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testing posts

RIM teams with DeviceAnywhere for testing of BlackBerry applications

by Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2008 @ 5:25AM

Palm already did the deed by partnering with DeviceAnywhere in opening its Virtual Developer Lab, and now it looks as if RIM's doing the same for its BlackBerry lineup. The Waterloo-based handset maker has joined hands with the aforementioned testing outfit in order to let "outside developers test their applications on a single system that represents 100 BlackBerry models running on 16 networks." We're also told that RIM is currently working with 100,000 developers to "create applications for such uses as gaming and navigation that link customers more tightly to their devices," which shouldn't come as any surprise given the pressure from Apple and Google. There's no word on when the virtual dev facility will open its doors, but we'd bank on it being sometime between "now" and "real soon."

RIM's co-CEO sez AT&T still testing BlackBerry Bold

by Darren Murph posted Oct 3rd 2008 @ 5:15PM

We've long since known that RIM's BlackBerry Bold was AT&T bound, but in case you haven't noticed, the rumored October 2nd release date has come and went, and there's nary a Bold on any of AT&T's store shelves. According to RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis, the handset is still undergoing testing at AT&T, suggesting that it wanted to avoid the complaints that arose when the newest iPhone hit in July. AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel remained mum on the subject when asked, only affirming that the handset would eventually be available this year. Ah well, you've been looking for a reason to vacation in Chile, haven't you?

[Via phonescoop]

Palm to begin beta testing on new device say emails

by Joshua Topolsky posted Apr 21st 2008 @ 8:02PM

Word on the street (or via super-secret emails) is that Palm is about to begin beta testing on a fancy new device. Apparently, an email went out to select individuals calling for Sprint customers who will use Bluetooth devices and have access to WiFi. The email further requests that potential testers be "seasoned business professionals" who "commute and spend a ton of time working on email and on the phone." From the sounds of things, the company is gearing up to road test its heavily rumored, WiFi-equipped Treo 800w, a Windows Mobile device likely sporting 6.1. If you don't know what we're talking about, it's that mildly dated looking device from Gates' CES keynote that we've also seen in leaks recently. Nice going on the new spec and inclusion of WiFi (at long last) -- now how about some new form factors?

DeviceAnywhere lets devs play with 500 phones over the net

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 19th 2007 @ 3:24PM

In one of the more impressive Frankenphone installations we've ever seen, a company called Mobile Complete has been operating a remote phone-testing service called DeviceAnywhere that allows mobile phone developers to test out their apps on any of their choice of over 500 different phone models. The phones are opened up and have their circuits wired directly into a server, so devs have access to every part of the device, just as if they were physically present. CEO Faraz Syed says that the networked handsets are "surprisingly reliable and robust, even though they look like we've cut them open and killed them." According to the company, all the major carriers and several large content providers are customers, and only Nokia offers a similar testing suite -- and it's not as robust. Too bad the service starts at $200 and runs from $17 an hour up -- we'd love to spend a couple hours fooling around.

RIM uses Lego to test BlackBerry

by Sean Cooper posted Apr 13th 2007 @ 5:55PM

Back in 1998, when BlackBerry was just starting to garner some attention with its messaging devices -- voice was still but a dream at this point -- RIM engineer Matthias Wandel found a low tech solution to a high-tech testing problem. The BlackBerry 950 was a 900MHz device and moving them a couple centimeters this way or that or changing the devices orientation produced significantly different test results. Eschewing high-tech wizardry for the kid's Lego bin, Matthias was able to construct a device that could rotate the 950 through it's horizontal axis and vertical axis, looked sweet, and likely cost all of 10 bucks to make. We commend anybody who can create useful real world tools with toys, though of course we expect RIM can now afford Robots for this type of chore, or at least Lego robots.

[Via Slashdot]