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so...what exactly IS "airplane mode"?

J

John Paul

macrumors member
Original poster
May 10, 2010
97
0
Washington DC
More of a curiosity but what is exactly is different in the functioning of the iPad when you turn on airplane mode? I imagine it turns off WiFi and 3G but considering there are *already* buttons to turn off those things, it seems like a waste to create another button that does the same thing. So I am presuming that it must do more than just that.

Anyone know?
 
John Paul said:
More of a curiosity but what is exactly is different in the functioning of the iPad when you turn on airplane mode? I imagine it turns off WiFi and 3G but considering there are *already* buttons to turn off those things, it seems like a waste to create another button that does the same thing. So I am presuming that it must do more than just that.

Anyone know?
Click to expand...

When the flight attendant is breathing down your neck it's nice to be able to flick it on just to quiet him/her down.
 
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John Paul said:
More of a curiosity but what is exactly is different in the functioning of the iPad when you turn on airplane mode? I imagine it turns off WiFi and 3G but considering there are *already* buttons to turn off those things, it seems like a waste to create another button that does the same thing. So I am presuming that it must do more than just that.

Anyone know?
Click to expand...

It turns off all wireless activity. Wifi, 3G, cellular, and Bluetooth.

It's not a waste at all.
 
Is that anything like "Boss Mode"

Where you are in the middle of playing a game and the boss comes up so you press a button and it instantly puts a spreadsheet up on the screen? ;)
 
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Also I should add that the 3G switch doesn't turn off all cellular just 3G data. EDGE and GPRS still work. Its purpose is to save battery in a none 3G area by turning off the 3G chip/antenna.
 
It also works great when you're in a hotel trying to sleep and the wifi/3g are causing feedback with the clock radio on the nightstand. :D
 
John Paul said:
Wow...seems like a waste but okay.
Click to expand...

How is it a waste? That's the same thing the iPhone button does. I get that your trying to point out that the iPad has no phone but on the iPhone the phone runs off of 3G. Thus when you hit airplane the exact same things are turned off on both devices. Wifi, 3G and Bluetooth. Just with the iPhone 3G emcompases more things. Ultimately though on the iPhone you can't turn off just the phone while keeping the 3G internet. Its all or none just like the iPad.
 
skubish said:
Also I should add that the 3G switch doesn't turn off all cellular just 3G data. EDGE and GPRS still work. Its purpose is to save battery in a none 3G area by turning off the 3G chip/antenna.
Click to expand...

Not true. This is the iPad, not the iPhone. There is no "3G switch" there is a "Cellular Data" switch.
 
John Paul said:
Wow...seems like a waste but okay.
Click to expand...

gsmumbo said:
How is it a waste? That's the same thing the iPhone button does. I get that your trying to point out that the iPad has no phone but on the iPhone the phone runs off of 3G. Thus when you hit airplane the exact same things are turned off on both devices. Wifi, 3G and Bluetooth. Just with the iPhone 3G emcompases more things. Ultimately though on the iPhone you can't turn off just the phone while keeping the 3G internet. Its all or none just like the iPad.
Click to expand...

The OP is probably completely ignorant about air travel, thus of the fact that we turn off wireless features while on the plane. Otherwise, even a child would know what the switch is for, since it says "airplane mode". Not everyone has been on a plane. I suppose that could be the only excuse for not knowing what this is for.
 
Some airlines (or some cabin crew on some airlines) will also specifically tell you that portable electronics with a radio of any type in them can only be used if they are set to "airplane mode." Having the single switch there lets you demonstrate to them that you've complied without having to show them that you've turned off every possible radio signal via separate switches.
 
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