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Watchdog for the Droid Incredible

So in a desperate attempt to have my phone battery last longer than 3 or 4 hours after normal use, I purchased the Watchdog app which kills apps once the CPU usage on you phone hits a certain percentage ...due to the almighty Froyo kicking off apps anytime you do anything on the phone.

SInce you can specify when to kill an app based on the percentage usage (ex, kill Pandora once CPU usage hits 50%) I set it up to kill Skype, Amazon, City ID, Updater, Footprints, News, Slacker, Stocks, Vcast Apps, VZ Navigator and Voice Dialer once CPU usage hits 1% (in an attempt to kill the app every time it starts)

So far I see the difference in battery life but its too early to determine if it makes a difference after a few days ...my concern it the app is ALWAYS killing some of the apps listed before ...primarily Skype (stupid, pointless Skype) so this is no different from ATK basically. Since I have read several times before that ATK's are pointless on 2.2 I am wondering if this is no different?

Just curious if anyone else is using the app and appreciate some feedback ...so I can get a refund if it does more harm than good.

.....was 2.2 really necessary?

Comments

demmo86rt

I don't use the app, but it doesn't sound too much different than other task killers other than the parameters used to determine when to kill apps. I would think that this particular app though would use more battery as it would have to constantly poll the cpu to determine when limits are reached. Also, I would remove updater (I believe this is used by the market to notify you when an app is updated) and voice dialer (may be critical to phone functions). And now, a brief spiel about task killers...the android os (not just 2.2) views free memory as wasted memory. Built into the code are low memory limits and the os will load apps into memory up to these limits for quicker access, starting with often used apps and system apps. These are waiting idle and not using battery power, whereas, if they are killed, they attempt to reload which will use battery power. When a new app is opened, if more memory is needed, the app that has been sitting idle longest is removed from it's space in memory. Eventually, I believe, the system learns which apps you use most so, in time, the bloatware apps that you never use will not even load. Sorry if this got too long (it usually does) but I hope it helps in your decision. I would advise doing some research on android/task killers/memory management. It's very different from windows and that is what most of us are used to.

ajnevares1

Appreciate the feedback ...good point on the battery being used more often to kill the app(s) oppose to letting them just remain on standby in the background ...that is where my concern was as well. I will go ahead and uninstall, its doing more harm sounds like. It is just soooo dissapointing we cannot remove them ...I have not used ANY of the apps/functions listed in my initial post once and will NEVER use any of them. I understand the intent was good (allow them to start up for quicker launch when used) and its a bit relieving to here they are not actually using battery power unless used ...but was it really necessary? I guess VZW/Google just assumed EVERY android owner would utilize Skype, Stocks and Amazon, haha! Sounds more like there were agreements with each entity behind those always kicking off (money, lol)

Oh man ...I really hope this is not an indication of things to come ...these software releases are getting worse and worse.

ajnevares1

...and now with this newest release, VCAST apps and VZ Navigator always kick off anytime you launch a web based app or phone call? I will uninstall the Watchdog app but the apps kick off anytime you do anything on the phone? Its ridiculous ...correct me if I am wrong but with all these apps starting up, and starting up anytime you use an app that requires a connection, will this play a role in how many apps you install yourself? I am guessing since so may apps are required to run on this phone ....you have to be careful with apps you choose to actually use and install.

demmo86rt

At least it's not as bad as the Fascinate and upcoming android phones without the "Droid" moniker that force you to use bing apps and google won't even let them put their name on the phone. Smartphones are getting more expensive and carriers are making deals to subsidize their costs.

ajnevares1

Thats terrible ...I knew I should have kept my BB. Going to an Android phone was a really REALLY bad idea

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