Trying to get internet access on my head unit without paying for a hotspot. I'm aware of PDANet and have used it, but it's sometimes unreliable to get a connection at first and requires restarting it several times. I'm looking for a more automatic solution that will connect as soon as I start the car. Any advice?
I bought a Huawei E8372 LTE stick. It provides both a WiFi access point and a USB ethernet interface that works with my Eonon GA9498B, so I basically disabled the WiFi entirely for the time being. Setting up the stick can easily be done by inserting the SIM card, plugging it into your computer, navigating with your browser to the IP address mentioned in the manual; it's advisable to deactivate the SIM PIN so the stick can just boot and establish the mobile connection without having to enter the PIN every time you turn off and on your car. Boot time for the stick is 20-30s max, so the connection is basically already available as soon as the radio's main screen appears.
Just watch out: I haven't yet found a possibility to mark the ethernet connection as metered in Android, so apps which have different data transfer behavior depending on whether you're on a WiFi or a mobile connection will go on full data blast mode if you don't tell them not to. Take Spotify, for example: If you have marked songs for download, the app will synchronize all changes right away via the LTE connection, even if you've configured Spotify to only do that on WiFi connections. So what I do is putting Spotify in offline mode by default, and only change that when I'm at home and the radio is connected to my WiFi (which luckily takes precedence over the USB-ethernet connection). Same goes for my HERE WeGo offline maps: I configured it to download them manually, so it only checks for map updates and notifies me, and I can download them when I'm home. Google Maps is pretty spare about its data usage anyway, so no need to change anything here. I also disabled automatic updates in Play Store, so it just notifies me of available updates which I can then install when I'm back home.
This COULD be avoided by activating the stick's WiFi hotspot, connecting the radio via WiFi and then, in Android's data usage settings, mark the WiFi network as metered. I tried that once, and it wasn't all too reliable - Android keeps forgetting these settings irregularly (the WiFi is shown as metered in Android's settings after I changed that setting; will stay like that for a while whenever I take a look again; and at some indeterminate point will show "Automatic" again, which means it's being treated like your cable router in your living room again) and doesn't tell you so at all, so apps might first behave correctly (i.e. like they're using mobile network), and later recognize their environment as being in an unlimited WiFi network and download everything they do in the background, eating up your mobile data. Thus I rather control each app's settings in this regard manually.
Related
When I'm in the house (and assuming I've got the wifi switched on on the Tytn 2), how do I get it to use the Wifi to access the Web as a first option?
Even when its connected to my wireless LAN (which it does with no problems at all - much better than my old Wizzard), if I launch Explorer it automatically makes a GPRS connection. The only way to force it to use the Wifi seems to be to turn the Phone off in the comm manager - which then means I can't receive any calls.
I can't find any setting that dicates the network hierachy i.e. that says if there is a Wireless LAN connection then don't bother with GPRS, or if there isn't, then use GPRS.
I seem to recall there was something similar on desktop Windoze where you could have it automatically use a dial up connection if there was no LAN available.
Can anyone help?
Iain.m said:
When I'm in the house (and assuming I've got the wifi switched on on the Tytn 2), how do I get it to use the Wifi to access the Web as a first option?
Even when its connected to my wireless LAN (which it does with no problems at all - much better than my old Wizzard), if I launch Explorer it automatically makes a GPRS connection. The only way to force it to use the Wifi seems to be to turn the Phone off in the comm manager - which then means I can't receive any calls.
I can't find any setting that dicates the network hierachy i.e. that says if there is a Wireless LAN connection then don't bother with GPRS, or if there isn't, then use GPRS.
I seem to recall there was something similar on desktop Windoze where you could have it automatically use a dial up connection if there was no LAN available.
Can anyone help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm now getting the same thing using Emoze - the thing is sitting here connected to the Wifi & will sync mail & contacts etc over the wifi quite happily - but as soon as I try & send mail from the handheld it starts up not one but two GPRS connections (!) Much the same as if I try & get a web page up - it automatically goes to GPRS as its default route to the internet despite that fact that its already connected via wifi & the only way to stop this behaviour seems to be to switch the phone off in Comm Manager.
Seems to be something inherrantly odd about the way the Tytn 2 is deciding what network connection is available & which it should use. It looks like it needs a little control application to sit between the IP stack & the hardware so that when a request comes it can be routed according to user preference - i.e. Use WIfi if available, Only use GPRS etc The Wifi doesn't seem to fire up a connection when it feels like it - only the GPRS. Do all the HTC devices with WIfi behave this way?
In the meantime, does anyone know of a simple way to turn off/disable GPRS without disabling the phone?
WHile I have plenty of GPRS data allowance in my package when I'm in the house at my desk (or anywhere else I can get a wifi connection) I'd rather it just used the Wifi to sync itself or if I decided call up a web page.
Besides, it interferes with the hi-fi speakers in my study with that annoying buzzing noise everytime the GPRS gets busy.
I.
Hi guys,
I use 3 different wifi networks during the course of a day, well 2 a day, 3 through out the week probably. Home/Work/Friends house
I have a very small data package (5mb) so i am very choosy about when I use my data connection!
Anyways, did some testing.
I already know that if I have no wifi, no data connection on, then I try and start outlook or Internet Explorer, then my data connection starts up (as it should)
now if i have my data connection on, then i turn on wifi on the phone, the wifi connection takes over and the data connection is not being used, even though it's on.
I also have no problems with when wifi is on and data is off, and if i goto outlook or IE, that gprs decides to go on. this does not happen tome (unless for some strange reason wifi cuts out, gprs tries to take over)
So i dont know if its something with your settings or not, maybe your phone goes to sleep and wifi turns off then gprs takes over, or i could be misunderstanding your question, because now that I think about it, perhaps you are asking something like..
- at home no wifi or data connection is active at that moment
- you navigate to a page in IE and instead of gprs turning on, wifi turns on/scans for lan and uses that
Yeah, that's probably waht you are asking.. haha yahoo for long winded useless post
If you figure it out, i want to know! lol
Iain.m said:
I'm now getting the same thing using Emoze - the thing is sitting here connected to the Wifi & will sync mail & contacts etc over the wifi quite happily - but as soon as I try & send mail from the handheld it starts up not one but two GPRS connections (!) Much the same as if I try & get a web page up - it automatically goes to GPRS as its default route to the internet despite that fact that its already connected via wifi & the only way to stop this behaviour seems to be to switch the phone off in Comm Manager.
Seems to be something inherrantly odd about the way the Tytn 2 is deciding what network connection is available & which it should use. It looks like it needs a little control application to sit between the IP stack & the hardware so that when a request comes it can be routed according to user preference - i.e. Use WIfi if available, Only use GPRS etc The Wifi doesn't seem to fire up a connection when it feels like it - only the GPRS. Do all the HTC devices with WIfi behave this way?
In the meantime, does anyone know of a simple way to turn off/disable GPRS without disabling the phone?
WHile I have plenty of GPRS data allowance in my package when I'm in the house at my desk (or anywhere else I can get a wifi connection) I'd rather it just used the Wifi to sync itself or if I decided call up a web page.
Besides, it interferes with the hi-fi speakers in my study with that annoying buzzing noise everytime the GPRS gets busy.
I.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to use the comm manager to turn off the data connection, but as for keeping it off permanently, until you decide you want it to be even allowed to be active again maybe you can try this, it should disable your connection until you see fit.
http://www.modaco.com/content/Pocket-PC-Software/246171/New-FREE-Utility/
briggs81 said:
You should be able to use the comm manager to turn off the data connection, but as for keeping it off permanently, until you decide you want it to be even allowed to be active again maybe you can try this, it should disable your connection until you see fit.
http://www.modaco.com/content/Pocket-PC-Software/246171/New-FREE-Utility/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great little utility , thanks very much for pointing that out - it at least allows me to do what I want manually - i.e. use my wifi without having to turn the phone off.
Although I know you can disconnect GPRS from the Comm manager, it also doesn't seem to have an idle time out so once an application (like Emoze) has started it up it keeps running in the background. Also, as soon as you turn it off, inevitably Emoze turns it straight back on! The NoData application gives much more control so thanks for that.
I do go abroad reasonably often so also happy to be able to use it for its primary purpose of disabling GPRS whilst roaming to avoid silly charges
It would be great if HTC could build a bit more intelligence and control into the network side of these things though.
I.
You may want to look into Schaps Advanced Config or KaiserTweak for wifi/gprs settings.
You can set timers and disconnects, etc, with those applications.
Iain.m said:
When I'm in the house (and assuming I've got the wifi switched on on the Tytn 2), how do I get it to use the Wifi to access the Web as a first option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Good News: I fixed this behavior on the phone w/o any 3rd-party utilities, etc.
The Bad News: I'm not 100% sure how. :-/ My apologies. Here is what I think did it:
Make sure your browser is closed and you have no open data connections.
1- Open the Wireless Manager and make sure "WLAN" is on and "Data Connection" is off.
2- Go to Start>Settings and choose the "Connections" tab along the bottom.
3- Open "Wireless LAN," choose your home wireless network, and make sure you're actively connected to it (should see a signal quality meter, device network settings, etc).
4- Close "Wireless LAN" and while "Settings" is still open and on the "Connections" tab, open "Wi-Fi." Your list of known Wi-Fi networks should be showing: make sure your home network says "connected."
5- Close everything back out to your "Today" screen.
When my Tilt is set this way -- and actively connected to my WLAN -- the Wireless Manager grays out "Data Connections" and doesn't even respond if I tap the icon. IE automatically uses my WLAN, although it won't connect to some of its pre-loaded favs b/c, I think, they're on WAP servers and the Wi-Fi/NAT router assigns/negotiates TCP/IP protocols for your phone.
I think now I accomplish all the above by simply opening the keyboard and pressing the FN/Wi-Fi key.
FYI -- In truth, I solved this problem by installing Opera Mobile and setting it as my default browser. Opera Mobile is a full browser, i.e. doesn't use WAP.
Hope this helps. If not, sorry for this 5 minutes of your life you'll never get back. :-/
gT
Once setting up Wifi, I cannot make my data connection work.
I know it is set up and working properly because Weather and Stock Tabs are updating fine, but all other programs cannot use data connectioin (e.g. error response in Opera, Mail, etc)
I have set up in Connection according to Internet and Company (not sure how this is called in English) but it does not work.
Does anyone have similar problems? And how do i fix this?
can we have some more info?
What happens if you turn the phone connection off in comms manager, but leave the wifi connection on?
What error are you getting?
Is your wifi router set to block any particular type of traffic?
With wifi it works fine, just my 3g data connection does not work.
i have tried numerous settings, changed, deleted, softresetted. nothing can make my HD connect through 3G
H(sdpa) and E(dge) symbols appear next to connection strength which signalizes it is connected after i switch data connection on. but whatever program i try to connect, all give me errors. i assume they keep trying to connect with either wifi or something else.
there were some times where i could update stocks and weather tab, but at same time opera, msn, google maps, etc. all gave me connection errors (could not connect etc.)
sometimes it appears when i delete an entry, it re-appears again. maybe i have to do hard-reset if there is no solution at all.
Get your network to send you a config text with the settings. Also have they activated hsdpa for your account?
sure i tried that all. also tested other prepaid cards (vodafone, o2), with all of them the problem appears to be the same. they all work on my old phone, just not on HD.
im afraid only a hardreset will help.
what happens if you turn wifi off via comms manager (making sure phone connection is still turned on)
does it update weather / stock then?
PS which mobile company are you with, and in what country?
I have a similar problem.
But in my case it often helps to disconnect the 3G connection and reconnect. In most cases Opera can then load the desired page.
Network is O2 Germany.
I was reading an article about how the iPhone will automatically connect to WiFi instead of using the carrier network, when WiFi is available. As well, it manages the WiFi on the phone in a manner which minimizes battery usage.
Anyone know if any of the Android Phones do this?
Related to that, even if it doesn't automatically do that: If we are in a free WiFi spot that we know about and turn on WiFi, will the Android phone use the WiFi as prioritiy over the carrier network, thereby negating need to turn off access to the carrier network?
ewingr said:
I was reading an article about how the iPhone will automatically connect to WiFi instead of using the carrier network, when WiFi is available. As well, it manages the WiFi on the phone in a manner which minimizes battery usage.
Anyone know if any of the Android Phones do this?
Related to that, even if it doesn't automatically do that: If we are in a free WiFi spot that we know about and turn on WiFi, will the Android phone use the WiFi as prioritiy over the carrier network, thereby negating need to turn off access to the carrier network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have 3g open, and you enter a wifi area, there are apps you can download which will immediately connect to that wifi spot without you opening Wifi, but those apps drain the battery and will connect at any wifi that you have previously used, thus becoming annoying. I tried it last year on my Android device.
It is much better to simply activate wifi alone, then it will connect to that free wifi spot alone IF you have previously connected to it.
I'll give two examples: At home when I connect my Android device to my wireless router for the first time, it will ask me for password. Then it saves it, so that if I close wifi, it will open 3g alone, but then if I re-open WIFI on my device, it will connect automatically as it saves the password of all wifi spots you have, and it shows you also the list of all saved spots.
The same thing goes for open free wifi spots, first time you connect to it normally without a password, second time it will re-connect alone as long as you have Wifi opened on your Android Device. I wouldn't have my cell to connect to any wifi alone without me opening wifi as it drains battery a lot.
As soon as you open Wifi, and there's an open wifi place or a private one (provided you have entered the password before), your cell will automatically connect to it and will no longer use carrier network until you shut off WIFI.
Thanks for the detailed reply. Much appreciated.
Actually, pretty much what I expected to hear.
The issue I have is that I live in an area with minimal mobile coverage so have to rely on wi-fi connection when at home. Just today my HD2 has started acting up with an issue that I have experienced previously. When I try to update weather, stocks and other apps that require connectivity I get the error message about the dial-up modem being disconnected - the cause is fine as I have no signal but I don't understand why these apps are not swapping to the wi-fi connection. Browsing the internet is fine as is the YouTube app but all others (including email) are failing as they are trying to dial-up.
I have done some experimenting with mixed results:
1) If the phone radio is off (aerial followed by an x) - then the phone will fallback to wi-fi and applications that require connectivity seem to work.
2) If the phone radio is on and it is trying to find a signal (aerial with 3 dots cycling) then it will not issue the dial-up disconnected error - instead it will try to connect but then either time out (for apps like Omarket and Sky Mobile) or will work with mixed results (stocks and weather - although it only updates locations other than my location).
3) If the phone radio is on but there is no signal (aerial followed by exclamation mark) - then I get the dial-up disconnected error on apps that require connectivity (with the exception of Opera and YouTube).
Does anyone have any thoughts on what causes these inconsistencies and if there is a way to resolve them? When I had this issue before I did a hard reset which seemed to do the trick although with hindsight I am not entirely convinced whether it made any difference - especially if Apple's excuse for their iphone4 signal issue is to be believed (i.e. at times I could have a signal even though the phone is indicating that I do not have one).
I presume in the real world i.e. one where one has decent mobile coverage - this issue is unlikely to occur or certainly less obvious to spot
Hey,
If you set up your dial-up connection as part of your WiFi connection ( ISP or Work) and then set "programs that automatically connect to the internet" to the WiFi connection the automatic program will no longer try and connect if you are connected by WiFi.
go to settings-menu-all settings-connections-connections and add a new modem connection to your Work network. You need to get the settings from your service provider or copy them from the existing data connection.
once done, got to advanced and select networks and choose the work connection for programs that automatically connect.
that should help
m.
So in short I would have a single config that contains both the wifi and mobile settings as opposed to the two separate configs that I have at present. I will give that a crack and see what happens.
Thanks
I'm running the official BTU 4.3 release on my I9505
I've noticed two issues with 4.3
a) Wifi
From time to time, perhaps daily, my phone loses connection to my home wifi. I get a notification which says something about being disconnected -- don't remember the full text. When I click on it I get taken to the list of wifi networks and underneath my local wifi network it will say "Sign-in is required".
It may be working as designed - checking my newish BT HomeHub 5 I can see the PPP session recycled twice overnight. Oddly this was initiated by upstream admin according to the logs, not a vdsl failure.... since the hub will intercept pages when ppp is down it's possible this caused the confusion
b) Security policy
I sometimes see a notification that an app required access to system, but didn't have permission - yet when I click on the notification I get taken to a full list of apps -- how do I find out which one was trying to be naughty?
The WiFi problem can be quite annoying.
I think this is not an improvement over the previous functionality.
The idea seems to be that as soon you have to manually log in to a WiFi network Android switches to the cellular connection to make sure you are always connected.
The thing is that at my work place this means every time I get somewhat out of range of WiFi (elevator, toilet, staircase) and walk into range my WiFi stays disconnected until I remember to reconnect it.
I only have to actually sign in once a day, but as Android thinks it is a network you have to sign in to it will not automatically reconnect to that network.
Meanwhile the phone is using up my data allowance....