I think I remember an app it was called Tasker. Where it ( I believe ) used your location to set certain settings. True? If thats the case, couldn't I set it to change my internet to 3g when I get to work and wifi turn on when I get home? If it does use your location wouldnt that use more battery? Or is a simple toggle the best? Id like an automatic option if possible.
Battery usage depends on how it detects your location. GPS would me the most accurate and use the midst battery. Network is only accurate to a couple miles/km, but uses less battery. I use what cell tower I am connected to wish is more accurate than location, used less battery but can be less reliable as there can often be several towers you connect to, took me a few days to set them all. Also, if towers get upgraded, that can throw things off until you update your settings. I also had problems with wifi calling as that disconnects you from towers all together.
But yes, tasker is awesome.
Tasker and Locale do this, and much much more. Looking to just change networks, other apps like Juice Defender will do it too.
They of course will drain some battery because they need to use GPS and be running in the background to properly work. Of course you could choose to use network location but you won't get as good of performance as far as specific location services.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus i9250
Related
Why does Android System and Standby eat more battery juice then the display itself??
Due to the crappy battery life I even opted to turn off network locations... but this phone is still eating up the battery...
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
i noticed the same thing today, i was reading that the g2 uses network location a lot so that could be the reason, could also be a 3rd party app
-FuRBz- said:
i noticed the same thing today, i was reading that the g2 uses network location a lot so that could be the reason, could also be a 3rd party app
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Yes, turn off network location (GPS is OK to leave on; it will only engage when you run maps or related app). network location runs 24/7 and kills your battery FAST.
Weaseal said:
Yes, turn off network location (GPS is OK to leave on; it will only engage when you run maps or related app). network location runs 24/7 and kills your battery FAST.
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Network location *should not* run full time. If it IS, then there is a serious bug in the firmware or you are running some program that is constantly asking for it. Network location should only run when something is asking for the location.
lbcoder said:
Network location *should not* run full time. If it IS, then there is a serious bug in the firmware or you are running some program that is constantly asking for it. Network location should only run when something is asking for the location.
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Logcat shows notification activity once per minute. I haven't figured out if this is actually getting a location fix every time or just reading a stored setting, but it's keeping the CPU fairly active during sleep.
Getting all the same answers...
Just so its clear, Network Locations is OFF.
I just want to know why Android System and Standby use up more power then the display itself!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
well if we are strictly talking in terms of LOCATION, than it would make sense to use GPS instead of networks loctions because GPS gives you the EXACT location coordinates, as oppose to network location TRIANGLUATES your location by calculating how far are you from the towers.
KEEP IN MIND: Just because you can turn OFF network locations in the phone doesn't mean its actually off. Federal authorities can have access to your location by remotely turning on the feature and locate you. That's ofcourse if you've been a bad boy (or girl?) but yea... big brother is watching....
Hi all,
I'm wondering what is better option in the Sleep Policy for battery life when you have no access to a WiFi network? Sure, sure, turning off the WiFi will get you better results when you don't have access to WiFi but the location features you get from using WiFi.
At work I have no access to the WiFi network which isn't connected to the net anyways. But it works great for getting precise location information when inside the building.
I tried keeping it on "Never" but wow does that kill my battery.
Does putting it on "Never when plugged in" or "After 15 minutes" keep it from searching for a WiFi signal all the darn time which is what is killing my battery.
From what I have seen since I changed it to "Never when plugged in" half way threw the shift it doesn't seem to draw as much power. But I did check my Google Latitude history and it seems to be pulling my location from WiFi instead of the cell tower. All but a few times did it get the location from WiFi instead of the cell tower. So that has me wondering is it still looking for WiFi or just turning it on when getting a location request.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
I am using a stock HTC Droid Incredible.
I would like to have it where when the screen went off the wifi went off, but that could be a problem if the screen keeps going on and off from texts or whatever else. Would probably use more battery starting wifi over and over again.
I work in a building that is well shielded in most places and get no signal. My phone drains incredibly quick when this is the case. Is there a way to reduce the polling frequency that it looks for a tower to stop this? I thought juicedefender might but I can't figure a way to do this.
Rom: Fresh 4.0.0.4b
Kernel: netarchy 4.3.1.4 cfs have no sbc
hw version 0003
juicedefender ultimate
setcpu 200-1152MHz, smartass governor
Thanks!
When I'm in an area where I roam or have very poor signal I notice increased drain rate as well. This was the same with my TP2. I've always just understood that when the phone is constantly seeking signal and cycling back and forth between roam/3G/1x the battery drains faster.
Your best option, is to utilize "airplane mode" when you know you're going to be in an area that had no signal/you won't be able to use it. I hate to do it because I don't like my family not being able to reach me in case of an emergency, but it is one option for you.
I second the airplane option. Also, WiFi is available while in airplane mode. Perhaps your building has WiFi you can connect to and you can keep something like AIM or Facebook or Google Voice/Talk open and instruct those who might need you in an emergency to reach you through the method of your choice so that you may call out from a landline or step away from the building if there is an emergency.
Just a thought.
See if you can get in on the new Google voice option where you can make your sprint # your Google voice number. Once you have done that you can have your work # as one of your forwarding numbers if your work allows. Or airplane mode with a 2nd charger for work.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Yep, Airplane mode is the ONLY way to turn off the cell radio. Otherwise, it will be constantly polling for a tower.
Dial ##3282# from a froyo sense rom and it will bring up a menu where you can change how often it polls the tower. It's Going to affect how long it takes your phone to receive calls though.
Sent from my EVO
If you know you're not getting reception, why not just use airplane mode? I mean, if you don't have reception you're not getting contacted anyway.
If you want to go the airplane mode route, Tasker is a great app that lets you control lots of things. You should be able to turn off your radios at set times during the day and have them enable after you get out of work.
I just loaded the 2.1 EPST and run a Verizon PRL when I am at work. I get a crappy Sprint signal at work. However your issue seems to be different as the walls/windows may be blocking all signals? Verizon seems to penetrate better though.
With Tasker, you can also set your phone to airplane mode during work hours, but automatically turn it off and enable data every fifteen minutes (or however long) to check for text messages, voicemails, etc. That is assuming that you get any signal at work... if you don't have a signal at all, just turn airplane mode on yourself.
To answer your question:
Yes, not having a signal will drain your battery. The phone will keep increasing the radio strength to lock onto a tower. Opposite is true to, if you have a strong signal, the radio will decrease the power level thus saving battery power.
You might want to contact Sprint ([email protected]) and let them know that you don't get service in your work building. They gave me a airwave device, but have to have Internet connection for it to work. The only other option might be to have some type of power booster/repeater that are typically very expensive. Not sure how your employer would feel about these suggestions - but never hurts to ask.
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
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In that case, if you don't already have Tasker, I'd just turn airplane mode on yourself when you get to work & turn it off when you leave. Or there are free apps that will do it automatically that aren't as complex as Tasker. Unless you find another use for it, then go ahead.
Would roam control work to try verizon towers? I think they have a stronger signal locally.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
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LOL you said it yourself. If the military doesn't want you getting signal, you're not getting signal. In general, if you can't get radio signal you can't get cell phone signal. Early cell phones operated on FM (type: frequency modulation) radio and what we're using now is basically a digital-type FM radio. In the end it's all EM waves and you're likely in a giant Faraday cage of a military base. I say avoid even trying to fix your problem and just go airplane mode.
I just transferred to the University of Minnesota,and it seems like T-Mobile has terrible coverage and penetration on campus; my average bars are lower, and my battery life has tanked, with battery stats telling me that the cell standby is taking 35-50%, with anywhere between 5-35% time without signal. I can only guess that the radio is sitting at max power trying to grab signal, but I may be wrong.
I've tried both the 26.08.04.30 radio, and the newest Bell one, both seeing terrible performance. I find myself needing my phone data, so I'd rather not slap on airplane mode or turn off 3G if I can help it. I was even considering tethering whenever I decide to get a laptop.
Anyone have any tips?
EDIT: A couple additions, fixes.
Sent from my G2
Does your school have WiFi pretty much everywhere? My university does, and I am on a newer Even More plan so I was able to get free WiFi calling (does not use minutes). WiFi saves battery especially when using data when compared to cellular data. Just make sure you set the WiFi sleep policy to never in Settings > Wireless > WiFi settings > Menu > Advanced
I've been attempting to use that as my solution, but it seems like there are plenty of areas with flaky wifi. I feel like that's going to make the radio work hard to try grabbing a good signal, in addition to Wifi Calling trying to enable if it drops. I'm seeing how it goes.
Sent from my G2
Wifi calling is your best bet, I use it on campus and in lecture halls all the time. If Tmobile has crappy service in the area there really isn't much you can do to change it. Sucks.
Sent from my T-mobile G2 using Tapatalk
I See my wifi has used 30% of my battery but ive been on 3G all day, does it drain the battery searching for networks?
It does use some power when searching for networks. There is probably an APP or settings that you can change to set the Freq of checks maybe. Or you can just turn of the Wifi radio when you know your not going to use it.
DroidHam said:
I See my wifi has used 30% of my battery but ive been on 3G all day, does it drain the battery searching for networks?
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Yes it uses a lot of power if its regularly searching for networks. Especially if you're moving around and seeing dozens of WiFi spots. Just turn off WiFi when not in use, simple as that.
A lot of custom ROMs have less aggressive Wifi seeking intervals. You can usually set it manually with ease too. Lots of apps out there if you don't want to do it manually.
All that was said is true, but still I find that 30% usage for Wifi just for searching nearby networks is a little too much...
Although I haven't got anything to compare with, I always turn wifi off if I'm not using it during long periods.
Regards
I turn wifi off when it is not needed and battery life goes from one to two days.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
I've been using Tasker to turn wifi on at home/work and off when I'm elsewhere. It's using cell towers to determine location, so hopefully it won't impact the battery much.
I leave wifi on 24/7, today it has used 2% of the 60% battery i've used.
I travel through london so I assume it is constantly finding new wifi signals.
Sent from Mobile..
Y5 Battery Saver .. on the market, free. Turns on/off Wifi based on known networks and cells in the area of the AP.
str355 said:
I leave wifi on 24/7, today it has used 2% of the 60% battery i've used.
I travel through london so I assume it is constantly finding new wifi signals.
Sent from Mobile..
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I leave wifi on all the time as well, and I also only have used 2% of the 70-80% battery I used up already.
Try going into wifi settings, then advanced wifi settings, then turn off the new wifi network available notification option.
This increased my battery life slightly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Y5 - Battery Saver helps out tremendously! I barely ever use more than 2% when home all day...although that may be a bug but I started a thread for that already.
eddie_gordo said:
All that was said is true, but still I find that 30% usage for Wifi just for searching nearby networks is a little too much...
Regards
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That 30% displayed can be deceptive since it's based on the amount of battery discharged and not entire battery capacity.
Well wifi, when on is looking to connect to known networks. If the signal is weak it will disconnect and connect to another network near by if there is that has better signal. This process does use some battery. The biggest drain will occur when you are actively using wifi, that is when you download or upload. So the best way to save battery, is to close wifi when not needed. If however you want wifi you can set it to never sleep. This way even if the screen goes off wifi will be connected and your device wont use the 3G which is way more power hungry.