Multitasking and potential radio issues? - Essential Phone Questions & Answers

I travel and use a phone for work. This phone will freeze up when you get too many things going like maps, Uber, facebook, and a work app. Not a total freeze, but particularly while driving you need to make a split decision while interacting with an app or using speech to text, and it will get unresponsive. Are there any settings to tweak to maximize how it is handling open apps?
Also I have travels on the interstate where I'll lose internet, but I still have full bars. I usually toggle airplane on and off and that will settle that. I've tried doing nothing , and if I do that it will persist over 5 miles or so (full bars but no internet/LTE), and this is in the suburbs (not a roaming area).
Any suggestions?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Related

leaving 4G has always bogged my CPU

Have you guys ever noticed your phone slowing down as it constantly switches between 3G and 4G? Living in Austin, I probably make the switch a few hundred times a day, depending on what building I'm in, and where my phone is sitting.
There are plenty of times where I pull my phone out of my pocket, and it's very warm, and running horrendously slow. I typically notice the 4G icon, so I disable it altogether. Usually within about 30-60 seconds, my Evo is responsive once again. I have used every stock ROM, and about 6 custom as well. All behave IDENTICALLY.
I really have had only one instance where 4G was useful, and that's when I was at a restuarant, and I wanted to tether my laptop. I was able to get a solid 4G signal, and it seemed to work great. I did find out, however, they had free WIFI, like almost every business does these days.
Not so sure I'm really sold on the 4G stuff, even though almost everywhere I go in Central Texas has good signal. It seems to waste far too much CPU as it switches back and forth, enabling/disabling radios, or whatever. If I'm in Dolphin browser, and it switches radios, the phone appears to lock up sometimes... quite annoying... happens all the time.
Anyone else with similar issues? I know most people aren't even in 4G areas though.
ScrapMaker said:
Have you guys ever noticed your phone slowing down as it constantly switches between 3G and 4G? Living in Austin, I probably make the switch a few hundred times a day, depending on what building I'm in, and where my phone is sitting.
There are plenty of times where I pull my phone out of my pocket, and it's very warm, and running horrendously slow. I typically notice the 4G icon, so I disable it altogether. Usually within about 30-60 seconds, my Evo is responsive once again. I have used every stock ROM, and about 6 custom as well. All behave IDENTICALLY.
I really have had only one instance where 4G was useful, and that's when I was at a restuarant, and I wanted to tether my laptop. I was able to get a solid 4G signal, and it seemed to work great. I did find out, however, they had free WIFI, like almost every business does these days.
Not so sure I'm really sold on the 4G stuff, even though almost everywhere I go in Central Texas has good signal. It seems to waste far too much CPU as it switches back and forth, enabling/disabling radios, or whatever. If I'm in Dolphin browser, and it switches radios, the phone appears to lock up sometimes... quite annoying... happens all the time.
Anyone else with similar issues? I know most people aren't even in 4G areas though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in general I noticed this cpu spike on my sense roms even when it was turning 3g back on after leaving a wifi spot. I really blame HTC's inneficient code, since CM6 handles this so much better. I did try 4G out in my area and thought it was better on my cpu than 3g was though.
ScrapMaker said:
Have you guys ever noticed your phone slowing down as it constantly switches between 3G and 4G? Living in Austin, I probably make the switch a few hundred times a day, depending on what building I'm in, and where my phone is sitting.
There are plenty of times where I pull my phone out of my pocket, and it's very warm, and running horrendously slow. I typically notice the 4G icon, so I disable it altogether. Usually within about 30-60 seconds, my Evo is responsive once again. I have used every stock ROM, and about 6 custom as well. All behave IDENTICALLY.
I really have had only one instance where 4G was useful, and that's when I was at a restuarant, and I wanted to tether my laptop. I was able to get a solid 4G signal, and it seemed to work great. I did find out, however, they had free WIFI, like almost every business does these days.
Not so sure I'm really sold on the 4G stuff, even though almost everywhere I go in Central Texas has good signal. It seems to waste far too much CPU as it switches back and forth, enabling/disabling radios, or whatever. If I'm in Dolphin browser, and it switches radios, the phone appears to lock up sometimes... quite annoying... happens all the time.
Anyone else with similar issues? I know most people aren't even in 4G areas though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you use 4g, you need to reboot your phone. The 4g icon may go away but the phone is going to keep searching for the 4g signal. Known issue/bug. You can ssearch the forums and find lots more info on it. Free app called alogcat will show you this by conintuing to try and connect to winmax.
I live in Austin, too and use the 4g toggle quite a bit, especially closer to town, while at concerts or football games.
slugbug2010 said:
After you use 4g, you need to reboot your phone. The 4g icon may go away but the phone is going to keep searching for the 4g signal. Known issue/bug. You can ssearch the forums and find lots more info on it. Free app called alogcat will show you this by conintuing to try and connect to winmax.
I live in Austin, too and use the 4g toggle quite a bit, especially closer to town, while at concerts or football games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That explains why when I leave 4G on regularly, I have to reboot my phone at least once a day from slowdowns... If I leave 4G off, I tend to last almost a week before I get frustrated enough to reboot.
Really disappoints me, and I was hoping I was an isolated example. I had done several searches for this, and didn't see any results. I guess because not many people have 4G, and those that do probably toggle it on specifically for use when they are in a 4G area. Seems to me that 4G is only useful when you are sitting still... if I am in the car and I leave it on, my phone get sluggish as hell, and my battery can be dead in under an hour.
ScrapMaker said:
That explains why when I leave 4G on regularly, I have to reboot my phone at least once a day from slowdowns... If I leave 4G off, I tend to last almost a week before I get frustrated enough to reboot.
Really disappoints me, and I was hoping I was an isolated example. I had done several searches for this, and didn't see any results. I guess because not many people have 4G, and those that do probably toggle it on specifically for use when they are in a 4G area. Seems to me that 4G is only useful when you are sitting still... if I am in the car and I leave it on, my phone get sluggish as hell, and my battery can be dead in under an hour.
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Click to collapse
I believe the bug only occurs if you have a 4G widget on one of your home screens. You may be able to remove it and turn on via settings as a workaround.
Correct. Don't use the widget to toggle 4g. Go into settings and turn it on that way and you wont get the lag.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
terrel_b said:
I believe the bug only occurs if you have a 4G widget on one of your home screens. You may be able to remove it and turn on via settings as a workaround.
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Click to collapse
I had a ROM a few weeks ago that didn't even have a 4G toggle... I think it was AOSP. Didn't like it much and came back to Sense-based. No effect on the CPU bogging.
I live in houston and not in the city, I get this every day....i stopped using 4g a while ago...it'll get better with time though
Sent from the MATRIX... while plugged into my EVO... using the XDA app... from a galaxy far-far away.......
Only turn on 4G when you are actually going to use it than turn it off. Most web tasks do not require 4G and it will improve battery life.
theres a couple guides out there for editing your 4g in and out times, signal requirements log in delays, ect. those will help big time, and you should be resetting your phone once a day anyway for good usage, also it helps to if your using 4g, turn off the mobile network because its pointless to run both radios at the same time [helpful if you have myns with the data in the notifications menu for easy chaning]
envoykrawkwarrior7 said:
theres a couple guides out there for editing your 4g in and out times, signal requirements log in delays, ect. those will help big time, and you should be resetting your phone once a day anyway for good usage, also it helps to if your using 4g, turn off the mobile network because its pointless to run both radios at the same time [helpful if you have myns with the data in the notifications menu for easy chaning]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you confirm that turning off the mobile network from the power-button drop-down menu actually does anything? On my phone, when It detects 4G or WIFI, the 3G icon disappears for a bit, then turns into the new one. That leads me to believe that it automatically does that for us...
I use 4G every day. I have "mobile data always on" set to on demand, so when I turn on 4G via the Extended Controls widget I use, 3G automatically turns off. Haven't had any phone slow down since I started using this method. When I turn 4G off, 3G automatically restarts, so one or the other is always on. I keep 4G always on at home, and only turn it on while out if I'm watching using large amounts of data.
At some point I made some changes in how long my phone will try to stick with 4G when there's a strong 3G signal, and that helped with streaming music/data while on long drives.
The only time you should see CPU usage is when the radios are toggling on, and off. Also when you turn 4G off, yes if you look in logcat you see that WiMAX is doing something but that's about it. IIRC it is checking the status of the 4G radio to see if it is on. The radio is off though, verified by monitoring the current drain in almost real time. The 4G radio draws about 200-300mA itself. The "4G Toggle for EVO" app by Jason Calhoun (see Market) so far has given me the least amount of hassle of the 4G widgets out there, and most of the time I don't have to worry about turning off 4G after a reboot.
On average with my current configuration I draw about 254mA (3G /display @26%/doing nothing), 188mA on WiFi. The lowest I've seen was 89mA (just coming out of sleep), and the highest I was ever to draw was 996mA (everything on, turned up, playing Angry Birds).
Under 4G settings make sure network notification is unchecked, if not the phone is forever scanning for a signal, especially if you're toggling bad. If you have it unchecked even when you use the widget it will only search the initial time when you turn on the widget. Can't say this will solve the issue, but at least stop the phone from continuously scanning for a signal should help. You can only uncheck network notification while 4G is checked. Hope it helps cause i'm in the centex area also(Waco). It helped for me when told to me by EVO owners.
Sent via HTC Supersonic: EVO 4G
I've also noticed my Evo seems really sluggish when 4G is on. Like, to the point that I always leave it off, because it makes my phone barely usable sometimes when it is on, even when I am standing right next to the 4G tower. I read through here and I'm going to try removing the HTC widget for 4G from my home screen, maybe that'll help.
kf2mq said:
The only time you should see CPU usage is when the radios are toggling on, and off. Also when you turn 4G off, yes if you look in logcat you see that WiMAX is doing something but that's about it. IIRC it is checking the status of the 4G radio to see if it is on. The radio is off though, verified by monitoring the current drain in almost real time. The 4G radio draws about 200-300mA itself. The "4G Toggle for EVO" app by Jason Calhoun (see Market) so far has given me the least amount of hassle of the 4G widgets out there, and most of the time I don't have to worry about turning off 4G after a reboot.
On average with my current configuration I draw about 254mA (3G /display @26%/doing nothing), 188mA on WiFi. The lowest I've seen was 89mA (just coming out of sleep), and the highest I was ever to draw was 996mA (everything on, turned up, playing Angry Birds).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But until/unless you reboot the phone, the WiMax continues to check the status of the 4g radio. So that would make the phone sluggish. Even with no toggle on a home screen or any screen, just doing it manually, when turned off it keeps scanning. Right Thats what alogcat shows until the phone is rebooted.
I have turned off 4g and gone about my business and been fine - went almost 30 hours on one charge and had 4g on for about 2 hours of that, so it may not be a major battery drain amp wise, but it appears to continue to scan even when turned off.
From a 2-day trial I can definitely say that my phone seems much more responsive since I removed the 4G widget. I replaced all the HTC radio widgets with the stock android one (which, of course, doesn't have 4G) and my phone seems very responsive. At the same time, I turned on 4G via the settings menu and I've left it on. It seems to be working well.

Weird reception

Whenever I'm doing anything on my phone, the bars jump around constantly. Also it switches from 3g to 1x a lot. However, when I'm using turn by turn navigation, I get full bars on 3g and it stays there the entire time I'm using navigation, even when I drive through areas where it usually drops to 1x.
Anyone know why this is?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
There are other threads regarding this as well. This is common for this phone and others but does not mean this is the actual signal strength you are getting.You can go into Settings-about phone-status to see your actual signal value i believe the lower the value the better.

Just got Shift, Having Data Issues

Well I just upgraded to the Shift from the Samsung Moment, but with the data issues I'm having it sure doesn't seem like. I cannot connect to 4G even though I'm in the heart of a 4G area (zip code 75001, just outside of Dallas). Every time I scan for 4G service, it just says Disconnected about 5 seconds later.
Using the Speedtest.net app, I'm averaging maybe 60-70kbps download speed on the 3G network. When I download apps the downloading generally pauses for several seconds.
For the record, I have done the data reset (##3282#), but that didn't help at all.
Any suggestions, or could it be I just have a bad phone?
Wes
AmishGuy91 said:
Well I just upgraded to the Shift from the Samsung Moment, but with the data issues I'm having it sure doesn't seem like. I cannot connect to 4G even though I'm in the heart of a 4G area (zip code 75001, just outside of Dallas). Every time I scan for 4G service, it just says Disconnected about 5 seconds later.
Using the Speedtest.net app, I'm averaging maybe 60-70kbps download speed on the 3G network. When I download apps the downloading generally pauses for several seconds.
For the record, I have done the data reset (##3282#), but that didn't help at all.
Any suggestions, or could it be I just have a bad phone?
Wes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try updating your PRL and Profile too
BrandoKC said:
Try updating your PRL and Profile too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done that a few times but still no improvement.
Hm
I think it would be wise to talk to a Sprint representative over the phone, or show the problem to them in person.
It kinda sucks to pay a $10 monthly surcharge for 4G if you're in the network and are not getting it (worse if there's no 4G nearby)
I myself have not used 4G yet (live right on the edge of the network)
They should hopefully help you out
I too have a problem with connecting to 4G but that may just be my area
I know you have probably already done this but I would try powercycling if you haven't already.
Try comparing it to the display. I noticed that the wimax radio is kinda deaf when compared to my old epic. It doesn't lock as often as the old phone. There might be an update that helps some of these issues.
herbthehammer said:
Try comparing it to the display. I noticed that the wimax radio is kinda deaf when compared to my old epic. It doesn't lock as often as the old phone. There might be an update that helps some of these issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok you need to reactivate the phone pretty simple to do
Get ur msl either from msl reader on the market or ask sprint
Go to dialer dial ##3282# hit edit mode and enter ur msl
Click on data profile then hit the menu button and click restore
Let the phone reboot and go through hands free activation again
Tada speeds should be back to normal!
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Appears to just be the location I'm in at work. Just tested it while I was driving around and got good speeds: 4G (at 6-8 megs download) and 3G (.5-1 megs). So I guess my phone is good.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Mine won't pick up at work inside. I step outside and it is fine. :-(
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
I'm having same problem. I did a side by side with my phone and the display in Sprint store...I got about 120 Kbps and the display got about 1200 Kbps.
I don't know if the store is doing the 3282 thing every day on the display, but when I do it I get a bump up in speed then it decreases again over time.
Mine does the same thing, I've had sprint smartphones for over 2 years and all have been at a constant 70-120kbs (kilobytes) however this phone averages about 30-40(kilobytes) using SpeedTest.net app and the meter is very jerky as if it's having trouble maintaining a data connection. Occasionally the phone will spit out 120-130kbs with a rock solid meter, but then will revert back to the constant 30-40kbs tests.
I've tried the ##3282## to reset the data profile, reformatted the phone a few times and updated the profile and PRL. My battery life is also not very good at all, and I'm assuming because it's having such a hard time keeping a cellular connection.
I hope the radio is not dead, and that a simple radio update would fix this problem.
I'm open to suggestions as this is really driving me insane, but I love the phone.
I was having a very similar issue, and when I checked ##33284# under evdo, it showed failed. Apparently 3G connection or not the phone shows the 3G icon.
I didn't know about the ##33284# field test, thanks for sharing. My Evdo status is connected. I noticed that both the Evdo & GPS list Latitude & Longitude and both of them are different, and are hundreds of miles off from my locations, seems a bit odd.
I'm hoping HTC is aware of the inconsistent data problem and will send an OTA update to correct soon.
I'm really disappointed in the 4G (maybe more of a Sprint issue than a Shift issue?). I can never connect to it very long before it goes back to scanning for a network so basically it's not worth the battery drain it causes. I'm primarily in areas that should get 4G easily.
Thats weird, at work, in Charlotte, my 4G flys, its almost faster than the wifi at my apartment.
First test was unplugged while holding it, 2nd plugged in while holding it, 3rd unplugged while not holding it and 4th was plugged in while not holding it.
I did get a test that sad 1.1m in between there, but I threw it out figuring it was a fluke.
I haven't done anything to the phone but remove the mp3, stocks, peep, nfl, and nascar apps. Haven't done the ##3282#. Seems pretty consistent on my end, then again it is 2:30 in the morning here, but it seems to be good for me all day.
It does seem that holding the phone makes a difference, to me at least.
what is considered good 3g speeds? Just tried mine at home and it is
509kbps down
63kbps up
this test done with the phone laying on the couch. Then I picked it up and did the test while holding
171 down
31 up
I only had 1 bar while doing these test. Seems as soon as I pick up the phone it the signal strength goes down.
also, by signal strength goes up when I have the keyboard slid out
just adding in about the speeds, i've been getting good signal and data rates everywhere i've been so far with the phone. then again, its winter, so i'm not traveling atm. We'll see what happens come may when i'm going through the mountains of WV.
and i can get good 4g while at work (close to DC, but not that close).
my speeds are: down/up
wifi -- 18mbps/7.5mbps (note, we have a 50mb/s pipe coming in the house)
4g -- 4mbps/1mbps
3g -- 0.8mbps/0.3mbps
i dunno if those are good or not, but gotta say, they beat the hell out of what my old PPC6600 got with its 1xRTT connection. cant wait to get tethering to work on this thing.
BrandoKC said:
I know you have probably already done this but I would try powercycling if you haven't already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is powercycling?
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

Solution for craptastic battery life...

Now I'm serious... You know how switching to 1x (or EDGE) often doubles, sometimes, triples battery life?
On my phone, the HTC Incredible, toggling between 3G and 1x is painful, it requires a whole restart and messing with cryptic network settings. It gets old fast.
I like 3G, duh lol. You know how setCPU can throttle the CPU down when the screen is off? Why isn't there an app or a setting or anything, in fact, I've never even seen it mentioned... I know you could also turn off always on data, but then, you don't always have data!
So, why isn't there an app or a setting that, when the phone is in standby, it switches down to 1x for much better battery, I mean, why on earth would 3G need to be on when your phone is sleeping? Unless you tether
But not just for standby, but also for the phone to only switch to 3G for things like downloads, web browsing, and email, facebook, etc.
Sure, maybe not doubled battery life, but when I'm in school, I put my phone in my pocket and don't even touch it for at least another 6 hours. If its 15 90% when it goes in my pocket, it's gonna be at around 83-77% by the time I get on the bus! The biggest usage of the battery: Cell Standby!
So, if there's any good developers out there, here's a best-idea for an app since SetCPU!
So you want an app to turn 3g to 1x? There are like 20 million.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Why would 3g need to be on when the phone is sleeping?
I dunno, how about G-mails, work e-mails, Twitter updates, Facebook updates, Market updates, radio/music streaming, etc.
Background 3g is pretty much essential for me
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Meltus said:
Why would 3g need to be on when the phone is sleeping?
I dunno, how about G-mails, work e-mails, Twitter updates, Facebook updates, Market updates, radio/music streaming, etc.
Background 3g is pretty much essential for me
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need 3G for that? You don't really need the speed when the screen is off lol, they'll still download, just on 1x. And when the screen goes on, it should switch 3G back on.
The problem is that 3g uses twice the battery of 1x and when 1x is download updates it makes twice as long... Thus same battery consumption
Why not use one of the 2g/3g toggle widgets from the market?
Dr. Hax said:
Why do you need 3G for that? You don't really need the speed when the screen is off lol, they'll still download, just on 1x. And when the screen goes on, it should switch 3G back on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THe market does not work on 1X, pretty sure pandora would sound like s*** on 1x. I turn 3g off during school since I barley use it. My rom has the toggle in the notification drop down.
Incredibly Re-Engineered 3.0 all the way!
adecker said:
THe market does not work on 1X, pretty sure pandora would sound like s*** on 1x. I turn 3g off during school since I barley use it. My rom has the toggle in the notification drop down.
Incredibly Re-Engineered 3.0 all the way!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked for me on 1x, painful, but lol

[Q] How lower battery usage under ground?

Hi.
I work in a TEMPEST protected area most of the time, and other times underground. At these places there are no wifi, no 3G, no GPS signals etc. Like skip zones on steroids.
Is is possible somehow, perhaps with Tasker, to make the phone disable all these functions and then only search for one of them (probably 3G, any provider) occasionally and when signal is found search for the others aswell?
My battery drains alot faster when I'm at these places compared to when I'm at home.
From what i understand of Tempest, is that you probably should have left you phone at the reception desk before entering the room.
well, you can switch to and from airplane mode when entering and leaving the tempest area.
or you can select, 'use 2g networks' - saves battery, and also select 'search automatically' for networks (under settings somewhere) depending upon which ROM you have installed.
as for apps and such, i dont know any, Luckily i dont have this issue lol
OR.... you could look for another job somewhere in open view of many many telephone pilons
Airplane mode! This will stop drainage with if there is no reception. With no signal ur phone is constantly trying to find signal it require lots of energy.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
midas5 said:
From what i understand of Tempest, is that you probably should have left you phone at the reception desk before entering the room.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're very correct. But I didn't make the rules. There are such areas aswell, thou.
About airplane mode, yes that's a solution. But I would like some automation. So I don't have to remeber to turn the thing on again after work.
You could use some app that turns on/off airplane mode at specific preprogrammed times, for example "Setting Profiles".
jelle2503 said:
Airplane mode! This will stop drainage with if there is no reception. With no signal ur phone is constantly trying to find signal it require lots of energy.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yupss this is what causing your battery drainage as your phone keep searching for the signal. I once worked in a rural area where the signal is a ***** and the battery doesnt last even for a day. Either you turn off your phone or keep it in flight mode!!!!

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