I spend a fair amount of the day in areas with intermittent reception.
My battery life is really poor, since I think the phone is frequently looking for a signal that may not exist.
Is there a way to improve this without having to manually turn the cellular radio on and off?
Thanks!
improve the cell reception or the battery?
for battery, settings, wireless and something
mobile networks
uncheck the first 2
You could possibly use something like "locale" which is gps/location based or tasker which is system based, but I'm not 100 percent sure it support something like this. You might also want to try and take a look at the "superapp" by xda. All Apps can be found in the market.
You could use Tasker for this. You can create a profile that disables your cell radio (airplane mode) when there is poor / no reception and checks for cell signal every 10 minutes or so which is customizable. Its not a free app but a great app to invest in.
If you have Wifi where you dont have cell coverage then you could use wifi calling which saves battery as well..
Related
Hey all,
I have an idea for an application that I think could be really helpful. With more skill and experience, I might be able to write it myself but I lack in both of those fields
The general idea:
An application that can be used to measure the battery consumption, 2G/3G signal LEVEL, and data down/up SPEED over Wifi and cellular data modes, over periods of time. The device should not be moved or interfered with until the process has finished (i.e. an audio notification is used)
This could be useful for comparing various versions of radio and how they perform IN THE USERS GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.
Details:
The app will kill non-critical processes and services, and lock the phone for a short-ish space of time (e.g. an hour) so that it can test without disruption
In this time, it will read and record the cellular signal level (2G or 3G) every minute or so for the hour to find the average signal level and the same for Wi-fi
It could also download a small file using cellular and Wifi connections to test average download speed and upload could also be tested
There could be an 'overnight' mode or a longer time period where the battery level could be recorded over the space of several hours while the connection is idle or even kept alive. A decrease in battery level per hour could then be worked out
All this information is recorded and the radio is then rated in terms of battery consumption, connection strength and speed. The process can be repeated with other radio versions and the user can choose which radio suits them
What do you all think - viable or not?
A very good idea. Users can then publish their results in the forum and the radio choice will be far easier.
Good idea but so many variables, so what may be a good radio for one user may be awful for another...
dial ##DEBUG# from your phone or run the hidden file fieldtrial.exe from your windows folder. it has everything you could ask for regarding radio and consumption.
Hi,
I'm starting this thread to collect informations about using the N1 on a HSDPA network. Over the next weeks I'll be posting stats and infos about my experience on a HSDPA network.
*-----------------------------------------------------*
Tips
*-----------------------------------------------------*
(reserved)
*-----------------------------------------------------*
Battery optimization
*-----------------------------------------------------*
HSDPA seems to be very hard on the battery, and to get the most of your N1 there will be some sacrifice.
What COULD help:
- Dial *#*#4636#*#* and set the phone to "WCDMA Only" in the phone informations.
- Try the app called "battery refresh" on the android store. It will discharge your phone. Then boot into recovery and wipe your battery stats.
- Install setCPU from the android store (1$) and force it to 245/576 while the phone is standby/sleep (thanks djmcnz)
- there's an app on the appstore called JuiceDefender that allow you to disable APN based on time or your location.
What WILL help
- disable sync (push). This have a MAJOR impact on HSDPA network
- and obliviously set brightness to auto or lowest acceptable value.
*-----------------------------------------------------*
Signal optimization
*-----------------------------------------------------*
So far I've tried two different radio rom, and the older 4.03.00.21_2 seem to offer better signal. So you could try using that one.
*-----------------------------------------------------*
Bandwith optimization
*-----------------------------------------------------*
- If you have a rooted N1, you could try in "spare parts" the hotweiss's Radio mod (in miscellaneous). In my case, there's not difference but still could be worth a try.
*-----------------------------------------------------*
N.B. : Fellow canadians, if you are on Bell or Telus with your N1, your are on a HSDPA network.
(reserved)
aad4321 said:
i NEED push on my work email at peek times. the sense ui version allows u to turn off push at different times. I would like to see this for the nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try JuiceDefender, I think that app does exactly that.
I seem to get alot of network connection errors from market, to internet, and some games that use internet.
I noticed my signal is usally full bars but switches alot between 3G and H (HSDPA)
Are my connections errors due to the switching of 3G and H much like some people have issues with EDGE and 3G switching back and forth in certain spots?
Also that *#*#4636#*#* didn't work. EDIT: nevermind, needs to be done on the stock dialer.
I set my network from WCDMA prefered to WCDMA only. See how that works. EDIT: Still switches from 3G to HSDPA...
Sistum Id said:
I set my network from WCDMA prefered to WCDMA only. See how that works. EDIT: Still switches from 3G to HSDPA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe this is normal behavior. The 'WCDMA only' option disables EDGE network connections so that you only use the 3G/HSDPA.
Cheers
I hope there is a bug on the N1 radios..Cause I can't last 20hrs with 1hr worth of calls..and small use of internet. Yet other people saying they easily go pass 30hrs with heavy use...liars..
I can still get though a full day, business and pleasure on a single charge using HSDPA, WiFi and making calls... lots of calls.
In an average (16h) day I will be connected via 3G for about 10 of those and WiFi for the remaining six. I make about 180 mins of calls a day, 20% of those using the speaker, I have a feed reader with 20 feeds that update constantly, I listen to music to and form work (20mins + 20mins), I might play a game or two and I often read xda and/or download during the day. Brightness at about 55% fixed.
I charge my phone overnight, every night (have been doing this since my original RAZR anyway).
I have never, ever run out of battery during a given day.
Setting the CPU to min in standby is not a good idea - it needs some headroom to actually complete background tasks and 245 is too low IMHO and will be counter-productive. I suggest 245/576.
If your usage is much above mine then I'm not sure how many marginal tips will be needed before it makes a meaningful difference...
Sistum Id said:
I seem to get alot of network connection errors from market, to internet, and some games that use internet.
I noticed my signal is usally full bars but switches alot between 3G and H (HSDPA)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got these errors on T-Mobile as well - since moving over to AT&T with the AT&T version they have completely disappeared.
krohnjw said:
I got these errors on T-Mobile as well - since moving over to AT&T with the AT&T version they have completely disappeared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm not sure but on mine it switch from 3G to H only when I fetch data. Else it stays on 3G.
Nierdal said:
You could try JuiceDefender, I think that app does exactly that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Testing Juice Defender now. So far it's an incredible solution to battery drain, if it does what it claims. Will post findings this weekend.
Daswolven said:
Testing Juice Defender now. So far it's an incredible solution to battery drain, if it does what it claims. Will post findings this weekend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I'm getting the same results here. Juice Defender is the most effective thing I've tried so far. I'll collecting stats about it right now will post later.
Hey guys, I'm by no means an Android developer, so I could never make my idea a reality. But do you guys think this would be possible?
THE IDEA:
A small program that runs in the background, switching the network between HSDPA and EDGE. It would default to EDGE while idling, but activate HSDPA when a user-defined program is run (such as Opera, google maps, marketplace, etc). This way, you can idle on EDGE (and save power), but still have the speed of HSDPA when you need it!
I have no idea if this is even remotely possible so please don't flame the noob
I don't know if you searched the forums...but this was 4 threads down from yours. Don't know if it answers your application or what not...also try out Juice Defender
EDIT: oh hi from OCN
bloke226 said:
I don't know if you searched the forums...but this was 4 threads down from yours. Don't know if it answers your application or what not...also try out Juice Defender
EDIT: oh hi from OCN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea already tried it But I still have the OCN mentality of "the pursuit of performance".. in this case, the pursuit of battery performance
Juice Defender does not switch between EDGE/3G based on the applications you're running AFAIK
I kinda had the same idea as you so last week I created a topic on the Nexus One Themes and Apps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=678227
Feel free to join the discussion
I believe 3g uses less power while idling than edge
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
r34p3rex said:
Yea already tried it But I still have the OCN mentality of "the pursuit of performance".. in this case, the pursuit of battery performance
Juice Defender does not switch between EDGE/3G based on the applications you're running AFAIK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear ya about the performance. I guess I read your post too quick and missed the part where it would be application based. I can't think of anything on the top of my head that can do that, it would be difficult I would imagine...
I think there are a couple problems here
1) the "context switch" (if you will) from Edge to 3G and back devours battery
2) its slow, so you grab your idling phone to figure out the nearest Starbucks and you miss your exit while it jumps from Edge to 3G
I know on the google api it isn't possible to do this, but I don't think that isn't the problem.
At the moment you have 3 options. GSM only, WCDMA only and GSM/WCDMA. Whenever you switch between the 3 of them, the phone will lose signal for 10 seconds before it can find the best network. So the switcher here is not the best as you will lose connection, and what if you are downloading something at the same time...
What you need is when the phone is on GSM/WCDMA that it knows the best network to pick from depending on the phones lifecycle. GSM/WCDMA loses battery power because it always tries to find the best network to connect to, so for example if you are on GSM it will constantly try to find a 3G network etc (as far as I understand it).
What we need is the ability for the phone to stay on GSM when the phone is idle and then when the phone is woken up to automatically start to search for a WCDMA network and then gracefully switch over like it does now. For this I have no idea if it is possible as I don't know how the scanning of the network works. If it is possible then that would be wicked. But this is what we need.
crachel said:
I think there are a couple problems here
1) the "context switch" (if you will) from Edge to 3G and back devours battery
2) its slow, so you grab your idling phone to figure out the nearest Starbucks and you miss your exit while it jumps from Edge to 3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS.
It's the switch between the two that really eats battery. That said, I'm pretty sure you can do that with Tasker already.
Check out Chainfire's app http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=807989
For some reason no matter what build, radio or rom I use BatteryMinder tells me that I will get better life with wifi on vs wifi being off. (check jpegs in attachment)
If i turn mobile data off too I get better battery life as well.
Why is the Mobile network killing my battery?
Hm. Could the email checking be doing it? I would decrease the frequency of that. The processor might be ramping up during some parts of the email checking routine. It's also possible that your WiFi service makes the operation quicker. Negotiating a cellular data connection takes some overhead. Ask a radio expert...
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Are you in an area that has poor reception? That can drain the battery pretty quickly. The phone is constantly trying to reconnect to the network.
I'm a big fan of using Llama to automate my phone based on where I am. It does this by using cell phone towers so it can determine your location without using GPS, but accurate enough for the purpose of know if you're at home or work. However, since the update, it seems like Llama can no longer determine what cell towers it is connected to. If I define a new area, and tell it to start training, it still doesn't register any cell towers. Does anyone else use Llama and have any similar experience?
I use Tasker and had a similar issue. I had to enable a setting called "Use New Cell API." Anything like that in Llama?
Not that I can see. I sent an email to the developer, hopefully I will hear back.
No response from the dev yet, anyone have any other thoughts?
dyrnych said:
I use Tasker and had a similar issue. I had to enable a setting called "Use New Cell API." Anything like that in Llama?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BlueWRXPride said:
No response from the dev yet, anyone have any other thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have wrote several times to Llama developer about reports and bugs and he never wrote back, so I guess he is not working anymore on the project or he just doesn't care. We have 2 options from this point of view, stick with Llama or pay Tasker.
I had sent a message to the dev and hadn't received a reply either. From what I can tell, the recent OTA disables the 1x antenna, which is what Llama uses to detect nearby towers. If you turn off Advanced Calling, your phone immediately detects 1x signal, and Llama starts detecting towers again. This issue appears to be tied to an "unknown network" issue a lot of people have been experiencing after the OTA (Settings>About Phone>Status>Network (listed as unknown). A post on Motorola's forum mentioned Moto was aware of the issue and would fixed next update. Hopefully Lollipop will give us the best of both worlds: Advanced calling and a Llama that works.
Galaxo60 said:
I have wrote several times to Llama developer about reports and bugs and he never wrote back, so I guess he is not working anymore on the project or he just doesn't care. We have 2 options from this point of view, stick with Llama or pay Tasker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Write a scathing review. Developers see those and can reply to them.
adrynalyne said:
Write a scathing review. Developers see those and can reply to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was tired of trying to contact him, I have write to many app developers to the mails directly from the Play Store, and they always answer; from my point of view, Llama is now dead.
I noticed that Llama stopped working for me too after the update. I have not enabled Advanced Calling and my phone is definitely detecting local 1x Antennas as I can see under Settings > About Phone > Status > Network type and strength. However, Llama can not seem to detect any towers at all any more. Bummer.
I am a power Tasker user, but preferred Llama for location based stuff. I wouldn't be too hard on the dev though. Llama is completely free - it's more of a hobby for him than anything else. He makes no money and is not a company - just a guy with a knack for Android. So I'm sure he's got other things higher on his priority list than dealing with one specific phone's issue...
I agree, I don't hold it against the Llama developer since it is free. In tasker, does it do location based tasks the same as llama? By using cell towers rather than GPS? I'd like to know before purchasing it. Why do you use llama instead of tasker for location based things?
BlueWRXPride said:
I'm a big fan of using Llama to automate my phone based on where I am. It does this by using cell phone towers so it can determine your location without using GPS, but accurate enough for the purpose of know if you're at home or work. However, since the update, it seems like Llama can no longer determine what cell towers it is connected to. If I define a new area, and tell it to start training, it still doesn't register any cell towers. Does anyone else use Llama and have any similar experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's simple.. Llama has nothing to do with it.. Verizon screwed everyone up after the update... Here's what the problem is..
With location settings, you have either one of 3 options,
- High Accuracy: Uses WiFi, Cell Tower and GPS to determine your location.
- Power Saving: Uses WiFi, and Cell Tower to determine Your location.
- Phone sensor only: Uses GPS only to determine your location.
Well, most of us use either the high accuracy or the power saving option for location services simply because we can't rely on GPS alone especially indoors where satellite coverage will always be weak or unavailable..
So what happened after the new update?
WiFi no longer contributes to improving the location accuracy. Only Cell tower now is doing this job...
How does that affect us?
WiFi provides accuracy up to a few meters (usual home and office WiFi AP coverage range.) After the update, the WiFi contribution to location accuracy stopped and now we're stuck with only Cell Tower and GPS.
So if you're indoors, GPS will not be available and phone will only use Cell Tower to provide location information to all apps requesting the location. Accuracy in this case will be up to kilometers (usual cell tower coverage range) and apps like Llama which need more accurate information to perform cetain tasks, will not be triggered to peform these tasks at all.
Workaround until the problem is fixed: Change all location triggers in Llama to rely on wifi connection to certain access points rather than location (e.g. instead of work location as a trigger you can use your work WiFi as a trigger.) But this will mean that you have to always connect to those wifi networks..
I hope verizon fixes the problem soon and we have our location accuracy fixed.
I hope this helps.
Manar Aleryani said:
So if you're indoors, GPS will not be available and only Cell Tower will provide location information to all apps requesting the location. Accurace will be up to kilometers (cell tower coverage range) and apps like Llama which need more accurate information to perform cetain tasks, will not trigger these tasks at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if that is the case. In Llama, you train it what cell towers can be seen in a given location. I have an action set up in Llama to turn off wifi when I leave my house, and turn it on when I get home. So once I hook up to a cell tower it knows I can see from home, wifi comes on. So that location capability is only using the cell towers, and not wifi. And yet, that doesn't work. If I try to train llama for a new location, it doesn't even see any cell towers.
BlueWRXPride said:
I'm not sure if that is the case. In Llama, you train it what cell towers can be seen in a given location. I have an action set up in Llama to turn off wifi when I leave my house, and turn it on when I get home. So once I hook up to a cell tower it knows I can see from home, wifi comes on. So that location capability is only using the cell towers, and not wifi. And yet, that doesn't work. If I try to train llama for a new location, it doesn't even see any cell towers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ.. in android 4.3 and above, apps can use WiFi location even if wifi is completely off. You'll find in the advanced WiFi settings this option.
I'm sure that Llama still uses your wifi location to improve location accuracy regardless.
And, for the sake of testing you location accuracy changes, you can open your google maps while you are on "power saving" location settings and check the accuracy (the blue circle around your location). Compare that with an unupdated phone or another phone and you'll see the difference.
I have had the chance to go to other countries after the update (roaming was used with network other than verizon and problem persists.)
So i still believe it's a location accuracy issue and not a cell-tower-not-recognized issue.
I have using Llama for awhile now and I think I may have the same problem.....
I am not sure how or why, but now Llama does not detect cell towers at all. So far, in two hours, it only detected 1 cell signal. It used to poll every few minutes. Now, it does not. I tried to decrease the polling time but nothing has changed.
I am quite confused.
Have same here, it do not poll fo cells anymore.
For problems above, you can determine location on llama on wifi too in experimental features (wifi Network or MAC adresses of AP) before i updated to 5.1 i had location fixed with small areas and big areas, big areas localized with cells and small by wifi, i moved my all tasks conditions and areas to new Phone, and it is working, but not perfect like it use d to be, Works fine, doing What it should...
i need the tower location to turn on my wifi.....