by admin | Dec 18, 2019 | Mobile App Testing, Fixed, Blog |
Let’s dive right in, 5G networks is an evolution of today’s Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. It provides exponential growth in bandwidth up to 100 times faster than existing cellular connections, while latency is in the 1-millisecond range. 5G test software, practices, tools, and protocols are being developed for the deployment phase of testing. Millimeter-wave and beamforming at super-high frequencies can cause obstacles due to propagation loss from environmental conditions.
Although Over The Air (OTA) testing is less consistent, it is more sophisticated because it is used frequently for conducted mode testing, which can’t be done without distinct connection points. The number of RF channels will increase significantly, and channel emulation gets complicated with 5G in comparison to linear expansion in 3G/4G.
Importance of 5G Testing
5G will enhance everything from mobile broadband to the Internet of Things (IoT). Mobile App Test companies will benefit if their QA engineers develop systems for the next generation of wireless networks. With no cable access, devices must be tested through OTA testing. Various test challenges, including configuration, coverage, and repeatability, are faced by mobile app testing services companies.
5G components and devices must be tested with new techniques and methodologies. Multi-vendor wireless for 5G networks standard test architecture and measurement plays a crucial role in moving forward with design, characterization, configurations, manufacturing, and validation for hardware/software. Maintaining optimal performance through innovative 5G testing practices can keep you ahead of the game by minimizing chamber testing without compromising on test coverage and accuracy.
Challenges with 5G testing
Beamforming, mmWave and other applications create test challenges, for the QA team who must organize static tests on devices in active environments. QA Engineers must obtain accurate measurements so that the tests are efficient and cost-effective. Mobile terminals today have built-in antennas so a measurement connector would cause issues. Reverberation and anechoic test chambers perform OTA testing, and superior results from far-field measurements (FFM) on mmWave designs are achieved. The combination of beamforming and millimeter-wave utilization delivers 5G pathways and infrastructure.
5G Revolution Preparation
It is a complicated endeavor that requires meticulous planning and perfect execution. The application of an optimized 5G test toolkit within every deployment stage will guarantee success, but they might get compressed and overlap. 5G standalone (SA) mode configurations make the LTE coverage an anchoring technology because standardization of 5G test models is the key to building accurate test practices. Self-drive cars, Virtual Reality (VR), smart cities, and IoT are some of the innovations that are possible because of the 5G bandwidth and latency. The deployment of 5G networks means that requirements for standalone mode take shape, and the demand for cost-effective 5G testing tools increases.
Cost of Test
To control 5g Networks test costs, your QA team must decide which tests are a priority in the OTA chamber. A margin of error is possible when vital specifications in chipsets, devices, and carriers need large amounts of protocol tests. Verified protocol stacks that don’t require RF measurements are tested without a chamber, and the success of 5G is due to the subsequent testing cost reduction.
Cost of Test
Test solutions need to be built on flexible and scalable platforms so that you can integrate extended capabilities when needs and standards advance. 5G networks should perform under a structured deployment as per specifications and operator roadmap. To achieve this, mobile testing services companies must create a robust environment across multiple industries within the business. It should be built with a reliable QA team well versed with the 5G technology, like the one we have at Codoid. So, if you’re looking to employ the best QA company to solve your 5G Networks integrated testing, submit a request form on our contact page.
by admin | Nov 5, 2019 | Mobile App Testing, Fixed, Blog |
Apple devices are a top favorite with people – this fact is corroborated by data that indicates that there are almost 1 billion Apple devices operational globally, running on IOS. IOS is the mobile operating system designed by Apple for sole use in their devices and is the second most used and popular operating system (after Android). IOS, despite being restricted only to Apple devices is so hugely popular and therefore a Software Testing Company such as ours ensures that we follow best practices to test IOS apps.
Keep the OS Working Well
This may seem straightforward and obvious but newbie testers usually ignore testing older versions of an operating system either due to a paucity of time or funds. This is a costly error since there will always be customers with older devices and the previous versions of the IOS, even as there are customers constantly seeking the latest versions. Those with Apple devices and IOS are used to receiving top-quality apps and even the slightest error ensures that they just find another app rather than updating the device software. The fact is that every operating system could have several versions, and in order to be successful in testing the apps testers must keep pace with all updates and ensure that all the critical ones are tested in time.
Treat Each Device as Individual
There are several differences between phones and tablets, and it is necessary for testers to understand these variances and also how consumers use these two devices. Understanding the differences will help testers use the best tools and strategies to test the apps on these devices. As a professional mobile app testing services company we work closely with app developing companies to ensure that the apps look good and work well on all devices, irrespective of screen size.
Ensure App does not Drain Battery
Phone and device batteries do not last forever, and users that experience app issues with regard to draining phone batteries are more likely to delete/discontinue using the apps. IOS provides users with information on which apps would be draining the battery fastest, and hence it is necessary for testers to ensure that the apps they are testing are not the cause.
Apps must Conform to Exacting Standards
IOS is extremely demanding and particular about app features, user experience, and user interface. If the guidelines are not conformed to, it is possible that Apple may reject apps or even bar them forever from their operating system. As a mobile testing services company, we believe it becomes our responsibility to ensure that apps perform at the highest level consistently, and across devices.
Ask the Right Questions
Testers are often faced with several challenges and it becomes important for them to understand these issues in order to solve them. If something seems untestable, the first thing to note is that mobile app performance can always be tested. It would be necessary to ask why something cannot be tested, what would need to be changed, whether the code needs to be refactored, and other such queries. The fact is that Apple has set some very high standards of performance, and the apps would need to match them in order to be on the IOS. Businesses need to partner with experts in this realm in order to consistently produce top-quality apps.
It is necessary for each class of apps to have focused responsibility, and testers would need to divide a class into many parts in order to test them individually in order to maintain focus. Trying to do too many things and test too many apps at once, is a costly mistake that many testers make.
In Conclusion
Testing IOS apps are amongst the most challenging tasks for testers. As experienced testers, we carefully select the right strategy and testing process, use the most contemporary methodologies and tools, emulators, and devices, ensuring that every IOS application testing is successful and in line with the business requirements.
by admin | Nov 12, 2019 | Mobile App Testing, Fixed, Blog |
The rise and seeming invincibility of mobile phones have raised the stakes not just for mobile device manufacturers but also for mobile app creators and testers. For testers, it is about dealing with a great number of bugs and defects, and for newbies, this could prove challenging. As a leading Mobile App Testing Services Company we view all this as an opportunity to consistently practice and upgrade our skills to overcome the unique challenges that this realm presents.
For newbie app testers these challenges could prove overwhelming. There are constant operating system updates, new devices with enhanced features, various application frameworks for the web, native, and hybrid apps, and a wide gamut of DevOps tools – all together could prove daunting for newbie app testers. There are several decisions that go into preparing a mobile testing strategy, and the possibility of things going awry is huge. However, with guidance and tips from experts, newbie app testers could quickly become assets for a mobile testing services company. Here are a few strategies that newbies should follow in order to become highly sought resources:
Real Device Mobile Testing
Most testers run all tests on emulators, which while good for early-stage testing, is a mistake for all tests. Not running tests on real devices would lead to app failure in the real-world environment. Using real mobile devices to test would ensure that testers can assess core capabilities such as carrier issues, connectivity problems, GPS, battery usage, reasons for call and SMS disruptions, the functionality of cameras, and many more key elements. While emulators test whether the app will work on all devices, they are unable to factor in the unique configuration of each device. However, given the overwhelming number of devices available today, it would help to identify and test on devices used most by existing customers – covering about 80% of devices while testing would produce accurate results. Remember that costs are a huge consideration for clients, and hence it would be best to rent (in the cloud) real mobile devices. We have been helping clients with their testing needs, while saving money and maintaining project completion timelines.
Automating Mobile Testing
This is important since automating mobile testing enables parallel testing across a number of real devices and emulators. This in turn makes testing more efficient and faster and allows product creators to release to the market sooner. Speed and top quality are what help to beat out the competition! In addition, automation allows testers to save configurations prior to running tests, which can be reused when required. However, as experts we caution against automating all tests since rarely run tests are better performed manually, saving all the time and cost of setup. Further, it is important that the right tools are used – ones that enable testers to write and run tests on both IOS and Android.
Web Apps are Released Faster – Match the Pace
Web apps are released every day and directly to users, given continuous delivery and deployment. Mobile apps however must pass the scrutiny of operating system providers namely Android and IOS. Their guidelines and policies are strict and rigorous, which do not only slow down release but can also block release on their system. It is important for testers to keep these factors in mind when testing mobile apps – top quality aligned to the guidelines of these two OS giants.
These tests are best performed later in the testing cycle, and both on emulators and real devices – emulators to mirror user behavior in load conditions and real devices to check for reasons of SMS and calls disruption and memory leaks. A variety of techniques and strategies are required for both load and performance testing, but the aim is to ensure a smoothly running app once it reaches the market.
Use Testing Tools Specific to Mobile Devices
Since mobile testing is a niche area, it is necessary to perform it using the tools built especially for the purpose, and the good news is that there are several tools to serve this end.
In Conclusion
Mobile app testing is certainly not easy, especially since the ‘environment’ continuously changes. The principles and guidelines for it, however, remain stable. With the tips provided and with your knowledge and help from expert testers, newbie testers can be on the path of becoming key assets for their organization. If your business is looking for the best testers in the industry, connect with us today.
by admin | Nov 26, 2019 | Mobile App Testing, Fixed, Blog |
We live in a world where smartphones consume people, our eyes glued to the various apps on the phone. The only way to stand out against the 1000’s apps released every day is through the usability of your app. A good UI/UX can help you discover ways to interact and engage with your users. An app’s success is highly dependent on the usability of a mobile app’s user interface (UI), and it should carry precedence over its user experience (UX).
Usability is an important aspect of the overall relationship between the user and the product. It focuses only on the efficiency and simplicity of achieving the goals of the app. Pay attention to the little things that can make or break the success of your app. If you’re a mobile app testing services company, you must consider these three aspects: efficiency, easiness to learn, and user satisfaction while optimizing your mobile app usability.
In today’s modern-day mobile apps are plagued by multiple usability issues. Let’s discuss a few:
1. Developers need to design apps to fit each mobile brand and model due to different screen sizes and resolutions, even if it’s the same operating system.
2. An organized and intuitive design that avoids unnecessary deep navigation is critical. When a user navigates your app, they need to understand how to do what they want quickly.
3. The constant battle between information vs. speed can leave some apps desiring for better function and balance.
4. Users access their device one-handed and on the go with their opposable thumb, so scrolling is inevitable, that’s why apps must prioritize within the limits of their screen.
5. It is imperative to design apps with both portrait and landscape modes as they go for development separately as two different applications, so you should adapt it suitably.
6. A self-explanatory app succeeds better than others in the market. Statistics show that 20% of users abandon an app within 3-7 days due to complexities.
7. Content should be relevant and presented concisely with the right font and size. Pop-ups can provide additional information and increase the conversion rate with users.
8. Auto-fill/suggestion is a prerequisite and a powerful way to improve user experience in apps these days. Registrations through email or social media and one-click payments are preferred.
9. Include qualitative analytical tools to combat unresponsive gesture issues into your testing. It can provide insights into how users browse, click, and interact within the app.
10. User feedback and optimization are crucial to maintaining a well-updated app. Small sample groups can detect 85% of usability issues, so A/B testing is a must.
In conclusion,A successful mobile app must be intuitive, and it should take little to no time for a user to become familiar with the interface. As per International Standards like ISO 9241–11, usability is the capability of the product to be understood, learned, and operated. To reach all potential customers, you would need both kinds of apps – Android and iOS. As a mobile testing services company, Codoid ensures all apps are developed to meet high standards of approval. We can help your app break through a saturated market and head in the right direction towards success. Contact us if you’re ready to discover a flexible approach to usability testing and want to maintain the stellar quality of your mobile app.
“Don’t forget an excellent usability score helps convert users into loyal and long-term customers.”
by admin | Nov 19, 2019 | Mobile App Testing, Fixed, Blog |
Customers today want to experience the best of technology through devices, apps, and surfing online information, without wasting time and expending too much effort. Efficiency and speed are the top priorities and hence customers are drawn towards websites and mobile applications that consistently deliver on these two counts. It is all about the customer now – the user! This is why we as an expert Software Testing Company are consistently building UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) testing capability.
The whole premise and perspective of any business would be to enhance profitability by increasing the user base and retaining existing users. A company would aim to ensure that users focus on and use its products rather than that of competition. It is necessary therefore to approach business intelligently and from the perspective of the users, such that service and products align with their expectations. If users hear positive comments they would buy or download the product and would then use it, and form their own opinion. Hence while a new user might first buy a product basis other customer reviews, remaining a customer would depend on the interface and experience they have. Every new user is either a potential brand ambassador or someone who would write a scathing review or might never use a company’s product ever again. It makes sense therefore to ensure that users love your product and efficiency and usefulness are the criteria. Websites and applications must achieve these goals in order for customers to continue using and recommending them to others and this is why user testing becomes critical.
UX testing helps a business to identify the purpose for which customers use the product, and how they use the product to achieve that purpose. Customers expect maximum value from products, and they will question and stop using anything that does not achieve their purpose. Any responsible business will ensure that the websites and applications they produce will bring happiness and top notch usability for their customers. As leading Mobile App Testing Services expert we understand the importance of usability testing to enable businesses to give customers exactly what they expect and need.
Usability testing enables companies to deal with some core issues such as:
- Identification of damaged or severed links
- Bridging content and language gaps
- Fixing page errors
- Ensuring uniformity across sites and applications thereby enhancing the message and image of a brand
- Resolving poor page design layout
UX Testing Benefits
Cost effectiveness and money saving – Ensuring that users get the product they expect and need is necessary in order to save time and money rectifying a sub-standard product that fails to hit home with users. It makes more sense to partner with UI UX testing experts who would ensure that the product that goes out is of the best quality. Through usability testing never have to waste resources on redesign or code factoring later on.
Enhancing Conversion Rates – Usability testing enhances user experiences for websites, which is a proven factor to raise conversion rates by up to 75% – an extremely critical factor for any business. Applications and software solutions too must be able to increase conversions and long-term engagement. Usability testing also ensures that users can provide feedback on the software created. When users are included in the process, they are less likely to criticize and more amenable to providing new ideas with regard to functionality and improvements.
Creating Brand Awareness and Loyalty – A uniform brand experience is necessary to create a good impression on users. Software and applications should be simple, recognizable, unique, and have high quality – and this must be consistent across platforms, devices, and applications. Intuitive, interactive, and easy to navigate user interfaces keep users loyal to a brand and encourage them to spread the word of mouth to others. In addition, uniformity ensures that users and current non-users are able to identify the brand from the look and feel of the websites, software, and applications.
At Codoid we have an expert team that completely understands and is equipped to use all the techniques and tools required to find and fix bugs and ensure that software, applications, and websites are and remain of top quality. Diligence in documentation is extremely important to report bugs and capture recommendations of the solutions. Usability testing is an ongoing process and cannot be done all at once – regular testing across mobile devices and operating systems to ensure compatibility and a holistic user experience is the core of usability testing. Connect with us to create the right testing strategy, which will help to achieve the digital objectives for your business.
by admin | Oct 13, 2019 | Mobile App Testing, Fixed, Blog |
Mobile usability goes a long way in enhancing end-user app acceptance. But usability starts with the user, and users differ in terms of knowledge, interests, goals, and so on. This article discusses some core usability characteristics that matter to customers, and how test engineers can understand and achieve them.
Smartphone applications have been booming since the advent of iPhones and Android phones. There are more than 2,200,000 iOS and 2,600,000 android apps available as on Feb 2019. While a few apps go viral and get downloaded thousands of times, many do not generate even a few users. Apps can flop because the content is not interesting, but there’s another prevalent (and avoidable) reason for failure: because they are too difficult to be used on a mobile device.
Usability starts with the user, and users differ in terms of knowledge, interests, goals, and so on. As test engineers, we must ask questions about the app users, their mobile tasks, the environments they work in, the types of devices they use, and how tech-savvy they are. Clearly, usability is an important attribute to account for. This article discusses some core usability characteristics that matter to customers, and how test engineers can understand and achieve them.
The type of users and how they will interact with your product have to be taken into consideration for each app.
As Software test engineers, we must understand that mobile applications differ from traditional desktop and web-based apps in a number of ways. Correspondingly, the test focus areas also differ. Many areas require special attention, but let’s restrict our discussion to the below five elements:
- Functionality
- Context
- Range of devices
- Data entry methods
- Multimodality
Context can be defined as the totality of a consumer’s mobile experience. This includes the situational, attitudinal, and preferential habits of the user. Mobile context is constrained by factors such as screen sizes, users’ fingers, location, posture, and network connectivity. Mobile context also includes various capabilities like automatic orientation detection, dynamic location detection, the compass, and accelerometers. Let us take the example of a mobile context with respect to location. Say you ask your application to display a list of Chinese restaurants. A good application will locate your geographical positioning and give you a list of nearby places, along with reviews of other users in the same geography, and specific eating options depending on the time of the day. Results should be targeted, contextual, and valuable.
Another focus area is the various supported device models for the application. An application may work fine on one device but then crash or fail on another. For example, Zomato is a restaurant guide app with great features and UI. However, the app crashes on Android 4.3. A Software tester has a prime responsibility in verifying these nuances, keeping an optimized test matrix in mind. Next up are data entry methods. We understand that mobile devices, especially smart devices, support a lot of data entry methods, including a stylus, touch, voice recognition, gestures, and so on. Test engineers must ensure that the application responds well to each potential entry point.
Multimodality combines voice and touch as input and displays visual screens and spoken responses as output—for example, a navigation application that provides spoken responses as audio aids for the driver and visual displays as directions. Testers need to examine input and output to be sure both audio and visual components function properly.
Taking into account the many variables that need to be considered from the mobile usability angle, Codoid recommends the following practices which come in handy when creating a testing strategy.
Start early. Testing should begin at the requirements analysis phase. Most usability issues are related to design, and if you can catch them upfront when you review the designs as wireframes or mockups, it will mean less trouble down the road.
Work iteratively. Testing regularly makes it a lot easier to support small incremental changes throughout the lifespan of the application. Usability should be considered in all stages throughout the development lifecycle because every change in design and every interaction with the product prototype has an impact.
Adopt usability in conjunction with other testing types. You need to think about combinatorial elements in usability testing. For example, functionality and usability can cause a conflict; a functional designer might want to make the product feature-rich, whereas the usability engineer’s focus is to keep the application simple and intuitive. Usability studies need to be performed collaboratively, keeping in mind the performance, security, localization, functionality, and accessibility aspects of the application.
Check in after launch. Usability studies should continue after the product launches. Checking the app store, studying the ratings and reviews by users, and analyzing competition are all valuable practices in enhancing the usability of the application.
Use productivity tools. Usability testing for mobile apps is still largely done manually, and there is room to use productivity tools to make the effort more effective. There are many handy productivity tools available for a variety of usability factors, including testing the application across multiple devices for optimum screen resolution. At the end you get a report with screenshots for each selected device, indicating the screen resolution effectiveness. Another tool creates heat maps to help find areas where users’ focus lingers the most. These visible indicators help realign UI if needed. And recording software shows where participants tapped and scrolled and how they navigated from page to page, helping gauge the level of workflow intuitiveness.
Go to the source to discover user expectations. Reading about usability is one thing, but interacting with people who have special accessibility needs is invaluable. It opens your eyes to their requirements and reveals some big coverage gaps you may have.
Talk like a human, not a programmer. Emotional intelligence factors are gaining attention. When you talk about end-users, don’t talk about them as entities, but as real people with emotions. If you want to account for an emotional angle in your testing strategy and you don’t know where to start, usability is a good place to consider.
Testing, testing, testing. While it is good to have a well-etched strategy, it’s better to set aside time for exploratory testing. Most often, usability issues surface when you try operating your product in an exploratory way. Invite groups to come to test your app and think of creative ways to maximize test coverage.
In Conclusion
In essence, mobile usability goes a long way in enhancing end-user app acceptance. This industry is still evolving by the day, but the practices discussed above will give you a head start in building usable mobile applications.
