Turn the HD2 into a metal detector

By Phil Nickinson
last updated

One of the many creative minds over at XDA Developers may has come up with a way to turn your HTC HD2 into a metal detector. XDA member 6Fg8 has created an application, Metal Detector 0.2.0.0, that works under the premises that the built in compass on the HD2 relies on the earth's magnetic field to calculate the deviation from magnetic north. If you put a piece of metal near the compass, it deviates from the natural deviation.

There are still a few bugs to work out in the application but for the most part, it performs as advertised. Yet somehow I don't see scanning the beach with an HD2 looking for buried treasure.  However, if that screw you dropped blends in too well with the carpet, this application might be of some use. [via 1800pocketpc.com]

Phil Nickinson
Phil Nickinson

Phil is the father of two beautiful girls and is the Dad behind Modern Dad. Before that he spent seven years at the helm of Android Central. Before that he spent a decade in a newsroom of a two-time Pulitzer Prize-finalist newspaper. Before that — well, we don't talk much about those days. Subscribe to the Modern Dad newsletter!

5 Comments
  • in aviation we call these compasses "fluz gate" compasses. it's basically a peace sign made out of soft iron. we use them on nearly all large aircraft as well as the old standby "whiskey" compass.
  • At last, the WM killer app!
  • Works well, much better than previous version, but the vibration stayed even after i exited the program.
  • Perhaps this mobile app can be used to detect landmines in countries where this is a problem?
  • Detect like GT200?
    http://www.gt200.net/page/2/