SOCKETS AND NETWORKING IN ANDROID
the java solution for sockets are available in android (e.g. Socket ServerSocket), they require a multi-thread solution, and explicit permission in the manifest file
MANAGING NETWORK STATE
There are also components to interact with the network state
- ConnectivityManager Answers queries about state of network connectivity and Notifies applications when network connectivity changes
- NetworkInfo Describes status of a network interface of a given type (e.g. Mobile or WiFi )
COMMUNICATION LIBRARIES
There are also libraries that handles the networking requests and the threading issues related like volley and okhttp
NETWORK CARD MANAGEMENT
The network card can operate at different energy limited levels:
- high power max data transfer rate maximum energy consumption
- low power network card at the 50% of the power
- idle no connection available minimum energy consumption
BEST PRACTICE: BUNDLE DATA TRANSFERS
In order to be energy efficient a best practice is to bundle the data transfers to limit the amount of time the network card is active
