Smartphone Thoughts recently posted a link to a really interesting article over at Dan's Data, a PC and gadget review site that's new to me. In the article, Dan writes about two tech phenomena that I've definitely noticed on my mobile devices: The battery level indicator seems to stay above halfway suspiciously longer than it does below; and the signal strength indicator doesn't always correspond to actual call quality. A couple of excellent quotes:

"The signal strength bars on a mobile phone or laptop do, at least, say something about how strong the local signal is. But they don't tell you the ratio between that signal and the inevitable, and often very considerable, noise that accompanies it.

"You may have noticed ... that your mobile phone seems to spend an awful lot of time with its battery gauge saying it's full, or at least almost full. Then, once you get to the half-full mark, the battery seems to go flat surprisingly quickly. There are two reasons for this. They are both bad."

Read the article, and weigh in with your thoughts. Is Dan correct? Have you noticed the same phenomena?

Bill Fisher:

Is Dan correct? Have you noticed the same phenomena?

With the battery, I have noticed that it spends more time under 50% as I absolutely hammer mine.

It may be a case of perception. When your battery is above 50%, life is good so you don't have to worry about the battery life. But, below 50% you start to consider the possibility of running out and so you begin to pay more attention. Now your perception has shifted.

Plus, how low do you allow your to fall before charging it? If you charge at 10%, that is 10% less time in the lower half...

I've been using WM since 2002 and old habits die hard. In the old days when your battery hit 0% your data went out the window. It was like doing a soft reset. Because of this I still get a bit twitchy at anything lower than 40%. I'm also still in the habit of charging every night.

Dave Parker MVP:

old habits die hard. In the old days when your battery hit 0% your data went out the window.

Yes - I know exactly what you mean - it was a bit like the dark ages !

Dave Parker MVP:

It was like doing a soft reset

I think you mean a hard reset - now referred to as a clean reset ?