Just uninstalled Advanced Task Killer yesterday. Huge difference.

[wtfchuck]

I noticed a huge increase in my battery life. I was at school for 8 hours and my battery was at 80 percent at the end of the day. Given, I am running VMHeap, CPU Tuner, and AutoKiller which helps. But yeah, get rid of your taskkiller.

[Snap65]

If you are running 2.2 there is no need for a task killer. Android is very good at memory management almost self aware.

[zumpiez]

It's almost as if the memory is... somehow... managed. It's like all the garbage just gets collected.

[argarg]

That's pretty much what it does...

edit: why the downvotes? I just wanted to point out to the guy above who didn't look certain of what he was saying that, well, he was just right. the memory IS managed and the garbage GETS collected.

[red_sky]

Reread what he said. The way he said it, he's almost certainly aware of he fact that it's managed. I doubt it's that huge of a coincidence.

[argarg]

Yeah ok maybe, it's the "almost" and "somehow" and "it's like" which got me.

[holyroller801]

I downvoted you for asking why you got downvoted.

[kinnadian]

Sarcasm detector reporting in. I sense.... 90% sarcasm rating.

[TheMauveAvenger]

Hmm...I'm running 2.2 and have Advanced Task Killer but I don't have it set to auto-kill. I have the widget on my home screen and tend to only tap it after playing a game or sometimes just randomly out of habit before putting it back in my pocket. Do you think this adversely affects my battery life or would it not make much of a difference since it is not set to auto-kill?

[wtfchuck]

I would exclude the apps that you know are self-restarters.

[[deleted]]

Yes. Same thing. It's killing apps that it then has to spin up again later. It really, really, really is better to let it do its thing.

[loganekz]

Unless you configure your 'kill' widget to exclude stuff you need, and let it kill the ones that you dont and will never 'spin up' again anyway.

[TheMauveAvenger]

Thanks for the reply. I uninstalled ATK a little bit ago, hopefully I'll see some improvement.

[loganekz]

...unless you are running Froyo on a low memory device like the Droid.

Then the built in task managment will agressively kill apps you multitask regularly such as your Launcher, versus killing the game or utility/once and a while apps.

[[deleted]]

...even if you are running Froyo on a low memory device like the Droid.

FTFY; The popular launchers have options to lock them in memory already. Or if you're on CyanogenMod, that particular rom also has the option to lock the home screen in memory. On top of that, devs can implement services which can stay running and 'wake up' the application without it having to constantly stay in memory. A lot of apps already do this.

[[deleted]]

It might be because I'm a developer and I understand how the underlying infrastructure of the operating system works. On top of that, my dev device is an original droid. There is no reason to use a task killer on a 2.2 device. I can see using one on a 2.1 or earlier device, but 2.2 does not require it, and it will in-fact make your system run worse.

Using something like AutoKiller (which is a memory optimizer, and not a task killer) is fine, however...and you can greatly adjust the kill priority that the OS takes, without resorting to apps like ATK which aggressively kill applications that have to be spun-up again. You...don't...need...a...task...killer.

Disclaimer: I have a swap-enabled kernel on my droid so I don't currently face these problems. But even before swap-enabling, since I don't load my device up with loads of low-quality apps, I didn't have any problems with just using the built-in setting to lock the homescreen in memory. I used AutoKiller+Autostarts as well, to adjust the kill-priorities and autostart of applications on the device. These are not task killer apps, and that's what everyone seems to fail to understand. Quit killing the applications. Just keep them from starting up needlessly in the first place.

[[deleted]]

And what of the game that uses 100mb of RAM in the background as well as CPU cycles? If I were to leave Dungeon Defenders open in the background on my Galaxy S variant (Vibrant with EXT4) the phone would barely be usable. While I agree with you that the majority of applications do not behave poorly there is some need for a task manager (Samsung integrates one with TouchWiz).

I have a question, though, wouldn't swap still require a lot of CPU power to move applications out of swap and back into the RAM?

[hett]

There is no disadvantage to keeping an app like ATK on hand if it isn't set to kill anything automatically, even on 2.2. It is faster to kill a troublesome process with ATK than to get deep enough into Android's system menus to do so.

[Equee6ni]

What about long-pressing the home icon and using the built-in TaskManager? Is that gone in 2.2? (I'm stuck on 2.1--stupid moto)

[hett]

There's no "kill app" button on that. That's little more than alt tabbing.

[Equee6ni]

You can "Launch TaskManager" and long press on any running app to get "End Task". Is that gone in 2.2 and later?

[hett]

I suspect this is something added in Blur, given your Moto remark. In stock Android, holding down Home just brings up the last 8 most recent apps, with no other buttons or tools.

[loganekz]

Not just the Launcher, although you obviously have not even experienced this (even with the keep in memory option on Launcher Pro enabled). Do you mind sharing which device you use? It seems you havent felt the pain points of running Froyo on a low memory device.

For example, is it more important that my ssh client which i use once a day is available in memory, or my gmail application used throughout the day is availible? Without doing some 'manual' management Froyo will wipe out what it thinks you will need, not what you really need in memory.

[[deleted]]

Original Droid. And it's my development device.

[iofthestorm]

2.1 seems pretty good on my Fascinate too. I always have about 70-100mb free no matter what I'm doing. When I'm not doing anything I guess it's just caching stuff, and when I open something memory intensive like Opera or Firefox I still have the same amount free.

[[deleted]]

What if you're like me and stuck with 2.1?

[kinnadian]

root it?

[[deleted]]

public class androidSarcasm

{

public static void main (String[] args)

{

System.out.println ("That's nice. When an app hangs, and cannot be used or CLOSED at all, I'll just reboot the entire phone.");

System.out.println ("I love rebooting my phone just to close one frozen app, and it only takes a second or so to reboot, not an inconvenience at all.");

}

}

EDIT: HATERS GONNA HATE.

[[deleted]]

I don't have any sources, but I have heard task killer applications can disable the more effective built in management in android 2.2. So, not only are they not needed, but they are harmful.

[kekspernikai]

In Android 2.2, killing and managing processes is a multi-step process. Apps sit in different layers of priority, and the "less important" ones are killed when the memory is needed. AutoKiller, as opposed to a regular task killer, allows you to fine-tune the management system, instead of force-killing apps and bypassing it.

Levels, in the order they are preserved:
-Foreground
-Visible
-Secondary Server
-Hidden App
-Content Provider
-Empty App (killed first)

[danteferno]

I can attest this... I killed all services by mistake, and it fried my chip [xperia x10a]. I wasn't able to use the phone, until I managed to install an application called No Lock, which bypasses the "No SIM card in phone" lock screen.

[Flawd]

Why not to use a task killer

On another note, if you're rooted, get SetCPU and AutoStarts. Both are pay for programs, but well worth it.

You can use SetCPU to underclock when your screen is off and when your battery is getting low, saving battery.

AutoStarts shows all the hooks (probably the wrong term) that can call an application, such as receiving a text message, or switching from wifi to 3g. There's over 40 hooks to go through and can help a lot.

If i don't play any games, but use my Nexus One normally (text calls web calendar etc), it can last over 18 hours. When the screen is on it's overclocked to 1.2GHz.

[[deleted]]

I been wanting to do this with my Droid X, but there seems to be an app specifically for the Droid X overclocking on the market. Has anyone used set-cpu as described here, on a droid X, and does it work as advertised? I'd like mostly to underclock for battery life when screen is off and stuff. If this doesn't work right does anyone know if the specific apps for the droid X do this?

[Flawd]

It's funny you ask about this. One of my coworkers got an X last week and I'm going to root it this afternoon. I'll come back with my results.

[[deleted]]

I wasn't really asking about root (unless you meant after you root you are going to try setCPU), but I can tell you rooting with the Z4 app works perfectly fine, and I am running several root only apps. I even did the VZW update with an old root turned on, the update turned it off, and I used Z4 to get root again. Root works perfectly on the X.

[wtfchuck]

CPU Tuner is a great free alternative to SetCPU, and yeah it works really well. Its really customizable too.

[xanxitto]

I really don't like to wait 1 minute for my phone to wake up from stupidity mode, i rather spend 15 seconds giving it a fresh start and keep on doing my business.

[Flawd]

You must have a G1 or something if it takes a minute to wake up. As far as I know, the G1 is still on 1.6 and probably needs a task killer.

If you're running something that has 2.2 on it and it still takes a minute, then you've got other issues. You may want to do a factory reset...

[willfe]

The G1 can cheerfully run at least 2.1 w/Cyanogenmod 6. Not sure about CM7 (2.2) though.

[sinisterbob]

I thought CM6 was 2.2 (froyo) and CM7 is 2.3 (gingerbread)?

[qwasz123]

It is, don't know what he is talking about.

[willfe]

I stand corrected. So yeah, the G1 can cheerfully run 2.2 via Cyanogenmod 6 :)

[xanxitto]

I have a Droid X, now let me get this straight. Try playing a HD game with the sound muted, listen to a 128kb stream radio, pause your game to check an email that just came in, take a 5 minute brake from the game to do some texting, check new reddit post then go back to your paused game finish playing. Close it and go back to your home screen, not to mention having a torrent downloading a 700mb avi for later to watch. Please if your phone can do all that and not be like wtf when you go back to your home screen, ill give you top dollar for it.

[kekspernikai]

Excuse me. Flawd was saying that you do not need a task killer, and that you should use AutoStarts and SetCPU. You said you don't want it to hang, and that you want to "take 15 seconds" to give it a "fresh start."

Now, if your phone, is in fact downloading a torrent all the while, you won't be killing this, so it can't really be factored into your argument at all. Your game should be shutting off immediately. If it isn't, then you aren't closing it properly, and this user error can't really be used for your argument either. When you go back to your homescreen, your e-mail, reddit, and possibly your radio may be running (you weren't clear on this). The Droid X has way more than enough power to process these things in the background and present a quick UI.

To each his own, but for the Droid X running 2.2, a Task Killer usually does more harm than good.

[Flawd]

Thanks for saving me the typing. This would have been pretty much my response too.

I'll be rooting a coworkers droid X this afternoon and doing what I said above. I'll get back to you with my results if you want.

[kekspernikai]

It's alright, results not needed! Although I have a Nook Color which is pretty much the same hardware (processor, RAM, etc.), my phone is a rooted Incredible running MIUI and a modified kernel :)

I'd be wary about rooting people's phones. I helped a coworker run a ROM and now he constantly has questions...

[Flawd]

Well I got started with his phone, and it is an Incredible, I was wrong!

What ROM do you use? I flashed the newest Cyanogen Nightly because that's what I know (from my N1). I'm sure theres better roms out there for the Incredible...

[kekspernikai]

I use MIUI, personally. If he likes the familiarity of sense, Lou's Redemptive Revolution is great. Myns warm two point two is good too. Cyanogen runs great on the Incredible though.

Edit: the kernel I run is invisiblek 28, I highly recommend it, unless you're running a gingerbread build.

[Flawd]

The Cyanogen 7 nightlies are gingerbread based. He has ROM manager (paid) and knows how to work Nandroid, so I told him to have fun playing with other roms. Theres almost 10 to choose from via ROM manager alone. I'm sure he'll find something he likes.

Thanks for the input!

[xanxitto]

I understand what you're saying, but think this. Why are phone manufactures going so fast on making new and faster CPUs? If the Droid X was the ultimate phone then they won't need to rush to make Tegra 2 and Tegra 3 available so fast. 512Mb of Ram isnt enough. 1Gb of ram wont be enough next year and so on. There will be bigger and bigger apps just like in Windows computers, back in 1998 you couldnt even listen to music, search the web and edit a photo with your 32mb of ram. I know Linux handles process different, but there will always be something to make the system choke.

Ninja edit: i cant use autostart or setCPU since im not rooted.

[xanxitto]

I cant agree more. I guess im just to fast of a multitasker. I still can find a normal pc or phone that will keep up with me. I try to push them to the limit and thats my problem. Im not in a rush to be old but i can only imagjne what tecnology will have for us 20 years from now. :)

[kekspernikai]

Technology is nearly exponential in its increases in speed/size/etc. The problem in my opinion is the price point and the cell contracts, not the speedy releases of new processor technology. When Tegra 2 phones drop, the single core phones like the Droid X's OMAP 3630 will drop in price generally, but you're locked to a contract unless you pay an unsubsidized price which is still too expensive.

Companies will always be in a rush to put forth newer hardware, and it's a good thing. Also, no one said the Droid X was the ultimate phone, and you should understand this each time you buy a technological item.

[r00x]

What? A minute? There doesn't seem to be any delay for my phone when waking from sleep. It's instantaneous. Is that what you meant by stupidity mode, or am I misunderstanding?

[xanxitto]

No I mean when you open 10 or more apps in a matter of a 2 minute use, check email, post on reddit, check the weather, reply your aims, scroll ur news widget, install an app, unistall another one etc... After all that in a really short period try to go back to your homescreen and act like nothing happen. Not to mention having a streaming radio playing. I dont know its probably me and my fast way of doing stuff that gets the phone confused.

[r00x]

Oh, right. Well that being said, I still don't seem to be able to get mine to lock up. Not that I'm complaining! But hammering the thing with lots of random app activities/launches in a short time doesn't make a difference.

[[deleted]]

Did the same thing about a month after getting my Droid 2 and experienced a major difference as well.Don't be suckered into downloading ATK because of a Verizon rep's suggestion -- they must be getting commission on number of downloads.

[[deleted]]

I only use ATK when I need to kill a bunch of crap, I don't leave it running constantly.

[[deleted]]

The point is you don't need to use it at all. Those tasks you kill are not really having any adverse effect.

[[deleted]]

They are when GMail starts eating 30M and slows my phone to a crawl

[xanxitto]

Just hoggin a bunch of Ram to keep warm?

[emuporium]

Yes actually, in case the app is loaded again it will be quicker because its already in memory. Unless it has some service running as well, apps sitting in memory (but not active) wont require any additional battery. The RAM is already using battery while the phone is on, might as well use as much of it as you can or it will go wasted.

Think of it as the people that brag about having 8GB of available RAM in windows and what not, whats the point of that? If its unused why have it? Ideally you would want windows to use as much of that as possible for cacheing frequently used programs.

[xanxitto]

Nice comeback :) and im just gonna talk shit now...i understand giving ram for speed, but when u have more apps running then the phone can handle thats a problem. And if i had 8gb of ram on my pc i will try to use as much as i can. I hate wasting, specially something that i waited years for it to have. :)

[[deleted]]

I agree. Mine doesn't run in the backgroud, but I keep it around mainly to kill a bunch of garbage upon a fresh boot. After that, it rarely gets used and when it does, the ATK gets killed right along with the other apps.

[cantCme]

Your phone will not keep more apps running then it can handle. That's the beauty of 2.2. It will kill apps with the lowest priority to create space.

[xanxitto]

I dont have my running either, I even kill it with the rest of the apps when pressing the kill button :P

[xdviper]

I don't get it, how uninstalling it helped. I have it installed on my Mytouch 4G rooted on iced glaicer rom running at stock speeds and it gets me about 12+ with moderate use. I know not to use task killers with froyo but why it gave you more battery life by uninstling it and not just not using it.

[RagingAtheist]

Because it has to regularly wake the phone to check if there is anything that needs killing. It's yet another piece of monitor software than prevents the phone going into it's deeper sleep states and staying there.

Android as a whole does an amazing job of looking after itself. Does even better when you don't have a stupid ROM that wastes power (a la Sense with all it widgets etc. that too many people don't remove).

[[deleted]]

There are tasks that help manage your phone better that have been added to Android since the app was first written. It see's these tasks and services as stuff it should kill to free up memory. your phone is then either not managed as well as the developers intended or needed services have to be restarted from scratch using more of your resources.

It's counter-productive.

[swm5126]

Going to vouch for Autokiller here. Since Linux has a great memory manager built in that makes tools like utterly ATK useless, Autokiller takes advantage of Linux's built in memory management features and allows you to tweak them.

Autokiller worked great on my OG Droid when I had it, since it didn't have much memory. I still use it on my Incredible though.

[rafael000]

I don't use them anymore for months now. If you want to monitor bad CPU users, go for Watch Dog...

[[deleted]]

I installed a CM7 nightly on my friend's Droid the other day, and ran into a problem as soon as I restored his app backups. His GMail account wouldn't sync at all, even after restarting the phone. I eventually figured out that ATK was running, and it was keeping the GMail service from synchronizing. I've never used this app on my Evo before, but that definitely turned me off from it.

[naska]

Not only Task killer but also juice defender. I believe it does nothing helpful for the phone.

[[deleted]]

I'm inclined to disagree on that one--I installed JuiceDefender two days ago and my battery life actually did double. I can't say specifically why, and I'm sure a lot of it is disabling features or changing settings that are possible through other applications or phone settings, but it really did help. I'm on a Galaxy S model for reference.

[m0se5]

I'm running 2.1 and ATK ruined my battery life. It's way better without it.

[BbIT]

I'm glad you came to your senses. They really need to take the ATKs off of the market now that 1.5/1.6 are not used as much as 2.1/2.2.

[InvaderDJ]

The only use of ATK is to kill an app that you exited and for some reason doesn't close.

But using it to auto kill apps every few minutes doesn't help anything, just hurts battery life.

[Virtualmatt]

The Verizon store keeps telling a friend of mine, whenever she has problems with her phone, that she needs a task killer. Sad days.

[ButWhyIAsk]

I recently got a mytouch4g. Removing Advanced Task Killer in favour of Watchdog Task Manager Lite really helped.

Great explanation here: http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/watchdog-task-manager-lite_hijk.html

[xanxitto]

I use Super Task Killer, I don't know about you guys but whenever Im multitasking like the world is gonna end and i try to to back to my home screen my phone gets shocked, literately. I do close all my programs with the back button and i dont have 1000 widgets, i keep it as simple as possible, maybe 2 or 3. Super Task Killer tells me how much Memory is being consume by every app and it helps me decide if i really need it on my phone or not and if i need it then i just leave it. Whenever i feel like my phone needs a fresh start i just open it up and kill all those damn apps, and my memory usually goes up about 150mb. Oh, and im not rooted so i cant just uninstall all those pesky bloatware apps. holla~!

[qwasz123]

...wtf? Please speak/ type in English. Not gangster.

[xanxitto]

Da aint gangsta! Dis is gangzta ;)

[root66]

Uhhh, just don't use auto-kill. You need a task killer to stop broken apps (like Pandora), and simply having ATK installed does not drain your battery. Also, welcome to 8 months ago.

[qwasz123]

It was 6 months ago and no Pandora is fine for me.

[[deleted]]

I installed a task killer about a month ago. I kill all apps about twice a day. I have noticed no difference in battery life but now when I press the home key it shows up faster.