I never turn wifi off and the battery life on my device is great. The real drain on these devices is the internal GPS. Ask someone with it and when they leave it on for extended periods it "eats" battery life. I think the statement about wifi using large amounts of battery are hold overs from the WM devices, where the battery literally dies before your eyes while using it. I have noticed that I get the same/better battery life than with my Pearl and I get the same/better than people with the 8300 (both of those devices have no wifi), so this shows that wifi really doesn't impact the device (the Pearl for sure as that is a better comparison as usage, user, and area used in are not variable as when comparing with other user results).
There are so many variables that play a part as the region and proximity to cell towers can really eat battery life as well. Each person, will see different needs. I agree on the laptop issue, but it is nice for a quick check of certain mainly text based sites when without (or too lazy to retrieve) laptop usage.
For me the biggest factor (which would be a moot point for AT$T people) is the UMA unlimited calling feature. Sure is nice not to have to worry about usage patterns or pay for a high minute plan to have that stress eliminated. Especially since I am on a family plan and not sure of the usage the wife has, as being a teacher, she is constantly on the phone with parents explaining what little Johnny has done today, and sometimes these calls can last forever, but with UMA no worries there. I also have no home phone so this is nice to have unlimited calling including long distance without a fee, and my phone goes with me wherever, along with the unlimited calling (as long as I have wifi access).
Last edited by squeakr; 02-10-2008 at 10:36 AM..
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