new droid user, just got an incredible

[SCION]

If you don't recommend task killers, how do you kill an app that's not responding? I'm new to Android.

[wayrad]

Originally Posted by SCION

If you don't recommend task killers, how do you kill an app that's not responding? I'm new to Android.

If an app can't be gracefully exited from using the Back button, it can be "force closed" from Settings/Applications. But if an app misbehaves like that a lot, it's probably a sign of something wrong that should be addressed (maybe by deleting the offending app or doing some troubleshooting).

Many people run task killers because they see a long list of "running apps" in Settings/Applications, and think that this is a drain on their system. As I've seen it explained, these apps are actually only cached in memory. Android doesn't need a large overhead of empty memory, and it likes to maximize memory usage by preloading apps (at minimal cost to resources) that it thinks you might want to open. Keeping them in memory once they are loaded does not require any CPU cycles. A task killer in automatic mode will interrupt this process, and Android will load more apps, which are then killed, and the process repeats over and over. This is actually a greater drain on system resources than leaving things alone.

PS. Here's a better explanation: http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-b...-with-android/

[SCION]

Thanks for the explanation. I don't use auto mode. I select an app, then I'm prompted with several choices. There are some occasions when I don't want the app to remember its last state.

Edit: Perhaps it's better to just clear the cache of the app instead of killing it.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by wayrad

I hope Verizon didn't put an app killer on your DInc, by the way. Android hasn't needed that for years, but Verizon tech support training hasn't caught up. If you see something called advanced task killer, get rid of it - your phone will thank you !

they didn't put an app killer on but I was advised to use one, not due to unresponsive apps, but forgotten apps that would drain your battery. do they self close if unused after awhile?

Originally Posted by grooks

I agree that app killers are unnecessary, especially with Froyo 2.2. A faster way to download apps is if you have a home wireless network, connect to that and the apps will download and install very quickly.

I'm not wireless at this point, but I have had a wireless router sitting here for about a year that I haven't installed, guess I should get the lead out? the next thing I need to do is contact verizon about getting one of those boosters for here at the house, my connection it truly dreadful

what are some of the best apps you folks are using? the "can't live withouts"?

[bjones6416]

I used an app killer at first, but found out after a couple of months it didn't seem to really affect my battery. I DO use Juice Defender, available on the market free. Android phones do use up battery faster than non smartphones, at least in my experience, but I just keep bluetooth/wireless/gps/autosynch turned off until I need them. If you download something like Quick Settings, it allows you to toggle them on and off very easily. I love my android phone, and use it for everything! I've got a dock for it so I just pop it in there at night on my nightstand and it serves as my clock and sound machine (Lightning Bug!) while charging. Win-win!

[jasoraso]

Congratulations on the Droid Incredible! I have loved mine. Sounds like you are finding your way around the phone.

If you have poor cell service, I would look into the extender from Verizon; but I would also get a wifi set up. Your battery life will be much better.

To get pictures off, you can plug the USB cable in and there is an option on the phone to mount the storage, both the internal and the installed SD card, as removable drives on your computer (you can slide your finger from the top of the phone towards the bottom and then tap on the charge only and change to Disk Drive mode). Set the disk mode as default if you want. If you are on a windows box, you should get a pop up at that point to import your pictures.

Oh, and I love Aldiko as a reader, Dropbox for transfering files wireless from my work PC, home PC and phone, and of course Angry Birds. Astro file explorer if you like direct access to the file system on the phone, Adjbrightness app to dim the screen even more when reading at night; although the new Aldiko app turns the button lights off now so I use the brightness less; Facebook app, Google Sky map app, and Handcent app (for text messages - better than the default messaging app).

Also, you can join the Swype beta and get the swype keyboard on the phone (go to Swypeinc.com). The swyping keyboard is awesome!

[kindlekitten]

will setting up a wifi at home help me with cell phone connectivity?

*makes angry hissing sounds* oh! please do NOT tempt me to get into computer gaming! I already have enough drains on my time! thanks for the other info, I shall explore!

[chainring]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

will setting up a wifi at home help me with cell phone connectivity?

WiFi will do nothing for your cell coverage at home. It will, however, take over the data duties from 3G and send that through the internet.

For better cell coverage at home, check out the Verizon Network Extender. That one is the latest revision, but you could pickup the older one a bit cheaper, I imagine.

[kindlekitten]

250 0r thereabouts is a bit steep. I've been looking for alternatives

[astrangerhere]

Welcome to the Droid ranks. I have a Droid X and will take any excuse to geek out over it. I DO use an app killer, and have found it very effective for battery drain actually. I assume this varies by model as well as by which apps you have running.

[wayrad]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

they didn't put an app killer on but I was advised to use one, not due to unresponsive apps, but forgotten apps that would drain your battery. do they self close if unused after awhile?

I believe so. Recent Android versions are actually pretty good at memory management; they just approach it in a way that seems odd to Windows users.

Favorite apps? Hmmm...I really like Remember the Milk for managing multiple to-do lists, B-Folders as a secure repository for passwords and other confidential info, and CalendarPad as an improved front end for the stock calendar. Oh, and Book Catalogue, in combination with Barcode Scanner and the built-in camera, helps me manage my dead tree books.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by wayrad

I believe so. Recent Android versions are actually pretty good at memory management; they just approach it in a way that seems odd to Windows users.

Favorite apps? Hmmm...I really like Remember the Milk for managing multiple to-do lists, B-Folders as a secure repository for passwords and other confidential info, and CalendarPad as an improved front end for the stock calendar. Oh, and Book Catalogue, in combination with Barcode Scanner and the built-in camera, helps me manage my dead tree books.

Barcode scanner and Book Catalogue? Tell me more. Are these free or paid apps? It had never occurred to me to use my Droid for this, but now it seems so obvious.

[kindlekitten]

I think I recall that I can organize my apps, yes? my calendar is one of my heaviest used apps and is buried in with everything else. also, I would like to put them into categories, ie; all my dog stuff on one page, history on another, and so on

[wayrad]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

Barcode scanner and Book Catalogue? Tell me more. Are these free or paid apps? It had never occurred to me to use my Droid for this, but now it seems so obvious.

Both free. You can scan or manually enter the ISBN and it will enter the rest of the book info into the database for you (and even d/l a cover thumbnail!), or you can enter all the info manually and take a picture of the cover yourself. I really like it - no more rummaging to figure out which box things are in!

[wayrad]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I think I recall that I can organize my apps, yes? my calendar is one of my heaviest used apps and is buried in with everything else. also, I would like to put them into categories, ie; all my dog stuff on one page, history on another, and so on

You can add a folder to the homescreen via either long press on the screen or menu/add. Unfortunately the stock folder icon is pretty generic. If you want more features and better icons there are a number of "app organizers" and "folder organizers" in the Market.