The Evolution of Technology

Posts Tagged ‘WiFi’

Android users who stream a lot of media will inevitably run into battery issues. The faster the bitrate, the more battery the function will consume. I know plenty of people who counteract this by carrying multiple batteries — one friend carries two in his pocket. But for most of us, the best solution is to implement practices that help save battery life. Via Phandroid, there’s an app that can help you in many ways. It’s called WiFi Status, and it makes sure that you turn off WiFi when you’re out of range.

When you’re around a WiFi network, it’s always best to connect. It actually helps save battery life, since your handset isn’t constantly receiving signal from the mobile network (a signal that varies in strength a bit more than WiFi). But if you forget to turn off WiFi when you leave, you can experience substantial battery drain as your phone searches for another open signal. The more you move around, the more it searches, and therefore the more it drains your battery.

For some of us it’s justifiably necessary. We carry around sensitive information on our Android phones, and we don’t want unscrupulous types getting their hands on it. And so we add a password or pattern lock to our devices. That is, every time the device goes to sleep you have to wake it with a password, rather than the normal swipe of the screen. While the added security is appreciated, the inconvenience is sometimes not. That’s why I’ve immediately grabbed a new app from Ben74 at xda. It’s called Unlock With WiFi, and it makes life easier when you’re at home or in the office.

The idea behind the app is that you don’t need the security of a password or pattern unlock while you’re at home or in the office. Well, maybe some people do. But most of us have our devices right next to us and don’t have to worry about the regular spots we might leave them — cabs, restaurants, bars, etc. And so this app turns off the lock feature when you’re connected to a familiar network. Combine that with an app that automatically turns on WiFi when you’re in range of a trusted network and you have a pretty damn useful application.