GPS, 2.2 and battery life - rethinking

I have to research this more and re-try some experimentation.

From Apple's web page the suggestion I follow is to leave GPS off, unless needed.

But I found this also on Apple's GPS web page. It seems to suggest that GPS is turned on/off only when applications that use it are active. So if I never use Google Maps, then I should see no difference in battery usage. Or if Maps is used, it locates the fix, but quitting Maps, turns off GPS automatically. Right? Is this new to 2.2 firmware?

So my previous experience has been that leaving GPS on just drains the battery faster, even if the applications that use it are not being used. Has this been fixed with 2.2?

Anyone have a definite answer on this? I'd love to leave GPS on, if it really is only turned on when actually used and then off again automatically.

From Apple's web page:Apple - iPhone - Features - GPS

"Save power.

GPS on iPhone is active only when you need it. iPhone powers the GPS unit on and off quickly and automatically, so it won’t adversely affect battery life"


Thanks

 

After running the iPhone all day with GPS Location Services On, it has not reduced my battery life. So the operation seems to be that one can leave the GPS on, and it only turns on when an application (such as google maps, Yelp!, etc) needs a fix to locate you. After that it turns itself off. In the case of Yelp! it asks you first if you wish to be located; in Google maps it automatically turns on and puts you on the map. Quit the application, and nothing seems to run in background that consumes any power.

So this is much easier than going to settings and turning it on/off when needed.

This is good news.

 

I was told that too, and my experience seemed to verify it too. But I've had the LBS on for a week, used maps, Yelp and i.TV a few times (which can use the gps), and I have not noticed any more battery drain then before .

I'm wondering if 2.2 fixed the 'stay on' problem of the gps. A few people over at HoFO seem to have my experience too, as well as another iPhone user in my family.

 

Yes, I keep it on all the time now. Of course I don't leave maps on all the time, only when I'm using it.