Wi-Fi Setting?

[dreemesicle]

The Droid is my first Smartphone and I'm a bit overwhelmed here.
About Wi-Fi...Is this used mainly when you don't have a wireless connection and it helps find a "hot spot" so you can connect to the Internet, yes?
And...Should I keep the Wi-Fi setting turned off?
Thanks a bunch! Hope everyone is having a fantastic evening!
Tammy*

[wuyanks]

you shouldn't just connect to any random wi-fi you can find. if you have wi-fi at work or at home, use that instead of the 3g, to minimize charges ...also, sometimes wifi is faster than the 3g, or is useful when 3g is not available in a certain spot). disable wifi when you're not using it to preserve battery.

hope this helps.

[dreemesicle]

if you have wi-fi at work or at home, use that instead of the 3g, to minimize charges

I'm a little confused...You said to minimize charges, use wi-fi at work/home if I have it. What charges are you talking about? Right now I'm paying $30.00 for the data plan. Thanks for your help Wuyanks! I really appreciate it. Have a great day tomorrow!
Tammy*

[msheldon]

Two big reasons to use Wifi from my point of view:
#1, depending on your network, it's usually faster for downloading and browsing
#2, some apps will only work on a wifi network. The Tivo remote control, Squeezebox remote control etc are some, another is the remote server access of ES File Explorer. In short, when you need to access local network resources.

I generally turn Wifi off unless I'm at home.

[Yorba]

Likewise -- the MyVerizon app (which is a quick way to see your minutes, etc....) will not work over wifi.

I only use the wifi at home and that is to get some additional speed.

[wuyanks]

if you have wi-fi at work or at home, use that instead of the 3g, to minimize charges

I'm a little confused...You said to minimize charges, use wi-fi at work/home if I have it. What charges are you talking about? Right now I'm paying $30.00 for the data plan. Thanks for your help Wuyanks! I really appreciate it. Have a great day tomorrow!
Tammy*

ignore my statement about additional charges... but yes, wi-fi is useful for faster speeds where applicable... (work, home, etc)...

[dreemesicle]

Thanks Yorba and MSheldon! You guys are great!

[jdubbs23]

I think though some location apps like Locale use wifi even if not connected. I leave mine on all the time until I notice a prob with battery usage.

[garrett]

also since CDMA can only do voice or data at a time... if your connected to wi-fi you can talk and browse and you will also recieve texts and other messages when you wouldnt if you werent on wi-fi

[ygohome]

also since CDMA can only do voice or data at a time... if your connected to wi-fi you can talk and browse and you will also recieve texts and other messages when you wouldnt if you werent on wi-fi

Are you speaking specifically regarding the droid? Because I have a CDMA Touch Pro (WinMo) and i can receive calls at the same time I'm browsing the web using my data connection.

Another nice to see feature would be an app similar to WMWiFiRouter except for the Droid. That app (for windows mobile) connects via cellular network for broadband and then uses the phones wifi to connect to your laptop(s). In other words it works like an access point router. I connect three laptops to the device via wifi (uses wep security), no cables.

By the way, I can accept and send phone calls on that phone while using wifi and the dataconnection at the same time. Curious why the droid would be any different unless its an OS limitation.