I wanted to post an article that I think will help allot of new android users. This information will make life with Android allot smoother and you will have a better time with your phone if you decide not to use task killers.
I have been using Android OS sense January and would like to share my experience. I came from using Windows mobile OS and everyone knows if you used even a windows computer that processes running can bog a system down. This just isn't the case with Android. The first week I used Android I was killing apps right and left thinking that it needed to be done. Within 2 weeks my phone and apps were force closing and the phone would even reboot on me. Then I caught wind of the fact that I shouldn't be killing apps. It was hard to change my thought process about it but after reading this article and then following it my phone never lagged and I could go weeks without even having to reboot the OS. So here is the link. I did post this in another thread but after reading that thread I wanted everyone to get a chance to read this. Make up your own mind about it, but just be warned that killing tasks can hurt the OS.
Task Killers are quite the hot button issues on Android phones. Personally I'm going to conduct my own tests revolving around battery life, with and without task killers, and doing what's best for me.
Task Killers are quite the hot button issues on Android phones. Personally I'm going to conduct my own tests revolving around battery life, with and without task killers, and doing what's best for me.
I hear ya. You can Google this topic and you will find allot of users that have had problems with the phone even with it just installed. I added another link of one such issue.
Well leave the NBA Game time app running and watch that bitch drain your battery dead. I forgot I had it on on my Hero and it sucked almost dry. I'll be installing it since it has it's use. Also reset your phone and watch all those apps load up and don't kill them and you'll see your battery die quicker.
It's true tasks that run in the background don't do much most of the time, the problem is that it's all up to the programmer. Coded correctly they will use broadcast receivers to do what they need to when they need to, but some people don't code for battery life and do things like they would on a computer. Hopefully you can see the battery drain in the "manage applications" part of settings. If you really need the app once in a while and don't want to just throw it away then that's when task killer is useful. Use the app and kill it when you're done.
For 95% of the time you don't want to use a task killer.
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It's true tasks that run in the background don't do much most of the time, the problem is that it's all up to the programmer. Coded correctly they will use broadcast receivers to do what they need to when they need to, but some people don't code for battery life and do things like they would on a computer. Hopefully you can see the battery drain in the "manage applications" part of settings. If you really need the app once in a while and don't want to just throw it away then that's when task killer is useful. Use the app and kill it when you're done.
For 95% of the time you don't want to use a task killer.
Yes I do Agree with this. One program I found that you can use in situations like this is Astro File Manager. I does contain a process and app killer but its hidden and doesn't take over like some of the others out there. Plus you get full access to your SD Card.
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Can any other Android users comment on this? I would like to hear more about it from people with experience before I decide what I'm going to do! TIA
I have been an Android user from the beginning (I got a G1 when it launched, and switched to the Moto Droid when that launched).
Respectfully, I have to disagree with the the article. I'm not saying that the article is WRONG, but I am saying that task killers, when used properly, serve a useful purpose (btw, the usefulness of task killers has been heavily debated for a while in the Android community).
One of the posters before me mentioned that ideally, apps running in the background will not adversely affect performance and battery life, but it is up to the developers to make sure this is the case. I completely agree with this.
I've had my fair share of apps that took a strangle hold on my RAM and ate my battery, even when I wasn't using the app. Killing unused tasks definitely helped my phone when it would slow down (which, admittedly, shouldn't be a huge issue on the EVO since it has 512 MB of RAM versus my 256 MB of RAM in my Droid).
My recommendation is to use a task killer, but don't get carried away with it, and don't kill tasks that need to be running in the background to function correctly (i.e., widgets, the POP/IMAP e-mail application, etc.). I use "Advanced Task Manager," which allows you to have an "exclude" list and have a widget that kills all tasks NOT excluded with a simple tap. This has worked great for me for a long time now.
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From my experiences so far, I think I'm going to let Android handle memory management.
HOWEVER, that does not mean I will not be using Advanced Task Killer. As the original article points out, it does have its uses. If I have a 3rd party app that hammers my network in the background, and I know I don't want it doing that after I'm done with it, I can kill it. It's good for testing, debugging, and analysis purposes as well.
I think one of the "challenges" is that a normal user doesn't necessarily know which processes to also flag as "ignore/exclude." In that second article you posted, the OP discusses how notifications weren't coming in properly. I'm willing to speculate that ATK killed his e-mail app instead of leaving that alone.
In either case, I just won't be using it for active memory management (which is all configurable). I might experiment with it later, and heavily customize it by flagging various system/core apps to ignore. But if you're a general run & gun kind of user, you're probably better off letting Android do its thing.
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My recommendation is to use a task killer, but don't get carried away with it, and don't kill tasks that need to be running in the background to function correctly (i.e., widgets, the POP/IMAP e-mail application, etc.). I use "Advanced Task Manager," which allows you to have an "exclude" list and have a widget that kills all tasks NOT excluded with a simple tap. This has worked great for me for a long time now.
I think one of the "challenges" is that a normal user doesn't necessarily know which processes to also flag as "ignore/exclude." In that second article you posted, the OP discusses how notifications weren't coming in properly. I'm willing to speculate that ATK killed his e-mail app instead of leaving that alone.
This is a good point. If you're a normal user who doesn't know what to flag as "ignore/exclude," but you still want to use a task killer, I'd suggest:
1) Only kill apps that you've downloaded - don't kill anything else.
2) Only kill downloaded apps that don't strike you as apps that need a constant, always-on connection. For example, a sports score app can be killed, but if you're using a sports score widget that updates scores for you, don't kill it. 3) Don't set your task killer to "auto kill" apps based on the amount of free memory. If you do this, important apps may be getting killed in the background and you won't even know it. Rather, only manually kill things that you know don't need to be constantly running.
Last edited by nyijedi; May 26th, 2010 at 05:31 PM.
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This is a good point. If you're a normal user who doesn't know what to flag as "ignore/exclude," but you still want to use a task killer, I'd suggest:
1) Only kill apps that you've downloaded - don't kill anything else.
2) Only kill downloaded apps that don't strike you as apps that need a constant, always-on connection. For example, a sports score app can be killed, but if you're using a sports score widget that updates scores for you, don't kill it. 3) Don't set your task killer to "auto kill" apps based on the amount of free memory. If you do this, important apps may be getting killed in the background and you won't even know it. Rather, only manually kill things that you know don't need to be constantly running.
I very much agree with this as well. I just remember my win mobile days and we all get taught that killing processes is a good thing. But standard users of the device need to always make sure of what they are killing. I have been running my hero for 2 weeks now without ever having to kill an app or reboot and its still smooth as can be.
Last edited by SirSlayer; May 26th, 2010 at 05:45 PM.
Reason: Fixed the Quote!!
This is a good point. If you're a normal user who doesn't know what to flag as "ignore/exclude," but you still want to use a task killer, I'd suggest:
1) Only kill apps that you've downloaded - don't kill anything else.
2) Only kill downloaded apps that don't strike you as apps that need a constant, always-on connection. For example, a sports score app can be killed, but if you're using a sports score widget that updates scores for you, don't kill it. 4) Don't set your task killer to "auto kill" apps based on the amount of free memory. If you do this, important apps may be getting killed in the background and you won't even know it. Rather, only manually kill things that you know don't need to be constantly running.
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It's for the programmers that don't know how to write programs properly so they shut down in a decent fashion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrvirginia
uh, Froyo 2.2 is gonna have it's own native task killer. there must be some reason why google wants it native now Grenade Tech: May 2010
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i'm using advance task killers! is that also a problem? I haven't seen any crazy problem with advance task killer
I think Advance Task Killer is a complement to the phone since it will kill things automatically. you can set those on Auto and put it on Safe killing
Kill at your own risk! did you read the linked article?? We are not saying its the end of the phone, but should be used with caution is all. I quit honestly never have needed it after realizing what it was doing to the OS. Trust me. You should also read the second link, they just cause issues. So, when your issues start happening before you post you should uninstall any type of task killers first and see if that fixes your issues. Its really up to you how you use your phone. But the experts do recommend not to use it.
Kill at your own risk! did you read the linked article?? We are not saying its the end of the phone, but should be used with caution is all. I quit honestly never have needed it after realizing what it was doing to the OS. Trust me. You should also read the second link, they just cause issues. So, when your issues start happening before you post you should uninstall any type of task killers first and see if that fixes your issues. Its really up to you how you use your phone. But the experts do recommend not to use it.
The "experts"? LOL. I've been using a task killer for about a year and a half with two Android phones, and 3 different versions of Android, and I've had no problems. In fact, it has helped the performance of both of my phones. To each his own.
The "experts"? LOL. I've been using a task killer for about a year and a half with two Android phones, and 3 different versions of Android, and I've had no problems. In fact, it has helped the performance of both of my phones. To each his own.
Good for you! you are one of the lucky ones and you must kill responsibly, I know it can be a hard habit to break, I was there once. And I am sure your phone has works flawlessly. Thats the typical response from kill app artists.
Quote:
Originally Posted by freeza
Changed my mind--I'll probably use one, only to kill third party apps
Honestly, In the 4 months I have stopped using a task killer you still don't need it. The last time I had to use it was with my eris and was on Cricket. I needed to switch from WIFI to 3G and with Cricket you have to use a Proxy to access the internet when not on WIFI. So in order for the browser to read the proxy I would have to kill it and restart it. Even then I noticed lags starting to happen.
No forgiveness needed. There are several task manager applications that let you kill apps and processes within android. Some even have auto-kill features.
Its been a long standing argument for android OS on weather or not to use them. So I just posted my opinion and some articles in hopes people will give it a try. It really does make a difference from using one or not. Some people have good experience with them and some people don't. For some reason though the people that do use them get upset with the people that don't recommend them. I don't care if people use them or not. I just know from my usage it seems to make things run allot better.
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No forgiveness needed. There are several task manager applications that let you kill apps and processes within android. Some even have auto-kill features.
Its been a long standing argument for android OS on weather or not to use them. So I just posted my opinion and some articles in hopes people will give it a try. It really does make a difference from using one or not. Some people have good experience with them and some people don't. For some reason though the people that do use them get upset with the people that don't recommend them. I don't care if people use them or not. I just know from my usage it seems to make things run allot better.
Thanks for the response. So is it essentially deleting applications? Or just ending a current session within an app?
ATK does you good. for battery test, 9 hrs on idle and only use 8% of battery. from 100% to 92% after 9 hrs
So far I have been able to do Google searches of task killers for android and its hard to find someone that has written something positive about them unless you go to the applications web sites themselves. There are lots of users out there that have problems solved when not using them. I added more articles and another forum link that just supports the non-usage of task killers. I welcome someone to post links arguing the other way. I don't want to see "oh it works great for me". I want to see some articles in favor of using them so that we can get both sides.
Yes most of the Android threads have one like this with users saying how great they are, but that's it...just users, and even in that thread most of the users are saying how much the phone sucked when adding one. I had an Eris and it was my first Android phone and was fresh from windows mobile and the task killer caused more problems then helped. I know its a hard thing to let go of the brain washing we all receive from using windows but it can be done.
Using Advanced Task Killer works fine for me and it does look like it is third party apps its killing for the most part, I don't see or understand how that would damage my phone.
Yes most of the Android threads have one like this with users saying how great they are, but that's it...just users, and even in that thread most of the users are saying how much the phone sucked when adding one. I had an Eris and it was my first Android phone and was fresh from windows mobile and the task killer caused more problems then helped. I know its a hard thing to let go of the brain washing we all receive from using windows but it can be done.
Go to the 2nd and 3rd page, when OfTheDamned finally chimes in.
Go to the 2nd and 3rd page, when OfTheDamned finally chimes in.
And your point? She is like me. Doesn't believe in using them. I know because she used to have a signature that also pointed out these articles. It was how I learned that I shouldn't be using them. And like her....I could care less if people want to use them. I wanted to make sure though that all the new users of Android are informed before getting the phone, killing everything under the sun, and then come on here and complain the phone sucks. I saw it all the time in the Eris forum. Figure it might help to keep people informed.
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My point was that the thread wasn't necessarily a "Task Killers are great thread" and that folks like her vehemently despise them, and it's rather amusing when it comes right down to it. It was a light-hearted response, not a serious one.
My point was that the thread wasn't necessarily a "Task Killers are great thread" and that folks like her vehemently despise them, and it's rather amusing when it comes right down to it. It was a light-hearted response, not a serious one.
lol cool. Yea her responses are always entertaining.
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You guys have me SO confused. Now I don't know if I should get ATK or not. I'm coming over from WinMO and every app I no longer needed open, I would close using X-button (well, came stock with Touch Pro).
So, is it not like that stock on Android? In essence, once I open a program, it'll stay running, period? Is there any way to make sure the program stops running once you have it open?
A Task Killer could have its uses, such as when you want to specific kill a certain app for whatever reason. But the big controversy that has yet to proven its worth, is using a task killer's automated "clean-up" functionality, to stop processes that it needs are no longer necessary.
You guys have me SO confused. Now I don't know if I should get ATK or not. I'm coming over from WinMO and every app I no longer needed open, I would close using X-button (well, came stock with Touch Pro).
So, is it not like that stock on Android? In essence, once I open a program, it'll stay running, period? Is there any way to make sure the program stops running once you have it open?
So confused.
First off read the first link in the first post. That link really says it all. I came from WinMO too and it was a hard habit to break, but I would say just don't use one. I do have ASTRO File Manager installed that does contain a task killer if that rare time comes when an app freezes. But if you ask me when was the last time I used it? I would tell you I don't remember.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirSlayer
First off read the first link in the first post. That link really says it all. I came from WinMO too and it was a hard habit to break, but I would say just don't use one. I do have ASTRO File Manager installed that does contain a task killer if that rare time comes when an app freezes. But if you ask me when was the last time I used it? I would tell you I don't remember.
I second this. Task killer is necessary for WinMo but I think i have Used Astro's Task Killer twice since November (frozen apps). Early Novemeber I used them all the time and was having tons of issues.
I would think that ATKs are like Window's Task Manager. When you kill an app, it's like ending a process in WTM. I've had a lot of success with WTM when tasks just hangs up. Instead of rebooting, i would just launch WTM and end the process.
The main question now, is how would I know which process (task) to turn off when I need to - in an Android environment... Looks like I'll be learning the hard way... LOL!
Task Killers! Must read for new Android Users
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