Question about Wifi

[lynnpudas]

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.

[fatboy97]

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.

[3CISSBB]

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.

[ClintRo]

I agree... I have started leaving Wifi on all day and only noticed a small drop in battery life!

[lynnpudas]

Originally Posted by fatboy97

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.

[lynnpudas]

Originally Posted by 3CISSBB

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.

[ClintRo]

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

[synwars]

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

[poisoned_grace]

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?

[fatboy97]

Originally Posted by poisoned_grace

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.

[lynnpudas]

Originally Posted by synwars

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.