Help Task Killer on the Droid X?

[jr0065]

So i've read a few users on here saying to NOT install task killer on Droid X (or any phones running 2.1 or higher). Wanted to know the reason for this? Or if any of you disagree with this? I currently have it running on my X cause it seems there are constantly unwanted apps running, which actually leads to my next question :

Why does it seem apps on my phone are constantly running by themselves? Im new to android phones, but on my previous phone (blackberry) no apps would start by themselves after the phone was running??

Anyway should I be running app killer or should I not be concerned with the apps running in the background on their own? What will hurt my battery and/or performance more?

 

[damstr]

I started without using task killer. I installed it today. Honestly haven't really noticed a difference.

After I installed it I opened it and it said I had 51mb free...after task killing all the unwanted stuff it went up to 150mb. IMO I didn't notice a speed increase so whether it's worth to keep it or not I don't know yet.

 

[just4747]

I'm not going to go into details but the way Android/Linux handles multi-tasking and backrounding of apps is different than Windows. It has a whole algorithm and calculations to put give apps a lower priority the longer is goes unused while running, and eventually closes it out. Something similar to that anyway, there are sites out there that show a whole work flow of what happens.

So a lot of people say don't bother with task killers as it may mess up the process and cause it to slow the phone down which it wouldn't have done in the first place.
Also, I read that running one could kill your battery faster for some reason.

Anyone care to chime in with one of those links? I'm sure there are tons of threads on this in here after doing a simple search.

EDIT: but two questions: why DOES the OS start a whole bunch of 3rd party apps randomly without you ever starting them? If you do run a task killer it shows that several random apps run but you never even start them.

Also, it would seem that getting that much memory back after killing all apps would only be a good thing...I'm curious how it isn't actually good for the OS in this sense?

 

[lexluthor]

Read this and then decide if you think you need to use a task manager. Hint: Answer=no

Android Developers Blog: Multitasking the Android Way

 

[jr0065]

I started without using task killer. I installed it today. Honestly haven't really noticed a difference.

After I installed it I opened it and it said I had 51mb free...after task killing all the unwanted stuff it went up to 150mb. IMO I didn't notice a speed increase so whether it's worth to keep it or not I don't know yet.

I haven't noticed increased speed either, but at just4747 mentioned freeing up that much memory can't be bad? Im wondering if task killer is affecting the battery though?

 

[nestler16]

Read this and then decide if you think you need to use a task manager. Hint: Answer=no

Android Developers Blog: Multitasking the Android Way

Thanks, I never really understood why a lot of people said that task killers weren't necessary. Deleting ATK as we speak

 

[dookie1]

some apps need memory for cache to perform optimally. if you're constantly kneecapping them with a task killer to preserve 'free' memory, you're not doing yourselves any favors. memory is there to use, eh? why let it sit idle? the OS will handle the taking from the rich and giving to the poor when it becomes necessary to do so.

 

[jr0065]

Given the general concensus here ATK has been uninstalled. Not going to worry about all the apps running in the background.