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Task Killers and Android

My friend just got the Captivate last week and we were discussing everything Android could do. I have been using Android for almost a year. I had the Hero and now the Evo. This has allowed me to learn how Android works. Especially how the operating system handles processes/apps.
The day he bought the phone, the ATT rep told him he needed a task killer and installed it for him. This really upset me because I have learned that this is not true due to the way Android handles programs and resources. Simply put Android assigns a number to each process running and starts killing off apps based on those numbers once it drops below a certain amount of RAM.
Task killers often do more harm than good.
Many new Android users have a Windows mindset when it comes to the operating system of the Captivate. You know if it is running it is sucking up resources and slowing everything down. With Android, even though it is listed as running in a task manager does not mean it is sucking up resources. It lies dormant for a while using little to no CPU. Some apps the need to run to keep your phone working correctly and getting those notifications. A lot of people complain that apps restart right after killing them. That is because the system was not done with them. So they restart using up more CPU and more battery. I hear a lot of people say that a task killer saves then more battery but I am still not quite sure how. Could be a poorly programmed app they have downloaded or stuff syncing too often that was causing the battery drain. I had a task killer the first week I had my Hero and once I removed it I saw better overall results.
If anyone would like more details, a developer and friend of mine has typed up a more detailed description of how Android manages its memory on its on. Here is the link. http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-be-using-a-task-killer-with-android/
I hope this was educational and helpful because knowledge is power.
-Ken
Also, for those that are rooted, download an app called AutoKiller. It changes the factory values in which Android kills off apps so that they get killed off sooner. It has presents within the app. I keep mine at aggressive. For those who are not rooted, download Spare Parts and go down to the Process Manager and turn it on Aggressive. It does the same thing in a way as AutoKiller but seems to be much more aggressive at killing apps off. Too aggressive for my taste.
All grammar and spelling mistakes were done on purpose. Thx. ;P
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.

Unless you have an application that is broken or improperly coded (like the Facebook app issue recently), you wont need a task killer ever.

MikeyMike01 said:
Unless you have an application that is broken or improperly coded (like the Facebook app issue recently), you wont need a task killer ever.
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I agree, and if an app is crappy enough to need killing,i uninstall it (ie savvyshopper).

MikeyMike01 said:
Unless you have an application that is broken or improperly coded (like the Facebook app issue recently), you wont need a task killer ever.
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Click to collapse
I would have to disagree to certain extent, with my ignorant and limited knowledge
Imma a call a teenzy weenzy bs too.
I have experienced memory ill effects with my captivate. I could have killed the few apps that I hadn't previously removed. A lil while later suffer some phone abnormalities that seem to vanish when I kill the proggies that started on their own, that weren't even previously killed. The ram would be sitting fat and happy at around 50 megs, until I kill the apps that I don't use. Out of the blue, my phone starts working normally after that.
The op is campaigning against these app killers but uses a proggy of the same variety, just a different flavor.
I didn't read the link, just basing myself on the 2 posts before mine.

a_fuegon said:
I would have to disagree to certain extent, with my ignorant and limited knowledge
Imma a call a teenzy weenzy bs too.
I have experienced memory ill effects with my captivate. I could have killed the few apps that I hadn't previously removed. A lil while later suffer some phone abnormalities that seem to vanish when I kill the proggies that started on their own, that weren't even previously killed. The ram would be sitting fat and happy at around 50 megs, until I kill the apps that I don't use. Out of the blue, my phone starts working normally after that.
The op is campaigning against these app killers but uses a proggy of the same variety, just a different flavor.
I didn't read the link, just basing myself on the 2 posts before mine.
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Click to collapse
The app I mentioned does not work the same way as the others in the market. It literally changes system settings within Android so that apps are removed from memory sooner. As for misbehavng apps, uninstall them. Find a replacement. The Facebook app was a good example. But I just used an older version until the wakelock issue was resolved. Don't get me wrong in those rare cases a task killer will be a temp fix. However, once the phone is upgraded to 2.2, there will be a built in settings menu to access the running processes. Thus completely eliminating the need for a 3rd party task killer.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.

notasimpleway said:
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.
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Best sig ever.

I installed AutoKiller this morning. What's equally interesting is that the same author has an app called Autorun Killer. The following apps were starting up on their own:
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Navigator
Daily Briefing
Instant Messaging
Swype
ShopSavvy
The Weather Channel
WeatherBug
etc.
I've disabled each of these from auto loading during each startup. It may or may not matter from an operational standpoint, but it makes me "feel" better. A control issue? "I'll tell you when to start!"
A tiny bit OT, but I thought it might be useful.

However, once the phone is upgraded to 2.2, there will be a built in settings menu to access the running processes. Thus completely eliminating the need for a 3rd party task killer.
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Click to collapse
Android already has that in 2.1. Do you mean they are improving it?
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Click to collapse

this is totally true
i definately had that windows mindset, but ive learned better
now i use watchdog light(monitors processes for high CPU usage rather than mem)
watchdog is designed around this idea, and i highly recomend it
on the other hand i still have atk to kill things at startup that i never use, like car home and desk home

k2snowboards88 said:
Android already has that in 2.1. Do you mean they are improving it?
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Click to collapse
Well, yes. It is much better. I think the memfree settings are a little higher. Not sure.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.
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Click to collapse

Jack45 said:
I installed AutoKiller this morning. What's equally interesting is that the same author has an app called Autorun Killer. The following apps were starting up on their own:
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Navigator
Daily Briefing
Instant Messaging
Swype
ShopSavvy
The Weather Channel
WeatherBug
etc.
I've disabled each of these from auto loading during each startup. It may or may not matter from an operational standpoint, but it makes me "feel" better. A control issue? "I'll tell you when to start!"
A tiny bit OT, but I thought it might be useful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a paid app for that called AutoStarts. I like both. Let's you complete stop programs from starting not only at start up but even when a certain event happens. Such as for Sprint phones we have a navigation program that auto starts in the background when we get a text. I can see. Say we get an address and want to get directions, it will be ready to go. But it is not needed. So I disabled it. Other apps do this with other conditions. I like control over thinks so I feel you. Just be careful on what you disable. You can mess some things up. And some things will restart anyways because the system needs them.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.

dewt said:
Best sig ever.
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Click to collapse
I just thought since I use the Evo this should be my signature.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.

MikeyMike01 said:
Unless you have an application that is broken or improperly coded (like the Facebook app issue recently), you wont need a task killer ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XCacADCsadf

While I do not doubt any of the claims that android does not need a task killer, i did a little testing(not really testing, more comparing) since i have 2 captivates at my disposal...me and my wife's. My buddy stopped by with his iPhone 4 who thinks it is the fastest phone to ever be released. Now i know the android browser is just flat out faster than the ios browser since I've owned every one and returned the iPhone 4 for the cappy. He wanted to do a browser speed test so i agreed and we raced. I beat him 9 out of 10 times but just barely. It seemed like my captivate was being a little laggy and I'm running sre @ 1.2ghz with the ext4 lag fix. So i compared mine to my wife's bone stock cappy and hers beat mine by a little bit. So for ****s and giggles i redownloaded advanced task killer and killed about the 10 thing that were listed besides the things i wanted to run and bam, back to screaming speeds. Faster and snappier than my wife's cappy and even more faster than his iphone. So while I'm not sure if their absolutely necessary in my case it did make a noticeable speed difference.

di11igaf said:
While I do not doubt any of the claims that android does not need a task killer, i did a little testing(not really testing, more comparing) since i have 2 captivates at my disposal...me and my wife's. My buddy stopped by with his iPhone 4 who thinks it is the fastest phone to ever be released. Now i know the android browser is just flat out faster than the ios browser since I've owned every one and returned the iPhone 4 for the cappy. He wanted to do a browser speed test so i agreed and we raced. I beat him 9 out of 10 times but just barely. It seemed like my captivate was being a little laggy and I'm running sre @ 1.2ghz with the ext4 lag fix. So i compared mine to my wife's bone stock cappy and hers beat mine by a little bit. So for ****s and giggles i redownloaded advanced task killer and killed about the 10 thing that were listed besides the things i wanted to run and bam, back to screaming speeds. Faster and snappier than my wife's cappy and even more faster than his iphone. So while I'm not sure if their absolutely necessary in my case it did make a noticeable speed difference.
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Click to collapse
Well, you will notice once you get 2.2. Task Managers just won't work. They removed the command that they use to kill apps. They just restart. Restarting apps will mean more battery consumption. I was trying to educate because knowledge is power. Here is a really good explanation. http://www.tested.com/news/android-task-killers-are-deadheres-what-you-should-be-doing/923/ But if you feel it works, by all means, continue. I stopped using one back on my Hero running Android 1.5 and never looked back.
Since you are rooted, why don't you install AutoKiller? Give it a chance and delete ATK. Trust me. Set it to aggressive. And run another test. You will never have to manually kill apps again. Well, unless you have a rogue app. Msg me if you need some help.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.

[Q] Battery life saving-task manager-froyo?

I am hearing mixed opinions about task managers on android. I know technichally they are unnessary on froyo but if used correctly can they boost performnace and more inportantly battery life? Say I leave a game like angry birds running in the backround will it hurt my battery life or slow down my phone? Would i be better off going to a task manager and just killing it or leave it running and android take care of it. Also I would like to know if using a task manager like this would acually be hurting my battery life/performance becuase of force closing games that I dont want running in the backround.
Im using a droid 2 and running froyo and i have not rooted the phone.
Thanks for any replies.

They do not boost performance or save battery. in fact, they use MORE battery. Dont use one, ESPECIALLY with Froyo. The only time I use one, is if an app is acting up, freezing, etc. Otherwise, dont use it.

Ok thank you. That is suprising to me becuase naturally i assumed if more memory was taken up the phone would not run as well. But thanks again and I think im going to just uninstall it

Try Watchdog lite.
Yes, I Swyped it from my Galaxy 3

Quadrant score going down

I was running scores of over 2k each run.. running perfect storm 1.3v and bamf 4.3b kernel. I updated to 4.42. Delete the cache in setup CPU.. and auto set it to abt 1400+ now my phone is constantly running in he 1700 quadrant... Someone please help..
edit* sometimes when i run quadrant the cpu section won't even calculate and jumps directly to the second test... omg
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

MisterDonut said:
I was running scores of over 2k each run.. running perfect storm 1.3v and bamf 4.3b kernel. I updated to 4.42. Delete the cache in setup CPU.. and auto set it to abt 1400+ now my phone is constantly running in he 1700 quadrant... Someone please help..
edit* sometimes when i run quadrant the cpu section won't even calculate and jumps directly to the second test... omg
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Why are you so concerned with what Quadrant says? Your last paragraph sounds as though you spend hours running Quadrant over and over lol. Just enjoy the phone!

this is my first android, so i'm seeing how every rom and every kernel can effect the the speed.. but now i'm running sub scores, and i feel like maybe this kernel isn't as good.. i tried flashing back to 4.3b.. but no luck, i feel like there is something wrong with the phone

When you are flashing are you doing a factory wipe, cache wipe and dalvik wipe. That may help. As for the 1700 that is what I am getting on a cleaned stock rooted rom. My phone is fast. Once you get into overclocking I feel it effects the life on the phone, but that is just my opinion.

Chalup said:
Why are you so concerned with what Quadrant says? Your last paragraph sounds as though you spend hours running Quadrant over and over lol. Just enjoy the phone!
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Thus has gotten misinterpreted on the web. Quadrant scores are meaningless between devices. One phone could get low scores but be optimized to run smooth and fast. While some other device could get high scores but be optimized poorly and run bad.
HOWEVER, scores do have meaning compared within the same phone model. A thunderbolt vs thunderbolt has meaning. It foes show the performance of how well the phone can do tasks like dcriol a list, crunch thru some JavaScript or HTML, or load a game.
I see everyone say benchmark test scores are meaningless, and that original statement meant "meaningless between different models", but not comparing within the same model.
A nexus one on gingerbread only gets 1000 on quadrant, and its slower and choppy scrolling lists. But the nexus one on froyo gets 1650 easily, and froyo was way smoother scrolling lists etc. The lower score shows its reduced performance ability to do various tasks, and it shows in actual use.

RogerPodacter said:
Thus has gotten misinterpreted on the web. Quadrant scores are meaningless between devices. One phone could get low scores but be optimized to run smooth and fast. While some other device could get high scores but be optimized poorly and run bad.
HOWEVER, scores do have meaning compared within the same phone model. A thunderbolt vs thunderbolt has meaning. It foes show the performance of how well the phone can do tasks like dcriol a list, crunch thru some JavaScript or HTML, or load a game.
I see everyone say benchmark test scores are meaningless, and that original statement meant "meaningless between different models", but not comparing within the same model.
A nexus one on gingerbread only gets 1000 on quadrant, and its slower and choppy scrolling lists. But the nexus one on froyo gets 1650 easily, and froyo was way smoother scrolling lists etc. The lower score shows its reduced performance ability to do various tasks, and it shows in actual use.
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very true but some kernels have various tweaks that can inflate quadrant scores...also on the droid x you could blow up quadrant by disabling stage fright. these phones are so fast it's hard to tell the difference. i've tested just about every kernel and overclocked all the way to 2.06 and the phone goes from really fast... to really really fast... to overheating and unstable lol
i use linpack and cpu benchmark to compare kernels and overclock/governor settings...pretty much gave up on quadrant

Quadrant means nothing... If you can run this piss out of your phone and not make it stall... Its fast enough.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

I wipe cache and devlic
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

MisterDonut said:
I wipe cache and devlic
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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That should be good. I agree that something about that kernel might be suspect.
If you're bored, try the kernel that I'm running. Option to overclock to 1.4 or 1.9 depending on which you select, Good battery life, and stable. 1.4 gets 23XX on quad and the 1.9 gets people 2700-3000. No cheating too.

[Q] phone slowing down

my sensation had a quadrant speed around 2600 two days ang then today i check iy and its around 900 so i cleared the memory and chash and stuff like that ands its still the same, do yall thinks its my phone or the rom im on im using revolutanery hd (or something like that)

I'm not really interested in benchmark results, but do you think there are any performance issues with your mobile phone when using you phone? Or is it only the benchmark result what makes you think there is something wrong?

Yeah, as xotox inferred, some of these benchmarks don't really seem to translate well into user experience.

What usually lags the phone down is the software and what is running in the background. Also animations on the software tax the processor as well. Can you check the amount of memory you have and maybe kill a few of apps in the background if any...ie any auto syncing and facebook, locations, etc..

you can test a new kernel, too. This result could be better or even worse than before
With RCMix 3D I had bad results with benchmarks but it was the fastest and smoothest ROM I could ever test. But it really depends on the kernel. There were other ROMs with good benchmark results and they were laggy. Deinstall those apps

really curious regarding quadrant dropping,a lot..

upon first receiving my skyrocket quadrant scores were 3700+ .. well after a superoneclick root the next day I test again and well what do ya know :slaps forehead: the score is 3100 or so.
what.in.the.world .
nothing is running that wasn't before did it exactly the same, reboot and kill excess running apps with the built in task manager.
ugh so any thoughts on this

What I realized was that rebooting a phone and doing a quadrant benchmark will always yield scores in the low 3's or high 2's. 20 minutes after rebooting, I run quadrant, and I always get 3700-3900. This tells me, that the phone has a lot of background processes it runs for a long time after it has booted. Just don't bother doing any benchmarks during this time.
I once saw 4000+. Had to take a screen capture of it.
shoobiedoobiiwhompwop said:
upon first receiving my skyrocket quadrant scores were 3700+ .. well after a superoneclick root the next day I test again and well what do ya know :slaps forehead: the score is 3100 or so.
what.in.the.world .
nothing is running that wasn't before did it exactly the same, reboot and kill excess running apps with the built in task manager.
ugh so any thoughts on this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Unless you are seeing a drop in actual performance i.e. laggy scrolling or browsing. Benchmark scores are not the tell-all when your trying to measure your phone. They give you a ballpark range of performance.

well coming from an x10 all I feel is 'now THIS is how myyyy phone should run' not even a need to install custom roms or anything .
Ive been hugging my skyrocket nite nite nightly for the past month or so , even the occassional bedtime story once in awhile fellas ...
just was wondering how rooting it the other day (yes, those roms are indeed calling) seemingly caused a drop in points.
I thought it may have been TiBackup but it wasn't even running as it always did upon startup on my x10
thanks for chiming in ​

shoobiedoobiiwhompwop said:
upon first receiving my skyrocket quadrant scores were 3700+ .. well after a superoneclick root the next day I test again and well what do ya know :slaps forehead: the score is 3100 or so.
what.in.the.world .
nothing is running that wasn't before did it exactly the same, reboot and kill excess running apps with the built in task manager.
ugh so any thoughts on this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a 600 point drop is not that much. my scores fluctuate from 2900-3800 all the time.
if you really wana impress people try this: http://www.androidcentral.com/how-cheat-android-benchmarks
i got a 5200 lol

wow load quadrant into memory though how nasty. oh btw after rebooting and letting phone settle 30 minutes as suggested , browsing pages and only clearing the caches in dolphin mini and opera mobile I got an oh so solid 2700 on quadrant .
my software is interacting it's arse off ,truly. ​

how is my sig looking :/
​ hey where is it! lol smh
EDIT: not good

After the quadrant app updated, my score dropped...
From Dee-Hos's Skyrocket...

see dee you didn't load it into memory :/
load dat dere brah
now I'm getting 3800 of so with a custom rom pffff. it was impressive on x10 going from 700-800 to 1100-1200 knowing the custom rom worked magic even before bench app tests were done, kind of a moot point with the skyrocket ey
thanks guys