Android Task Killer....Opinion's on using them with Froyo, please let me know your opinions

I downloaded the Advanced Task Killer (ATK) when I bought my new Droid 2 a few weeks ago. I noticed that far more apps were opening when I turned the phone on, so I tweaked the ATK to be very aggressive. Then I began to notice that some of the Motoblur widgets weren't working or working slowly. I had scrolling issues between the screens and battery life was no better than my original Droid. I was about to go to my Verizon store and exchange the phone when I read a few articles on Froyo's internal task management. All of the articles said that Froyo 2.2 has an internal app management system that negates the use of a task killer. One of the articles was published by Google. I reluctantly uninstalled the ATK and reset the phone and everything improved. The screen didn't lag when scrolling, all of the homescreen widgets worked well and most importantly.....battery life improved noticeably.

I was wondering if any of you had similar experience's. At this point I plan on leaving the ATK off, my Droid 2 seems to work better without it.

Accepted answers

Joe_Evaristo

Actually, as the article I linked to points out, that's just a placebo effect--task killers hurt battery performance, not improve it, even if you're using it "correctly." (As the article points out, the only "correct" use is to kill an app that's been coded improperly and is using too many resources or making the system unstable.)

An app being in memory doesn't affect battery usage at all--it takes the same amount of energy to keep something in memory as it does to keep memory clear--"empty" memory is still drawing power. And, as the Android developers explain here: http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/04/multitasking-android-way.html, just because an app is in memory doesn't mean it's actually running and taking up any processor resources at all:

"A common misunderstanding about Android multitasking is the difference between a process and an application. In Android these are not tightly coupled entities: applications may seem present to the user without an actual process currently running the app; multiple applications may share processes, or one application may make use of multiple processes depending on its needs; the process(es) of an application may be kept around by Android even when that application is not actively doing something.

The fact that you can see an application's process "running" does not mean the application is running or doing anything."

However, opening an app (the task killer) and using it to kill other apps does use battery power when it triggers the processor. This is in contrast to apps that are in memory, but not really running, using no additional battery resources. In addition, killing an app means that app needs to use more power when you open it again, as it's not pulling its saved state from memory anymore--it's using the processor for a longer period of time as it opens. Any indication that the task killer is giving you better battery life is just an illusion; task killers use more power.

All comments

Cobjones

It is recommended that atk be removed if running 2.2

I even heard a rumor that some of the task killers are showing apps that aren't even running to help boost downloads.

Delete atk if you run 2.2 android or higher.

Joe_Evaristo

Actually, ATK shouldn't even be run on devices below 2.2. Android has a built-in task manager, always has. Task killers get in the way of its function and generally cause, not solve, problems. That's part of why Google gutted their functionality in 2.2.

Here's a great article on the subject, and it applies to all versions of Android: http://www.droid-den.com/android-guides/android-guide-should-i-use-a-task-killer

Cobjones

If you run it correctly in 2.1 and under it can help battery life, but most people just hit "kill all."

They tweaked the system in 2.2 and made app switching very efficient, where as before it was so,so.

Joe_Evaristo

The fact that you can see an application's process "running" does not mean the application is running or doing anything."

TheGreatOne

Lets just say...it does more harm then good

Droiddudeaz

Thank you, all, for your posts. This definately re inforces the research I've done.

dougklohnjr

atk works fine for me on 2.2 my battery life is outstanding with also having battery booster

Cobjones

Ohh doug how you just don't know.

dougklohnjr

im not having any of the problems everyones complaining about

RONRON96

I just recently got the Droid 2. People kept recommending that I get the ATK. Still kinda new to this whole smartphone -thing. Started doing some research about "task/app killers". Apparently, it worked well with the 2.1 and earlier. But, as I've come to find out, installing a task/app "killer" on the newly updated Froyo 2.2 system is NOT necessary/required. Still experimenting on whether or not it has any effect with the phone's performance/battery life. So far I have not had any problems. Will keep you all posted. :smileyhappy:

.....BTW: Before I did my research on this topic, I went up to the Verizon store to ask the associates there as to why the apps kept returning after I had "killed" them. They were "dumbfounded". Every associated I asked did not know why the apps kept turning themselves back on/returning after a while. They had me talk to Verizon tech support, and even they did not know what was going on. Tech support's excuse was that those "task/app killers" come from THIRD-PARTY designers so it was pretty much "trial and error" and "at your own risk". So they had me talk to a MOTOROLA representative and STILL, that person was clueless. Then that person said that the operating system is by Google and that I would have to speak to a Google rep about the "issue". (Evidently, everyone at Verizon/Motorola have not yet been "enlightened" regarding the new FROYO 2.2 technology.) Needless to say, I left the Verizon store quite disappointed/frustrated. But, after extensive research and talking to friends who are "techno geeks", it turns out that the Froyo 2.2 DOES NOT require a "task/app killer". There are already a few "tweaks" you can do to improve battery life, but that's about it as far as trying to make your battery life last a bit longer. I am hoping that they come up with a battery that can at least last a few days before having to recharge!!!

Joe_Evaristo

RONRON96 wrote:
Started doing some research about "task/app killers". Apparently, it worked well with the 2.1 and earlier. But, as I've come to find out, installing a task/app "killer" on the newly updated Froyo 2.2 system is NOT necessary/required. Still experimenting on whether or not it has any effect with the phone's performance/battery life.

I posted some information in this thread that you might find helpful--check out the 5th post on the 1st page. You shouldn't be using a task killer--and that applies to Android below 2.2 as well. The reason it's not recommended in 2.2 has nothing to do with Android now doing the job better; Google gutted their functionality because task killers caused problems on other Android phones. They HURT performance, and they HURT battery life.

The only proper use of a task killer is to kill an app that's making your phone unstable, so you can uninstall the problematic app. There is no other benefit to a task killer on any Android phone.