WiFi gets turned on when determining location

[Guest mleithner]

Hi all,

just noticed some rather undesirable behaviour of my recently bought Galaxy S:

Suppose you have the option "Use wireless networks" enabled (under "Location and security"). Also, suppose you can receive a wifi network you have previously stored (in my case, a WPA one, but I suppose it happens regardless of security method) - for instance, when sitting in your office - and have turned off wifi.

When an application (for instance, the Beautiful Weather LWP) requests the current location as part of its refresh process, apparently wifi gets turned on and connects to the stored network. It isn't turned off after the location has been determined either; it simply stays turned on.

Essentially, the location service undermines my decision to turn off wifi, which is pretty bad considering the rise in energy consumption.

Is this an isolated case or does your Galaxy S also behave that way? And is there any way to modify the location settings so that it _only_ uses the mobile network and never wifi?

EDIT: Correction - apparently, wifi is turned off after location determination; problem: Sometimes apps are backgrounded and stay there, trying to get your location. I'll then have to search for that app and kill its process, which is far from perfect. So my second question still stands: Can we force the phone to only use 3G to determine the location?

Edited August 20, 2010 by mleithner

[Guest Shange]

I've also noticed this on my SGS with original JF3 and wondering same thing.

I can often see that Latitude is turning on WiFi. How is it possible to only use 3G to locate my possition?!

Is this bug maybe fixed in a new FW?

[Guest Dan Mullen]

I've also noticed this on my SGS with original JF3 and wondering same thing.

I can often see that Latitude is turning on WiFi. How is it possible to only use 3G to locate my possition?!

Is this bug maybe fixed in a new FW?

Definitely a bug that exists in JF3. I just upgraded to JM1 today and haven't noticed it happening yet, although from what I've read on XDA I don't think it fixes it. I'll watch for it happening again.

[Guest hondaguy]

there is a thread over at xda-developers that show a code that allows you to change the gps settings. i cant remember if it is a gps fix thread or just a service code thread...either way, i entered the code a few days ago and there is an option to turn skyhook on or off. skyhook is an app that uses wifi to help get a quicker gps lock, so i am guessing that if it is enabled on your phone any location request will activate skyhook. i might be wrong, though. just a thought

[Guest mleithner]

Dan, you were right. Just tested it on the Modaco Custom ROM (installed over JG5), it only used 3G this time.

Still, I like hondaguy's solution. Just, you know, for the fiddling around with phone internals.