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Newb Data Usage Question

D

Daug

Newbie
Hey Guys--

I'm moving from old-school Palm OS to Android soon. I've decided on the LG Phoenix from ATT for my foray into Android.

I know that just turning on sync for the default apps (calendar, widgets, email, etc), will require a data trickle as I go about my day updating my calendar, getting email, and so on. I don't plan on installing many data-heavy apps; mostly just using the included apps on the device. I want to stay @ the 200MB/month plan for $15. I know I can turn off sync if I need to. My question is, though, can I set sync to only occur over wifi, say, when I get home every day, at a set time (like 2am)?

This way, I can save my precious 200MBs for during the day when I really need them for maps, light surfing, etc. Secondly, if I MUST use the data connection to sync, is there an easy way to just tap a "sync everything now" button? Or will simply turning sync back on do this immediately?

Thanks for any advice, as well as any anecdotal experience =)
 
I think you could also turn on airplane mode (which disables the cellular radio), and just enable wifi when you get home.
 
This is actually a really good question. I'm always trying to figure out the best way to do things - and you're right, airplane mode works well but if I can't receive calls then it won't work for me.

There's an app that manages your data use, but I can't remember the name of it... try searching around the market?
 
Daug said:
My question is, though, can I set sync to only occur over wifi, say, when I get home every day, at a set time (like 2am)?
Click to expand...
I'm fairly sure Tasker can do this. If you want an appliance app I'm sure they exist I just don't have any suggestions.
 
I was back on the forums, so I thought I'd reply quickly with my experience so far..

I'm able to stay under 200MB no problem. I use "Y5 battery saver" which turns on wifi when i'm in a known hotspot where i've used wifi before. it locates me based upon that cell tower. very useful app & free.

i usually sync over wifi only. at home or work. i only sync over wpa protected networks, and don't do anything "personal" (email, fb, etc) on open networks.

I use "Synker Beta" to sync everything at once (contacts, cal, gmail, docs etc). I think "Tasker" can automate this, as mentioned by takeshi, but I haven't bothered.. i just tap my "sync all" button that I set up with "Synker Beta" when I get home every day.

The phone has a convenient "3g data" widget that you can put on the homescreen to toggle 3g on & off. I have auto-sync turned off, but i leave background data on, so i get update notifications, etc. it doesn't use much data, just a trickle, and i can decide if i want to update apps & stuff later on over wifi.

normal web surfing, FB, maps & nav over 3g has been very data light, and i have no problem staying well under 200mb/month. There is plenty left over for occasional youtubing & news vids, etc. Again, though, I don't use data-heavy apps. I use "3g watchdog" to monitor my data usage.

so, if you're on wifi 90% of the time like me (home & work), you should have plenty of data left over for the weekends & other sojourns, IMO. very happy with android so far, and already anticipating better phones & OS updates. my foray into android has been great so far.
 
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