Help on a few simple things..

[rpeckham]

First of all I have been lurking and reading up on whatever topics I can for about a week. However, I just received my THunderbolt yesterday and there is a ton of knowledge/tips I have forgotten.

You guys are AWESOME at answering questions and fixing things. This is my first Android so forgive me for these questions (coming from BB)

1. How do I turn off 4G and go to 3G? (wanting to save battery, I live in Seattle so 4g is nice but i want to know how to switch it off)

2. Does hitting the back button (softkey) REALLY close out the application? Or is it still running in the background?

3. Does turning ON WiFi run off my home networks internet? Does this use data if I'm on WiFi?

4. Sync - what does this REALLY do? Facebook wants to sync contacts, Facebook w/ HTC wants to sync contacts, google/gmail want to sync...etc Does this create multiple contacts? I was reading a previous thread on "lync" them but I see that on some screens I still have the dups. If I delete the dups will they just come back after the phone syncs?

I will have more shortly but thanks in advance!!

[Ads]

[hedney3]

ok her we go:

1. the easiest and most efficient way to turn off 4g is to download the app Phone info from the market, after opening the app choose phone information and scroll down to the box that says CDMA+LTE and open that up. next choose CDMA auto (PRL) and there you go 3g.

2. hitting the back button will leave the application and the android OS will close that app when space is needed. no need to worry about it actually killing you battery though. it will have almost no effect on that.

3. turning on wifi will connect your device to your home network and not use any data.

4. sync, this is just your phone syncing your emails, Facebook contacts and so on, onto your phone. so when promoted to sync say yes. this will bsically sync contacts with there Facebook accounts and sync your gmail account to you phone. all very useful things when owning a smart phone. let me know if there is anything else.

[Quicksilver7714]

Welcome to the forum. Glad you joined us.

First of all I have been lurking and reading up on whatever topics I can for about a week. However, I just received my THunderbolt yesterday and there is a ton of knowledge/tips I have forgotten.

You guys are AWESOME at answering questions and fixing things. This is my first Android so forgive me for these questions (coming from BB)

1. How do I turn off 4G and go to 3G? (wanting to save battery, I live in Seattle so 4g is nice but i want to know how to switch it off)

2. Does hitting the back button (softkey) REALLY close out the application? Or is it still running in the background?

3. Does turning ON WiFi run off my home networks internet? Does this use data if I'm on WiFi?

4. Sync - what does this REALLY do? Facebook wants to sync contacts, Facebook w/ HTC wants to sync contacts, google/gmail want to sync...etc Does this create multiple contacts? I was reading a previous thread on "lync" them but I see that on some screens I still have the dups. If I delete the dups will they just come back after the phone syncs?

I will have more shortly but thanks in advance!!

1. To turn off 4g there is an app in the market called Phone Info: https://market.android.com/details?i...=search_result,
Open the app, go to Phone Information, and change the network to CDMA auto (PRL).

2.Yes hitting the back button will Exit most apps. Some actually have a n exit feature if you press the menu button.

3. No running of WiFi does not use data from your data plan, in fact it actually overrides the cellular connection.

4. I have never used face book sync maybe someone else will chime in on this.

[rpeckham]

awesome - you guys are great.

So would the only reason i would switch from 4g -->3g to save battery? If I travel into an area that does not have 4g will the phone go to 3g automatically?

[rpeckham]

Oh yea, my other question.....

How do I power off the device? I feel like a moron here. Hitting the power button just seems to shut the screen off like my bb did. Holding the power button down seems to have no effect either.

Reason for this is I am trying to calibrate the battery as I have seen in some posts (charge while one, turn off, charge, turn on, charge, etc.)

Thanks again in advance!

[hedney3]

that is correct. the real reason to turn off 4g is if you are not in a 3g area your phone will search for 4g continuously, so if you know your not in a 4g area you might as well turn it off and save the battery. otherwise it really doesnt hurt to much if your in a 4g area and stay connected to 4g. obviously surfing and stuff on 4g does use more battery but if you are a moderate user you should really have to worry.

[hedney3]

turn on the phone and then hold down on the power button for a few seconds, then it will give you the option to restart or power off

[rpeckham]

jeez....

thanks

[hedney3]

no problem