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 :)

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.

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.

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.

Hangmath review

Nice review: http://iphoneapps-review.com/2009/05/educationgame-review-hangmath/

Hangmath is here

http://www.hangmathapp.com/

Check it out

Submitted waiting for Apple approval

Fractions Helper is featured at the Apple Store

Apple is putting a lot of effort into marketing various iPhone applications, and they have choosen Fractions Helper as one of the Educational Application featured at the Apple Store, with it installed on their demo units.

Etisalat to offer the iPhone

iPhone 3G Now available in the United Arab Emirates. Etisalat is the first Operator in the region to offer the iPhone 3G.
Check it out

Fractions helper is featured on the iTunes AppStore front page

Get help in Fractions with Fractions Helper

Look for it in the iTunes AppStore. This application can be used as a teaching tool to show three simple, and yet detailed steps for solving fractions problems.

iPhone SDK online course materials from Stanford

Already with 20 lectures available in PDF format, click here. The course includes Unit Testing an iPhone application with sample applications

iPhone "Algebra Helper 1" experience

I am currently working on multiple iPhone applications which I will be releasing very soon to the Apple AppStore. I have released one application so far, and the results so far is very encouraging. I am going to mainly focus on Education, as I see a potentail needs in the near future on the iPhone and iPod Touch devices.

From iTunes Store Team: Ready For Sale

Now I am dealing with setting up the contract, since it's not a free application

My first Mac

Finally, I broke down and purchased a white MacBook. I made this purchase mainly to do software development on it, and also to use it as a light weight laptop alternative. I have been using a heavy 15.4 inch Dell, which I have been happy with, except for it's size.

My MacBook came with a 2 GB of RAM, 160 GB HD, with a disappointing Intel Graphics Card (Intel GMA X3100). I did not want to get the MBP yet, as this is my first Mac System, so I wanted to ween my self slowly into the world of Apple.

Also, I have installed Vista Ultimate on it using Bootcamp 1.2 and to my surprise, I could not believe how easy the whole process. I am impressed with the performance of Vista running on the MacBook. Right now I am still learning my way around the Mac OS X.

The first applications I have installed so far:
- Office 2008 for Mac
- iPhone SDK
- Firefox
- Live Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger

...and I am still looking to what other applications to install.

Symptoms you are addicted to your iPhone

1. You automatically assume that every screen is a touch screen: Many times I reach to my computer screen to use the same gesture I use on my iPhone to scroll up and down


2. Can't sleep without it


3. Can't stop playing with the iPhone even though you already checked everything on it less than 2 minutes ago


4. You can't stop using the built in stopwatch


5. You don't let your iPhone ever go out of charge no matter what.

Poll: What Feature do you want to see on the 2nd Generation iPhone in additions to 3G Support

Please participate

iPhone 2nd generation wish list

This is what I wish Steve Jobs will announce June 9th for the iPhone 2nd Generation:-

1. 3G support
2. Built in GPS
3. 5 MP Camera
4. Video Calling, i.e. front camera
5. Video recording
6. Stereo Bluetooth support

Six more days from now.

iPhone Arabic support is available now

I just installed it and it appears to be working better than the previous one. The good news it is currently provided for free from iphoneislam. From reading Tariq's blog this will be only available for free for only one month period. So I suggest you install it ASAP.