One thing that I’ve learned since I got my Nokia N95-3 is that S60 was built for high-speed internet. Being able to multitask means that I can have several data-intensive applications running at the same time, constantly pulling data down. I also have an unlimited data plan, which allows me to not worry about how much data I’m transferring, and the like. Unfortunately, S60 doesn’t recognize that I have an unlimited plan, and thus requires all of my applications to ask me if they have my permission to access the net.
However, imagine for a minute, that my phone had a setting, where I could tell it ‘I have an unlimited data package, you can access the internet anytime you need, and I don’t want to be asked for permission.’ Gone are the Access Point prompts (even with FP2’s Destinations feature, I get them on new applications). Gone are the issues with the Podcasting application not being allowed to automatically resume a download if the connection is interrupted. Gone are the warnings in the email client that enabling auto-polling can result in a massive bill.
So what could be added? Well, applications could easily (and freely) bring information to me. No configuring each application for a specific access point. Even better, applications would then be allowed the freedom to bring information to me. Think of it as the difference in regular email (where you either manually or automatically check periodically) or push, where you are notified of a new email without having to open the mail app and check for it.
I realize there are markets where unlimited data is not even an option, much less an affordable one, and that’s why I don’t necessarily think this should be a default setting. It would just be nice to be able to tell my phone to use this access point for *any* request to access the internet, and to suppress any warnings/permission requests that have to do with mobile data. That, combined with the FP2 ‘Destinations’ feature, would be awesome, and provide a really cool experience, I think.
In addition to this, I’d like a no-data switch somewhere (perhaps in the profiles list?). This is different from Offline mode, because it would simply disable data access, but allow phone calls and SMS to come in. As of now, you can press and hold the ‘End’ key to disconnect any data connections, but that will either allow an application to simply reconnect a few moments later, or it completely disables the application, requiring me to manually reconnect it later. A single, system-wide switch would be great for numerous situations (or even integrated into the new Power-Saving mode).
What do you think? Those of you with unlimited data packages, do you also get annoyed and frustrated with having to tell your phone that it’s OK to access the internet?
