Norton Mobile Utilities Public Beta

[Andmike]

Thanks Erik,

I think it is probably worth doing the "doable" bit as I assume it should be a relatively simple task, but do not see it as urgent.  Others may differ.

Look forward to the new features...

[DaveSyd]

Hi there DaveSyd again - sorry lost my log on detail for a while....

To clarify I should have said a 'broadband' limit not a wifi limit. Meaning the wifi consumption via my router I'd like to get a notification if it goes beyond a certain level. Trying to segregate public wifi etc. is too complicated. In any situation like that I could change the wifi limit based on what it is now in order to get a notification. I might be up to 1GB already and if I to wifi hotspot and pay and what to be alerted when I reach the limit I might set the alert to 1.100 GB before I hit the next billable amount or something... In terms of programming just replicating a simple notification and the user can work out how best to use it.

In terms of the free URLs I don't expect miracles in terms of programming, simply a list that user can enter where anything under that domain fb,LI, Tw would be ignored, as multiple URLS. If the Url changes then I wouldn't expect it to keep track. OR it could be certain apps that network usage is ignored. I have a couple of applications that the carrier installed on the ROM of the phone that already fall into this category - they operate in the backgorund at boot (much to my disgust) and use some URL that is free and they constantly consume network according to NMU stats, but the carrier usage is always lower than that reported by Norton. This is Optus Aus. "Mobile TV" and "Music Store".

While I am on the Network usage stats (Device, Network graph, Network Usage) I am not sure these are accurate. The stats are reset at some random intervals (Network usage since...). Also I don't think they are accurately picking up a 'change in state'. I went a whole day with Wifi turned off using mobile data because it is lower demand on my battery - and NMU did not show any increase in Mobile amount? Or perhaps it does not refresh this text comment is not consistent with the graph or other displays?

PS. It would also be nice to click through to the app details from the CPU, Memory, Network usage list on the app. Currently tapping the app name on the usage bar graphs only highlights the app but goes no further right now. ie. Intergate the Apps function on the home screen, into the Device Usage screens.

[Andmike]

Hi DaveSyd,

I will leave the Norton team to take on board most of your comments but thought I would just pick up on your:-

"The stats are reset at some random intervals (Network usage since...)."

If you select "Settings" on the "Usage" screen you should get "Billing start Day" at the top of the next screen.  This allows you to set the day of the month when the stats start counting.  Or at the bottom of the list you have "Clear Usage Data" which allows you to reset whenever you wish.  Obviously stats will also be at least partly reset if the phone is fully reset or Norton Mobile Utilities (NMU) is uninstalled/reinstalled etc.  But otherwise the monthly schedule should be fairly routine.

I believe that the stats, in part, use the data already on the phone so some info should be available even before the date NMU was installed.  You may or may not be aware that (using the top left button on the usage screen) you can view stats for the last three months.

Not sure if that help but I hope it does.

[erik_carlstrom]

OK, so what you're asking is different.  It would be more about tying a WIFI cap to a specific Access Point.  

As to the URL item, you're mentioning apps that are using the network but aren't counted by your provider.  I don't think adding a "URL" would be a solution for you.  A URL implies via a browser.  For an App you'd need to debug the app to figure out the communication to then exclude.  I think I have a better understanding of what you're suggesting.  

Do you have any other Apps that can be used as examples?  Do you see these Apps being counted by NMU?  

[DaveSyd]

Andmike

I am not talking about data uage sceen and settings. I understand all the options there on the Usage screen and the fact that there is 3 months history.

I'm sorry I can't seem to get past the Captcha checking to be able to post a screen shot, as this would shortcut the process. On version 1.0.2.77, starting at the NMU home screen tap Device (not usage), then on the scrolling list of graphs, tap the the Network graph, then you see Network Usage screen. In grey print the the right of the title it says now; "Since 21/10/2011 9:16pm) Mobile: 754.3 kb, Wi-Fi: 23.3 MB. While the date time as I write is 22 Oct 2011, 7:53pm (I am 14 hours ahead of Central US time in Australia). Wifi has been turned off for all except about 20 mins. While the widget data (current month mobile data) on the home screen has advanced by 30MB or so since 7:53pm yesterday!  

What I am saying is that usage screen will reset it's base line on some unknown frequency excepting any reset, shutdowns of course. My mobile data (Home, Usage not Device, Settings, Billing start day) is 23rd of each month. I am also question the accuracy of the data totalling going on. I mostly during the day have wifi turned off because my firmware version (2.3.3 KE7) has a bug which starts "Wifi Sharing" feature and sucks don the battery constantly (completely unrelated to Norton). During the period I have wifi turned off, incl in the car while using trapster - the NMU Network Usage screen title bar "Wi-Fi: " the total has advanced further while it was impossible to do so since I have it turned off. So I question the accuracy of these totals that it is presenting to me, and they are inconsistent with the widget data usage total or the baseline is in a different time zone?

Erik - I am not trying to track Wifi usage per access point programmatically - I just want a simple alert and I will figure out how best to set it or change it based on access point, period of the month etc.

[erik_carlstrom]

In order to moniter by access point wed have to first add access point differences. Its a chicken and the egg thing.

[DaveSyd]

Erik

Appreciate you are busy... Please go back and re-read this post and what I have inputted. We seem to be talking at cross purposes.......

I do not want to track Wifi in any complicated way - I am simply suggesting a stock standard alarm notification when all wifi totals goes over the limit that I set.

The confusion is perhaps from the comments from the other party who is chiming in. The notifications /alarm is setup for mobile data right now in .77, I am asking for the same alarm on the wifi side. No more complicated than that, nothing more nothing less... Thanks

[erik_carlstrom]

I was responding to this:

" I just want a simple alert and I will figure out how best to set it or change it based on access point, period of the month etc."

Which implies configuring by access points.  As to an alert for Wifi, we're working on adding that into the next release of NMU.