Status Bar Data Arrow Indicators

Deleted User · Dec 16, 2013

Hello...trying to figure out if Android 4.4 has changed the data indicator arrows that appear under the 4G or within the wifi symbol that denote when data is being uploaded or downloaded. I've only had 4.4 on this phone and all previous versions of Android had these indicators. Is this normal or a problem with my phone?
Thanks for any help.

Rxpert83 · Dec 16, 2013

It should be a change in 4.4

The data indicator arrows will show up in the quick settings pane, but were removed from the status bar to conserve battery (apparently it used significant CPU cycles to maintain)

If you're the rooting type there's likely Roms that have it enabled

dmiller2007 · Dec 17, 2013

Covert_Death said:
it had nothing to do with battery and everything to do with making a slicker experience for the end user.

Google disagrees...

https://plus.google.com/+DanSandler/posts/NQ1CEhyKMah

3. B

doogald · Dec 17, 2013

alostpacket had a great post on this subject here: http://androidforums.com/motorola-m...eleases-4-4-verizon-moto-x-2.html#post6280476

Key quote:

Sounds like they noticed it was badly programmed and yanked the feature rather than fix it, which is disappointing.

I rather agree. I find it useful to know that there is some activity going on at a glance. Even an iOS-ish spinning wheel in the status bar could alert you to network activity of some sort, even if it wasn't an arrow on each interface icon.

Rxpert83 · Dec 17, 2013

Covert_Death said:
it had nothing to do with battery and everything to do with making a slicker experience for the end user.

Google assumed most users of android weren't really sure what the arrows meant so they buried in the quick settings so power users can still access it if they like but it makes the notification bar cleaner and more "user friendly" since it no longer contains "confusing" arrows.

That's why they got rid of the changing notification bar colors for displaying I'd you are connected to Google services, not the data indicators

doogald · Dec 17, 2013

Rxpert83 said:
That's why they got rid of the changing notification bar colors for displaying I'd you are connected to Google services, not the data indicators

Google said it was the driver for both decisions. Again, see this: A Google Engineer Explains Why KitKat Has White Status Bar Icons And Only Shows Connectivity In Quick Settings

But also read alostpacket's post that I linked above for a sort-of counter-point.

Rxpert83 · Dec 17, 2013

doogald said:
Google said it was the driver for both decisions. Again, see this: A Google Engineer Explains Why KitKat Has White Status Bar Icons And Only Shows Connectivity In Quick Settings

But also read alostpacket's post that I linked above for a sort-of counter-point.

The status bar reason was confusion, not battery saving according to the article you linked (its the same one I had previously read that I was basing my comment on)

" In KitKat, the status icons are white all the time. If you want to see your status, it's in the Quick Settings and orange is used to denote no connectivity. Google did this primarily because most users didn't know what the colors meant."

doogald · Dec 17, 2013

Rxpert83 said:
The status bar reason was confusion, not battery saving according to the article you linked (its the same one I had previously read that I was basing my comment on)

" In KitKat, the status icons are white all the time. If you want to see your status, it's in the Quick Settings and orange is used to denote no connectivity. Google did this primarily because most users didn't know what the colors meant."

You're right. I get one demerit for reading comprehension...

Deleted User · Dec 17, 2013

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm glad to know I can still see it in the quick pane at least. I think the arrows are a useful feature, especially if you're traveling out of a signal range, they kind of clue you in to losing a signal.

Status Bar Data Arrow Indicators

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