public class Pref extends PreferenceActivity {
    private static final String OPT_COMPASS ="compass";
    private static final boolean OPT_COMPASS_DEF=false;
    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState){
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        addPreferencesFromResource(R.xml.settings);

    }
    
    public static boolean getCompass(Context context){
        return PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context)
                .getBoolean(OPT_COMPASS, OPT_COMPASS_DEF);                
    }
}