Using 3G while on a phone call?? Can the Droid??

[DDave]

So, I see a AT&T commercial about the Iphone. While on a call, you can do other things, like look up a restraunt, or get directions.

So I pick up my LAND line, and call myself. While on the call, the 3G icon goes away and sure enough, I couldnt do anything that required internet access.

So, is this one thing that the Iphone CAN do that the Droid can not?

Please advise.

 

[barry99705]

So, I see a AT&T commercial about the Iphone. While on a call, you can do other things, like look up a restraunt, or get directions.

So I pick up my LAND line, and call myself. While on the call, the 3G icon goes away and sure enough, I couldnt do anything that required internet access.

So, is this one thing that the Iphone CAN do that the Droid can not?

Please advise.

It's Verizon's network, it can't do data and voice at the same time. Not really a big deal in my opinion. I had an iPhone, never used data and voice at the same time.

 

[DGalt]

it's not a limitation of the phone. it's a limitation of verizon's network. GSM vs. CDMA. AT&T / TMobile are GSM networks, which can do voice and data at the same time. Verizon / Sprint are CDMA, which can only do voice or data, but not at the same time.

 

[eeraider]

EV is actually short hand for EV-DO which stands for Evolution - DATA ONLY. This CDMA standard does not support traditional voice traffic, so to complete a voice call, the phone falls back to the 1x-RTT standard and you lose your 3G connection. At 1X-RTT you can still get lower speed data, but once again, not while talking on the phone.

 

[colnago]

GSM version's of the DROID/Milestone are supposed to hit Telus, in Canada, for their GSM network build-out. www.expansys.com has the UK version, which supports GSM 2100 bands (TMo), but at 449GBP, its kinda pricey.

 

[unbreakable]

Is it possible to use wi-fi while on a voice call with Motorolla Droid?

 

[gwlaw99]

you should be able to use wifi

 

[vikingisson]

Interesting, I didn't know that Veriz had that limitation. I can verify that Rogers network can do both at the same time. I was using USB tethering for two weeks and was able to make and take calls at the same time. I also had notifications for email. I even had a call from the front lobby and was able to buzz the person in (in theory I could buzz someone in from the other side of the world).

 

[clos1084]

GSM version's of the DROID/Milestone are supposed to hit Telus, in Canada, for their GSM network build-out. www.expansys.com has the UK version, which supports GSM 2100 bands (TMo), but at 449GBP, its kinda pricey.

TMobile uses 2 3G bands 1700(downlink) 2100(uplink). Theyre the oddball carrier when it comes to 3G because of these bands, makes it really hard to find a device

 

[Vance]

The funny bit is that Verizon users are all asking whether this is true or not because they have never had a situation where they wanted to do this but couldn't! :0)

Really, this is such a minor feature that it honestly shows how desperate ATT is to find some benefit for their network.

 

[winghunter]

Is it possible to use wi-fi while on a voice call with Motorolla Droid?

I needed to look up an address while on a conference call last week, I just pulled over near an apartment complex and found an open WiFi. It worked like a champ.

 

[colnago]

Simultaneous data/voice would be important to me, given that I usually have to jump on a conference bridge while remote accessing a server. Otherwise, I'd hate to get a call while using NAV and miss a turn because the map cache ran out.

 

[craighwk]

The funny bit is that Verizon users are all asking whether this is true or not because they have never had a situation where they wanted to do this but couldn't! :0)

Really, this is such a minor feature that it honestly shows how desperate ATT is to find some benefit for their network.

I think the same thing every time I see these commercials. I think it's hilarious it's the only feature they can drill down on.

Not to say there aren't people out there who really need this and find it hard to live without it. I myself used it maybe once when i had an iPhone, just to test it. Never needed it again.

 

[colnago]

TMobile uses 2 3G bands 1700(downlink) 2100(uplink). Theyre the oddball carrier when it comes to 3G because of these bands, makes it really hard to find a device

Yeah...ordering n900 today, seeing as how all the upcoming anticipated phones will most likely not have hard keyboards. Can't beat $29/mo voice plus $10/mo data on TMo, and makin' all voice calls thru SIP client.

 

[rawness]

Simultaneous data/voice would be important to me, given that I usually have to jump on a conference bridge while remote accessing a server. Otherwise, I'd hate to get a call while using NAV and miss a turn because the map cache ran out.

The map is cached when you start the route. So, if you get a call while using Nav you won't miss any turns because of a lack of map data.

You CAN speak and Nav at the same time.

 

[barry99705]

Yeah...ordering n900 today, seeing as how all the upcoming anticipated phones will most likely not have hard keyboards. Can't beat $29/mo voice plus $10/mo data on TMo, and makin' all voice calls thru SIP client.

Woo! Bet that was spendy. Hopefully Nokia doesn't have a new device out in the next six months or so. If they do they'll pretty much ignore the N900 after that. Happened with my N800 when I had one.

 

[chris.h]

The map is cached when you start the route. So, if you get a call while using Nav you won't miss any turns because of a lack of map data.

You CAN speak and Nav at the same time.

It won't update your route though if you go off course, which can be annoying if you're visiting a city with lots one-way streets. I had this happen to me over the weekend.

 

[syntrix]

For the iphone to do you, must be in an ATT 3G area, hardly possible if you are traveling between cities.

Just don't ever, ever, try to rely on this if you flip to edge. But even on ATT 3G, you'll drop the call so many times, it won't make a difference

 

[WJ1023]

Yes you can wifi at the same time. I tried it just to see.

 

[colnago]

Woo! Bet that was spendy. Hopefully Nokia doesn't have a new device out in the next six months or so. If they do they'll pretty much ignore the N900 after that. Happened with my N800 when I had one.

Getting peer pressured into receiving it as a gift. Of all the phones out, or coming out, it has everything I need/want save for Slingbox and Java support. But you got to love a phone that has adjustable Wifi radio strength to save battery, along with HTML support for POP3.

 

[admorris]

The funny bit is that Verizon users are all asking whether this is true or not because they have never had a situation where they wanted to do this but couldn't! :0)

Really, this is such a minor feature that it honestly shows how desperate ATT is to find some benefit for their network.

Couldn't have said it better myself. That's funny

 

[johninbigd]

I think the same thing every time I see these commercials. I think it's hilarious it's the only feature they can drill down on.

Not to say there aren't people out there who really need this and find it hard to live without it. I myself used it maybe once when i had an iPhone, just to test it. Never needed it again.

I just switched from an iPhone and I do sort of miss this feature when I'm on a long conference call where I'm just listening in. I used to be able to browse the web or do other things while listening. Now I'm stuck just listening in unless I'm in a wifi area.

 

[Jon Nale]

Since the Droid was first released, this seems to be the major thing that the iPhone fan boys have been talking about.

I always like to joke that you can't do voice + 3g on AT&T either, since AT&T has terrible coverage. In my area, their 3g coverage seems fine (I have friends who own the iPhone), but their voice coverage is terrible. My friend who lives across the street from me does not get voice service in my living room on his iPhone, while I get 3/3 bars. Makes no sense to me.

 

[syntrix]

Since the Droid was first released, this seems to be the major thing that the iPhone fan boys have been talking about.

I always like to joke that you can't do voice + 3g on AT&T either, since AT&T has terrible coverage. In my area, their 3g coverage seems fine (I have friends who own the iPhone), but their voice coverage is terrible. My friend who lives across the street from me does not get voice service in my living room on his iPhone, while I get 3/3 bars. Makes no sense to me.

This does make perfect sense! I've had lots of ATT phones (even iphone) and the call quality sucks, reception sucks, and you will drop calls over and over and over again.

I've never dropped a call here (I stay connected when my stationary iphone owners drop, then try to call them back after a bit, and I get their voicemail right away )

If an iphone drops to edge coverage (common), you can't do both either as reported by many people!

This is something that only a few people will use, most people are just falling for the hype in the commercials..... like has anyone really asked why some actor is collecting postcards of people in ATT's EDGE (not 3G) coverage area?

 

[Jon Nale]

<snip>

This is something that only a few people will use, most people are just falling for the hype in the commercials..... like has anyone really asked why some actor is collecting postcards of people in ATT's EDGE (not 3G) coverage area?

Hahahahaha. This made me laugh pretty hard.

So you are trying to tell me you DON'T collect postcards in areas where you have 3g?