Leave Wi-Fi running, or airplane mod ? ..... Poll

[sian]

Originally Posted by cromag

I turn it off. (When I remember.)

yep i turn it off on all my devices when not needed

[Hampshire Nanny]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

WiFi is off permanently on my Kindle Keyboard (to save battery life and prevent automatic software updates). I turn on 3G only when I want to download books.

I haven't noticed that I can control 3G and Wi-Fi separately on the Kindle Keyboard. There have been times on airplanes that I have wanted to turn on the Wi-Fi without the 3G also coming on, but I don't know how to do that.

[Tarana]

As others have said, keep it off. Now, that said, if you are using a Kindle HDX and using Whispersync narration then you probably need to turn it on. Sometimes the audiobook downloads, sometimes it streams depending on your source of audiobook.

edited to add: Amazon tells me that the audiobooks for whispersync are now downloaded and not streamed on the HDX and the app on your computer. I don't know about apps on other devices.

[ucfgrad93]

The only time I turn on wifi on my Kindle is when I'm downloading a book. When I'm done, I turn it back off.

[LovesMacs]

I shut off the wireless when I'm not actually using it. Why drain the battery more than you have to?

[crossi]

I never have it on. I sideload all my books through Calibre after downloading to my PC just long enough to move them to Calibre. Then I transfer them via usb to my kindle and remove the book from Kindle PC. I downloaded a few books straight to my kindle when I first got it to see how it worked, once I got Calibre I stopped using that method.

No need to sync books because I only read on one device. I have one reader like I have one toaster. When it breaks I'll get another.

I don't like the idea of letting others know what I'm reading and what is on my reader. I just prefer privacy. Not a fan of the cloud for a lot of things though it has it's uses. One reason I want more memory. No need for the cloud.

[RHWright]

Originally Posted by Teknikal

Cloud is a terrible idea for media, yet they keep pushing it.

I do think it has uses like syncing settings/bookmarks and as a backup for smaller files but it will never be a valid replacement for local storage.

Cloud is a terrible (or, at least, annoying) idea for media to live on. If you aren't near a Wi-Fi connection, or it goes down for some reason, you lose access. Think Netflix when your Internet connection goes down. Don't get me wrong, I have and enjoy Netflix. It just is a PITA when there are connectivity problems.

Cloud is great for back-ups and syncing. And believe me, I was a cloud doubter. Then I discovered the wonders of syncing multiple devices. Setting up new devices easily from cloud back-ups.

They just need to keep it so you can store locally what you want to view/use offline and keep the cloud there for what it does do well.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by RHWright

Cloud is a terrible (or, at least, annoying) idea for media to live on. If you aren't near a Wi-Fi connection, or it goes down for some reason, you lose access. Think Netflix when your Internet connection goes down. Don't get me wrong, I have and enjoy Netflix. It just is a PITA when there are connectivity problems.

Cloud is great for back-ups and syncing. And believe me, I was a cloud doubter. Then I discovered the wonders of syncing multiple devices. Setting up new devices easily from cloud back-ups.

They just need to keep it so you can store locally what you want to view/use offline and keep the cloud there for what it does do well.

...And that's how many of the services work, except for the ones that are ONLY Streaming...and...um...they're ONLY streaming? If you want something that is hybrid, Amazon Instant Video, Google movies and iTunes video allow you to download videos to multiple devices. It's the same with music. Amazon, Google, and iTunes all allow downloads. If you sign up for a streaming only service, such as Netflix, or Amazon Prime (for video) or Spotify or Pandora (for music) then yes...connectivity is a big issue. If that worries you, then...don't sign up for one of those services. BUT. Don't equate "storing your media in the cloud" with streaming only services. It's not the same at all.

Shari

[Lemurion]

For me it's Wi-Fi on all the time. I do a lot of device switching and the convenience of syncing is worth the drain. It's a better fit for my usage pattern.

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I leave 'er on full-time. I can't be bothered with any offy-onny-offy nonsense.

Glad I'm not the only one. I was beginning to get a complex.

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by tomsem

Leave it on and on and on. I switch devices a lot, so I want that syncing feeling.

Never turn it off on my tablets, either.

Same here. We're in a minority I guess.

[sakura-panda]

I leave mine all on too, but I have no idea how it affects the battery life. I've never tried it the other way. My devices are pretty much always in some kind of wi-fi -- except in the car between destinations, which will change someday when I get a new car LOL -- so I just leave it alone. Except for the kids' Kindles and my smartphones (both used heavily every day), I don't charge anything more often than once every couple of weeks or so (longer for most of them) and don't feel like it is a burden or inconvenience.

[DiapDealer]

Woo! A mini-rally for The Leave-It-Onners!

[supermighty]

I've found that turning on airplane mode when I'm not using my device is best. The battery last longer. My Nexus tablet doesn't do anything when I'm not using it; so why not turn wifi off. I only turn wifi on for my Kindle when I want to sync reading positions or download new books.

[DiapDealer]

Since battery-life isn't an issue for me, I can't see wasting time (not to mention remembering) to turn wifi on when I need it and back off when I don't. Too much of a hassle.