Task killer or not? - Motorola Atrix 2

Hello,
I was wondering, is it good to have an app killer, something like "Advanced App Killer" or "System Panel App"?
I know we have one that came with the phone stock, but the wife has a Captivate and the task manager in that phone is very cool, it even let you release memory for the RAM. And I find that the "Auto-End list" in the Atrix 2 barely works, for me at least.
Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

I second this. The Galaxy S2 I was using before my Atrix 2 had a neat task manager that had the option to "kill all" running applications and allowed one to free up some RAM as well. The provided task manager doesn't really do much...

These task killers only kill your battery, not much else. Android is more then capable of handling multiple tasks on its own.

AnyMal said:
Android is more then capable of handling multiple tasks on its own.
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Very true!! Do a little research if you don't believe it yourself. I don't run any task managers or battery helping apps. Most of the time they add to the problems and not solve them.

atrix 2 has a built in task manager. works rather well actually.
but the 3rd party managers seem to just be a waste of resources.

svtfmook said:
atrix 2 has a built in task manager. works rather well actually.
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What he said
I use it to stop apps that i'm not using or don't plan on using anytime soon, mostly when I get ready to play a game of NFL Flick Quarterback, just to make sure plenty of ram is available.

Thanks for the replies guys. I was curious just because I'm a little picky and the Atrix 2 task manager is not very "user friendly".

Just use the A2 task manager and add all the apps in AutoKill after 2 mins then root and freeze apps that you don't use but running on the background ^_^ no need to release any ram because the system will try to run the background app again that is why people say don't use other TM or JD. It is like doing a push up, more work when you go down but its easy to stay up hehehe.

Android with dual core hardware shouldn't ever need a taskkiller. And if your app freezes kill it thru settings or task manager. Thru daily usage this phone does not hang at all. Their are a few apps I have used that froze but that's easy to kill/fix. I would leave it honestly.
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

You are right in that it doesn't need a task manager. But I add all unnecessary apps, such as games, to the auto-kill list in the included task manager and leave the rest to Android to manage. Some games will occupy ram while not running and eventually they will be closed but that usually happens right when that ram is needed and that can lead to an occasional stutter as the OS is reclaiming ram. Also, if one of the memory hogs is using CPU that could have an impact on battery life. I think it is a neat little tool that helps out, but unlike the Market task managers, it doesn't arbitrarily kill all apps, it only kills what you want it to kill. Killing all apps is a bad thing.

Related

Which Task killer App is best?

Which Taskmanager/Task Killer/Task Cleaner App do you guys think is best all around?
I was using Advanced Task Killer, but I believe it was responsible for logging me out on my X10.
None, let the OS handle the tasks it's not Windows.
ClintonH said:
None, let the OS handle the tasks it's not Windows.
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Completely agree. I donnot use any type of task killer and the system is going quite well.
You must use, because, on the start, ther many applications are launched unless you need, like maps, without kill, on the start the X10 have 120Mo of free RAM MEM, after some application used, there only 80Mo...
With a task killer, on the start, there 170 Mo, after some appli used, there 120/130 mo...
I use "Advanced Task Killer", it not free, and it is for advanced users (not really friendly user, and tachnical...)
Really, I should try it without one for a while and see. I was under the impression that it really is required. Because some apps can take up a lot of memory. Or will the OS control it?
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Don't run a task killer, it will drain the battery faster as some applications will have to restart.
Use an app switcher instead, it will show you the apps that are currently running as opposed to dormant.
The Android OS does a great job managing the apps on its own.
Systempanel, cause it's good for monitoring too.
tjex said:
Don't run a task killer, it will drain the battery faster as some applications will have to restart.
Use an app switcher instead, it will show you the apps that are currently running as opposed to dormant.
The Android OS does a great job managing the apps on its own.
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I guess your battery cannot stay long for a day (moderate user )
RodneyBR said:
(...)
I was using Advanced Task Killer, but I believe it was responsible for logging me out on my X10.
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I think that you kill phone.apk service...
It's like when you do a titanium backup, it kills this service, and do his backup, but then, you'll have to re-connect and re-tape your pin code...
I'm using it, and i'm very happy of his work...
tjex said:
Don't run a task killer, it will drain the battery faster as some applications will have to restart.
Use an app switcher instead, it will show you the apps that are currently running as opposed to dormant.
The Android OS does a great job managing the apps on its own.
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Ok, but what app switcher do you use?
I use EStrongs Task Manager, but never let it auto kill or anything. Just have it for that occasion when an app freaks out.

Advanced task killer not killing everything?

Came from an x10, where every app would close when i ran atk...now gbaroid, pandora, last.fm, all stay running... whats up?
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Bump
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It seems that the API for killing tasks has changed under Froyo. According to other task killers I've used, you can no longer directly kill an app from another app. Only the 'settings' page can do that.
I generally use Free Advanced Task Manager. It will "attempt" to kill the background process of the app, but admits this is not reliable. Otherwise it will take you to the Application Management tab of the specific app your are trying to kill and let you manually kill it from there.
Also note that there is no consensus that killing apps to free memory makes your device faster. By caching programs in memory, android is able to execute them faster when called upon. By killing them, you are forcing the OS to reload them (slower) when needed).
You might be better served by looking into some of the tweaks out there that set the memory management system of the OS into a more aggressive mode. The proper settings will find a nice balance between killing off apps/free memory, and letting the cache system take care of itself.
KILL the TASK KILLER.....
If you can kill the task you can force close it. Long hold on the app, then select force close and it should do the trick. Ive had that issue too but force closing should work with most apps.
Sent from my HTC G2 using XDA App
Is there a way to make a shortcut to the default app manager?
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kdkinc said:
KILL the TASK KILLER.....
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Agreed, Task killers are a total waste in the Android environment. I've found over the years my devices runs better, faster, and has better battery life when I stopped using a Task killer.
will2live said:
Agreed, Task killers are a total waste in the Android environment. I've found over the years my devices runs better, faster, and has better battery life when I stopped using a Task killer.
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This is correct. The "nervous system" (so to speak) is built on process management. I'll try to explain it as quickly and as plainly as I can
On a computer and some other devices, you want to close an application when you are finished with them, because a running program will continue to draw on system resources even when you aren't using it. This is not the case with Android. When an app is not running/in use (best example: pandora. running=on the screen, in use=streaming music in the background), it is in a "frozen" state. While the app appears to be taking up memory, the allocated space isn't actually being used. Instead, it's reserved for that application. So while the memory is not "free", it is also NOT being used constantly.
Task killers are useful if you download an app that causes your system to slow, that way you can kill it then remove it. But most apps are going to open themselves back up in a few minutes anyway, and they are designed to do so.
Summary: over a long period of time, frequent task killing will drain more battery than it saves.
The5ickne55 said:
Is there a way to make a shortcut to the default app manager?
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
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long press on blank homescreen>shortcuts>settings>manage applications

Why are task killers so bad?

I'm just curious. There are 4 apps I want to kill upon bootup.
ATT Family Map
ATT navigator
ATT hotspots
Asphalt
I don't use them and dont want them loading.
So what would be wrong with using something like Advanced Task Killer to do that?
Also on a side note. The captivate comes with a really nice task manager which I thought made it really easy to just shut down a program you aren't using at the moment.
Is there an easy way to install that on the inspire without rooting? Or is there something just like that in the market?
Sent from my Inspire 4G
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=963478
shutting down an app generally causes it to simply reopen itself. theres a link about taskillers in the thread i linked. a good read.
From my understanding it was mainly caused from killing system processes that kept coming back.
I doubt the ATT programs would restart once closed cause are not being used. They just start when the phone boots.
As far as asphalt. Why a racing game would auto start upon boot is beyond me.
Sent from my Inspire 4G
You will have to root in order to keep Apps from restarting. Use titanium backup to freeze them.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
apps running in the back ground don't use your battery. Apps that go crazy and randomly use 50%-60% of your CPU kill you battery. If you must have a some sort of task killer download Watchdog lite off of app market. It will tell you which apps are overusing your CPU and give you the option to kill them. Keep in mind that android naturally kills a background process when it needs the space.
mudknot2005 said:
apps running in the back ground don't use your battery. Apps that go crazy and randomly use 50%-60% of your CPU kill you battery. If you must have a some sort of task killer download Watchdog lite off of app market. It will tell you which apps are overusing your CPU and give you the option to kill them. Keep in mind that android naturally kills a background process when it needs the space.
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Thanks for the info.

Task manager?

Just switched over from the vibrant does anyone know how to get that task manager from the vibrant u know the one where u long press the home button and the task manager comes up I would really apreciate some ones help on this
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Thegreat520 said:
Just switched over from the vibrant does anyone know how to get that task manager from the vibrant u know the one where u long press the home button and the task manager comes up I would really apreciate some ones help on this
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
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This doesn't sound like a feature of this phone. There are task managers out there if that's what you're asking about.. (apps). I just tried it on my phone adn I got a "Recent Tasks" list.. if that's what you mean?
I, don't want to see, my, recent tasks I want to, be able to kill apps eating my battery in the background
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there are task killers that you can download from the app store.. i.e. advance task killer.
But, you are mis-guided to think that these apps are killing your battery. On the contrary, a task killer kills the battery more than just leaving the tasks alone. Every time you kill a dormant app, you are using CPU, which eats battery. Then when the app starts up again? Eating CPU again.
It is better to freeze apps or remove them using the Titanium Backup app, then leave the others alone. Imagine killing apps 10 times a day.. Killing an app that is just sitting there, doing nothing to your battery. 10x a day, you are spiking the battery into action. Then when the app starts up again? Spiking the battery.
Do some reading on this. Task killers are a thing of the past.. They work ok if you have an app running wild, bogging down your phone (but you still can force close it in the settings > apps).
schmit said:
there are task killers that you can download from the app store.. i.e. advance task killer.
But, you are mis-guided to think that these apps are killing your battery. On the contrary, a task killer kills the battery more than just leaving the tasks alone. Every time you kill a dormant app, you are using CPU, which eats battery. Then when the app starts up again? Eating CPU again.
It is better to freeze apps or remove them using the Titanium Backup app, then leave the others alone. Imagine killing apps 10 times a day.. Killing an app that is just sitting there, doing nothing to your battery. 10x a day, you are spiking the battery into action. Then when the app starts up again? Spiking the battery.
Do some reading on this. Task killers are a thing of the past.. They work ok if you have an app running wild, bogging down your phone (but you still can force close it in the settings > apps).
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^ This.
Froyo and up have built in memory managers meaning if the OS needs more memory it will automatically kill idle apps. I too have a Vibrant and I can for sure say that the G2x handles memory much better than the Vibrant does. If you ARE experiencing lagg or battery drain its probably a badly coded app in which case you're better off uninstalling it.

Task killer ?

I thought the newer android operating systems did not need a task killer, yet there is one included on the sensation.
Is the inclusion for the sensation, ginger bread, or?
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The task killer is definitely a HTC app. I'd not use it, it can't even report the amount of free RAM correctly.
To test, goto Settings --> Applications --> Running Services, at the bottom of the screen you'll see the amount of RAM used and free.
Thanks..
Is the correct way to turn it off in the settings section of the task manager app?
Do you use another task manager?
I have not used a task killer since android 2.1. I really don't believe you need to manually kill apps in gingerbread, but some people might disagree.
If you want to manually kill app, you can setup a shortcut to running services on the home screen.
Select Personalize -- Shortcut -- Settings -- Running Services
This is the best way to kill an app or process since we are doing it in gingerbread.
Thanks.. that's what I've always read also.
Threw me for a loop when I say this task killer on the phone.
I don't use the task killer to free memory as i believe it is pointless on android. I never installed a task killer on previous android handsets. However, I have found the included task killer invaluable for killing programs which have crashed in the background, hogging CPU cycles.
I know you can do it through the settings menu but this app is more convenient.
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Don't install or use a task killer. I create a shortcut to the "Running Services" in the settings menu and close out the music application when I'm not using it.
Bigmille said:
The task killer is definitely a HTC app. I'd not use it, it can't even report the amount of free RAM correctly.
To test, goto Settings --> Applications --> Running Services, at the bottom of the screen you'll see the amount of RAM used and free.
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I've seen this to.. However every other system tools/widget i tried show the same amount of used and free memory as the the task killer. So is there some hidden app running somewhere that "running applications" won't see?
I never run out anyway tho so it's not an issue.. Just strange...
I don't think there are any hidden apps or process which would account for that much differences in memory reporting between Gingerbread and 3rd party task killers.
Its more likly that the task killers was written with android 2.1 and 2.2 in mind. They are simply not working correctly in gingerbread.
Don't forget the gingerbread only available on small % of Android, most devices are still rocking with 2.2 and 2.1 (read an article on this in one of my news feed, but can't remember the source).
P.S. my xoom also have this problem. Some app report complete different available memory from running services.
Bottomline, I'd always trust the amount of ram reported by running services over any 3rd party app.

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