Microsoft has today revealed the sensor support in Windows 8 and detailing the Adaptive brightness and automatic screen rotation in Windows 8. As Windows 8 is being build for the tablets as well while Windows 7 was primarily for the desktops so the sensors in Windows 8 are of more importance than that in Windows 7.
The first feature explained is the adaptive brightness in which the brightness of the screen is automatically adjusted on the basis of changing ambient light conditions. As the today’s tablets support twice the brightness which was supported by them couple of years back so this feature is indeed more important. Microsoft has posted couple of images showing the difference the first one showing a Samsung Windows 8 tablet PC with light adaptive settings enabled and the second image showing the tablet without light adaptive settings enabled.
Microsoft has also explained the automatic screen rotation feature in the blog post. If you have worked on iPad you may have noticed that the graphic display automatically rotates when you rotate the iPad and this feature is basically similar in Windows 8 tablet as explained in the blog post.
After explaining these two features microsoft detailed the developers support for sensors and talked about the gyro sensors. Gyro sensors measure angular speed, typically along 3 axes. You can also use the data from gyro sensors to increase the responsiveness and accuracy of 3D motion-sensing systems. A gyro sensor is very sensitive, but it lacks any form of orientation reference (such as gravity or north heading).
Finally Microsoft talked about Sensor fusion. Here is what they wrote in the blog post-
But further experimentation demonstrated that using all three sensors together could solve the problem. It turns out that an accelerometer, magnetometer, and a gyro can complement each-other’s weaknesses, effectively filling in gaps in data and data responsiveness. Using a combination of these sensors it is possible to create a better, more responsive, and more fluid experience than the sensors can provide individually. Combining the input of multiple sensors to produce better overall results is a process we call sensor fusion.
Essentially, sensor fusion is a case where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. A typical sensor fusion system uses a 3D accelerometer, a 3D magnetometer, and a 3D gyro to create a combined “9-axis sensor fusion” system.
Further if you remember Microsoft has distributed around 4,000 Samsung Windows 8 Developer Preview slate PC during the build conference. Now ST Microelectronics has created a 9-axis sensor fusion for these systems named as ST Microelectronics eMotion Development Board for Windows 8 which can be attached to the tablet via USB and you can experience the sensor support in your tablet.
