GPS question

[Haste75]

Just wanted to clarify whether or not this is true,

If you have GPS turned on, it wont drain battery until an app uses it?

Anyone know for sure either way?

 

[benchmark]

If you turn GPS on, your phone IS already using it to attempt a signal link with the satellite whether or not an application is utilizing that link or not . So the answer to your question is yes, the device uses power to execute this activity though i will assume not as much as if a utilizing application is running too.

 

[philarmer]

This is true. GPS isn't actually active until you get the satellite icon along the notification bar.

When it is switched on you are just making it available for apps to access it.

 

[allvin]

can i get us maps which is free or cracked

 

[benchmark]

This is true. GPS isn't actually active until you get the satellite icon along the notification bar.

When it is switched on you are just making it available for apps to access it.

I beg to disagree , all functions like GPS , wifi, bluetooth etc etc when turned on , mean extra power usage whether or not an application is using them. Thats why the power managements apps have controls to switch them off and conserve power.

 

[Killyouridols]

can i get us maps which is free or cracked

Google Maps??


KYI

 

[Haste75]

I beg to disagree , all functions like GPS , wifi, bluetooth etc etc when turned on , mean extra power usage whether or not an application is using them. Thats why the power managements apps have controls to switch them off and conserve power.

Im tempted to believe philarmer. There is no satellite connection unless the icon is in the status bar, which only happens if there is an app trying to use gps.

I just wanted to confirm this with some authority.

 

[Jason71]

I don't know if the GPS uses any power when on but not being used but if it does it is a tiny tiny fraction of what is used when it is actually active ( on the notification bar) and so in most instances would not be worth worrying about.

 

[TigerClaw]

only when the GPS is in use by an application will it draw power.

having the GPS switched on but not being used by an application will not draw power from the battery.

i have tested this, by having my GPS turned on and not run an application and then running google maps with on my phone, a drain was only seen when google maps was running. (ok this is exact science but it was good enough for me)

bluetooth, wifi and 3g will on the other hand always use up some battery due to them always searching for a signal or connection.

being in a low 3g area will cause a higher battery drain as the phone keeps looking for a 3g signal.

Also having wireless turned on but no connection will also draw more power, this is due to it searching for a wireless signal to connect to.

 

[nacatomi]

I beg to disagree , all functions like GPS , wifi, bluetooth etc etc when turned on , mean extra power usage whether or not an application is using them. Thats why the power managements apps have controls to switch them off and conserve power.

I would agree mostly with what you are saying but I think GPS would be the exception to the rule as it is a one way signal.

When bluetooth is on and not being used it will still need to maintain its "network" in case anything wishes to connect in.

When wifi is on this is generally\always active as the phone use this in preference to the mobile network.

With GPS it is only an outgoing signal so there is no need for it to be using power unless its currently active i.e. the satellite symbol is visible. I would say the option to toggle is more for completeness and to ensure it cant be accidentally activated (and thereby use battery).