

[Majestic.]

OHH YEAH! Thank you Apple. It's sad that I'm so excited over a software update. But hey, now I can finally start using the 4G Nano that's been gathering dust for the last couple of months.