Active Apps


Active apps is a new task manager that are based on the concept of Samsung Task Manager / Program Monitor on touchwiz launcher.

Unlike other task managers, it only shows applications with active tasks.(Those that have potential to consume CPU rather than showing you a list of application residing in memory that might not be necessarily running). 

And unlike other task killers or other task managers, it provides info on which application is consuming CPU so you can close them / restart their stats rather than blindly killing them which might in turn consume more battery or break them (Especially Android prior to FROYO).

Here is an excrept from google Android blog on Android app lifecycle management to help you understand this.
The fact that you can see an application's process "running" does not mean the application is running or doing anything. It may simply be there because Android needed it at some point, and has decided that it would be best to keep it around in case it needs it again. Likewise, you may leave an application for a little bit and return to it from where you left off, and during that time Android may have needed to get rid of the process for other things.
A key to how Android handles applications in this way is that processes don't shut down cleanly. When the user leaves an application, its process is kept around in the background, allowing it to continue working (for example downloading web pages) if needed, and come immediately to the foreground if the user returns to it. If a device never runs out of memory, then Android will keep all of these processes around, truly leaving all applications "running" all of the time.
You can find the full article here: multitasking android way
Active Apps

Why do you need Active Apps?

Android doesn't have stock application to keep tracks of what's really running and put on standby. Other task managers or task killers don't provide information on which are necessary to be terminated

Why do i see so many applications in other task managers but only few in Active Apps?

Although there are many applications showns, those are merely residing in memory
but are not actively running or doing anything.

How does it work?

It tracks the applications that have tasks running and show it to users with information such as RAM and CPU.
Users can than based on this information to terminate applications that affects performance and consume battery.

How does it help?

Battery life is related to CPU usage. When your phone unknowingly auto reboot, warm or sluggish. Likelihood is the background application is out of control and consuming a high amount of CPU. Active Apps can help you identify those applications and stop them from consuming CPU. In addition, by following a certain tips, you can save unnecessary battery consumption.