Hey guys. I have a nice shiny new N97 (upgrading from an E90 - I actually marginally prefer the N97's keyboard for texting to be honest, could never get on with the E90's), and it seems that Symbian more than ever wants to be connected the entire time. I'd like to know the implications of this.
I have an unlimited-data plan so the cost is not a problem. But does being connected to the net in the background have battery or cancer implications?
Thanks,
Ian
Omroth wrote:Hey guys. I have a nice shiny new N97 (upgrading from an E90 - I actually marginally prefer the N97's keyboard for texting to be honest, could never get on with the E90's), and it seems that Symbian more than ever wants to be connected the entire time. I'd like to know the implications of this.I have an unlimited-data plan so the cost is not a problem. But does being connected to the net in the background have battery or cancer implications?
Thanks,
Ian
battery implications yup - turn it off and will last much longer.
Cancer implications? I don't think we're gonna get conclusive results to that for another 40years
That'll be you homepage active widgets I think. You can choose them to be off-line and then and then when you select one it should ask you if you want to switch back to online.
Speaking of Live Home Screen Widgets...
1. Email can be configure as to how often to check for new mail.
2. Facebook must have some default time interval to check, but I haven't figured it out yet.
3. Accuweather doesn't ever seem to check unless you refresh it.
4. AP seems to wait for some idle time after you've unlocked the screen for a while. It doesn't seem to check when the screen is locked. I have noticed since putting it in my home screen that while I am full-screen in other applications they will "freeze" for about 8-10 seconds before responding to a screen press. I suspect this application more than Facebook or Accuweather for the momentary screen freezes.
Anyone else have any observations?
Thanks guys, think I'm getting a handle on this.
The one unanswered question in your original post...about cancer.
I suggest that you read Currents of Death by Paul Brodeur.
It is an even-handed researching of the issues of why there have been no conclusive studies about cancer and EMF radiation.
Summarizing: he concludes that electromagnetic fields by themselves do not cause cancer per se. Instead he postulates that low frequency (7-100 Hz), low intensity (milligauss), pulsed (this is important) electromagnetic fields interfere with the intra-cellular communications based on calcium ion migration through the cell barrier.
This interference can sometimes interfere with the body's immune system response to carcinogens in the environment.
More simply...[being around low Hz, low intensity fields] + [being around carcinogens] increase your chances of getting cancer.
This is why controlled tests in lab environments where the test animals were kept away from known carcinogens did not result in cancer.
What to do?
Considering that many sources in our daily environment emit these fields (fluorescent light fixtures, TVs, CRTs, wires carrying more current than they should which externalizes the magnetic field), you cannot avoid them entirely--thus you should plan on several hours a day where you reduce or eliminate your exposure so that your body's immune system can respond without interference. Known carcinogens should also be avoided.
For the record...in the N97 manual it says you should not have your N97 closer than 1.5 cm (5/8" inch) to your body. My Nokia 9300's manual said 1". Obviously if you put the phone in your pocket or hold it to your face for a call (or just hold it in your hand for that matter), you've already violated this safety recommendation.
I personally don't worry about it.