Network Time Changing

**kmeyers02** · 10-04-2008, 06:13 AM

I have my date/time set to network and am traveling right now and when I landed in central time from pacific I expected to see my time automatically change, but it didn't. When I got to options>date/time it shows my time zone set to pacific and it shows pacific time and date then under that it shows network time and date actually as two hours ahead, but this doesn't appear on my homescreen. Why is this? What's the point of being able to set it to network if it doesn't even change it?

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**Username5300** · 10-04-2008, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by kmeyers02

I have my date/time set to network and am traveling right now and when I landed in central time from pacific I expected to see my time automatically change, but it didn't. When I got to options>date/time it shows my time zone set to pacific and it shows pacific time and date then under that it shows network time and date actually as two hours ahead, but this doesn't appear on my homescreen. Why is this? What's the point of being able to set it to network if it doesn't even change it?

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Your BB is set to a specific time zone it will stay in that time zone. Setting to network helps with daylight savings and resets.

**kmeyers02** · 10-04-2008, 06:31 AM

So how can I get my BB to simply change time automatically to match the time zone I'm in?

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**Pete6** · 10-04-2008, 07:20 AM

This issue has been comprehensovely examined and explained by Forums Moderator JeffH. Here is the link to his post http://forums.crackberry.com/f2/blac...e-zones-46190/

**talisa1** · 11-01-2008, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Threefive

Your BB is set to a specific time zone it will stay in that time zone. Setting to network helps with daylight savings and resets.

so will leaving my settings to network, will automatically change the clock 1 hour back?

**Chrisy** · 11-01-2008, 09:18 PM

i've never been through a dst with my blackberry but it looks like, yes, it will change automatically. Check out what Jeff has to say in this thread:

http://forums.crackberry.com/f2/blac...-change-86466/

A question: is it better to have the time set to network or blackberry?

Does setting it to blackberry mean RIM handles the time/date? Or does that mean the user sets time/date manually on their blackberry?

Thanks!

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**John Yester** · 11-01-2008, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by chrisy520

i've never been through a dst with my blackberry but it looks like, yes, it will change automatically. Check out what Jeff has to say in this thread:

http://forums.crackberry.com/f2/blac...-change-86466/

A question: is it better to have the time set to network or blackberry?

Does setting it to blackberry mean RIM handles the time/date? Or does that mean the user sets time/date manually on their blackberry?

Thanks!

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Blackberry means the device it's self.

and Network is your provider.

**Chrisy** · 11-01-2008, 11:13 PM

Ok, thank you.

So then if set to blackberry the user must manually change the time, date...

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**John Yester** · 11-01-2008, 11:16 PM

Network time is sent from your carrier network; Blackberry time is what you manually set you BB time as.

If you check update time on the DM, it updates your BB with your desktop time.

**jeffh** · 11-01-2008, 11:39 PM

Your choices for Date / Time Source are Network, BlackBerry, and Off. Here's the definition of those settings, from the FAQ: Why doesn't my time update correctly when I change Time Zones? - BlackBerryFAQ

BlackBerry - Synchronizes the time (minutes) with the Research In Motion BlackBerry Infrastructure and not the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
Network - Synchronizes the time (minutes) with your service provider's local network time.
Off - Does not synchronize the date or time.

Based on these definitions, it would appear that Off is the correct setting for manually controlling your BlackBerry's time. I've only used Network and have never had a problem. My BlackBerry always adjusts for DST.

**talisa1** · 11-02-2008, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by JeffH

Your choices for Date / Time Source are Network, BlackBerry, and Off. Here's the definition of those settings, from the FAQ: Why doesn't my time update correctly when I change Time Zones? - BlackBerryFAQ

BlackBerry - Synchronizes the time (minutes) with the Research In Motion BlackBerry Infrastructure and not the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
Network - Synchronizes the time (minutes) with your service provider's local network time.
Off - Does not synchronize the date or time.

Based on these definitions, it would appear that Off is the correct setting for manually controlling your BlackBerry's time. I've only used Network and have never had a problem. My BlackBerry always adjusts for DST.

thank you!

**Chrisy** · 11-02-2008, 04:24 AM

Thanks, i've got it now! Perfect.

Mine is set to Network, the time adjusted for DST fine, no battery pull. i'll leave the setting as is.

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**johnmorganjr1** · 11-02-2008, 07:42 AM

My BB changed on its own, nothing done on my part. I had it set to Blackberry but changed it to network based on what Jeff said.

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**JoaoMachado** · 12-10-2008, 07:55 AM

It is my opinion that RIM intentionally left out the Auto TZ feature because the "big wigs" couldn't figure out how to use the calendar properly and might make some ***** blush for missing a high level meeting and would just blame it on the BB.

My Treo 650 and Treo 755p both worked great with the calendar and Lotus Notes and switching time zones when traveling across the nation.

It is a rather simple thing for BB to add to their OS, just leave it off by default and let the user enable Auto TZ. That is all that is needed, I use the Calendar the same way I did with the Treo and it works just the same, the only thing I have to do is "manually" switch the time zone.

I like my two BB's 8703e and BB Curve, but this feature for me as a business traveler is annoying. If Palm could make a phone that did not reboot in an interval fashion as part of the OS, it would be enough for me to switch back, just for this feature.

Merry Christmas
Joao

**jeffh** · 12-10-2008, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by JoaoMachado

It is my opinion that RIM intentionally left out the Auto TZ feature because the "big wigs" couldn't figure out how to use the calendar properly... .
...

You could be right. It's surprising how many people can't seem to comprehend how to use time zones with the calendar...

The other thing I wish RIM would implement is the ability to set a time zone for the future. So if you were going to be in LA next week, your calendar for next week would show your appointments in PT, even though you are today in ET. Then you could easily print a look-ahead itinerary for your trip.

**vlaguatan** · 12-19-2008, 08:50 AM

I have the same question and I will ask it again as I did not see an answer. I travel a lot and when I came from L.A. and landed in NYC I expected my Home Screen to show the local time, but to my surprise it was showing L.A. time. I am going to Chicago tomorrow so how do I fix it that when I turn on my phone after being on a plane the time on my home screen shows the local time?

**jeffh** · 12-19-2008, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by vlaguatan

I have the same question and I will ask it again as I did not see an answer. I travel a lot and when I came from L.A. and landed in NYC I expected my Home Screen to show the local time, but to my surprise it was showing L.A. time. I am going to Chicago tomorrow so how do I fix it that when I turn on my phone after being on a plane the time on my home screen shows the local time?

You can't. There is no setting on the BlackBerry that will automatically cause it to display local time. The user has to set the correct time zone in the Date / Time Options. It's all explained in the Time Zone Issues thread that's referred to earlier in this thread, and linked in my sig.

**kstoutdog** · 12-19-2008, 09:37 AM

maybe someone could develop an application that creates an icon that simply displays the local time derived from the nearest cell tower... hmm...
possibility??

**jeffh** · 12-19-2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by kstoutdog

maybe someone could develop an application that creates an icon that simply displays the local time derived from the nearest cell tower... hmm...
possibility??

You don't even have to do that. The Network Time has the correct local time from the cell tower. You could just write an app to display that, assuming RIM has a function that returns that info to the programmer.

**patrick.waugh** · 12-19-2008, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by JeffH

You could be right. It's surprising how many people can't seem to comprehend how to use time zones with the calendar...

The other thing I wish RIM would implement is the ability to set a time zone for the future. So if you were going to be in LA next week, your calendar for next week would show your appointments in PT, even though you are today in ET. Then you could easily print a look-ahead itinerary for your trip.

An interesting idea.

Originally Posted by JeffH

You don't even have to do that. The Network Time has the correct local time from the cell tower. You could just write an app to display that, assuming RIM has a function that returns that info to the programmer.

Jeff is correct, towers report a time, but the API currently reports that time based on an offset from the device time (as far as I can tell). As it turns out, this is all going to be mute for those with newer Blackberries. I'm not sure, but I think as of 4.7 if I remember correctly, the API will grant programmers access to the time zone setting. This means that apps for that OS will be able to do things like detect the local time zone and change it for you when you turn on your phone after a long flight, or as you cross TZ boundaries. I'm guessing that this will be easier than having to lookup where the tower is located to know what TZ it is in, but I haven't looked at the new API at all yet.

Originally Posted by Kstoutdog

Patrick,
Could you add your two cents to this thread... Do you think its possible to create an application that simply let's an Icon diplay the "network time"?

Sure.

Absolutely, but "network" time is already displayed on the ribbon (if your Berry is set to network). Actually, I'm guessing what you are asking is, could an app be made which displays the "local" time (from the cell tower or GPS fix).

Yes, this would be entirely possible, but I doubt many would want to shell out money for such an application (to motivate development) as basically all you have to do is when you land, change the TZ to reflect the local TZ. Right now, I think one would have to use the cell tower info to fix your TZ (vs. GPS which would require more map data). Anyway, the real answer is that this sort of thing will be available on newer devices, but those of us on older devices will have to tell our children stories of how, "Back in the day when you had to manually change time zones..."

If someone changes TZ's a lot, I could see where it would be very useful to have a menu option within the calendar to easily change zones. For example, if you are based in PST, but now in EST, but trying to look at your calendar to set a time for a meeting in CST in 2 days, you might pull your hair out having to manually change the TZ twice to better view your calendar in CST while deciding what times are open. Yes, you can easily enter a time knowing the zone without doing so, but if you need to find the time slot then you will need to see it in CST.

If you followed me here, then you clearly don't need any TZ help, you are a master of your device.

Anyway, yes, what you are asking for is entirely possible given an application that checked a remote database, or with a newer device with the new API.