Developers told to update techniques as mobile becomes dominant platform

BANGALORE, INDIA:Developers must update techniques as mobile becomes a dominant platform, cautions ITC Infotech With tablets projected to overtake the sale of traditional Personal Computers by 2015, mobile developers must ensure they constantly update their testing techniques, says global IT services and solutions company, ITC Infotech.

IDC predicts a growth of 19.4per cent CAGR for the tablet market this year, putting the devices, including 2-in-1s, on track to overtake PC sales by the end of next year. According to research analyst Gartner, smartphone sales have already overtaken feature phones for the first time last year.

The vast number of new mobile devices on the market has led to a huge increase in app downloads - an industry predicted to reach $267 billion by 2017.

"The explosion in the number of apps and mobile devices has had a profound effect on the role of mobile app testers, who are now required to test not just the functionality of the app, but a wide range of other areas as well," says Vijay Balasubramaniam, Global Head of Testing Services at ITC Infotech.

"Long gone are the days of developing an app for one device, browser or carrier. With the advent of the ‘Internet of Things' and so many products and services now communicating with mobile devices, apps must now be much more flexible if they are to meet demand."

This means that mobile developers have to face a much more comprehensive set of tests before they can launch their product in the market. They need to test the effect of the app on the device resources, and its usability and user experience across many platforms. Approaches such as crowd-sourcing and automating regression test execution through continuous integration must take place on a much broader scale. Standard tests like load and performance tests are no longer good enough for mobile apps. This situation is compounded by the fact that different testing approaches are required for testing native, web and hybrid mobile apps.

"Testers demand more out of the tools they use and the industry faces pressure to constantly better itself in order to meet this demand," continues Vijay. "In particular, ‘offshore' testing organisations have had to invest large sums in setting up mobility testing labs to contend with the range of devices and platforms available. Compatibility testing for the sheer range of devices and platforms available is an issue that has to be addressed."

The number of specialist tools and techniques required for mobile testing has also been increased in order to meet the challenge. Simulators and emulators are essential for early development testing; while cloud-based solutions for are often required for device and platform compatibility testing.

The software must also be tested on an actual physical device for 100 per cent coverage and a realistic view of its performance. Crowd sourcing tools like uTest for UX/Usability testing provide the next level along with WAN emulations for simulation testing on different networks and in different network conditions. Crowd sourcing tools like uTest for usability and user experience and device compatibility testing are key parts of the mobile testing picture, adding an end-user perspective of testing that is essential.