Multitasking fix

[crxssi]

Maybe if it's going straight to the developers and not getting filtered through layers of customer service, PR, and who knows whatever other layers of corporate bureaucracy, the message will get through.

I got a response and it looks like it just gets forwarded to the exact same team as questions/comments on the link in my signature. Oh well. Here is the mostly useless response I got back:

I understand you were having issues with the4 multitasking issue oh your HTC EVO 4G LTE. I would be more than happy to assist you with this device feature inquiry. You mention that you have applications that will not run in the background and they freeze then reload later on your Android device. I would recommend that you go into the Developer options (HOME screen > tap Settings > Developer options > App Settings) and enable ?Don?t Keep Activities? then tap on the HOME button. When you are finished, I would suggest that you complete a soft reset on your phone.

Restart Your Phone. Restarting the phone will close all running apps and will clear all temporary files in the phone?s memory. Make sure to save your work before restarting the phone. [instructions omitted]

When your device screen comes back up, you should go back into the Developer options then disable ?Don?t Keep Activities? again. You can check in the status of your Home screen afterwards. After you have checked the Home screen, I recommend that you check some other settings in the Developer options.

SETTINGS INFORMATION:
All Ice Cream Sandwich devices will include the setting menu: Developer Options as a standard feature of the operating system. Within these settings there are Application settings that can affect the performance of the device and the end-user's experience.

1. Don't Keep Activities: The first of these is the checkbox option for "Don't Keep Activities", this option will force stop an application once the user leaves the application.
2. Background Process Limit: The next of these is the options box for "Background Process Limit", this option will limit the number of applications the user is allowed to have running at one time in the background.

In the OPTIONS MENU, there are six available options:
? Standard Limit
? No Background Processes
? At Most, 1 Process
? At Most, 2 Processes
? At Most, 3 Processes
? At Most, 4 Processes

If you have modified these settings from your default stock setting, this will affect your experience of the new Ice Cream Sandwich device. Again, the default settings are:
? Don't Keep Activities is "Disabled"
? Background Process Limit is set to "Standard Limit"

It is recommended to have these settings checked when you report an issue with multitasking on your HTC device that is currently running Android 4.0.X. You should be aware that we continue to investigate this issue to find the cause. Unfortunately, I do not have any other information to offer until the investigation has been completed. I apologize for any inconvenience that you have experienced.

If this answers your comment or question, please click here to complete the process. To submit another comment, please click here. Sincerely, The HTCDev Team

At least they didn't re-iterate the "it is working as designed" nonsense, and they did respond and in a timely manner. I replied (I won't include it here) essentially saying the suggestions didn't help and then gave yet more examples of how multitasking/task management is still broken.

 

[kbp08tls]

More useless drivel...

 

[Nreeldeep]

You think the same HTC that recently announced moving focus away from the states is the same HTC that's gonna focus on your multitasking issue? E-S-P-E-C-I-A-L-L-Y when they repeatedly sent emails stating that there is NO issue?!?
I need you dudes to line up to purchase some prime ocean front property I got for sale in Arizona. Great prices!

 

[kbp08tls]

You think the same HTC that recently announced moving focus away from the states is the same HTC that's gonna focus on your multitasking issue? E-S-P-E-C-I-A-L-L-Y when they repeatedly sent emails stating that there is NO issue?!?
I need you dudes to line up to purchase some prime ocean front property I got for sale in Arizona. Great prices!

LOL, and I have a bridge for sale.
I seriously don't expect an organic fix from HTC. It is important for us to let them know they screwed up though. If they play their cards right, they might be able to save face by fixing it when (IF) they roll out a Jelly Bean update. Something like "the new Jelly Bean update allowed us to adjust our custom memory management specifications provide a better HTC Sense experience for our users..." *wink wink nod nod*

 

[Nreeldeep]

LOL, and I have a bridge for sale.
I seriously don't expect an organic fix from HTC. It is important for us to let them know they screwed up though. If they play their cards right, they might be able to save face by fixing it when (IF) they roll out a Jelly Bean update. Something like "the new Jelly Bean update allowed us to adjust our custom memory management specifications provide a better HTC Sense experience for our users..." *wink wink nod nod*

Just returned my son's Evo Lte. I've got better things to do with my $200 and loyalty than waste them on a company that refuses to repair an obvious problem with their product. When they decide to put the customer first, instead of worrying to distraction about nothing but design, to the detriment of the customer user experience, then I might once again darken their ever shrinking doorway.
HTC is gonna either get the message or have a tomb stone beside Palm.

 

[1BadHEMI]

Just returned my son's Evo Lte. I've got better things to do with my $200 and loyalty than waste them on a company that refuses to repair an obvious problem with their product. When they decide to put the customer first, instead of worrying to distraction about nothing but design, to the detriment of the customer user experience, then I might once again darken their ever shrinking doorway.
HTC is gonna either get the message or have a tomb stone beside Palm.

I agree! I returned mine 2 weeks ago when my SIII 32GB arrived. I really loved the EVO though. It really is a great device, just piss poor memory management backed by a company that doesn't have a clue.

For those sticking with the EVO, hopefully the Dev's will be able to work around it. I haven't really seen anyone work around it on the International version as of yet, but who knows. Just be sure that htc will not fix it...

 

[k2ldc10]

I emailed HTC to let them know I am an EVO 4G owner and was looking to upgrade to the 4G LTE at the end if the month. However, after using one in the store and seeing how multi tasking is handled, and reading others complaints, I will look elsewhere unless HTC acknowledges the problem and will address it. Here was the response I got. Looks like it won't be changing.

"Thank you for contacting HTC. I'm sorry to hear that you have decided the EVO 4G LTE will not meet your needs.

As you may know, Paul, the multitasking functionality on our Android 4.0 devices was designed to operate alongside our custom memory management. Do know that I am happy to pass your comments to our Research and Development team.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to email me. I will be more than happy to help you, Paul. Have a wonderful day!"

 

[Nreeldeep]

I emailed HTC to let them know I am an EVO 4G owner and was looking to upgrade to the 4G LTE at the end if the month. However, after using one in the store and seeing how multi tasking is handled, and reading others complaints, I will look elsewhere unless HTC acknowledges the problem and will address it. Here was the response I got. Looks like it won't be changing.

"Thank you for contacting HTC. I'm sorry to hear that you have decided the EVO 4G LTE will not meet your needs.

As you may know, Paul, the multitasking functionality on our Android 4.0 devices was designed to operate alongside our custom memory management. Do know that I am happy to pass your comments to our Research and Development team.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to email me. I will be more than happy to help you, Paul. Have a wonderful day!"

Lol wow that was a harsh email response. He was like "F@#k off Paul!"
HTC pulled focus from the states due to the a$$ whooping Samsung and Apple are giving them. Just left Brazil due to low turn out. Europe has been disappointing for them. Already in third place in China behind Apple and Samsung.
Seems like wherever they go there's already an Apple and Samsung dug in. What to do. *Sigh*
I have an idea: Maybe they should send out a software fix for the multitasking fiasco. Might help. Can't hurt.
But I'm just a school teacher. What do I know?

 

[k2ldc10]

I was disappointed by the response. I'm holding out a bit since my EVO is still hanging in there.

 

[Pew446]

Darn, now I don't know what to do! RadioShack sent me a gift card worth about 650 dollars so I can get my new phone (Broke my EVO, they couldn't repair it.), and now I don't know if I want the EVO anymore.. But I love the design, and the EVO is just one of those phones that makes no other phone feel the same.. It's like moving, the new house just doesn't feel the same as the one you've been living in for so long. What to do.. :-\

 

[Mercury81]

Darn, now I don't know what to do! RadioShack sent me a gift card worth about 650 dollars so I can get my new phone (Broke my EVO, they couldn't repair it.), and now I don't know if I want the EVO anymore.. But I love the design, and the EVO is just one of those phones that makes no other phone feel the same.. It's like moving, the new house just doesn't feel the same as the one you've been living in for so long. What to do.. :-\

Get a new Evo4GLTE and feel at home again...:beer:

sent from EVO4GLTE

 

[Coorsleftfield]

I returned my EVO (for a gs3) and HTC called me asking for feedback on why I returned the phone. Long story short I talked to them about 20 minutes and provided lots of feedback.

Told them multitasking was #1, sense crashing #2, and red oversaturation was #3. Hopefully they take the feedback and improve the product.

 

[Pew446]

I've never had Sense crash on me.. Also I think the colors are great.

 

[Coorsleftfield]

I've never had Sense crash on me.. Also I think the colors are great.

The flesh tones are way off. HTC has acknowledged the issue already.

 

[kronosqq]

Darn, now I don't know what to do! RadioShack sent me a gift card worth about 650 dollars so I can get my new phone (Broke my EVO, they couldn't repair it.), and now I don't know if I want the EVO anymore.. But I love the design, and the EVO is just one of those phones that makes no other phone feel the same.. It's like moving, the new house just doesn't feel the same as the one you've been living in for so long. What to do.. :-\

If you're open to rooting and flashing I'd stick with the Evo. It's only a matter of time before we get a fully functional CM9 and then 10 ROM that'll be free of all the multitasking issues.

Sent from my EVO using Android Central Forums

 

[kronosqq]

Told them multitasking was #1, sense crashing #2, and red oversaturation was #3. Hopefully they take the feedback and improve the product.

One of the reasons you went to the GS3 was because the evolte had red over saturation?! Well I'll admit that it does a bit but SAMOLED has over saturated everything.

Sent from my EVO using Android Central Forums

 

[Mercury81]

I've never had Sense crash on me.. Also I think the colors are great.

1.I think multi tasking its working fine
2.I have never had sense crash on the Evo4GLTE.
3. This phone has the best display ever on android and no one can debate that fact. Just sayin...:beer::thumbup:

sent from EVO4GLTE

 

[Habiib]

That's pretty cool that you actually talked to someone from a major corporation or at least a consumer relations division. Good thing you could provide technical feedback about those issues, you were the voice for a lot of people. Seems everyone else only gets a cookie cutter email reply...but you actually had a pretty lengthy discussion. Hopefully they were recording or taking notes.

Sent from my EVO using Android Central Forums

 

[Pew446]

I don't know if anyone has tried this but I was browsing xda-developer's forums... xda-developers - View Single Post - Multitasking my ars!

And apparently everyone is getting good results by following this:

"From your Home screen, tap All apps, Go into Developer Options, CHECK Don't keep activities. Press the Home key (Sense will reload). Restart the phone by tapping and holding the Power button until the Options menu appears, then tap Restart. Once back up, go back into Developer Options, UNCHECK Don't keep activities. Press the Home key (Sense will reload again)."

I guess that Restart part is pretty important for it to do anything. Some say it works like a charm, others say it screws up crap. I don't know, try it at your own risk. I don't have my EVO so I can't try it.

 

[bc2k]

I saw an older thread on XDA with the same suggestion. Implies there might be some kind of uninitialized setting that gets forced into a proper state by the toggle.

Going through the steps as described did seem to help; often I can switch among several running apps and not get a reload. In fact the apps that seem most likely to trigger a reload (of other apps) are gmail, maps, play store - see a pattern forming there?

Yeah.

Anyway, with my phone nothing bad happened from this, and some good seems to have ensued. Worth a try.