AutoKiller - Memory Optimizer... y/n?

[PetGhost]

AutoKiller

This is a task killer... But not quite like the others. It calls itself an "award winner minfree tweaker," and the concept behind it seems like a great idea. Instead of force-closing apps when you need memory, why not tweak the Android system to do it automatically? I've never heard anyone call the Android memory management system a failure, but everything can be made better. You developers have certainly proved that.

But is it legit? I use it, and I don't really notice any difference in battery or speed when it's used alone.

I also use an app called MultiTask Manager, which acts a lot like the iOS 4 task switcher, if you've ever used a recant iPod or iPhone. It let's me switch between running apps, and also close them if I say so. Is closing them from here good/bad? I haven't exactly done any testing, although I might do some later on.

 

[vee]

I used this on an old phone and saw no difference. I use Fast Reboot Pro now, works pretty well, I notice huge speed increase when I use it. Everyone has their own opinion about Auto Task Killers, personally, I never really had a problem with them.

 

[LeslieAnn]

If you aren't rooted, task killers can be good.
Sorry, I don't care what ANYONE says... Killing certain apps does help battery life. Where and other Virgin bloat are HUGE battery drains. They made a massive difference in my phone before I rooted. I was cautious about what I killed though. Many like to give task killers a bad name, but they have their place, it's not black and white.

On the other hand,
If you are rooted, you really should have no need for any of these tools. If something runs horrible, talk to the rom or app developer or remove the app, plain and simple. The same applies to system tweaks, either talk to the local devs or look around. Devs who use your device or made the rom will probably know better than someone making a generic app that "tunes" your phone.

This app you linked requires root and to me, that runs up a red flag.
I get that it's trying to tweak Androids memory management, the problem is that each model phone is different.

Beyond that, I question any "company" who uses a subdomain as a homepage. Harsh? Not really. You can get a .info domain for $2 a year. If you can afford a website, you can afford a domain name. You can make and kill subdomains in about 30 seconds. It just doesn't instill trust.


I'm not trying to shred this developer, just trying to explain why I wouldn't trust it. For all I know, this could be an awesome program, but I'll let others find out first.

 

[JerryScript]

I second LeslieAnn, tweaking memory management should be done based on the ROM since there are so many subtle differences between implementations of any version of Android. Rather than downloading several apps to control Android, I would recommend installing a ROM that has the features you want baked in, since they will have been tweaked to that particular ROM's needs. There are several Froyo Roms with most memory management tweaks baked in, and aospCM7 Gingerbread has tons of them.

As for multi task management, I haven't tried the app you mention, but just wanted to let you know that you can switch between recently opened apps by long pressing the home button, no need for another app taking up your memory.

@LeslieAnn--Good point about task killers having a purpose on non-rooted phones. I've been rooted since the second day, so I never thought about stock ROMs and their bloatware.

 

[one80oneday]

I only use task killers to kill some apps that don't have an exit option.

 

[whyaphoenix]

delete

 

[LeslieAnn]

I used Taskiller Free by AxDroid LLC before I rooted and it worked great.

Like Whyaphoenix, I didn't leave it running, just used it on restart to kill off the Virgin junk. Anything else, you should remove, change or talk to the dev about fixing it.

 

[foxmajik]

Android is already good at optimizing memory. It uses the same memory optimization method that Windows Mobile and CE have been using for decades.

It keeps apps in memory as long as no RAM is needed, then when it needs RAM it kills the oldest app.

All these killers, ram free-ers, etc. are just gimmicks.

The only time you really need a task killer app is when you have an app that is causing a problem and you can't exit the application because the author thought their app was so wonderful they didn't need to include an Exit menu option (see: parkdroid).

 

[Kiernon]

My philosophy is about the same as foxmajik.

It really comes down to what apps and policies you have going, otherwise it runs snappy for quite awhile unless something seriously chunks.

I've always considered them like 'ram optimization' programs for PC's. In theory, they sound great, but modern OS tend to be far more efficient than many years ago. Otherwise, a clean system with common sense usage and management always run the way they should anyway.

I wish there was an app to optimize MY memory.

Getting old sucks, kids. :\

-K

 

[Retorrent]

Don't see a need for one at all. If you are rooted and running a custom rom most do a good job of trimming the fat. Only time I needed one was when I ran on the stock rom that came with my V. All that dam virgin bloat was a real pain in the ass. Once I rooted and flashed Harmonia haven't had much of a problem since.

 

[bigsupersquid]

the app referred to has some excellent associated information on the dev site and xda.
it modifies the kernel's oom(out-of-memory)killer settings. you can do that yourself without the app with the info provided. here on xda
I use it to make sure unwanted processes and services are really dead, and kill system processes I'm not using.
trying to compile large debian packages eats a *bunch* of CPU and RAM, so I use autokiller a LOT.
and my oomkiller settings are very nonstandard.
I agree that most people won't have too much use for an app like this,
but it doesn't kill processes itself unless you manually use it to do so.
it allows you a nice interface to configure how android kills processes.
just wanted to help clear some misconceptions about what, for me, is a very cool app.
as an example of how effective it is, when my phone is at idle, before using some specific app, I average 280Mb of free RAM. when I kill all the bloat, 320Mb.

 

[theboundless]

@leslieann

Are there any good task killers that work with 2.2 roms? I've read task killers don't work that well on 2.2 roms and above due to changes in android's API.

Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk

 

[zedorda]

Advanced Task Killer from Rechild has a Froyo version and it works great.

 

[Eollie]

@leslieann

Are there any good task killers that work with 2.2 roms? I've read task killers don't work that well on 2.2 roms and above due to changes in android's API.

Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk

Advanced Task Killer from Rechild has a Froyo version and it works great.

theboundless, its not that they dont work well. Its they arent necessary. There is a built in app/task killer that works just fine. The alure to task killers is most come packaged with some other options that people "just cant live without" even tho they also have that function in another app just dont know it.

IMO task killers are now marketed to the new user that comes and asks the question you did. Then somebody says buy ATK its the **** yo. When in reality most people already have Titanium Backup and if you take the time to look over the things it will do there is no need for task killers. TB has pretty much all the same features ATK and several other programs all in one. The only thing I havent found is the ability to stop a app. I use go launcher and even when I was using the standard launcher I put a shortcut on a home screen to the built in app manager and kill apps that way. Its free and works fine.

Even on stock roms there is no NEED for a third party app.task killer. If your using froyo and beyond its built into the system. Save your money and the space taken up by the app.

 

[LeslieAnn]

@leslieann

Are there any good task killers that work with 2.2 roms? I've read task killers don't work that well on 2.2 roms and above due to changes in android's API.

Taskiller Free by AxDroid LLC

IMO task killers are now marketed to the new user that comes and asks the question you did. Then somebody says buy ATK its the **** yo. When in reality most people already have Titanium Backup and if you take the time to look over the things it will do there is no need for task killers. TB has pretty much all the same features ATK and several other programs all in one. The only thing I havent found is the ability to stop a app. I use go launcher and even when I was using the standard launcher I put a shortcut on a home screen to the built in app manager and kill apps that way. Its free and works fine.

Even on stock roms there is no NEED for a third party app.task killer. If your using froyo and beyond its built into the system. Save your money and the space taken up by the app.

Who says you have to pay?
Who says it needs to run all the time.

The one I mentioned you run when you need. I used to run it on startup to kill off the junk. Yes, there are ways to do it built in, but many of these have a better interface. Also, as far as I know, the stock killer is only for services, not for individual app, seems like it to me. Not everything running is a service.