Cheap android testing platform

Solar2D Android
#1

Here are a few options:

  1. Factory Referb Nook Color $135
    Pros: If you want to test your apps for Nook, you really need one since it has to be tethered for testing (and configured by B&N to allow it for testing)
    Cons: limited hardware, can’t do all Android things.

  2. Kindle Fire $200
    Pros: makes sure your stuff works right on that hardware and that you’re dealing with the soft button bar.
    Cons: Most expensive of these options

  3. 7" Cheap tablet $99 or less
    Pros: cheap and new
    Cons: resistive touch screen, low memory (256M), since its running 2.2 I assume its an Armv7, but who really knows. Reviews are the stock firmware sucks and a lot of unknowns.

  4. Look for a used phone. $100 or less
    Pros: real hardware
    Cons: don’t want a contract so hopefully it can be a wifi only device. used. There are a billion different models.

  5. Wait until June. $0
    Pros: free
    Cons: Have to wait. Opportunity Cost.
    In this case, I have a co worker who needs an iPhone to test on. He has a Sprint EVO now. We both are upgrading phones in June. My wife will get my iPhone 4, he will get her 3G and I get his EVO. But that’s 3+ months away.

I don’t really want a tablet since it would reduce my already flimsy excuse to get an iPad. But not being able to experience android and depending on other people to be your eyes and ears is problematic. Also 3 months is a lot of lost opportunity.

What would you do?
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#2

If you are happy with other devs testing for you, wait until June and ask for testers.
If not, find a cheap Android phone. I have the Motorola Defy I bought on eBay and it works well for me :slight_smile: [import]uid: 10389 topic_id: 23300 reply_id: 93444[/import]

#3

saw this post just now. I did not know that the kindle i an android platform, in their promos they feature, of course, amazon store (personally I like amazon and dislike the other strongly) but can one run apps on the kindle that one also could upload to google play (I do not really see that as an interesting option, just curious)?
Or are there any restrictions what can be installed and tested on the kindle (i.e. non-google play apps)? [import]uid: 109677 topic_id: 23300 reply_id: 99761[/import]

#4

With the Kindle Fire, you can side-load apps. You do have to go into the settings and turn on the “Allow from non-trusted app stores” option.

At that point you **should** be able to load any .apk file.

However . . .

For some reason Corona detects the Kindle Fire and it will not run Apps built for Android. You have to build for Amazon/Kindle Fire. This is frustrating because you can submit straight up android apk’s to Amazon for inclusion in their Android only store. But I know why it’s this way, and if I’m going to use the Fire for my testing I just have to build for Amazon/Kindle Fire and away I go.

The only thing I’ve run into that’s a problem is custom fonts don’t seem to work on the Kindle Fire.

[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 23300 reply_id: 99776[/import]

#5

Well, thanks for this info. Now I at least know what device to go for if I decide to compile for other than iOS as well. I had looked at dozens of Android devices on the internet and in the stores.
The kindle looks like something I could have use for myself other than for development. [import]uid: 109677 topic_id: 23300 reply_id: 99789[/import]