Related
Where are these rumors coming from? i've yet to read or hear anything from Microsoft that they are going to open up their os to allow multitasking for all apps. where is this news coming from? has there been anything i may have missed that confirms this multitasking rumor?
None that I'm aware of, in fact its likely that it wont be out soon considering the fact that they showed the video displaying that if an app is built properly you can return to the same screen you were on by simply clicking the back button.
z33dev33l said:
None that I'm aware of, in fact its likely that it wont be out soon considering the fact that they showed the video displaying that if an app is built properly you can return to the same screen you were on by simply clicking the back button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That has nothing to do with multitasking though, that's just efficient app design. Most apps have no reason to multitask (ie. run in the background while you're using another app or talking on the phone), so tombstoning is a great idea - as long as the devs take it into consideration and save all pertinant information.
The apps that do require multitasking won't be helped by tombstoning however. Consider a GPS tracker of some kind, perhaps one for tracking your daily run. This would benefit greatly from multitasking (ie. running in the background) as an incoming call or you taking a photo wouldn't affect the GPS log in any way.
The same goes for any apps that provide extra core-OS functionality, perhaps a Profile app. Not being able to have this run in the background means you can't automatically get the phone to go silent at night, or turn to vibrate during working hours, or allow notification sounds but no ringer during lunchtime - no amount of tombstoning would help here.
But I agree, I don't think we'll see multitasking yet either. Not until a major update, perhaps the rumored Mango - more likely than not delivered with a bunch of new (and powerful) devices.
when the apps tombstone do they save their position for u to resume right back to them?
deadwrong03 said:
when the apps tombstone do they save their position for u to resume right back to them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can, it's up to the developers to implement it. Mine all do.
yea. i think MS may go the approach apple did and have a selected criteria for your apps to be able to multitask. in the case of tombstoning though, the game hearts is a great example. i have played it for hours on end constantly being interupted, and it automatically loads back to the game when i go back to it, and i continue on where i was at. the developer for Hearts really did understand the concept of tombstoning and really did implement it correctly.
it is possible for most apps to work just as good as multi-tasked with tombstoning. as said, it's really about the developer.
perhaps MS should provide the user with the ability to say how the app should launch (not allow the developer, but the actual user). like, if you press and hold an app you can set it so that it has "run in background" capabilities. or they can suggest this at the market place with MS approval (e.g. skype or messenger), but still provide it. apps like facebook, some people like having it always running and getting feeds, others don't. with the capability to select "run in background" it would be nice.
Hello again
I figured out a quick little change in the WMAppManifest.xml file that allows you to make your XAPs resume, rather than restart, when clicked on from the start menu.
Here's a demonstration:
So here's how it works:
In every WMAppManifest.xml file, located inside the XAPs, there's a line called "DefaultTask". In the Visual Studio IDE, there's little you can do with this line, but if you edit it post-compiling, you can actually do a lot of things. In this case, adding the term ActivationPolicy="Resume" to your DefaultTask will make the application resume the task, rather than replace it (default action). Here's an example:
Original:
Code:
<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" />
Resumable:
Code:
<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" ActivationPolicy="Resume"/>
This follows the same rules as the back button resuming, for example, if my dehydration hack is enabled, the code will resume instantly, and otherwise, it will resume with the usual "resuming..." message. It'll make sense
Should be fairly easy for you guys to figure out, and hopefully we'll see some developers integrate this directly into their code
For the end users, though, I've created a simple tool that does this patch for them, then deploys. Info and download over on my website:
http://windowsphonehacker.com/resumablexap
I'd say more, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. Let me know what you guys think, if you have any questions, etc.
Your friend,
Jaxbot
Awesome. Imma try this in a bit with some .xap files I got stored somewhere... jejeje
Sent from my []D[][]V[][]D ARRIVE using Board Express
thanks for this app
really nice find
Cool hack thanks again
I have been experimenting with some xaps with this.
I found some quirky apps:
- Facebook (u already know)
- IMDB
- NU.nl
- Daily motion (does not play the video anymore)
All others I tested seem to work fine. I did not test any games.
Its probably bad coding or not storing the back history or something.
Thanks for the tool. It helps with productivity.
I btw notice more quirky behaviour with the dehydrate on (I could be mistaken)... how is your batterylife Jaxbot? Is it fine with normal use? Or do we have to be sure to close the apps etc?
Are the apps stored in ram temporarily?
Does it affect general performances if you have 4/5 apps in "soft sleep" ?
Sakem said:
Are the apps stored in ram temporarily?
Does it affect general performances if you have 4/5 apps in "soft sleep" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have my dehydration hack enabled, yes, they're in the RAM.
In my experience, no, the performance isn't really affected (there's a reason for that), and as an example, I've had Twitter open for the last few days and I've seen no negative impacts.
So its an updated version of this one:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=999475
FPM
FlowerPotmen said:
So its an updated version of this one:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=999475
FPM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. That dehydration hack allowed applications to stay open in the background. This method allows applications to be resumed from that state, directly from the start menu.
Eg, the instant resuming allowed Twitter to be instantly resumed when the lock screen popped up, or when you dive into messages and then click Back.
This allows Twitter to be navigated from, and then returned to, say, a day later, and it will still be where you left it. Nifty, I thought.
Does this new hack improve IM+ functionality? Will the app still have to reconnect with this hack? If so is this related to the lack of sockets in NoDo?
blindpet said:
Does this new hack improve IM+ functionality? Will the app still have to reconnect with this hack? If so is this related to the lack of sockets in NoDo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has to reconnect yes. This is the way IM+ is coded. However the contacts will still be displayed on the screen so its less annoying for sure.
It will look the same as opening IM+ then exit by pressing windows button, than click back, the exact same effect... only now you will have the same if you press a live tile
Thanks for the quick reply, guess I'll have to wait for Mango for true messaging functionality despite all the hard work of devs.
blindpet said:
Thanks for the quick reply, guess I'll have to wait for Mango for true messaging functionality despite all the hard work of devs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use native sockets, you can get around this, but it means you'll have to code your own IM client, which is no fun.
if do this to all of your xap and dehydration hack.
it look like u have real multitask.
parnunu said:
if do this to all of your xap and dehydration hack.
it look like u have real multitask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed yes... Unfortunately in some cases it screws up the order of the backbutton press and you will not be able to "escape" from apps or go back to the main Menu. IMDB, FB, some others as well will have to be recoded in order to work with this hack
posted on wmpu
awesome job jaxbot per usual! cheers!
domineus said:
posted on wmpu
awesome job jaxbot per usual! cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the post (saw it a second ago), but you need to update it:
This is for *current* Windows Phone builds, not Mango. Mango already has this feature built in.
Eg, if you have a developer unlocked device, you can use this on NoDo, pre-NoDo, RTM, etc. You don't need Mango.
Jaxbot said:
Thanks for the post (saw it a second ago), but you need to update it:
This is for *current* Windows Phone builds, not Mango. Mango already has this feature built in.
Eg, if you have a developer unlocked device, you can use this on NoDo, pre-NoDo, RTM, etc. You don't need Mango.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said that in the article too
domineus said:
I said that in the article too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but this has nothing to do with Mango. In fact, it probably wouldn't even work on Mango.
Regardless, I do appreciate the mention
Jaxbot said:
Yes, but this has nothing to do with Mango. In fact, it probably wouldn't even work on Mango.
Regardless, I do appreciate the mention
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and I'm sorry too
I've been trying to amend it and it won't amend
However I did note in the comment it works on all devices
I sincerely apologize for the mixup darn thing didn't save at all ><
wordpress fail sorry man
domineus said:
and I'm sorry too
I've been trying to amend it and it won't amend
However I did note in the comment it works on all devices
I sincerely apologize for the mixup darn thing didn't save at all ><
wordpress fail sorry man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, I know the drill Just wanted to make sure you knew, wouldn't want trolls getting on ya
Good luck man, and again, thanks for the mention
~Jaxbot
First month, I was constantly looking for apps or "things to prove the phone is awesome".
Second month, I only got the apps that provided me with consumption of media and information. Apps such as engadget, netflix, beezz, and many more.
Third month, I spend less than a minute per hour while still getting all the information I need. On android it would take me forever as well as the fact that many apps would crash or just not work.
I realized that it does everything I need a phone to do, and it does it without me having to worry about if the alarm won't work!
Also, I recently started developing apps in silverlight and xna. I think I just fell in love, developing for android was a pain in the ass compared to this.
I guess you already tried the beta of Mango? If not, you've to install it! It's stunning
experience7 said:
I guess you already tried the beta of Mango? If not, you've to install it! It's stunning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a dev account yet, and even if I did not sure I want to use Mango yet. I hear good things about it and I have played with the dev kit.
Best part of wp7 is the live tiles, when they work that is. Sometimes they don't update and I have to force them to update.
ryude said:
Also, I recently started developing apps in silverlight and xna. I think I just fell in love, developing for android was a pain in the ass compared to this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to derail the thread here, but was it difficult changing/learning a different programming language? I'm starting school for computer science (even though I'm 30) and I was thinking about that this morning. Is it hard, for example, going from Java to Silverlight?
ahorriblemess said:
Sorry to derail the thread here, but was it difficult changing/learning a different programming language? I'm starting school for computer science (even though I'm 30) and I was thinking about that this morning. Is it hard, for example, going from Java to Silverlight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Java is quite similar to C/C++/C#, you shouldn't have much trouble learning it.
ryude said:
Best part of wp7 is the live tiles, when they work that is. Sometimes they don't update and I have to force them to update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How you force tiles to update? Still noob on wp...
Pikkuhannu said:
How you force tiles to update? Still noob on wp...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long press the tile and unpin it. Then go into the app list and pin to start again. It will take a while to update, but most apps update the live tile once per hour.
I think the background service for live tiles is a little messed up right now, I'm hoping mango fixes it.
This is exactly how it was for me when I got my HD7. However, the only features I'm seriously missing are Bluetooth File Transfer and Tethering (I know you could enable tethering through hacking but it requires modifying the registry in every computer you want to tether with).
If you are deving for WP7 just go ahead and get a $99 account. Otherwise -there are ways (one of which is a very quick and simple batch file update) to get Mango on your phone and it's worth it.
CoLDxFiRE said:
This is exactly how it was for me when I got my HD7. However, the only features I'm seriously missing are Bluetooth File Transfer and Tethering (I know you could enable tethering through hacking but it requires modifying the registry in every computer you want to tether with).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, I'm not saying it doesn't have missing features but for me it does what I need. Also, sometimes having less is better than having too much. Android has a ton of features, but a lot of them never worked properly for me. Little things like bluetooth randomly disconnecting, cell standby 50% bug, and the list goes on.
First, let me explain my frustation:
I just cant deal the idea that MS screwed WP7 so badly when it comes about multitask. I cant have a decent chat with my friends in WhatsApp because when I leave the app and someone talk to me, I cant touch the Toast Notification because it will take about 5 seconds to reload the whole app. However, I could "just" hold back button and select the app with a choppy image in the card view to instant resume (which will take me 3~5 seconds too).
So, Microsoft hates multitask or what?
What I want: a hack, a registry edit that makes opening a Toast Notification or a Tile to resume the instance and bring me the app instantly.
If you can make this really works, I pay you $150 USD. And I mean it.
mikeeam said:
First, let me explain my frustation:
I just cant deal the idea that MS screwed WP7 so badly when it comes about multitask. I cant have a decent chat with my friends in WhatsApp because when I leave the app and someone talk to me, I cant touch the Toast Notification because it will take about 5 seconds to reload the whole app. However, I could "just" hold back button and select the app with a choppy image in the card view to instant resume (which will take me 3~5 seconds too).
So, Microsoft hates multitask or what?
What I want: a hack, a registry edit that makes opening a Toast Notification or a Tile to resume the instance and bring me the app instantly.
If you can make this really works, I pay you $150 USD. And I mean it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. You can send it over to me via Paypal.
No seriously. If you are interop unlocked just disable Dehydration with any registry Editor! It sits over at HKLM\Software\Microsoft\TaskHost\DehydrateOnPause. If you set that to 0, its faster with switching
It dont work when you open the app using the notification or tiles.. just using back button too.
Microsoft hasn't done anything to multitasking, just wait for WhatsApp to release a mango update that can handle the multitasking. I don't know if you noticed, but WhatsApp is lacking a ton of features. The developers just wanted to push out a release, they will fix it eventually. You must be patient.
Diablosblizz said:
Microsoft hasn't done anything to multitasking, just wait for WhatsApp to release a mango update that can handle the multitasking. I don't know if you noticed, but WhatsApp is lacking a ton of features. The developers just wanted to push out a release, they will fix it eventually. You must be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, WhatsApp is mango compatible. So are Wonder Reader, and many others. Every app has this problem. Gchat, Evernote and others.
At first I thought it was developer's choice. But it is the system.
The reason for this is quite simple:
A Toast has a deep link to the app, and therefore starts a new instance of the app.
I guess they didn't think about it, that this would be a problem. Or possible there are some issues in how developers had to change their apps.
So, sorry, I don't think you can change this at the moment (easily).
As a side note: AFAIK each app can specify to NOT launch a new instance when it is started and is already running. Though I think that is an option that is not allowed for custom apps. But I'm not sure about that and if so, maybe it will change some day...
Hades32 said:
The reason for this is quite simple:
A Toast has a deep link to the app, and therefore starts a new instance of the app.
I guess they didn't think about it, that this would be a problem. Or possible there are some issues in how developers had to change their apps.
So, sorry, I don't think you can change this at the moment (easily).
As a side note: AFAIK each app can specify to NOT launch a new instance when it is started and is already running. Though I think that is an option that is not allowed for custom apps. But I'm not sure about that and if so, maybe it will change some day...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, but why not resume when opening through tiles? And deep link is optional. So reload when it's deep link and resume when its not. Makes sense, I guess.
Either way, I want it to resume whenever I open the app.
Hope someone can find a solution to this problem.
mikeeam said:
Actually, WhatsApp is mango compatible. So are Wonder Reader, and many others. Every app has this problem. Gchat, Evernote and others.
At first I thought it was developer's choice. But it is the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I understand what you are talking about, once you click to open the application through a tile it reloads the application? To me, that makes sense. Quite frankly, I believe the iPhone behaves this way as well. You're telling the system to reload the application, so I guess if you look at it this way it could be considered a design flaw. However, I feel that this is how it should work.
I don't mean to troll or anything, but here's how I see it: If I go off and do something else on my phone and then hours later return to the application, I don't want that application to be stored into memory for hours on end, that will kill the battery.
I do agree with you entirely that toasts should resume the application, not reload it like you've stated. However, I haven't run into this issue so for me it doesn't bother me. It could be possible that it gets patched in the next update. Perhaps add a suggestion to the WP7 suggestion board.
Diablosblizz said:
I think I understand what you are talking about, once you click to open the application through a tile it reloads the application? To me, that makes sense. Quite frankly, I believe the iPhone behaves this way as well. You're telling the system to reload the application, so I guess if you look at it this way it could be considered a design flaw. However, I feel that this is how it should work.
I don't mean to troll or anything, but here's how I see it: If I go off and do something else on my phone and then hours later return to the application, I don't want that application to be stored into memory for hours on end, that will kill the battery.
I do agree with you entirely that toasts should resume the application, not reload it like you've stated. However, I haven't run into this issue so for me it doesn't bother me. It could be possible that it gets patched in the next update. Perhaps add a suggestion to the WP7 suggestion board.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, the next update should happen 5~6 months from now. If they change it, wouldnt be in a minor patch.
I understand your point, but hey, not hours after, maybe it could have a time limit to stay on memory. Like.. 30 minutes without using it, the OS kills the app. The only thing the OS is killing right now is me.
Not that I want one iPhone, but since you mentioned, iPhone resumes the app. Doesnt matter if you use the fast switch or the app icon to launch it. It just kill the app when you close it on fast switch menu.
This is the biggest issue by far in Windows Phone! The multitasking is extremely confusing.
I tried to explain it here: http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/f...285744-change-or-fix-the-back-button-concept-
but couldn't explain it really well.
Please, someone make a detailed suggestion of this on Windows Phone Uservoice (http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/forums/101801-feature-suggestions) !
You will get 3 votes from me.
I wonder if Resumable XAP works for this application...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1136330
singularityduo said:
This is the biggest issue by far in Windows Phone! The multitasking is extremely confusing.
I tried to explain it here: http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/f...285744-change-or-fix-the-back-button-concept-
but couldn't explain it really well.
Please, someone make a detailed suggestion of this on Windows Phone Uservoice (http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/forums/101801-feature-suggestions) !
You will get 3 votes from me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not confusing. I understand it very well. It just works when you use the back button. If you dont use it, so you are reopening the app (when it is about third party apps).
Lumic said:
I wonder if Resumable XAP works for this application...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1136330
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It didnt work for me.
Diablosblizz said:
I don't mean to troll or anything, but here's how I see it: If I go off and do something else on my phone and then hours later return to the application, I don't want that application to be stored into memory for hours on end, that will kill the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it doesn't kill your battery. Having the app in memory uses no more battery that not having it there. Also, the app IS stored in memory for all those hours on end as long as it's within the 5-app count.
WP does NOT do third-party multitasking, it does fast-app-switching. This means the app cannot perform any work in the background, hence it's not using any more battery.
I actually agree with the OP - if the app is already loaded it should be resumed. The OS is fully capable of doing so, they've [MS] just decided to not offer it to third-party devs.
emigrating said:
I actually agree with the OP - if the app is already loaded it should be resumed. The OS is fully capable of doing so, they've [MS] just decided to not offer it to third-party devs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeap, and why not implement? I mean.. what damages would it do? The system would be faster, without lots of loadings.
The titlet of the topic remain. I still pay for someone fix this dumb decision from MS.
emigrating said:
WP does NOT do third-party multitasking, it does fast-app-switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Probably the most disappointing thing about Mango.
The only phone that does true multitasking is the Nokia N900 and N9. Everything runs in the background just like a PC.
But there is no Whatsapp or anything similar. N9 only has Skype, Facebook Chat, Gtalk and SIP for chatting so far. (N900 has more but still no Whatsapp)
I also got really annoyed with my Omnia 7 and Whatsapp. It takes too long to load everytime.
I think Kik was a little better however. So I've been using Kik instead. (it's better of the 2 on WP7 so far)
Originally Posted by Lumic
I wonder if Resumable XAP works for this application...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1136330
It didnt work for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was what I talked about earlier. Somewhat surprising that it doesn't work. But then I guess it is really not possible. As this is a quite fundamental change this means you probably have to wait until Tango or Apollo. Sorry.
jakiman said:
The only phone that does true multitasking is the Nokia N900 and N9. Everything runs in the background just like a PC.
But there is no Whatsapp or anything similar. N9 only has Skype, Facebook Chat, Gtalk and SIP for chatting so far. (N900 has more but still no Whatsapp)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be true but win 6.5 was true multitasking before Ihonne,N900...Try an HD2 and see for yourself...true task manager also...
I recently helped a friend to flash back to stock his HD2, I wonder how come for a pair on new shoes Microsoft had to learn how to walk again, ups I meant they are learning how to stand up-walking later, it seems...
You could try this;
Resumable XAP Tool v0.1 Release
I would think you could take that method to edit an already installed app to do it. With a file explorer, browse to the installation directory & find the file, "WMAppManifest.xml." Copy it out to your PC & edit it. Find the line, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" />" & add "ActivationPolicy="Resume"" to it so it looks like this, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" ActivationPolicy="Resume"/>." Now copy it back into the installation folder of your device & reboot. See if that works.
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
You could try this;
Resumable XAP Tool v0.1 Release
I would think you could take that method to edit an already installed app to do it. With a file explorer, browse to the installation directory & find the file, "WMAppManifest.xml." Copy it out to your PC & edit it. Find the line, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" />" & add "ActivationPolicy="Resume"" to it so it looks like this, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" ActivationPolicy="Resume"/>." Now copy it back into the installation folder of your device & reboot. See if that works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No lucky here. Frustating.
Hi, I'm Trent and I co-created AppThwack, a service for on-demand automated testing of Android apps on real devices. Basically, you upload an apk and a couple minutes later you get screenshots and logcat dumps from actual phones and tablets we host.
Beta Users Needed
We're currently looking for devs to join our private beta. You can message me or sign up on our website and I'll get a beta code to you shortly. We're trying to stress the system and make additions/adjustments so the service is as useful as possible for developers.
Current Features
Real phones and tablets: About 20 high- and low-end devices and we add a few more every week.
Fast: See results in real time. Full test runs on all devices takes a minute or two to complete.
Selectable default tests: Install, launch, UI Monkey, Cleanup
Configurable tests: For example, specify the number of UI Monkey events and seed the randomizer
JUnit including Robotium support via uploaded test packages
Screenshots in portrait and landscape on all devices
Logcat and filterable logcat viewer
High-level results sortable by device or test
Full stack-traces for any exception that occurs
Future
We're working on adding more test frameworks like monkeyrunner and more default tests, particularly performance tests that measure battery consumption, CPU usage, etc. We're also adding more data visualization and charting so it's easy to see what some of the gathered statistics mean.
We plan to launch soon, but the beta program will remain in effect even after that. The service will follow a freemium model. Again, the beta is free and we're going to keep it in place even after we eventually launch.
Inter-device automation
Our back-end supports device-to-device automation, so if you have an app or scenario that you'd like to test that involves multiple devices or interaction with other devices, even non-Android devices, let me know. We're looking for people to help us develop how this service will be exposed.
Edit: I can't post links, but if you search for "appthwack" you'll find it. Btw, I've apparently lurked since October, 2008. Yikes.
Just wondering will this support of testing apps that require root?
Also any chance we can see like a live pic of the device when it installs the app and opens it?
Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium
motodroidfreak said:
Just wondering will this support of testing apps that require root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now it does not and all of our phones are as close to stock as possible. I'll look into making it an option so we automatically root before your app installs and then un-root after the tests are complete. Root opens up some new possibilities, both good and bad, so I'll need to think about it.
motodroidfreak said:
Also any chance we can see like a live pic of the device when it installs the app and opens it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! The launch test takes a screenshot in both landscape and portrait. You can see all screenshots sorted by device by clicking "By Device" or "By Test" and clicking the "Screenshots" link in the blue box at the top.
Screenshots also show up in each launch test log so you can see the context as the shot was captured. Logcat dumps show up in the same place (Link from the blue box at the top will open a filterable and highlighted log viewer).
Alright thanks I'll try it out tonight
Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium
Holy cow. Didn't realize such web service existed.
I just signed up and currently having a look around. Is it possible for me to join the beta? Thanks!
Is it possible for a "free" upgrade for my account? Heh just asking
EDIT : Created a new project. Then I'm stuck. The "Runs" tab is empty.
EDIT again : Oh.. uploading had error previously. Uploading again.
Very interesting project. Good luck to your team and I hope I can be a good beta tester
Realy interesting, for us, almost of our apps needs root access, so please think about adding root to your service
Test on my Sensation
Will test on my sensation
test
nullFactory said:
Hi, I'm Trent and I co-created AppThwack, a service for on-demand automated testing of Android apps on real devices. Basically, you upload an apk and a couple minutes later you get screenshots and logcat dumps from actual phones and tablets we host.
Beta Users Needed
We're currently looking for devs to join our private beta. You can message me or sign up on our website and I'll get a beta code to you shortly. We're trying to stress the system and make additions/adjustments so the service is as useful as possible for developers.
Current Features
Real phones and tablets: About 20 high- and low-end devices and we add a few more every week.
Fast: See results in real time. Full test runs on all devices takes a minute or two to complete.
Selectable default tests: Install, launch, UI Monkey, Cleanup
Configurable tests: For example, specify the number of UI Monkey events and seed the randomizer
JUnit including Robotium support via uploaded test packages
Screenshots in portrait and landscape on all devices
Logcat and filterable logcat viewer
High-level results sortable by device or test
Full stack-traces for any exception that occurs
Future
We're working on adding more test frameworks like monkeyrunner and more default tests, particularly performance tests that measure battery consumption, CPU usage, etc. We're also adding more data visualization and charting so it's easy to see what some of the gathered statistics mean.
We plan to launch soon, but the beta program will remain in effect even after that. The service will follow a freemium model. Again, the beta is free and we're going to keep it in place even after we eventually launch.
Inter-device automation
Our back-end supports device-to-device automation, so if you have an app or scenario that you'd like to test that involves multiple devices or interaction with other devices, even non-Android devices, let me know. We're looking for people to help us develop how this service will be exposed.
Edit: I can't post links, but if you search for "appthwack" you'll find it. Btw, I've apparently lurked since October, 2008. Yikes.
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Click to collapse
I would like to test the tool, can you share with me..
Tested
Tested the tool, seems too good..
Suggestion : In-case if you want to reach maximum number of developer. Allow developer to use has free.
IDEA : You can request developer to post about you're tool on there app page, website & play store... As you're giving the tool as free you will get enough number of people to view & use the tool.. if the developer agree then you will allow him to use the tool for free of cost..
As a developer am ready to use the tool & post about you in my app & other places too...
This is a great tool, just uploaded an apk of my app that's in my signature and it worked, with a couple of NullPointers from the Play Store's licence service. That shouldn't happen, and doesn't on any of my devices, so I suspect it's an issue on your end. Any idea why?
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java.lang.NullPointerException at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseValidator.verify(LicenseValidator.java:99) at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseChecker$ResultListener$2.run(LicenseChecker.java:228) at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:605) at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:92) at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:137) at android.os.HandlerThread.run(HandlerThread.java:60)
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FATAL EXCEPTION: background thread java.lang.NullPointerException at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseValidator.verify(LicenseValidator.java:99) at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseChecker$ResultListener$2.run(LicenseChecker.java:228) at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:608) at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:92) at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:156) at android.os.HandlerThread.run(HandlerThread.java:60)
Borland
We are using Silk Mobile for end to end applications testing. Do you ever used this tool?
What an interesting service! I'll look into this from work tomorrow.
Not having used this at all, the first things which do spring to mind are:
-streaming realtime logcat
-a (skype?) connection with live streaming video of the app running, so you can see layouts/animations etc.
Anyway, I'm going to check this out tomorrow!
Quinny899 said:
This is a great tool, just uploaded an apk of my app that's in my signature and it worked, with a couple of NullPointers from the Play Store's licence service. That shouldn't happen, and doesn't on any of my devices, so I suspect it's an issue on your end. Any idea why?
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Click to collapse
Thanks for checking out the service. My immediate guess it that this is caused by the absence of a default Play account. Many devices have no account as one of our supported frameworks, calabash, removes accounts upon cleanup after script completion. On the plus-side, if you were to write scripts you should be able to add a temporary account from the test itself.
Highly unlikely you'd hit this bug in a real world situation, but it is a bug nonetheless.
Really awesome service! Can't test it for the moment as it doesn't support root apps, but this is really a great concept :good:
Maybe you could build a superuser permissions manager which would grant root access but makes sure to keep /system mounted as read-only, this way no harm could be done to the devices and us root apps devs could use your awesome service.
I actually got quite a few ideas, you could delete the mount binary in /system/xbin and use it in an internal appthwack app's private data, so that it's the only app able to call this binary and thus to mount /system.
I'd definitely subscribe to AppThwack if it had root support.
If you want help with developing this kind of secure root environment for the testing, I'd gladly contribute.
EDIT : Strangely enough, I just tested it with my app (which asks for root in the launcher activity, so I really didn't expect it to work) and had 0 failures, 75 pass.
How comes ? Have you already added root support ?^^
Either way this is really cool, I'm going to spread the words and most likely subscribe a paid account :good:
Is there somewhere we can see pictures of your device lab? Gotta be one hell of a device museum you got over there^^
Androguide.fr said:
Really awesome service! Can't test it for the moment as it doesn't support root apps, but this is really a great concept :good:
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Awesome, thanks for the kind words!
EDIT : Strangely enough, I just tested it with my app (which asks for root in the launcher activity, so I really didn't expect it to work) and had 0 failures, 75 pass.
How comes ? Have you already added root support ?^^
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Click to collapse
This is pretty interesting. The only two rooted devices are a couple running CM. I'll look into this further, and if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them as well.
Either way this is really cool, I'm going to spread the words and most likely subscribe a paid account :good:
Is there somewhere we can see pictures of your device lab? Gotta be one hell of a device museum you got over there^^
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Click to collapse
Sweet, I really appreciate it. As soon as I have the number of posts to do so I'll post a pic of the lab.
Some things can not be automated, like scanning a QR code or reading/writing to an NFC tag. Do you plan on adding "manual tests" for a fee?
This would be really great to test apps on specific hardware.
worldtiki said:
Some things can not be automated, like scanning a QR code or reading/writing to an NFC tag. Do you plan on adding "manual tests" for a fee?
This would be really great to test apps on specific hardware.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the question! Our primary focus is on automation. There are existing test houses and services that will execute manual tests like those you describe, but of course because of the manual component they're slow and expensive.
We often push folks to break their testing down into more granular chunks. For instance, verify you can take a picture and deal with the image, even if it's not the QR code or whatever your app usually consumes. This will find problems with simply using the camera and resulting image location. Now, have a separate test that processes a photo of a QR code, but feed the image in as part of the test. This removes the camera component from the analysis part, meaning it's now possible to benchmark the image analysis algorithm on all devices.
With a combination of a service like ours where you test very, very quickly on tons of devices, you can now do some more UX/end-to-end tests on a handful of devices yourself. This hybrid approach is great for finding the vast majority of issues before release.
nice post
Realy interesting, for us
Awesome tool !
No Developer can test his/her app on many devices. But your tool ... A W E S O M E ! ... I Used it yesterday to test two of my new apps ... Found some error is my app on certain devices which i'd have never found without AppThwack .. :good: :good: