This isn't my phone, it's an image stolen off the internet with a circle and arrow added, but I have the same symbol come up on my Razr. It's intermittent, and it seems to me that the battery depletes quite quickly when it's there (i.e., from full to nothing in 18 hours).

I lost my manual when I moved, so I can't just look it up. Any ideas what this means, and if it would have an effect on battery life? Thanks.

Probably you got bluethooted.....

BluThooth takes up a lot of resources which is why your batts are giving up earlier...

I accidentally turn on my bluthooth all the time, so just go in your settings and make sure its off, otherwise if it's something else
I have no idea what it could be

This:

is the bluetooth symbol...I think the arrows symbolize upload and download activity...like from the internets.

I'm pretty sure that could drain your battery too.

Its probably the Edge or "internet" connection thats on and is blasting at full power to get connection to the cell tower.

It's your current "Hot or Not" vote activity.

Curiously, "Vision" (which is the internet browser) is turned off. I wonder if it's auto-downloading a big software update or something?

Maybe the Government is tracking you? Have you said anything seditious lately?

Usually those signs do indicate internet, although you might not be using it. It could just mean its checking for firmware updates, something along that line.

This is why I own a Nokia.

I'll try that brand next. My wife's previous Kyocera had continual battery problems, her current Sanyo has an awkward interface and the battery dies without warning (battery gauge is full for hours, and then drops to nothing in minutes), my previous Samsung had terrible audio quality, and my current Motorola randomly puts itself in various modes that deplete the battery within a day.

^ I swear by them, as does my family, as does pretty much any country I've ever been to other than the US or Canada.