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is there a way to keep gps off until navigating

I leave GPS on at all times (enabled in the Power Widget) and it doesn't seem to affect battery life at all. I still have around 40% left after a 12 hour day of moderate usage. I think if you have it enabled but it isn't sending/receiving data (the icon is not displayed in the notification bar), then it probably isn't consuming battery.
 
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I leave GPS on at all times (enabled in the Power Widget) and it doesn't seem to affect battery life at all. I still have around 40% left after a 12 hour day of moderate usage. I think if you have it enabled but it isn't sending/receiving data (the icon is not displayed in the notification bar), then it probably isn't consuming battery.

agreed. i just leave it on.
 
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So I was wondering about this as well...the ability to have GPS only on when you opened an app that needed it (as long as you weren't using a weather app that geo-located in the background, in which case it might always be running).

I haven't tried leaving GPS on all the time, but I would expect it would use battery. Isn't it going to be locking on to sats and tracking location even if an app isn't actively using it? And would it use more battery if you were in a bad signal location, like inside a building at work?

Anyone know the facts here, as opposed to "I believe" answers? :)
 
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I haven't tried leaving GPS on all the time, but I would expect it would use battery. Isn't it going to be locking on to sats and tracking location even if an app isn't actively using it? And would it use more battery if you were in a bad signal location, like inside a building at work?

Anyone know the facts here, as opposed to "I believe" answers? :)


Well, again, having it "enabled" and having it "active" are two different things. If "enabled" (allowed to be used by apps), it will only be "active" (in use and using battery) if apps need to continually use to update info based on locale (e.g. weather apps). "Enabling" GPS would be done in both the app (sometimes) and under the phone's main settings.

Since GPS battery usage is monitored via the battery/power monitor, along with the visible cue of the GPS icon in the notification bar, there is no guesswork involved.
 
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