Dell confirms no compass support for Venue Pro

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Bad news for you die-hard Venue Pro users, Dell has seemingly confirmed that no compass-support will be coming to the device. It was  about a month ago after the unlocked and T-Mobile versions of the DVP received their Mango updates did we noticed that no compass support was on board. From Lionel Menchaca, Dell's chief blogger:

"@HotmailAlias The update hasn't yet happened on the AT&T version of the #dellvenuepro. The compass function will not be supported."

At the time, it looked like an error on installation where the driver was deleted. But now it appears that this is on purpose. As far as we can tell, the hardware should support compass but for some reason, Dell has opted to not enable it. We're unsure how OEMs make decisions on these matters and whether they have to license and pay for access to that hardware (much like back in the day with aGPS and Qualcomm), but between the Radar (see review) and Venue Pro, it's a bit unsettling to have a fairly basic smartphone feature disabled in our hardware.

Source: Twitter; Thanks, Daniel R., for the tip!

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino

Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft here since 2007, back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Microsoft Surface, laptops, next-gen computing, and arguing with people on the internet.
17 Comments
  • Seriously, Dell? What the hell is wrong with them? It's like they want to fail at everything they do.
    I really like this phone's hardware and would be happy with it for a while, but simple features like compass and tethering are not being supported. If a decent WP7 phone with a keyboard is released, I will switch to that.
  • There is.  It's called the HTC Arrive/HTC 7 Pro. 
    Tethering is dependent on the carrier, of course.
  • The Arrive/ 7 Pro is not an option for anyone using the Venue Pro in the United States. The Arrive is on Sprint and the 7 pro doesn't have U.S. 3G bands. I believe the only other WP with a keyboard is the LG quantum and that's meh.
  • This is why its such a PIA that there's no decent alternative on T-Mobile to switch to and why I'm starting to seriously consider at&t even though I will end up paying more for the same service. Bunch of idiots all round.
  • Typical Dell.  After they dropped support for my DJ I swore I'd never buy another Dell product...then I feel in love with the Venue Pro.  Once again, Dell  is sticking it to its customers.  Honestly, I love my Venue Pro but won't get another one.  On December 24 my phone will be a year old and im sure ATT will forced me to upgrade when their takeover of TMobile is complete; chances are I'll buy from Nokia.  Just tired of being a test subject for Dell's garage experiments.
  • Yeah I cant help it...
    Retiring the poor DVP and going with the Titan in a few days
  • I have no idea or speculation why Dell disabled that feature, but that's been totally unnecessary. Compass, tethering, and you have a nice, simple phone. Too bad Dell, good luck next time. 
  • All i can say it a good job dell will not be making any more windows phone, as they don't  know how to do an update with out f**king something up. Its a great device but I can't wait to ditch it, for a lumia 800 just hope Nokia known how to support a device
  • what does a compass do in a mobile phone?
  • What a shame because even after a year it's still one of the best looking wp7 devices.
  • Yep.  Don't forget they left us hanging with hidden SSID wi-fi too, which should have been there, post-Mango.
     
    Sorry Dell.  You screwed the pooch with this one.  No fooling me twice.
  • man isnt there laws protecting consumers from companies doing things like this? class action?
  • Yes, it's called caveat emptor.  Dell is telling you, in no uncertain terms, that it doesn't want your money for one of its mobile products, ever again.
     
    Class action suit?  Get a grip, dude.
  • I wonder can Dell open source so that we can fix our own? I don't even mind to pay to get it fix.
  • dvp was the lambo of the phones.  bastids never knew how much potential it had if they only had it in TMO stores.
  • Maybe Dell should be last to get Windows 8?
  • Maybe they should take the 'e-compass' feature off the website, as being a feature.