Battery Usage during Internet Sharing using Wifi vs. Bluetooth - Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III General

Hi
I haven't had time to test this myself and in case some of you know, does the battery drain faster when sharing internet with wifi or with bluetooth?
I am able to tether with both modalities since my laptop now has built-in bluetooth.
Thanks.

Do not have a Kaiser yet.. but BT on will use a a little more power than with it off. Should still be decent life tho.

Related

Bluetooth Stereo Headset and WiFi Problem

I found a problem with my kaiser phone last night. The problem is that if I listening to music with my bluetooth headset I am not able to connect to my WiFi at the same time. This problem is specific to A2DP because my headset can be connected to my phone and I can not browse the web with WiFi. Has anyone seen this problem before? Has there ever been a resolution for it?
stevencage7 said:
I found a problem with my kaiser phone last night. The problem is that if I listening to music with my bluetooth headset I am not able to connect to my WiFi at the same time. This problem is specific to A2DP because my headset can be connected to my phone and I can not browse the web with WiFi. Has anyone seen this problem before? Has there ever been a resolution for it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen this too -- when using A2DP, the WiFi connection goes down & won't re-establish itself until I turn off A2DP. I haven't found a resolution yet -- not that I'm looking for one as I almost never use A2DP, and when I do, I'm in the car, where WiFi isn't too useful.
See my post here which may be a related problem. I assume you have the same new HTC ROM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=396409
I have a similar issue. If I am streaming music, from my HP media server, over wifi and using my Plantronics 590A bluetooh headphones, after each song I am asked to log back onto the network and as each song comes to an end my device starts to search for a network connection. I don't have this issue when I use wired headphones. Clearly there is an issue when both bluetooth and wifi are used at the same time. I don't know if it's hardware or software but I'm not happy about it.
akey
HTC TyTN II (Kaiser/P4550)
Rom ver: 1.82.707.0 WWE
Rom date: 11/03/07
Radio ver: 1.27.15.32
WM 6 Professional
CE OS 5.2.1620 (18125.0.4.2)
It's normal. Without going too technical, WiFi and Bluetooth operate on the same frequencies. They will live together if they're not using too much bandwidth, but if the usage is heavy there will be problems.
A BT stereo headset represents a lot of data to send and thus bandwidth usage, which means the BT will use the spectrum heavily, stepping over the Wifi. Due to the many packet losses the Wifi connection cuts.
Other way around, if Wifi is under heavy load, Bluetooth might drop.
Nothing we can do, that's what happens when you pack 2 radios operating in the same frequency band so close to each other, or even maybe sharing the same antenna which might be the case in today's phones.
It is absolutely NOT normal. The reason I know this is that VoIP over WiFi has been running almost perfectly on my TyTN II for a year, until I installed the latest ROM by HTC which broke it.
I used to get no crackle on Bluetooth calls with WiFi turned on. Now I do.
I used to get great quality VoIP. Now it is beyond unusable.
Simply, their new ROM broke it. BT and WiFi used to live in harmony, until their buggy ROM came out the other day. I think there are many users who know this, and who expect a hotfix soon.
You're talking about calls, I assume using the BT headset profile, while the other people in the thread are using A2DP wireless stereo. They're very different in terms of bandwidth.
On mine the headset with WiFi is also fine, but not A2DP. You're apparently not having the same issue than what is mentione in this thread. Yours might be due to the ROM, but the A2DP thing is more likely to be related to what I explained. I could myself experience it with several ROMS (all WM6, never tried a 6.1).
kilrah said:
It's normal. Without going too technical, WiFi and Bluetooth operate on the same frequencies. They will live together if they're not using too much bandwidth, but if the usage is heavy there will be problems.
A BT stereo headset represents a lot of data to send and thus bandwidth usage, which means the BT will use the spectrum heavily, stepping over the Wifi. Due to the many packet losses the Wifi connection cuts.
Other way around, if Wifi is under heavy load, Bluetooth might drop.
Nothing we can do, that's what happens when you pack 2 radios operating in the same frequency band so close to each other, or even maybe sharing the same antenna which might be the case in today's phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My old TyTn II worked fine with BT and WiFi on at same time - never a problem. I always had WiFi on at home for emails etc... and always have my BT headset (Plantronics 8XX mono) working as I hate holding phone to my ear and get a lot of calls.
I recently bought another TyTn II and then unlocked it using advice form this forum (many thanks to all BTW!) and installed latest HTC rom and WM6.1 etc... Now I love many aspect of the new ROM but I can't use BT and WiFi at same time.
So from my experience it MUST be the new HTC ROM software issue.
Okay, chalk me up as another victim of this Wireless + A2DP = Crap Reception. I've tried three other Radios and the effect is the same.
I was using a rom I got in about April, and I could stream music from the internet over wireless listening to it on my Pantronics 590A's over bluetooth no issues (other than battery lol). Now with a rom I got this month, I can listen to music over bluetooth no problem, surf using wireless no issue but as soon as you mix them both it's all bad. Also, I need to re-pair my headphones whenever I want A2DP, where previously I could just turn on the headphones and have them connect. Also, no headset icon in the taskbar.
It's not a CPU issue as there's no excess usage when you both have them enabled. Personally I'm going to point the finger at the bluetooth stack here.
As far as I remembered when I first purchased the ATT Tilt with my Plantronic Voyager 855 I WAS able to stream via Wifi (Winamp Remote) and use my bluetooth without a problem. It's when I started to put cooked roms in the Tilt that it stopped working correctly...
Besides, I use a Macbook Pro via Wifi only and I listen to my Itune via my Plantronic Voyager 855 everyday. If it's true about WiFi overloading Bluetooth on the frequency. Why does it work fine on the MBP?
And Finally.... to make my point...
I also have an AT&T Fuze. Works fine there. Matter affact. I'm currently connected via bluetooth to my Fuze with my Voyager 855... turned off 3G/HSPDA on the Fuze. WiFi on the Fuze using Winamp Remote to connect to my PC streaming from there. Explain that....
Has anyone fixed this problem?
I'm experiencing the same problem on my kaiser aka xda stellar. When Wifi is turned on bluetooth A2DP stereo connection is dropped.

Increasing battery life with GPS: a Bluetooth GPS receiver?

I'm trying to increase battery life of my Diamond when I use it as GPS device for mountain biking. I use the great GPS Cycle Computer software. Usually maps are already in the phone, so I disable map downloading.
But even so, the device won't last more than 3 hours (actually not even 2 hours). I was thinking that an external GPS, connected by Bluetooth could be helpful? Instead of receiving GPS signal, the Diamond would use Bluetooth connection. Will it last for more?
Not sure if bluetooth uses less than the gps chip.
You could also look into the huge 3000mAh battery available somewhere. Its around 60 usd I think.
It is the fact that your phone is constantly processing data. Try standby mode to increase battery life
mc4ren said:
I'm trying to increase battery life of my Diamond when I use it as GPS device for mountain biking. I use the great GPS Cycle Computer software. Usually maps are already in the phone, so I disable map downloading.
But even so, the device won't last more than 3 hours (actually not even 2 hours). I was thinking that an external GPS, connected by Bluetooth could be helpful? Instead of receiving GPS signal, the Diamond would use Bluetooth connection. Will it last for more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bluetooth uses less power than GPS, as it is just receiving a signal, and not doing all the leg work of searching for satellites etc. You can get a good Bluetooth GPS from eBay for about £10 which you can charge with your Diamond's charger.

HTC One Terrible Bluetooth range .....

Friends ...... , HTC One it seems has a terrible Bluetooth range ....... I have a Logitech BoomBox (Bluetooth spks) and a Belkin Bluetooth receiver connected to my AVR. In both the cases, when connected to my HTC One it looses audio in just couple of feets. Specially with belkin receiver. But when I tested the same with my iPhone 4, it works perfectly, till the Bluetooth's designated range of 30 feet (10 meters) ... with both Belkin and Logitech ....
so it has something to do with HTC One's Bluetooth.
People with HTC One and having any Bluetooth audio device, please test this and report if you are also facing the same issue, Or is there something that I can try to increase the range. Its pathetic, 2-3 feets at the max. I am bitterly disappointed with this ..........
Regards.
Sammy
I think that Android 4.1 had a BT flaw that was fixed in 4.2.
so this means its more of an android issue than HTC One........ any alternatives to improve this, till we have an 4.2 update
I was using bt audio yesterday and it was horrible. I did some googling, try turning off wifi before you connect to the speakers, it solved my trouble straight away. I found if the music was playing when I turned wifi back on it would still be ok. Might help?
jiggle_ said:
I was using bt audio yesterday and it was horrible. I did some googling, try turning off wifi before you connect to the speakers, it solved my trouble straight away. I found if the music was playing when I turned wifi back on it would still be ok. Might help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jiggle .... my friend, you made the day for me, how so ever strange may it seem, it did work .... ..... I switched of my wifi and then connected Bluetooth to Belkin receiver and vola!! :victory:... no drop outs and was able to use BT at full 30 feets, and then if I switch on the wifi later all is well.
Strange, if wifi is working before I connect BT, it drops and is very uneven ......... must be some bug, but anyway, solution is not as irritating as one might expect.
Thanks again Jiggle, for you input, saved me a great disappointment.
Regards
Sammy
sam9s said:
Jiggle .... my friend, you made the day for me, how so ever strange may it seem, it did work .... ..... I switched of my wifi and then connected Bluetooth to Belkin receiver and vola!! :victory:... no drop outs and was able to use BT at full 30 feets, and then if I switch on the wifi later all is well.
Strange, if wifi is working before I connect BT, it drops and is very uneven ......... must be some bug, but anyway, solution is not as irritating as one might expect.
Thanks again Jiggle, for you input, saved me a great disappointment.
Regards
Sammy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whew you had me in a panic here. (o; I'm still a little traumatized from my asus T201 wireless issues.
The Wifi/bluetooth issue is a drawback of the aluminum body design of the One. Bluetooth shares an antenna with wifi transmit. I believe wifi receive shouldn't interrupt bt though.
Then there should also be a problem if I switch on wifi after I connect BT. ,... in which case it works. It only creates a problem, if the wifi is first on and then I connect BT. ...... which is strange
Just for information. I had 3 htc, desire hd, sensation, onex and ALL had problem with bluetooth, weak signal, using a headset with the phone in my pocket already failed. I now have a note2 and this problem does not occur, being used in the same situation. So ....
sam9s said:
Then there should also be a problem if I switch on wifi after I connect BT. ,... in which case it works. It only creates a problem, if the wifi is first on and then I connect BT. ...... which is strange
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My m7 (TrickDroid, elementalX 0.11 default overclocking and undervolting) is having the BT issue whenever wifi is on, regardless of whether I connect the BT device while wifi is off, and regardless of whether audio is playing when the wifi is turned back on. In other words, on my device, BT really really sucks if wifi is connected, period. Any suggestions other than not to use wifi if I want to use BT?
Update: My router (Netgear wnr2000v3) seems to use 2.4 Ghz channels. Any thoughts about whether swapping the router with a dual-band or 5 Ghz channel router would work around this issue?
pcadvocate said:
My m7 (TrickDroid, elementalX 0.11 default overclocking and undervolting) is having the BT issue whenever wifi is on, regardless of whether I connect the BT device while wifi is off, and regardless of whether audio is playing when the wifi is turned back on. In other words, on my device, BT really really sucks if wifi is connected, period. Any suggestions other than not to use wifi if I want to use BT?
Update: My router (Netgear wnr2000v3) seems to use 2.4 Ghz channels. Any thoughts about whether swapping the router with a dual-band or 5 Ghz channel router would work around this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did pick up a new dual-band router and set up the phone to connect only on the 5Ghz band, and it worked! No more bluetooth issues at home. So if you run into this issue, a temporary workaround until (hopefully) HTC/Google provide a fix is to avoid the 2.4Ghz band.
Strangely enough, my Bluetooth range keeps decreasing with each software update. When I first bought this thing, I was generally impressed with how far I could walk from my BT speakers. Not as good as my evo 4g or 3d, but decent. Better than my gs3 and gn2.
Now I tend to make it about 5 feet or so with minor cut-outs while using apt-x. If I put my hand between the signal at 10ft, I can stop it completely. If I touch the upper-right of my phone with my thumb as I hold it in my right hand, I can kill the signal as well. Very much an antennagate going on here just like the iPhone 4.

Found another Bluetooth problem (this one involves WiFi)

Got a brand new amazing bluetooth 4.0 speaker so I've been playing the hell out of some music. I've been noticing the phone has been noticeably way slower in internet function.
I was getting extremely frustrated so I ran a test. Turned off bluetooth and ran a Speed Test. 31mbps down without bluetooth. and 4.5mbps down with bluetooth on.
The connection was also bouncing around all over the place and not stable with bluetooth.
WTF?

Bluetooth our Wi-Fi for battery savings

I am trying to improve my battery life. Right now it is pretty bad. Should I be using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to my phone? I was wondering if one used more watch battery than the other.
re: bluetooth or wifi
ElAguila said:
I am trying to improve my battery life. Right now it is pretty bad. Should I be using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to my phone? I was wondering if one used more watch battery than the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Bluetooth and disable wifi for better battery life.
Good luck,
Have a great day!

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