[N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

Hi,

is there any possibility to establish a 2G/3G internet connection automatically, check e-mails automatically and afterwards close the connection automatically?
My old SE 850i did this job every 10 minutes - but I can't find a way letting the N900 do that. It's just establishing a connection when I press the "send and receive"-button .. and of course it stays connected after checking the mails.
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
N(9)00bie

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

Go to Settings from the menu and select "Internet connections"
Press "Connect automatically" and choose "Any connection" .
Press save.

Shaq

EDIT: This will always keep you connected. Now you can adjust send / receive options in the email application's settings.

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

@born2wonder:

Thanks for your try to help me, but it's not quite the "solution" I'm looking for. I need the phone to close its 2G/3G connection after checking the mails automatically. The problem is just the draining battery power ...

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

I'm pretty sure that if it's an IMAP server that supports IDLE, it will camp the connection automatically. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

what is "camp"?
IDLE relies on on open TCP connection, but the N900 does not do IDLE anyway (yet?).
Whats the point of having an N900 without an internet connection? If the only connectivity you want is email and mobile-phone, you have the wrong gadget, IMHO. [tongue firmly in cheek]
Just get used to charging it every night? Or is it not lasting that long even?

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

I think N(9)00bie is right. Why should I permanently be connected to the Internet if I do not use it all the time? In addition, why should I waste the battery power for that? A periodically connection (e.g. every 30min) make sense to update Emails, weather news, etc.. In my point of view, this should be also able with WLAN: Is there a known WLAN router, the N900 connects it automatically, update some data, and disconnect automatically. Otherwise, the 2G or 3G connection is used.

Bastl

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

I personally have found that if I leave my connection on, I seem to get better battery usage. Maybe because it uses a lot of power to conenct up each time I go online or check emails (even though I have this as set to manual)?
I can still only get a day out of it before its dead anyway! A bit less if 3g connection is off and I keep switching it on. Maybe I am just in a good 3g coverage area so its not flicking between 2/3g all the time too?

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

@bastl:
That's exactly what I meant :-)

@bonerp:
I don't agree on that. I manually check my mails now every half an hour ... and at lunchtime my N900 is online on 2G/3G for about 2 hours. This way my battery lasts a few days. Other ways (always connected) it just lasts one and a half day ;-)

A further idea would be an app, that establishes & cuts your connection automatically after an adjustable couple of minutes. Preferably fully adjustable in daytimes .. e.g. "from MO - FR 8-12 am and 14-18pm establish internet connection every 30 minutes & close internet connection after idling 3 minutes" :-D

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

To be honest, I dont know what anyones expecting here with battery life. And really, what did you think it was going to be like? Its a high powered device with every connection going, a high res screen and a shed load of apps to play with. If you want a phone for battery, I have a Nokia 1100 in my draw i'll send you, you'll get a week out of that bad boy.

An app that cuts your connection will use just as much power, at best maybe give you a few hours, totally tops. Are you really unable to charge your phone every night?

Once you've pressed the send and recieve, why not manually hit the disconnect option? Also, the phone only needs 2g to send recive mail, why not turn 3g off entirely if its making that much of a difference.

Why anyone would get this phone and not hammer the hell out of it anyway is beyond me. Keep it on 3g, run it down all the time, keep a charger at work, give it a charge every night. Too many people complain about battery, but honestly, what you gonna do? You cant have it all, you cant have this much power/tech without a battery life sacrifice.

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

The poor battery life is not due to the screen or high CPU usage.
I believe the GSM radio is not efficient for data.
See this thread here which does an idle+no screen comparison test:

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=39816

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

Its not a poor battery life for an internet tablet! Your tests show its poorer then an e71, why even compare them? Why not compare it to an Iphone? I could compare it to my c510 if it will help you?

I stand by what i've said though, what are people expecting? I get 24- 36 hours on it with general usage, which included working in a phone shop and demoing it.

Im sorry that some cant cope with the battery, but this isnt a phone for long hauls without charge, everyone knew that going in.

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

Well, as much as I too want more battery life I have to agree. I want more battery because I want to be able to use the device at it's full potential and/or for more time without having to worry about running out of juice, and I am always getting home in red LOL.... but on the other hand, it is true that turning 3G and Wifi off makes it last a lot longer.

I see both point of views, but I don't think an app to connect/disconnect is the solution. The apps (at least the ones that came with the phone) already try to connect when they need it. Much better would be for nokia to improve power management and wait for mugen or any other to release a "bigger" battery.

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

I'm just trying to find out what is the cause of the increased battery usage. Comparing to an iphone is not possible as it doesnt multitask (running IM in the background)

Its not the screen
Its not high CPU

what is it? Its it a software bug, design(if so, what) or the GSM radio?

If your c510 can run Nokia Messaging at 30 min interval + skype+gtalk AND larger battery capacity of 1320mAh.. then yes please compare.

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

Its got to be the GSM radio, I agree, but you dont know how 'idle' the CPU is on idle. For all we know, its still chugging away. A bug in itself, maybe.But your idle results, are my results with general usage, so its not universal. I expected this phone to be worse, and was surprised.

And no, obviously my c510 cant, but thats the point. Phones that can, have poor battery life. The E71 was an exception, but at the same time isnt half the monster the N900 is. Every single N series phone has been like this. Every N series phone made will be like this. Maybe future software updates will help slightly, but it will only ever be that.

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

Yes, I hope its a bug (or software optimization) and not the actual GSM hardware. From my tests I would have expected the N900 to be more like 45 hours v.s E71's 60 hours because of the mAh battery differences

I hope someone at Nokia is still looking at battery optimizations...

Re: [N900] Checking e-mails periodically
 

The phone would be more versatile if you could switch between a full power mode and an power saving mode.

Most of the time I'm at home, in my car or at work, where I have a charger at hand so full power please!! Sometimes tho I'm not, And I get stuck with a dieing battery. Most of those cases I would be happy to know I can switch to power save mode and still be able to do some basic stuff after a few hours ("the train has arrived, can you pick me up from the station?" has saved my day a few times already!!)

I do agree that you can not have both at the same time.

An other solution might be found in the topics about a bigger replacement battery?