Go Back   BlackBerry Forums at CrackBerry.com > BlackBerry Device Help and Discussion Forums > BlackBerry Curve 8900

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-01-2009, 11:30 PM
lynnpudas's Avatar
CrackBerry Abuser
Device Model: 8900 (Curve)
Carrier: AT&T/Cingular
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 158
Default Question about Wifi

I have a BB 8900 on AT&T. Where I'm at (until they get the cell tower fixed, it was hit by a tornado) cell service is poor. On a good day, I might have 3 bars but it usually hovers around 1 bar. Makes browsing really slow. Now this might be my imagination (please tell me if it is) but when I turn my wifi on (I have dsl with a router and have set my phone up for it) browsing speed goes faster so I'm assuming I'm browsing on wifi rather than network connections. (I also do have a data plan) Am I correct in assuming all of this?

That being said, when I leave home and I know there is no wifi available I try to remember to turn the wifi off because I'm afraid if my phone is looking for a wifi connection, it will be hard on the battery. Am I correct in this assumption?

I might have this phone figured out in a lifetime or so. Tell you what, technology needs to slow down. My old brain can't keep up.
__________________
May God Bless You Richly
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-02-2009, 08:01 AM
fatboy97's Avatar
CrackBerry Genius of Geniuses
Device Model: 8900 (.310)
Carrier: T-Mobile (USA)
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 5,794
Default

If you have a White Wifi symbol on your main screen, then you should be using Wifi to browser and receive messages.

Personally, I leave my Wifi on All Day... I have Wifi at home, and I have Wifi at work... so the only time I don't is when I'm in my car or out shopping, which really is not that long... I'm a guy and I don't like shopping. I really don't think leaving the wifi connection on will really do that much battery drain... I had left mine on all day on a trip up north and did not see any significant battery drain at the end of the day.

If you are not learning about new technology on a daily or weekly basis you are falling behind everyone else that is... technology will not stop and if anything will continue to move quicker... teach your brain to keep up.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-02-2009, 10:20 AM
3CISSBB's Avatar
CrackBerry Master
Device Model: 8900 (.231)
Carrier: T-Mobile
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 39°8′10″N 84°30′11″W
Posts: 1,113
Default

fatboy97 is correct. Wi-Fi is a bit different than your cell antenna. Unlike your cell antenna, Wi-Fi has a much shorter range, so your phone isn't constantly searching very far for signal like a cell tower. The broadcast frequency of Wi-Fi is very short; the range is about 300ft, as opposed to Edge or GPRS which could be rated in terms of miles.

Keeping Wi-Fi on would not drastically reduce your battery life.
__________________
Always ahead of the Curve

Last edited by 3CISSBB; 07-02-2009 at 10:24 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-02-2009, 10:23 AM
ClintRo's Avatar
CrackBerry Genius
Device Model: 9700
Carrier: T-Mobile
PIN: 2162CC11 feel free to add me!
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 4,714
Default

I agree... I have started leaving Wifi on all day and only noticed a small drop in battery life!
__________________
Collect coins or want extra income??? https://www.numisnetwork.com/CER

Add me: http://twitter.com/clintro and Crackberry too!!!! http://twitter.com/crackberry
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-03-2009, 11:02 AM
lynnpudas's Avatar
CrackBerry Abuser
Device Model: 8900 (Curve)
Carrier: AT&T/Cingular
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 158
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fatboy97 View Post
If you have a White Wifi symbol on your main screen, then you should be using Wifi to browser and receive messages.

Personally, I leave my Wifi on All Day... I have Wifi at home, and I have Wifi at work... so the only time I don't is when I'm in my car or out shopping, which really is not that long... I'm a guy and I don't like shopping. I really don't think leaving the wifi connection on will really do that much battery drain... I had left mine on all day on a trip up north and did not see any significant battery drain at the end of the day.

If you are not learning about new technology on a daily or weekly basis you are falling behind everyone else that is... technology will not stop and if anything will continue to move quicker... teach your brain to keep up.
You are blessed. I'm a school based speech pathologist and at the school I'm at, the principal has refused wifi because somebody outside of the school might be able to get on the service. Duh, principal, have you heard of password protected? Oh and really, my brain has reached the unteachable stage. Just wait, someday you'll be in my shoes saying, my old brain just can't keep up.
__________________
May God Bless You Richly

Last edited by lynnpudas; 07-03-2009 at 11:05 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-03-2009, 11:06 AM
lynnpudas's Avatar
CrackBerry Abuser
Device Model: 8900 (Curve)
Carrier: AT&T/Cingular
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 158
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3CISSBB View Post
fatboy97 is correct. Wi-Fi is a bit different than your cell antenna. Unlike your cell antenna, Wi-Fi has a much shorter range, so your phone isn't constantly searching very far for signal like a cell tower. The broadcast frequency of Wi-Fi is very short; the range is about 300ft, as opposed to Edge or GPRS which could be rated in terms of miles.

Keeping Wi-Fi on would not drastically reduce your battery life.
Great. I worried about that. I'm a little (or a lot) paranoid about battery life.
__________________
May God Bless You Richly
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-03-2009, 11:19 AM
ClintRo's Avatar
CrackBerry Genius
Device Model: 9700
Carrier: T-Mobile
PIN: 2162CC11 feel free to add me!
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 4,714
Default

That is understandable when you read the 8900 forums and almost everyone complains about battery life (including me). But I have to say my phone has always lasted a day and I have to charge it everynight! Which really isn't an issue at all.

A spare battery and cheap wall charger for the battery will give you piece of mind. If you are really worried get the 2600 bttery from Seidio.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-03-2009, 11:20 AM
synwars's Avatar
CrackBerry Addict
Device Model: 9000 (Bold)
Carrier: Rogers
PIN: TO BEANS!!!
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 776
Default

WiFi software in BB's have a power saving mode built in. It auto sleeps when not in range to save your battery. No need to worry. I also leave mine on unless I know I will be away for more than say 8 hours.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-03-2009, 03:00 PM
poisoned_grace's Avatar
CrackBerry User
Device Model: 8900 (Curve)
Carrier: T-Mobile
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 21
Default

I didn't want to start a new thread and since this one has a bit to do with my question I'll ask here. I've never used a phone with Wi-Fi so I really don't know what it's for or what the difference is. When should I use it and when shouldn't I?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-03-2009, 04:17 PM
fatboy97's Avatar
CrackBerry Genius of Geniuses
Device Model: 8900 (.310)
Carrier: T-Mobile (USA)
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 5,794
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by poisoned_grace View Post
I didn't want to start a new thread and since this one has a bit to do with my question I'll ask here. I've never used a phone with Wi-Fi so I really don't know what it's for or what the difference is. When should I use it and when shouldn't I?
Use Wifi whenever you possible can... faster download and web surfing with Wifi.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-04-2009, 10:19 AM
lynnpudas's Avatar
CrackBerry Abuser
Device Model: 8900 (Curve)
Carrier: AT&T/Cingular
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 158
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by synwars View Post
WiFi software in BB's have a power saving mode built in. It auto sleeps when not in range to save your battery. No need to worry. I also leave mine on unless I know I will be away for more than say 8 hours.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Thanks. That really helps to know. Right now, since school isn't in session,no big deal. When go back to work will probably have to turn it off or maybe not. Who knows.
__________________
May God Bless You Richly
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:48 PM.

 
 Site Support | Accessory Order Support | App Store Support | Advertise | Newsletter | About Us

Creating smartphone communities
Android Central - Android reviews, news and forums Crackberry - Blackberry news, reviews and community TiPb - iPhone news, accessory reviews & forums
Pre Central - Palm Pre Review, News and Community Treo Central - Treo & Centro News and Forums WMExperts - Windows Mobile Reviews & News

The names RIM and BlackBerry are registered Trademarks of Research in Motion Limited.
CrackBerry.com is in No Way Affiliated with Research in Motion Limited.
Copyright ©2007-2009 Smartphone Experts. Terms and Conditions. Privacy Policy. All rights reserved.