Java Development

[Aviator168]

How do you test your first Blackberry app without being in the BA program?

I am in the process of testing my VoIP application and it works great on my Bold 9000. I am trying to test it on more BB devices. Without being in the BA program, the only alternative is to test it on the simulators. However, full duplex audio is not supported in the java virtual machine. Now I am at a lost.  Being not in the BA program, I can't test my app on devices other than my Bold, and since I have not release my app, I can't accumuate points enough to join the BA program. It is a catch 22 for me. How do you guys do it when you first started?

[ydaraishy]

Few options: buy more devices, declare that you support Bold 9000 and no other devices, get people to beta test on multiple devices.

[RexDoug]

Being in the BA program doesn't get you much in the way of devices.  We have about 25 diff. devices, perhaps three were protypes provided by RIM.

The devices are pretty cheap, relatively. Maintaining accounts adds up, though.  So we have several accounts (as few as possible) and we swap SIM's back and forth.

[JSanders Resident Expert · Accepted solution]

I've seen a number of developers post threads asking for Beta testers for an app... here not so much.

CrackBerry and BlackBerryForums.com quite often.

[Aviator168]

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JSanders wrote:

I've seen a number of developers post threads asking for Beta testers for an app... here not so much.

CrackBerry and BlackBerryForums.com quite often.

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I guess those are viable options. Thx JSanders

[mb1]

1. What is the BA program?

2. Would it be possible for experieneced devs here tos hare what device specific issues like pearl versus curve you have encountered?  (Storm is a different beast becaueof the touch screen).

--MB.

[RexDoug]

BA = Blackberry Alliance.

There are differences across all the device types: screen size, keyboard layout, SureType vs. QWERTY, GPS, no GPS, trackball vs. wheel, glide pad, touch, CDMA vs. GPRS, WiFi, no WiFi, etc.,

Getting folks to beta for you is fine, but in my experience you need to have the devices. Otherwise, you can't duplicate issues.

[simon_hain]

there are also some services that provide testing on multiple devices, don't remember the names though.

[Aviator168]

Thanks for the tip. Google is my friend.

http://www.intertek.com/wireless-mobile/applications-and-content/rim-blackberry/

EDIT. Another thought. Since my app only supports higher end phones and no RIM service is needed, I might just buy the phone on ebay, and it should cost me less than $1K to get obtain those extra phones for testing

[RexDoug]

Yes, we buy the phones on eBay or wherever. We keep accounts open with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and SPrint, then swap the SIM's between the test phones.

(we need internet access for licensing and activation, as well as backup for user data)