Accelerometer API for Laptops
Most IBM (and some Dell) laptops have built-in accelerometers to stop any moving parts during a sudden fall, but I was unable to find a standardised Windows API to access this data. I assume that each manufacturer would provide a driver to interface with the sensor.
- Which popular laptop brands come standard with accelerometers accessible from an API and which libraries should I use to access the data?
- Does an API* exist to abstract away the differences between different manufacturers? I am aware of the Windows 7 Sensor API, but I would like support for XP and earlier.
Answer
Most reputable notebook vendors have accelerometers to park the hard drive head if the notebook is accidentally dropped or is abruptly impacted by another object (i.e. when a certain acceleration threshold is exceeded). For example, my HP has its "HP 3D DriveGuard". However this technology is embedded low-level, it seems to work even if the OS is not loaded, so I suppose it is in the BIOS. I suppose that it is exposed just an ACPI way to enable or disable this technology. So, even on Windows 7 with standardized sensor APIs it is not accessible as a standard accelerometer like in a smartphone. Maybe in future if market demands it (but I don't think so).