Andriod newbie here–I’d like to test my apps on an Android device but I don’t want to sign up for a cell/data plan for that device. Questions:
Can I just buy an Android device and be able to use it for development without signing a contract with a service provider like Verizon or AT&T?
If so, are there certain models that are better for development than others? I am interested in perhaps buying several devices with different screen resolutions.
I have an old iPhone that no longer has a plan attached to it and it is still able to access the internet when connected to Wi-Fi. Will an Andriod device with no data plan act in the same way and be able to connect to the internet and Google Play Store via Wi-Fi?
I’d echo what @roaminggamer said. I have a Nexus 7 for my Android testing. As long as you don’t need phone features, it’s a good choice, but if you did need phone features, you would need to have a phone plan in that case.
This is great info, thanks. I don’t need phone features, so Nexus 7 or 10 sounds like a good choice.
Let me ask one more question, is it worth also getting an older device, e.g., an older Droid phone, to test performance. I guess I’m wondering, just because it works well on a Nexus 7 can I make the jump that it will work just as well on an older, less state-of-the-art device.
on a recent, large Corona project, we needed to support a wide range of phones, a decision driven by the client. we discovered performance issues, but only on the models which were older / less powered. there were also inconsistencies between manufacturers even on newer devices. so for us it was beneficial to have a variety of devices.
so, for my own personal projects, i recently purchased two phones off of ebay, a samsung S and S3. the older S for testing performance / resolution on an older device with (by today’s standards) low memory, single core, etc. also, it can’t be upgraded past android 2.X. the S3 is for testing on a more modern phone and it runs the latest 4.X Android.
i use both without a data plan. if i need network connection i use WiFi. you can easily get temporary cell service buy either purchasing a pay-as-you-go SIM from a provider of your choice or, if your work/personal phone SIM fits in the device, you can just use that. i made sure both devices were unlocked before purchase.
I’d echo what @roaminggamer said. I have a Nexus 7 for my Android testing. As long as you don’t need phone features, it’s a good choice, but if you did need phone features, you would need to have a phone plan in that case.
This is great info, thanks. I don’t need phone features, so Nexus 7 or 10 sounds like a good choice.
Let me ask one more question, is it worth also getting an older device, e.g., an older Droid phone, to test performance. I guess I’m wondering, just because it works well on a Nexus 7 can I make the jump that it will work just as well on an older, less state-of-the-art device.
on a recent, large Corona project, we needed to support a wide range of phones, a decision driven by the client. we discovered performance issues, but only on the models which were older / less powered. there were also inconsistencies between manufacturers even on newer devices. so for us it was beneficial to have a variety of devices.
so, for my own personal projects, i recently purchased two phones off of ebay, a samsung S and S3. the older S for testing performance / resolution on an older device with (by today’s standards) low memory, single core, etc. also, it can’t be upgraded past android 2.X. the S3 is for testing on a more modern phone and it runs the latest 4.X Android.
i use both without a data plan. if i need network connection i use WiFi. you can easily get temporary cell service buy either purchasing a pay-as-you-go SIM from a provider of your choice or, if your work/personal phone SIM fits in the device, you can just use that. i made sure both devices were unlocked before purchase.