Auto Manage WiFi / carrier network?

[ewingr]

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.

I searched and found a thread that indicates that it will use WiFi over carrier, but did not indicate if it did so automatically, vs. the user having to select to connect to Wifi. Also interested in if having the Wifi on all the time is managed in a way that doesn't drain the battery.

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?

 

[Aaronneyer]

If you have Wifi turned on, it will give you a notification when you are within range of an open Wifi network. You can then select it and connect and choose to automatically connect when you are within range. It does drain a little bit of battery when you have Wifi on and it is constantly searching but it's not an absurd amount.