how can I show compass/heading on mapkit mapview

Question

on the iPhone 3GS in the "Maps" app you can click the icon which usually shows your position twice and the blue dot gains what looks like a beam from a headlamp, basically showing you the direction you are facing on the map and rotating the image accordingly.

Is this option available using MapKit MapView ?

I'm know that I can get my heading with something like

- (void)locationManager:(CLLocationManager *) manager didUpdateHeading:(CLHeading *) newHeading {

// If the accuracy is valid, process the event.

if (newHeading.headingAccuracy > 0) {

    CLLocationDirection theHeading = newHeading.magneticHeading;
    ...
}

}

but I don't know how to get that nice headlamp effect in Mapkit and there doesn't seem to be any documentation.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

I could think of one method, though i have not implemented but may help you u a bit.

1. Firstly u need an image with a pointer of ur choice, this pointer must be pointing Upwards 90degree.
2. Now In your MapKit off the Current Location Marker.
3. In your didUpdateHeading use the x and y values to calculate the angle of the direction.
4. Use this angle to rotate the image of the pointer
5. Use this rotated image as a Annotation Pin in your map.
6. You would require to update the position of the pointer frequently.

Please post your suggestions/changes for the above approach.

Thanks