- From: Josh Soref <jsoref@blackberry.com>
- Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2013 18:05:57 +0000
- To: DAP <public-device-apis@w3.org>
Doug Turner wrote: > Do you have a list of use cases that this networking information API > would fulfill? Not handy, which is amongst the reasons I havenıt sent out this note earlier Marcos wrote: >A few of us are working on that by using examples from native apps: >https://github.com/w3c-webmob/netinfo > >It appears most apps just need to know the connection type to make >decisions about downloading/uploading data. Connection type isnıt meaningful based on local link. Iım often using a WiFi hotspot from someone elseıs phone. Or Iım using metered WiFi (whether itıs someoneıs café / hotel which charges by some unit, or itıs someoneıs ADSL/Cable which has usage caps). >There does not seem to be any valid use case for bandwidth that I can >find. Iım not sure how people are defining ³Bandwidth². Letıs say there are 5 likely links (with any typical person only using 4 / 5 - a child might have two homes, but wonıt have WiMax): WiFi - Corporate / School () WiFi - Home Internet (Verizon FiOS) WiFi - Home Internet (Comcast Cable) WiFi - Starbucks (AT&T) WiFi - WiMax (Clear/Sprint) * Corporate isnıt particularly bandwidth limited, however it does block certain services (including services for which the user has applications) this creates amusing network topography issues. * Cable will probably have a bandwidth cap past which it will cost the user perhaps $1/gb. * FiOS might not have a cap (perhaps it didnıt in 2006) * Starbucks probably has a different max speed than Cable / FiOS * WiMax you might be paying $50/gb >Of course, I canıt see if any application is using such information >internally, but there is not even a hint of that in any of the apps that >Iıve look they seem to be pretty ³brute force² about either just using >WiFi or doing stuff over cellular too. Most of the things people ask for they canıt get remotely useful answers from ³is this a 3g link² or ³is this a 4g link². Knowing that the link has changed otoh can be useful. Windows 7 (and older) lets users tag ³Home², ³Business² and General networks. Knowing when the network changed would let apps answer questions that might be worth answering as opposed to questions that are meaningless (³is this a 3g link²). For current-speed, I think that the WebPerf WG should have APIs, and thus questions in that area should be out of scope. ³Metered² alone is also not a particularly helpful state, in my sample networks above, most of them are ³somewhat metered². However, itıs pretty likely that a user would have a preference of ³please download the biggest files while Iım on Corporate/School² and ³please donıt spend much data while Iım on WiMax / at Starbucks². >From the data we collected, the main cases appear to be: > >* warn the user that this could cost them money (bbc website, only works >on Safari in iOS) >* give the user control as to whether large uploads/downloads should >happen over cellular. >* Prevent accident data transfer over cellular, which could use up of the >user's download quota and/or cost them money. > >Your input would be welcome :) Providing a proper list is on my back burner. However, if people give a list of things they think are problems, and things they think they can do to solve them, I can easily explain ³no² to most of them it isnıt the most efficient way to do things, but it takes me less time, and this is no longer my area of focus. Advantages of being told that your link endpoint changed: If you located the fastest endpoint for your application based on the previous link, you probably want to recalculate and possibly select a new endpoint for your application. If Iım ³NetFlix² and Iıve selected the Cable provider NetFlix local server and the user switches from their local WiFiCable connection to Cellular or a third party WiFi hotspot, then that Cable provider NetFlix local server is no longer local and will probably be charging NetFlix. On average, if your local ip changes, itıs reasonably likely that your speed / topography characteristics have changed, and therefore any considerations that the application has made should be reconsidered At least, thatıs the idea. --------------------------------------------------------------------- This transmission (including any attachments) may contain confidential information, privileged material (including material protected by the solicitor-client or other applicable privileges), or constitute non-public information. Any use of this information by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately reply to the sender and delete this information from your system. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this transmission by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be unlawful.
Received on Monday, 9 December 2013 18:06:29 UTC