Please Read: Important Information Regarding Task Killers

[Cory Streater]

Without a doubt, this is one of the most discussed topics in the Android Central forums. Understandably, having come from various other Smartphone platforms (Blackberry, Windows Mobile, etc.), where task management is crucial for optimal performance and battery life, most new Android Smartphone owners have 2 basic questions:

1.) Should I use a task manager?
2.) Which application does the best job at task management?

After digging and digging for answers to these questions, users sometimes end up frustrated and confused by conflicting information from a wide variety of sources. This usually results in a new thread on task management.

To help answer these questions (and avoid all those duplicate threads), Android Central's contributing writer and technical guru, Jerry Hildenbrand, has written this article. Please take a few minutes to read and educate yourself.

If you do choose to use a task manager, and your Droid X starts acting wonky, please uninstall the task manager to see if the problem goes away.

If you still have questions, or if you'd like to chime in with your own opinion and/or experiences with task managers, please post in this thread.

Cory

 

[terpitude71]

i completely concur that this article is a very important read, as i know a lot of verizon reps that will straight install a task killer (usually advanced task killer aka ATK) on new phones for customers, but dont explain how the app works/the proper way to use it, because in fairness, they probably dont know how to use the app themselves.

i think the most important point to stress is that you should not use task killers to manage your phone's memory. the OS does that for you.

 

[ceriem]

Doesnt the DX come with Task Killer installed?

 

[Cory Streater]

Doesnt the DX come with Task Killer installed?

No, but unfortunately you see a lot of reviewers installing them for the purpose of doing their speed comparison demos. So maybe that's what led you to believe there was one preinstalled.

 

[Comineeyeaha]

This is a great thread. Coming from a Storm, i've become very accustomed to closing out apps once i'm done with them. So when I think about having to install a task killer just to close something I get a little confused. I would love to see some educated viewpoints on the matter.

 

[MolecularGraph]

Thanks for the great thread Cory, I'm used to windows mobile task killer, I used to kill apps on my Q 9c all the time, anyone know a good Android Task killer for those worst case scenarios.

 

[Cory Streater]

It seems like ATK (Advanced Task Killer) is among the most popular. If you check out the apps forum there's a few threads devoted to Task Killers. The article I hyperlinked in my first post also demonstrates the use of ATK.

 

[moosc]

And verizon and best buy tell you to install a task killer. I just sit there and shake my head and laugh

 

[Rachus]

...I'm used to windows mobile task killer...

Yup, me too.

Thanks for the post and recommendation - I have ATK queued up with the other 'essential' apps at AppBrain ready for the 15th. (Yes I'll be buying/donating to the devs as well <grin>).

 

[didiwags]

Whoa, this is so beyond me..... I guess I will have to read more up on this!! I have a BB Curve and I just never downloaded much on it cause well RIM apps are a PITA IMO so yeah!!! I have a bunch on my ipod touch so I imagine i will get a bunch for the X too! YIKES!

 

[MolecularGraph]

Whoa, this is so beyond me..... I guess I will have to read more up on this!! I have a BB Curve and I just never downloaded much on it cause well RIM apps are a PITA IMO so yeah!!! I have a bunch on my ipod touch so I imagine i will get a bunch for the X too! YIKES!

I have a total of 0 extra apps on my blackberry curve, because RIM is that bad..

 

[ceriem]

Thanks for the post. Most of the stuff seems pretty obvious but it's good to see and read a guide from people who know a little bit more than I do.

 

[anon(39569)]

Definitely a good read! I see so many new people in my office making the switch to android and this is one of the most common questions I hear.

 

[Mister869]

Thanks Cory. This is a great read and very helpful, especially for us newcomers to Android.

 

[JDHunz]

I have a total of 0 extra apps on my blackberry curve, because RIM is that bad..

Yep...I have no extra apps on my Storm 1 and I still pull the battery 3 times a day...

2 more days, 2 more days, 2 more days...

 

[droidntn]

At the risk of appearing dense here over task killers............
what was the bottom line on them?
Use them?
Don't?
Use with Caution?
Sorry,,,that's a great article, and I'm sure it's in there, but I never found a final conclusion.
Thanks!

 

[MolecularGraph]

At the risk of appearing dense here over task killers............
what was the bottom line on them?
Use them?
Don't?
Use with Caution?
Sorry,,,that's a great article, and I'm sure it's in there, but I never found a final conclusion.
Thanks!

Personally I'll just use them in dire scenarios.

 

[droidntn]

well, I'm asking cause I noticed a Task Killer app on the demo I played with yesterday. Already there...
I just didn't know if it was safe to use it or not.
I mean I don't understand what the recommended and safe way to handle managing all the multitasking?
Reboot occasionally?

 

[MolecularGraph]

Well the phone is set to auto maximize RAM usage so you shouldn't need the a Task Manager app, but theres some times where you use them just to speed it up if its acting funny.

 

[alpha752]

What about battery life? Ive read that task killers will help save bettery, sometimes up to 50%. Thats my real concern. Especially with a device like the DX, im not concerned about memory or lag, but battery.

Will ATK set to Autokill do anything to help battery?