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For Those Looking to Save Data

Kyotoma

Kyotoma

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 11, 2010
1,996
46
Carnegie and Ontario
What are some techniques that you use to save data from day to day when using your iPhone? Use WiFi when possible? Disable 3G when you can bear EDGE speeds? Have an App that helps record the data you use?

I've found out a pretty decent way of helping save data when WiFi is not available and I would like to bring it to the attention of my fellow MacRumors forum users:

Onavo on the App Store uses a Profile that installs on your iOS device that helps compress data much like Opera Mini but it is system wide. Aside from that, I am not entirely sure how it works, but it does indeed help me save data. Over the last week I have saved over 60 MB of data. Although that is a relatively small amount, for users on the 200MB or 300MB plan it might be a life saver.

App Store:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/onavo-data-usage-get-more/id423545287?mt=8

PCMag's Review: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393941,00.asp
 
1. Get a real data plan.
2. Don't download apps OTA.
3. Don't stream video OTA.
4. When you stream music, use a lower quality setting.

Compressing web browsing isn't going to do much, they're only maybe 1MB/page anyways.
 
BiggAW said:
1. Get a real data plan.
2. Don't download apps OTA.
3. Don't stream video OTA.
4. When you stream music, use a lower quality setting.

Compressing web browsing isn't going to do much, they're only maybe 1MB/page anyways.
Click to expand...

200-300 MB IS a real data plan. Just because it isn't what you have doesn't mean it doesn't work for other people. For someone on the 200 or 300MB plan, if they're only going to go over by a small margin, using an app like this could really help. In that case, switching to the 3GB plan would be major overkill. Most people on the lower data plan aren't likely to be streaming much music or videos, so your other points really aren't much help.
 
No problem. I frequently visit both PCMag and Macrumors, and when I saw this app I thought it would be particularly useful to a lot of viewers here. :apple:
 
sweetbrat said:
200-300 MB IS a real data plan.
Click to expand...

tumblr_lqslsq25FE1qguanjo1_250.gif
 
sweetbrat said:
200-300 MB IS a real data plan. Just because it isn't what you have doesn't mean it doesn't work for other people. For someone on the 200 or 300MB plan, if they're only going to go over by a small margin, using an app like this could really help. In that case, switching to the 3GB plan would be major overkill. Most people on the lower data plan aren't likely to be streaming much music or videos, so your other points really aren't much help.
Click to expand...

exactly! not everyone needs a ton of data. I am by wifi all day at work and wifi when i get home. I have survived on the 250MB plan on h20 for awhile. I also survived for several months without having data plan at all bc i am around wifi so much. I am now on Red Pocket w/2gb plan bc it's a good bargain at $59.99/month
 
I have a 1gb data plan that is enough for my needs.

However thank you for sharing your tip and app recommendation.
 
sweetbrat said:
200-300 MB IS a real data plan. Just because it isn't what you have doesn't mean it doesn't work for other people. For someone on the 200 or 300MB plan, if they're only going to go over by a small margin, using an app like this could really help. In that case, switching to the 3GB plan would be major overkill. Most people on the lower data plan aren't likely to be streaming much music or videos, so your other points really aren't much help.
Click to expand...

Yeah right. Base usage just for email, PIM, web, etc is 300+ MB/mo. AT&T knows what they are doing, that's why they made teaser plans that are virtually impossible to stay within. My average right now is averaging about 50MB per day, and I don't do anything crazy, just normal web/PIM/email plus some OTA app downloads, Speedtests, and podcast streaming and live audio streaming that drove my average up. Going over 2 or 3GB is insane, but staying under 200MB or 300MB means you're not really using your smart device as a smart device.

Oh yeah, and driving through small, highly exurban towns with near-perfect live audio streaming over HSPA+ during the CES live coverage was great. AT&T's network really rocks in some parts of the country.
 
BiggAW said:
Yeah right. Base usage just for email, PIM, web, etc is 300+ MB/mo. AT&T knows what they are doing, that's why they made teaser plans that are virtually impossible to stay within. My average right now is averaging about 50MB per day, and I don't do anything crazy, just normal web/PIM/email plus some OTA app downloads, Speedtests, and podcast streaming and live audio streaming that drove my average up. Going over 2 or 3GB is insane, but staying under 200MB or 300MB means you're not really using your smart device as a smart device.

Oh yeah, and driving through small, highly exurban towns with near-perfect live audio streaming over HSPA+ during the CES live coverage was great. AT&T's network really rocks in some parts of the country.
Click to expand...

I have a 200MB plan right now and it works fine for me. I use my phone as much as I need to. I have wifi at home, so no data usage there. At work I have a computer, so no need to do stuff on the web through my phone—though I do use it for email and iMessages even when I'm at work, and I do some stuff on the web or play online games during my lunch hour. I don't stream music or podcasts because I have no need to. That's why I have music, podcasts and audiobooks on my phone. So most of my data usage is when I'm out and about (away from a computer). Just because I don't use my phone the same way you do doesn't mean I don't use it as a smart device. It just means that I don't want/need a lot of the things you do. There's only been one month where I've exceeded my data plan. 200-300MB is very manageable for some people, and I know I'm not the only one.
 
I just found an interesting issue with the profile that Onavo installs on your device: It renders Ookla's Speedtest,net app completely inaccurate. I ran a slew of tests with each one failing to show any download speed at all, and yet I still had a fairly decent connection. Facebook, Safari, Twitter, and Instagram all loaded normally and displayed content.

Odd.
 
sweetbrat said:
I have a 200MB plan right now and it works fine for me. I use my phone as much as I need to. I have wifi at home, so no data usage there. At work I have a computer, so no need to do stuff on the web through my phone—though I do use it for email and iMessages even when I'm at work, and I do some stuff on the web or play online games during my lunch hour. I don't stream music or podcasts because I have no need to. That's why I have music, podcasts and audiobooks on my phone. So most of my data usage is when I'm out and about (away from a computer). Just because I don't use my phone the same way you do doesn't mean I don't use it as a smart device. It just means that I don't want/need a lot of the things you do. There's only been one month where I've exceeded my data plan. 200-300MB is very manageable for some people, and I know I'm not the only one.
Click to expand...

Then you're not leveraging the power of your smart device.
 
BiggAW said:
1. Get a real data plan.
2. Don't download apps OTA.
3. Don't stream video OTA.
4. When you stream music, use a lower quality setting.

Compressing web browsing isn't going to do much, they're only maybe 1MB/page anyways.
Click to expand...

I hate to think what you'd think of the 50MB plans we have over here ;)
 
sweetbrat said:
I have a 200MB plan right now and it works fine for me. I use my phone as much as I need to. I have wifi at home, so no data usage there. At work I have a computer, so no need to do stuff on the web through my phone—though I do use it for email and iMessages even when I'm at work, and I do some stuff on the web or play online games during my lunch hour. I don't stream music or podcasts because I have no need to. That's why I have music, podcasts and audiobooks on my phone. So most of my data usage is when I'm out and about (away from a computer). Just because I don't use my phone the same way you do doesn't mean I don't use it as a smart device. It just means that I don't want/need a lot of the things you do. There's only been one month where I've exceeded my data plan. 200-300MB is very manageable for some people, and I know I'm not the only one.
Click to expand...

ATT is in love with you. For your plan you are paying 7.5x per mb what the $30 3GB plan user pays and you are effectively staying off of ATT's data network, thus providing more value to the heavy data users. Whoever said that the 200/300mb data plans weren't just an "smartphone ownership" tax was dead wrong. My point is that a person that can live with 200mb can likely live with 0 as well. Or just a pay as you go situation if data is needed in an "emergency". The only reason ATT (any network, really) forces you to pick a data plan is for the more $, not the value it provides the customer.

On a slightly side note... you are defending the use of the phrase "real data plan". I think you know what was meant by that. The OP saved 60mb, but that 60mb is almost certainly a percentage of a much higher number. I doubt this app is going to save 60mb off of the 200mb plan. Maybe a couple hundred kb, to a meg. That is where the term "real" comes in. You won't be saving much loading emails and a few apps here and there.
 
Kyotoma said:
If everyone leveraged the power of their iPhone, AT&T would then have a legitimate reason to throttle those with unlimited data and enforce data caps. Not entirely a good thing.
Click to expand...

There's little reason to buy a smartphone and not leverage it's power & usefulness. If you're not going to use it to it's fullest extent why bother.

Apple's made it very clear that's it's the Post PC era now. Our costs for data plans will only increase going forward, a fact you can thank the late Steve Jobs for.

Apple computers are slowly going the way of the extinct dodo bird, get ready to watch your monthly expense as an Apple user increase. With 3G & eventually LTE connected Pads Pods & Phones, data costs will skyrocket.

For everyone that buys into Cupertinos hype, bragging that with an iPad there's little use for a computer, remember when it comes to Apple devices your gonna need a fat wallet. Apple owns you whether you realize it or not.

There's a hefty price premium to play in Apples closed loop ecosystem. Get used to it, or choose a much more reasonable alternative.

In this free enterprise environment choices abound. Despite Apples claims otherwise, they are not the only game in town.
 
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ixodes said:
There's little reason to buy a smartphone and not leverage it's power & usefulness. If you're not going to use it to it's fullest extent why bother.

Apple's made it very clear that's it's the Post PC era now. Our costs for data plans will only increase going forward, a fact you can thank the late Steve Jobs for.

Apple computers are slowly going the way of the extinct dodo bird, get ready to watch your monthly expense as an Apple user increase. With 3G & eventually LTE connected Pads Pods & Phones, data costs will skyrocket.

For everyone that buys into Cupertinos hype, bragging that with an iPad there's little use for a computer, remember when it comes to Apple devices your gonna need a fat wallet. Apple owns you whether you realize it or not.

There's a hefty price premium to play in Apples closed loop ecosystem. Get used to it, or choose a much more reasonable alternative.

In this free enterprise environment choices abound. Despite Apples claims otherwise, they are not the only game in town.
Click to expand...

Consumers can make whatever decision they want. If they don't believe Apple products are right for them, they are free to vote with their wallet and buy other products. Apple has positioned themselves as the premium high end of consumer products, and right now Apple is able to command the higher prices. If consumers do not share that perception, then consumers will spend their money elsewhere.

We would probably still be stuck with feature phones with the real web and apps without the iPhone and all the smartphones that followed. The point on data plans skyrocketing is interesting given that before the era of smartphones, mobile data wasn't in such high demand, and in fact data was charged as pay go $$$$$/MB
 
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