I’d like to buy a cheap, used Android device to test apps on… and wonder if anyone can recommend one?
I wonder what the least I can expect to pay for a working, used Android phone or other device that has a touch screen? [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 332854[/import]
I went the tablet route. You can pick up a referb Kindle Fire pretty cheaply (and the older non HD versions should be found dirt cheap now). I also ended up getting a Nook Color referb too and eventually picked up a Google Nexus 7. I’m quite tablet heavy now…
Anyway, if you don’t need “phone” features, any of those will get you a good core android test environment.
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130576[/import]
I went the tablet route. You can pick up a referb Kindle Fire pretty cheaply (and the older non HD versions should be found dirt cheap now). I also ended up getting a Nook Color referb too and eventually picked up a Google Nexus 7. I’m quite tablet heavy now…
Anyway, if you don’t need “phone” features, any of those will get you a good core android test environment.
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130576[/import]
Thanks for your reply… yeah, I may just go the tablet route. I wonder if there are any “good” cheap, chinese knock-off tablets out there? [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130578[/import]
Thanks for your reply… yeah, I may just go the tablet route. I wonder if there are any “good” cheap, chinese knock-off tablets out there? [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130578[/import]
Do you have any friends with Android devices?
If so, upload an APK of the build to Dropbox and give them the link, let your friends be your testers!
I have a Kindle Fire and two people I work with have Android phones, and I use them to do the phone testing. Not the best approach long-term, because I can’t really be hands-on with the testing, but for early-mid development it works fine. [import]uid: 181948 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130583[/import]
Do you have any friends with Android devices?
If so, upload an APK of the build to Dropbox and give them the link, let your friends be your testers!
I have a Kindle Fire and two people I work with have Android phones, and I use them to do the phone testing. Not the best approach long-term, because I can’t really be hands-on with the testing, but for early-mid development it works fine. [import]uid: 181948 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130583[/import]
How cheap is cheap?
First gen Nexus 7 in the 8GB size on e-bay (no longer sold by google)… found one currently bidding fo $51 and another at $64.
Can you post your results/findings when you are done? [import]uid: 110228 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130627[/import]
How cheap is cheap?
First gen Nexus 7 in the 8GB size on e-bay (no longer sold by google)… found one currently bidding fo $51 and another at $64.
Can you post your results/findings when you are done? [import]uid: 110228 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130627[/import]
Thanks, I’ll keep my eyes peeled…
I’m hoping to get some kind of touch pad Android device for $50 or less. I wonder if it is possible? [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130641[/import]
Here’s a clone tablet that sold for $61.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Google-Android-4-0-Android4-0-Tablet-PC-Capacitive-Touch-Screen-MID-WiFi-/121017389239 [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130643[/import]
Thanks, I’ll keep my eyes peeled…
I’m hoping to get some kind of touch pad Android device for $50 or less. I wonder if it is possible? [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130641[/import]
Here’s a clone tablet that sold for $61.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Google-Android-4-0-Android4-0-Tablet-PC-Capacitive-Touch-Screen-MID-WiFi-/121017389239 [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130643[/import]
Both my sons have Android tablets, one has a Nexus and the other a cheap chinese tablet (present from his grandparents!).
The problem with the cheap one is it’s not very responsive, crap screen and doesn’t run the latest version of Android. So if your using it for testing your App, you might think your app has problems when it’s the tablet (if you see what I mean).
Dave [import]uid: 117617 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130673[/import]
Both my sons have Android tablets, one has a Nexus and the other a cheap chinese tablet (present from his grandparents!).
The problem with the cheap one is it’s not very responsive, crap screen and doesn’t run the latest version of Android. So if your using it for testing your App, you might think your app has problems when it’s the tablet (if you see what I mean).
Dave [import]uid: 117617 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130673[/import]
I already chimed in once above, but I wanted to say something else after I saw thedavebaxter’s response. (Mentioned cheap device drawbacks.)
I completely understand needing to save money and get the cheapest device you can if you’re one a budget, but don’t forget. If you get a cheap tablet or phone it may not support the features you need to test, or it may be so horrible you can’t properly test your app/game’s true look-and-feel.
By way of example. I was an early adopter of the Kindle Fire (gen 1). I wanted to do some development for tablets, but didn’t want to buy an iPad yet. So, I thought,
“Hey, this is much cheaper than an iPad! I’ll use this as an intermediary solution.”
What I didn’t realize was the device only supported two-touch multi-touch. Thus, any complicated multitouches (beyond two) I wanted to try or test were completely out.
(I have a Nexus 7 now, which is much better and supports 10-finger multitouch.
In short, don’t shoot yourself in the foot. Before going (too) cheap, be sure the device does everything you need it to do and isn’t too slow. [import]uid: 110228 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130854[/import]
I already chimed in once above, but I wanted to say something else after I saw thedavebaxter’s response. (Mentioned cheap device drawbacks.)
I completely understand needing to save money and get the cheapest device you can if you’re one a budget, but don’t forget. If you get a cheap tablet or phone it may not support the features you need to test, or it may be so horrible you can’t properly test your app/game’s true look-and-feel.
By way of example. I was an early adopter of the Kindle Fire (gen 1). I wanted to do some development for tablets, but didn’t want to buy an iPad yet. So, I thought,
“Hey, this is much cheaper than an iPad! I’ll use this as an intermediary solution.”
What I didn’t realize was the device only supported two-touch multi-touch. Thus, any complicated multitouches (beyond two) I wanted to try or test were completely out.
(I have a Nexus 7 now, which is much better and supports 10-finger multitouch.
In short, don’t shoot yourself in the foot. Before going (too) cheap, be sure the device does everything you need it to do and isn’t too slow. [import]uid: 110228 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130854[/import]
Thanks for everyone’s help… I’ve done some thinking about it and have decided to go with the Nexus 7. There are a lot of shady looking Chinese clones out there, but don’t think they will do me much good in the long run 
[import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130890[/import]
Thanks for everyone’s help… I’ve done some thinking about it and have decided to go with the Nexus 7. There are a lot of shady looking Chinese clones out there, but don’t think they will do me much good in the long run [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 130890[/import]
Just a quick update…
So I got a Nexus 7 and so far am loving it. Yeah, it’s not as good as an iPad, but it’s SUPER EASY to test your apps on.
I’m sure there’s an easier way, but I’m uploading my test apps to my web site, and then downloading it by calling the URL in my browser on the Nexus. Download, install, done.
The only thing you have to do is make sure your security settings are configured to allow external apps like this. [import]uid: 141560 topic_id: 32854 reply_id: 131140[/import]