Noob 3G question - not clear when is 3G used vs. wifi

[wahoowad]

I just signed up for AT&T 3G. Currently I am in a spot where I am on a wifi network yet I see the AT&T symbol showing in the upper left corner of my ipad. Does that mean I am using 3G when I see that displayed? Am I using 3G whenever I set 'Cellular Data' to 'ON' in settings?

And while I'm getting my noob questions out.... is the check status capability in settings going to give me current usage stats or is there a delay between what is reported (like is it a day behind)?

Thanks!

 

[Markswheels]

The 3G symbol will turn into 3 half circles, 1 on top of the other when you are using wifi.

Sent from my iPhone 4 using iPF

 

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

The iPad *always* uses WiFi first - even if the WiFi link is poor..

Tim

 

[wahoowad]

So when I see "AT&T" that means the 3G is enabled but not being used if I have a wifi signal?

 

[DefBref]

That tells you a signal is available at what the strength is. The importatnt bit is to the right of that, if it's says 3G, your using 3G, it's its radiating quarter circles it's wifi.

 

[schmidtj]

When the iPad is sleeping it prefers 3G over Wi-Fi.
Not sure the logic behind this but it does.

 

[wahoowad]

How do I keep email from being downloaded in the background? I don't want my busy work email eating up my 3G minutes unless I explicitly want to view email. I turned off PUSH for email but it still connected and pulled down email - a little confused about that.

 

[Harters]

......... The importatnt bit is to the right of that, if it's says 3G, your using 3G, it's its radiating quarter circles it's wifi.

Excellent explanation, thank you

Sent from my iPad 2 using iPF