Reception icon question

[_dinsdale_]

Couldn't find info in my hand book and searched the forum with no luck.

On my Treo screen top right is the bar graph indicating strength of phone signal/reception. Above this is a little black triangle BUT sometimes the triangle is replaced with two blue arrows pointing east and west. What does this change mean? Why does it happen?

Thanks is advance

Dins

[benjie]

It indicates the device is connected to your provider's data system. Ben

[_dinsdale_]

Thanks Ben, But I don;t really understand what that means. It doesn't do this when I am calling another party. Does it do it spontaneously? I don't have any email retrieveal scheduled and only do this manually (and very occasionally). When I have noticed it I am not online ... at least not aware that I am.

dins

[Stillrockin]

I believe it means that its "Available". Not necessarily that you are using it . . . I am on Cingular and I am pretty sure the manual covers what each icon stands for in the Cingy manual . . When you are calling someone, it probably isn't available because you are using the voice network and not the data network. On Cingular, the arrows represent an Edge or GPRS network availability. I don't know but I would think it means the same thing for Sprint/Verizon . . .

[ffolliet]

i think it indicates the GPRS (internet) connection is active.

freaked me when i first saw it as in the UK most providers charge (significantly) for data nor could i see how to turn it off! the answer to the 2 problems are that data charges are only incurred whilst data is being transferred, so unlike a call that costs as long as you are connected, if you are simply connected to the network but not up/downloading it shouldn't be costing you anything. to disconnect, i worry about battery usage, go to prefs/communication/network/disconnect

[plunker]

My sprint phone does not show an icon as far as I can tell. Battery strength,Signal strength, blue tooth, gps icon. I have never seen an icon showing availible data network.

[maceyr]

According to the Treo 650 manual for GSM phones, the two arrows that are pointing in opposite directions <- -> :

"Appears when when you are connected to a GPRS or EDGE network. You can still receive calls" (Phone overview page 39)

As for the triangle:

"The triangle appears when your phone is on and a GPRS or EDGE network is within range. Some providers do not show the triangle" (Phone overview page 38)

[Stillrockin]

Thanks Maceyr! I knew it was in Cingy's manual, but was at work. Thanks for clarifying!

According to the Treo 650 manual for GSM phones, the two arrows that are pointing in opposite directions <- -> :

"Appears when when you are connected to a GPRS or EDGE network. You can still receive calls" (Phone overview page 39)

As for the triangle:

"The triangle appears when your phone is on and a GPRS or EDGE network is within range. Some providers do not show the triangle" (Phone overview page 38)

[_dinsdale_]

So I take all this to mean that I am connected to the network. But it's not costing me anything until I transfer data. Yeah?

[Stillrockin]

That is correct . . . However, if your really not using the Treo's data much, ffoliet gave you solid advice above about turning off the network to save Battery life . .

i worry about battery usage, go to prefs/communication/network/disconnect