Moved to www.iqadan.com

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iPhone test development with UISpec

iPhone apps are becoming more complex, which means rigorous testing is needed throughout the development cycle. You can get away with manual exploratory testing, but we all know this is error prone. Therefore, you need to rely on automated tests that validates your core functionality executed regularly, in additions to performing exploratory testing.

The iPhone SDK already comes with UIRecorder, which is part of the Instruments app. However, from my brief experience with it I found it not very flexible, and does not offer scripting capability.

This is where UISpec comes in play.

UISpec seems to offer scripting capability using Objective-C, and it's open source. Check it out link. I will write up a more detailed review in the upcoming days.

Also checkout this short video which demonstrate an automated test using UISpec.

What does it mean to be a developer?

I remember in the late 90's there was a lot of talk about the already made software packages, and how they will take over the industry, and that the needs for software developers will be reduced over time and to be replaced by Functional Analysts. Of course that shift never happened, and software developers demand have continue to increase there after.

However, since the introduction of the iPhone SDK, being a developer changed drastically, especially iPhone developer. For the first time software developers are utilizing their skills to invest into their own company, creating their products, that resulted in over 140,000 apps in less than 20 months. That's amazing!

Software Developers used to be just a day to day workers, but now thanks to the iPhone, that changed. Developers are company owners managing everything from the product design and analysis, development, marketing, testing, support, maintenance.

The opportunities will grow substantially with the introduction of the iPAD. Imagine what the same experienced developers who had been busy developing for the iPhone, what they will do with for the iPAD, with it's bigger screen.

The future is definitely very bright for the developers. Now it makes more sense why Steve Ballmer when he repeated over and over: Developers, developers, developers :)

iPad initial feedback

Disappointed indeed:

- No initial Arabic support. link. So existing Arabic-only apps will not run initially until the next software update. Same thing true for using Safari to browse websites with Arabic.
Update: According to iPhoneIslam Arabic text will be supported across all the Apps, including Safari, except support for Arabic keyboard will be supported as part of the initial release.

- No Camera. In additions not having the video chat capability, this will be limiting for software developers in creating apps utilizing the camera, for example note-taking, or Augmented Reality ...

- No flash support. not promising at all; not a good web experience.

- No Multitasking? this is what annoying me the most ...

On the bright side, this will open more opportunities for developers ...

MonoTouch?

MonoTouch: Developing iPhone apps using .Net, C#

The two App Stores (good reading)

I ran into this article, eventhough it's over a month old, it's worth reading

Stereo Bluetooth support for the iPhone

In case you have already ventured into getting a Stereo Bluetooth headset for your iPhone or you are considering getting one, here is what you need to know:-

• The original iPhone (1st generation) does not support the Stereo Bluetooth profile (AD2P), even if you upgrade to the latest OS 3.x, which means that only iPhone 3G and 3GS supports the AD2P profile (and the iPod touch 2nd generation)
• You have to upgrade your iPhone to 3.1 firmware to be able to use the Voice Control from your Stereo Bluetooth headset and with that you also get a better WIFI performance on the device while using the Bluetooth headset.
• The AVRCP profile is not 100% supported. The AVRCP provides advanced controls commands directly from the Bluetooth headset including: Pause, Play, Stop, Next, Previous . Currently the Next, and Previous commands are not supported. Which means while you are listening on your Bluetooth headset you will not be able to skip to the next track or move back to the previous track from your headset, you would have to control it directly on your iPhone.

Overall, I have been using the Backbeat 906, and I have been happy with it's audio quality so far on the iPhone 3GS, especially after I updated to 3.1.

If you can tolerate the limitations mentioned above, getting the stereo Bluetooth headset is very much worth it.

Response from AT&T

That's what came from AT&T:-
" ... As AT&T does not make any guarantee of coverage, which is indicated in his wireless terms and conditions, "

AT&T reply does not surprise me at all. I was expecting this. What I am surprised how in the world are they getting away with it. I can easily say that AT&T is the most company I have ever heard complaints about.

My argument was very clear:-
- I have a full bar where I live, so I make a phone call to make an appointment,
- Then, so I am put on hold for few minutes or so
- Then the call is dropped ....
- Now I have to do this all over again.

Why do I have to pay for these wasted minutes that ended up with a dropped call? AT&T failed to answer this question.

Thank you AT&T, and thank you Apple for not breaking this exclusive deal with AT&T

Dropped calls and AT&T

It's getting to the point where within the first two minutes of every call I make 3-4 miles from where I live is dropped. It's official now that AT&T 3G infrastructure can not handle the load put out by the data usage of the iPhone. At the same time, we are still being charged for a broken service.

Since all of this is official now, and AT&T already publicized it's problem with it's network on YouTube, why are we still charged 100% for the the broken service. At least AT&T should not charge for any dropped call.

Apple Touch and Nano

It's very clear from today's Apple announcements that Apple is looking to re-ignite it's IPOD Nano product line not only as a standalone player, but as a multi-purpose media device by adding the Video camera, and the pause-able FM radio capability.

But why didn't Apple add video camera to the iPod touch knowing its going to be a huge success? It's obvious that Apple does not want iPod touch with camera to take sales away from the iPod nano's with the camera. Apple wants to establish and wants sell in high volume before they offer the IPOD touch with the Camera since it will sell very well regardless. If Apple release both the IPOD Nano and the iPod touch with the camera at the same time, most people will buy the iPod touch instead. But delaying adding the Camera to the iPod touch will boast the ipod nano in the short term and will re-ignite it as a product line long term.

That's my thoughts on the reason Apple did not introduce the IPOD touch with the Camera now.

iSmashPhone featuring MySalary

iSmashPhone featured MySalary Today's Notable iPhone App for Monday Aug 03 day.

You want to know how much are you making? there is an app for that!

MySalary 1.0 is now available on the iTunes AppStore.

Is the Zagg invisible shield really worth it?

I strongly recommend against putting the invisible shield on the iphone / ipod touch.

Not only the shield will easily peel off the corners with normal use (after 3 weeks in my case), but also the touch performance will be severely impacted. Not worth the $35. Definitely avoid it altogether.

Coming to iTunes