When turning 3G setting to OFF...

[insocal]

Does that shut down your internet connection on the iPhone? Or does it just switch it to EDGE?
Wondering if it'll be easy to turn 3G off to save power when not browsing the internet but still receive e-mail on a regular schedule?
Thanks for the info!

 

[nakile]

Yes, the phone reverts to EDGE when 3G is turned off. Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Deadman64]

is this a confirmed feature?

 

[Andrmgic]

is this a confirmed feature?

There have been screenshots of the option from the 2.0 firmware.

 

[citron230]

it would be nice if it could be a feature that you could set up on a schedule in order to optimize battery life.

 

[zainjetha]

so basically you get a longer battery life while using edge/ so basically if u are just using the Phone and iPod on a regular basis and just turn on 3G for when you actually need to browse, that seems the best way.. i mean for downloading emails in the background (unless an urgent mail is coming) edge should be fine?

 

[jettoblack]

Note that in many cases, 3G uses less power than GSM/EDGE. If you want to download X amount of data, then 3G will use less power because the download will finish much quicker than on EDGE; even though EDGE is using slightly less power per second, it requires many more seconds to complete the task.

OTOH, with something like a chat program where you need a persistent data connection for Y minutes regardless of the amount of data, then EDGE may use less power.

It also depends on what towers you are near. If you have a good strong 3G signal, then using 3G will use less power than trying to communicate with a weaker GSM/EDGE signal, and vice versa.

 

[TXCraig]

Note that in many cases, 3G uses less power than GSM/EDGE. If you want to download X amount of data, then 3G will use less power because the download will finish much quicker than on EDGE; even though EDGE is using slightly less power per second, it requires many more seconds to complete the task.

Do you have anything to back this up? Or is this just your logic?

 

[cWeems]

Do you have anything to back this up? Or is this just your logic?

UM LOGIC... like in the keynote, 21 secs on 3G juice, or 59 secs on EDGE juice. hmmmmmm

 

[diamond.g]

so basically you get a longer battery life while using edge/ so basically if u are just using the Phone and iPod on a regular basis and just turn on 3G for when you actually need to browse, that seems the best way.. i mean for downloading emails in the background (unless an urgent mail is coming) edge should be fine?

It will be fine as long as you don't mind possibly missing a phone call. Remember only 3G allows for voice and data transfers to happen at the same time. With EDGE you will have to favor one over the other (especially if you get a lot of email).