BGR Breaks it Down: Keep your data connection alive on S60 handsets
With the ever-increasing popularity of handsets like the iPhone, Pre, Curve, Storm and so on, US mobile users are clearly warming up to devices tied to unlimited data plans. In fact, many would argue that owning a smartphone without unlimited data is mind boggling. In July of 2008, Nielsen estimated that 14 percent of US wireless subscribers had unlimited data plans. Following the tremendous success of devices like the iPhone 3G and BlackBerry Storm, we’re certain this number has ballooned since Nielsen’s report. Considering there are over 275 million wireless subscribers here in the US, we’re probably looking at somewhere around 50 million unlimited data plan-toting people currently gobbling up the nation’s wireless bandwidth.
Devices by RIM, Apple and Palm take advantage of unlimited data plans and keep a data connection alive at all times. Why wouldn’t they? This active data connection allows apps to go from dormant to useful with minimal delay — when it comes to UX of course, every millisecond counts. Enter S60 devices. Because the US is pretty low on the totem pole when it comes to Nokia’s target markets, S60 handles data differently. Abroad of course, unlimited data plans are not in abundance as they are here. Data is more expensive so every kilobit counts. As such, S60 handsets leave it up to applications to initiate a new data session each time they need to communicate. Since data sessions are then closed when an app is done communicating, users save money by minimizing throughput. Abroad, this is a great cost-saving feature. In the US, it’s merely a burden.
Since BGR HQ just took on a few new Nokia handsets, we were promptly reminded of S60’s connectivity data connectivity issues. As it happens however, a Nokia rep alerted us to a solution. Buried deep within the device settings where even most S60 power users we discussed the matter with couldn’t find it, there is a simple setting that can be adjusted to keep your data connection alive. On your S60 handset go to Settings -> Connection -> Packet Data, change “When Needed” to “When Available” and then key in your Access Point. You’ll now find that your handset keeps a data connection alive and when you launch data-dependant apps, they will spring to life much faster than before. Of course battery life will be affected to some extent, but you’ll have to decide which you value more: longevity where battery life is concerned or efficiency where usage is concerned. Unfortunately, it’s a choice S60 users are currently forced to make.
1st baby!!!
“Great,” I thought. “When Needed”. My reward for an awkward orgasm that was just slightly less satisfying than a good sneeze.”
Can I be first?
I guess not—of course, this is also true for a number of phones. It’s one thing I dislike about the winmo phones I’ve used, once you turn on an app that wants a data connection, I have to manually kill the data connection, which can result in a huge battery drain. How many phones do we see where reviewing folks whine about battery life, only to find they’re leaving wifi, bt and tel data connections open 24/7. I’ll take the extra few seconds to connect and have a battery that lives a lot longer.
Unfortunately, the battery draw with this setting on is definitely noticeable. Even OmniaHD users have reported that they get significantly better battery life with the device set to “When Needed”.
Sure the “When Needed” can some times make an application take longer to connect and load vs. “When Available”, but the battery life difference is worth it. I have mine set to “When Needed” and my applications start and connect almost instantly… mind you I have a N95 8GB on Rogers Wireless who now offers 3.5g
This option isn’t just for the S60, I think it’s on every Nokia GPRS and above phone.
FWIW, on my 5800XM it was in Settings -> Connectivity -> Admin Settings -> Packet Data. Not sure what you’re suppose to key into “Access Point” I’m not sure…
Wow this has been an option since before S60 phones–with S40 phones. I always preferred seeing the G at the signal strength indicator.
hmm, i’ve never had any problems with s60 and data connections….maybe because i’ve always found that setting
What zephxiii Said. Adjust settings, turn on data – first, second.
Great post, tho’!
I’m trying to get the message from this article as a positive solution; only problem is that it sounds like a negative remark on how S60 works with Data. If anything, it’s nothing new; just a setting that some find useful because they like the PDA function of S60 without data, and those who are always connected. Which is true of other people with other OS’s too. Finally, you would think that you would have better news posted than you being stumped on an S60 setting and having resorted to Nokia customer care. And no it’s not buried in the system, you’re probably just not a power user and you prefer having no control of your phone. So much for the genius part huh? I specially like the image you posted for the article; of Nokia’s most internet connected smartphone: The N97!
How is this a problem? OK, so it’s not easy to adjust and you have to know where to look, but ppl are being given a choice.
How many times do ppl complain about phones not giving options to manage the device and its services as you want? Now when you get the option, theres a complaint the default isn’t what you like?
Storm in a teacup. Really.
Ben
People are still doing that frist crap when will it end….
My E71 thanks you
As much I’m looking forward to BGR’s N97 review, I know that it should be taken with a grain of salt. It’s pretty obvious they’re biased against nokia, like most western sites are.
Whoa. There are some serious claims here that you don’t have the facts to back up.
First, about wireless data plans. Zach, in the article you claim that “abroad of course, unlimited data plans are not in abundance as they are here [in the US]” and “data [abroad] is more expensive so every kilobit counts”. Have you used wireless data in Europe or Japan yourself? Have you got facts on what the services cost there, what the coverage is like, and how popular they are or aren’t?
In Finland, for example, unlimited data plans on DNA and Elisa start at 9.80 EUR a month ($13.70 USD). On another operator, Sonera, they’re a bit more, 14.90 – 19.90 EUR a month ($20.80 – $27.80 USD). Those are all completely unlimited data plans on HSDPA networks with no monthly caps, but there is some variance in the prices depending on what the real max connection speed is set as (1 mbps to 7.2 mbps). All the plans incl. tethering as well.
In Germany on T-Mobile, the iPhone plan “Complete S” incl. unlimited HSDPA data, unlimited SMS on T-mobile, and reduced rates on voice calls is 44.95 EUR a month ($62.80 USD). An unlimited data-only plan, “Web’n'Walk Plus”, is 34.95 EUR ($48.90 USD) a month.
In Ireland on Vodafone, an “unlimited” data plan with a 5GB monthly cap is 19.99 EUR a month ($27.90 USD). Additional usage is charged at 2 eurocents per megabyte.
Those are just some numbers – feel free to look up some more countries. Sure, they could be even cheaper, and US operators have actually done a decent job with their own data plans recently, but now let’s look at where they stand. These are prices from September last year so feel free to correct these:
Verizon Wireless: 5GB data plans range from $24.99 to $44.99 for phones and are $59.99 for wireless modems.
AT&T: 5 GB data plans range from $30 for unlimited personal use to $60 for unlimited use plus tethering for phones and $60 for wireless data cards.
T-Mobile: Unlimited data plans for phones range from $29.99 for the Sidekick to $89.99 for an enterprise BlackBerry plan. Unlimited data cards are available for $49.99 a month, but they only work on the EDGE network.
Sprint: Has an 5GB wireless data plan for phone included in its $99 Simply Everything plan or as part of two other plans that range from $69.99 to $169.99. Wireless card users pay $59.99 a month for up to 5 GB.
So it doesn’t look like the US is so much cheaper than Europe, does it? And Japan… Well, I’ll let you look up those numbers yourself.
Second, about data connection settings on Nokia devices. On all the Nokia devices, N and Eseries, that I’ve ever used, the “Packet Data” setting has always been set to “When Available” by default, and my data connection is always on. Has been so in Nokia devices I’ve used since 2004. Those have been Nokia devices I’ve bought in Europe and Asia, so maybe somehow things are different in North America? But it clearly isn’t because “data plans are so expensive in Europe” like you claim.
Zach Epstein, please tell me, is this your attempt to take on Nokia because you for some reason hate them, or on Europeans because you for some reason hate them too?
Or are you just plain ignorant? Don’t get me wrong – I live in Canada myself and have no reason to start a North America vs. Europe fight here, but I just don’t understand what it is that you based this article on? The iPhone, the Pre, some of the newest Blackberries – they’re all great devices, as great as say the Nokia N97, but they shouldn’t make you think that somehow the US is suddenly now on top of the wireless game in the world in every possible way. There is still some catching up to do in terms of penetration as well as rates, terms and especially roaming charges here in North America.
So would you please post an update to your article and correct these facts? Or if you think that I’m wrong instead, please send me the facts you have. I thought that BGR was a somewhat reliable, legitimate source of information, but right now I feel like I will never need to come back to this site again.
You… are a fucking… retard. Sorry, but all you douches that constantly cry about bias need to move out of your grandmothers’ basements, put in some overtime at McDonald’s and save up to buy a fucking dictionary. Do you know what the word bias even means? Tell us, please.
This article poses a solution that might help some S60 users. Like mitch above, for example. So pray tell, how exactly is this article biased? What exactly is it biased toward? I really want to know.
@El Bastardo:
Calling other people “f’ing retards” is probably not the best way to make yourself sound much smarter.
Check out the long comment I posted about data plan prices in Europe and data connections on Nokia devices. It does sound like this article isn’t based on any real facts. First, the US doesn’t have the cheapest unlimited data plans in the world, and second, Nokia devices aren’t nearly always set to kill the data connection every time, but keep it always on by default.
And Zach Epstein, the author of this article, what’s with the picture of an N97 and the speech bubble? I find it very, very hard to believe that this article is in no way biased.
I think El Bastardo deserves to write for BGR!
But, I would agree, BGR does not do so.
Karri are you on facebook? I’m totally loving you right now! I hope your a Ninja! Joe and Richie we gotta get this one on our contacts! Marvelous! I read your entire reply while at the drive through at McDonalds so eat my nuggets!
As a regular Boy Genius reader and Symbian Freak, freel free to contact me about any “obscure” features you find hard to nail down. FYI, most device settings can be found under Settings, which seems elementary to me. How was that hard to find??
And as Karri so eloquenty stated, the data game is much better outside the US. I suggest you do more analysis and research abroad.
The only reason America is so slanted is this carrier subsidy business. at&t can afford to give you a $500 rebate on your iPhone because they’ll squeeze it out of you in apps, services, and charges, whereas they won’t give the N97, which has far greater appeal and potential, because they can’t play games like that. Its too open of a device. Give it a similar subsidy, its the new best seller.
In the future, take more time to learn the features of the various platforms available for device you claim to review. That was a simple solution that was in Symbian 2nd Edition, and I’m shocked you didn’t know that, while all I ever hear is Symbian can’t this, won’t that.
You guys don’t know much about Symbian, and I hope you become enlightened. Its not an iPhone, but its an Nseries, which says mounds. Find out why the rest of the world thinks we’re idiots. Let a British techie use an iPhone for a week and see his response. The Symbian ecosystem is top notch. Let me know if I can help with anything. I’m very knowledgable on all versions of Symbian, including hacking, repairing, flashing, patching, etc. I’d love to work with you guys to properly expose Symbian to your readers. My experience may be valueable.
hey Karri. You’re a star for a day. SFFL.
“…and the geeks shall inherit the earth.”
I can’t say I agree. Unlimited plans here in Spain are a lot less than they are in the US. Unlimited data plans for smartphones / non smartphones with NO push email is 12 euros (15 dollars) a month, while PUSH solutions for nokia, blackberry and winmo, is the same prices (even though different plans) 18 euros (23 dollars) a month. People here just aren’t USED to it. Unlimited calling plans in the US cost around 100 dollars a month, here that doesn’t even exist. People aren’t USED to RELYING and DEPENDING on the their phones. Things are changing. The average person in Spain has a contract and a prepaid, that means, 2 numbers dedicated only to them. But data plans are CHEAP here (compared to the US) and my BB & I thank Vodafone for that!
I got the New N97 Today and It sucks ! No way to sync my Outlook with the phone… Did nokia learn anything from the G1 launch ? Wow !! ovi Sucks !! Does not sycn with outlook or Google..