Hot answers tagged data-connection
45
It has to do with whether or not you've currently got a good connection to Google's servers for sync services and the like. From page 27 of their Android 2.3 Users Guide:
Network status icons turn green if you have a Google Account added to your phone
and the phone is connected to Google services, for syncing your Gmail, Calendar
events, contacts, ...
11
The project mentioned by BobFlemming is the Serval project, and they are also on twitter. The android application will be available soon apparently.
Thought I'd mention because not entirely straightforward to find it through the youtube link and that the twitter account isn't advertised on the site. Also I cannot +1 or comment yet so adding it as a reply.
10
It could be done technically. AFAIK all communication between MMS enabled components is done via standard TCP/IP.
But in a regular provider setup the MMS store and forward server(s) (MMSC) are only reachable via the providers network. That's why you can not send and receive MMS via WiFi.
It's also the reason why you can not make a call and send/receive an ...
8
I think I already posted this in another answer -- but I don't remember where. As I think it where different details that time (more a general "what consumes most"), here some details from a reference Motorola Droid. Data taken from a German article named Energiesparplan (Heise is a very famous technology publisher in Germany; Google Translate Version here):
...
8
Of course not. Your WiFi will go through your WiFi chip to AP and to some other ISP. There is no connection with 3G just like you can use WiFi even without SIM.
But your carrier can(though highly unlikely) use some tracking program to track you and find what you are doing. Even if they do, the WiFi usage won't be counted as 3G.
One advice I'd like to give ...
7
Its been tested by a group here:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/01/researchers-enable-mesh-wifi-networking-for-android-smartphones.ars
So it is possible.
7
As you are rooted, you can use DroidWall to control network access on a per app basis.
From the Market page:
Front-end application for the iptables Linux firewall.
Allows you to restrict which apps can access the network.
This is the perfect solution if you don't have an unlimited data plan, or just wants to see your battery lasting longer.
7
You can pretty easily disable cellular data on an android device without root. On Android 2.2 and above, you can go to home --> menu --> Settings --> Wireless & networks --> Mobile networks --> and then uncheck Data enabled (on phones with Motoblur, the Data enabled setting might be in home --> menu --> Settings --> Data manager --> Data Delivery ...
7
Short answer: yes.
It depends on the currently enabled Wi-Fi sleep mode. By default, Android disables Wi-Fi when your device goes into a sleep. In this case, 3G is the remaining mode of network communication, and it gets used by Gmail/Gtalk push notifications, etc. Obviously, this network communication takes its toll on your battery time. If you disable 3G ...
6
Depends entirely on how many contacts you have, how often they change, how often you set it to sync, etc. Paying for data as you go is generally a bad idea with an Android phone, they use a lot.
You should be able to shut off 3G though (probably dependent on the phone) and just use WiFi. Although, it might be more difficult to prevent it from using 2G ...
6
A little bit yes. (See comments below) The app will make this seamless but should still use a bit of data.
Edit: After checking Google Help I found this:
By calling your own Google number
When you call your own Google number
and sign into the Google voicemail
system, you’ll have the option to
place a call. Just press 2 and enter
the number.
...
5
On my Galaxy S, you can hold the power button for a second and a menu will come up. Just hit "Data network mode" to deactivate it. You can reactivate it the same way.
If you don't have that, you should be able to go to Settings -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks and uncheck Data enabled or Use packet data or similar.
5
You could just check the logo on the top bar? On the right you have time, battery, signal and either g/3g/h or the wifi logo.
this image (random googled) shows the tab with the wifi logo
while this rather bad (also random google) image shows it with 3g
5
Not quite answering your question, but switching off Background Data usage should stop chatty apps from doing anything in the background, and restrict it to just apps you launch and use, rather than apps that are syncing and checking for status updates all the time.
If you add the Power Control Bar (built into Android since 1.6) to your home screen it's ...
5
Most HSDPA / EDGE CDMA networks don't support data and voice at the same time. CDMA Modern GSM networks (including 3G and HSDPA, but not EDGE) do, and LTE will, so I'm not sure why you're having this problem.
It's possible that Dual-Transfer Mode may not be enabled on your phone. Alternatively, your network might not support it. (Info on DTM.)
5
You can always perform a speed test and check for packet loss( Speedtest.net, pingtest)
Alternatively, you can try calling the skype Voice Testing Service which should be in your contacts from before, and if it isnt there the username is echo123 i belive.
4
You probably need to use some sort of 3rd party program like Tasker, Locale or AutomateIt.
These programs allow you to set triggers such as:
starting an app
screen on/off
connected to Wi-fi
location
etc...
and perform actions based on that, such as:
toggle data
toggle GPS
run an app
etc...
4
Go to SETTINGS > WIRELESS & NETWORKS > Wi-Fi SETTINGS
Press MENU and choose ADVANCED.
Click Wi-Fi SLEEP POLICY and make sure NEVER is selected.
This might help your WiFi connection remain connected.
These are available on my Samsung Spica running v2.1 (Eclair).
4
You could try using Quick Settings to toggle the 3G connection. It has seperate toggle switches for 3G and Wifi but when wifi is on it automatically turns off 3G. When I click the toggle to turn on 3G it automatically disables the wifi.
4
In addition to Nanne's answer, I believe Android also defaults to using WiFi when both connections are enabled. So if you have a WiFi network saved, your phone will use it when you return so you don't need to keep checking. (This assumes WiFi is enabled and there are no network problems, of course).
You can also shut off data use by going to Settings ...
4
Settings -> Wireless & Network -> Wi-fi settings.
Press the [Menu/Options] button, and select Advanced
Now choose in the Wi-fi sleep policy : Never
Keep in mind that your battery is going to drain faster (because the wifi will never be turned off unless you manually do it), and is easy to forget that you changed the sleep policy.
4
While this might not be the complete answer to your issue, it appears that the Galaxy Nexus is connected to an HSDPA:9 radio (10.1mb/s theoretical speed) while the Milestone is connected to an HSPA radio (14mb/s theoretical speed, not HSPA+ which can have a theoretical speed of between 21 and 42 depending on the network). While the theoretical capacities of ...
4
The generic perception is that networking via Wi-Fi cause less drain on your device's battery than connecting with 3G.
During the data transfer, if you use both connections to perform the same download, you will find that Wi-Fi is more efficient since it transfers stuff faster than 3G, thus leading to less consumption of your battery.
Rare exceptions may ...
4
On Android, Wi-Fi is always used in preference to mobile data when connected to a Wi-Fi network.
This was quite clear in Gingerbread and older versions of Android, which removed the mobile data icon from the status bar when Wi-Fi was in use. From Honeycomb onward, the mobile data icon may remain on screen when Wi-Fi is active.
If your carrier/handset ...
4
In short: GPS works without an active connection, it's completely passive.
GPS has however an addon feature called A-GPS (assisted GPS) which speeds up the startup (time to first fix) considerably. It basically warms up the receiver with GPS status data such as time, coarse location and most of all GPS satellite orbit location data (ephemeris data ...
4
When Wifi is activated, all data is pulled down via the Wifi. It is a mutually exclusive/flip-flop mechanism. That is to say, if Wifi is off, 3G is used.
And yes, regardless of whether one or the other is activated, battery is being used likewise :)
No discernible difference in terms of battery consumption.
3
You can definitely connect to WPA protected wireless and your phone will connect automatically when you're within range of a known wireless network.
You can use APNdroid to cut off your 3G altogether. Take a look at:
How can I prevent my Google G-1 from using any kind of internet?
If you've got wireless at home and you're there every night, your phone ...
3
If you have root access then you could use DroidWall to give different apps, including email clients, access to WIFI and or mobile data. This would require you to use a different client for each account and wouldn't automatically differentiate between WIFI at work or at home. :o/
(It's a pretty rough work around but the best I could think of...)
3
I also agree with Nanne but will two suggest two other ways of monitoring your data connection...
You can add the Power Control widget to the home screen. It comes stock with Android and it will lets you easily toggle the Wifi among other things. When Wifi is on, 3G will be off and you'll have a visual representation right there. There are 3rd party ...
3
Nanne is correct: your status bar should show you any network connections. If you really want to ensure that you're conserving your 3G bits, install APNdroid and keep data disabled except when you really need it. APNdroid gives you a nice screen widget.
You might also find this question on tracking data usage helpful.
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