Testing on physical devices has been a fundamental aspect of the testing landscape for an extended period, retaining its significance even in the face of the growing prevalence of automation and real device cloud testing. Its enduring relevance in evaluating usability and hardware functionalities, such as cameras and GPS, remains indisputable.
Nevertheless, as testing methodologies continue to evolve, there is a discernible need for a more innovative and cost-effective solution.
Real device cloud testing emerges as a transformative force in the testing domain. This dynamic approach brings numerous advantages, from cloud storage and seamless integration with communication tools to ensuring compatibility with the latest virtual browsers and operating system versions.
This blog delves extensively into these aspects, drawing insightful comparisons between physical and real device cloud testing.
What is the concept of physical device testing?
Physical device testing involves the examination of your mobile or web app and website using both manual and automated testing approaches on a hardware device. This testing encompasses tasks ranging from ensuring the proper functionality of a button to identifying potential app freezes on specific devices when encountering memory storage issues.
While this term is commonly associated with mobile app testing, it also applies to websites and desktop applications. Leveraging physical devices for testing provides an authentic representation of how your app or site will appear and operate on real devices. Tests are conducted in a laboratory setting on tangible devices that accurately mirror the targeted mobile platform. The choice to use physical devices for testing depends on the type of test being performed and the testing environment, with certain situations favoring physical devices over others.
What are the drawbacks of relying on physical devices?
There are certain limitations while using a physical device. Facing reality, physical devices might not be the ideal choice when testing minor functionalities. Depending on the physical device, testing entails thoroughly contemplating various factors, as outlined below:
- High costs: Physical devices may not align with the preferences of businesses operating within stringent time and budget constraints. Independent procurement and testing within limited time frames can be financially burdensome. Additionally, maintenance and repair costs associated with acquiring mobile app testing tools can strain your team’s resources.
- Geographical constraints: Not all physical devices are universally accessible across geographical locations. Adhering to specific rules and regulations in various countries may require compromising certain aspects, making geo-location testing challenging in physical device testing.
- Procurement delays: Obtaining comprehensive information about the availability of specific devices can be challenging, even in the Internet age. Your team may need to travel or wait for the ordered items, subjecting you to potential defects and delays, even with online purchases.
- Selective decision-making: Even seasoned professionals may find it daunting to determine the number and types of handsets needed for testing among the myriad options available in the market. Choosing the most suitable devices requires a skill that not everyone may possess.
- On-premise challenges: Relying on physical devices ties your team to the workstation, posing challenges when circumstances necessitate remote work.
- Limited IDE support: Connecting real handsets to Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) is more challenging than emulators, potentially slowing down debugging.
Opting for real device cloud testing is a viable solution to overcome these limitations.
Why Opt for Cloud-Automated Testing?
In navigating the complex terrain of software quality verification, the necessity for real device cloud testing becomes not just evident but crucial. Automated testing, which is inherently more intricate than its manual counterpart, exacerbates these challenges when confined to an in-house device lab.
- Parallel Testing Prowess: Cloud infrastructure is designed to seamlessly accommodate tests for multiple users and teams on diverse devices simultaneously, eliminating the need for QA teams to share test environments.
- Queue Efficiency: Even when dealing with queued situations, a carefully designed cloud-based testing environment prioritizes speed without compromising the accuracy of trials.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Robust cloud testing platforms foster collaboration by expediting progress monitoring and ensuring all team members stay synchronized with project goals and achievements.
The Scaling Imperative:
Rapid and extensive testing becomes paramount as websites or apps expand in features or users. Apart from ensuring scalability, this testing is crucial to ensuring optimal performance, meeting customer preferences, and delivering a visually appealing user experience—essential for success in the dynamic digital landscape. Embrace cloud testing, where simplicity aligns with efficiency in the continuously evolving software testing arena.
Comprehending Real Devices in the Cloud
A Real Device Cloud refers to a mobile testing environment based in the cloud. It encompasses Android and iOS devices easily accessible from your desktop browser.
This platform offers an efficient means to test your applications and websites. Upon signing up and logging into your account, you gain access to real devices, offering heightened precision and flexibility when compared to conventional mobile app emulators and simulators. The user-friendly interface and robust integrated development environment provide a testing experience without complications.
Physical Device Testing vs Real Cloud Testing
Let’s look at some key differences between physical and real cloud testing.
Key Differences | Physical Device Testing | Real Device Cloud Testing |
Remote Working Flexibility | Requires testers’ presence with the physical device. | Allows remote access to devices from anywhere. |
Cost | Involves purchasing and maintaining physical devices. | Incur costs based on device usage or subscription. |
Maintenance | The tester is responsible for updates and repairs. | The cloud platform handles maintenance issues. |
Speed | Testing speed may be slower, especially with multiple devices. | Offers faster testing, crucial for quick time-to-market. |
Geolocation Testing | Available in both physical and real device testing. | Preferred in real device testing for efficiency. |
Procurement Cost | Requires purchasing devices, incurring high costs. | No device procurement cost, reducing operational expenses. |
Parallel Testing | Limited ability for parallel testing on physical devices. | Allows parallel testing across multiple devices. |
Scalability | Scaling is challenging with multiple physical devices. | Enables scalability by testing across various devices simultaneously. |
Benefits of Real Device Cloud in Mobile App Testing
Whether your team operates on-site or in a remote/hybrid setup, utilizing a real device cloud for mobile app testing offers numerous benefits to developers and testers:
- Secure Access Anytime, Anywhere: Conduct tests from any location, ensuring instant access to the required devices and preferred device/OS combinations.
- Automated Testing Support: Seamlessly accommodates manual and automated testing, enhancing overall testing flexibility.
- Enhanced Team Productivity and Collaboration: Centralize mobile app testing resources, allowing distributed teams to efficiently share results and collaborate on resolving application issues.
- Expanded Device Coverage: Test native and hybrid apps across various Android and iOS devices. A cloud-based platform broadens your team’s accessibility to different devices.
- Maintenance-Free Operation: Eliminate the challenges associated with maintaining physical devices.
A cloud-based mobile testing strategy is more cost-effective, scalable, agile, and easier to implement than on-premises infrastructure.
Navigating the Complexities of Real Device Cloud Testing: Uncovering Challenges
While the benefits of cloud-based testing are apparent, organizations must address potential challenges and inherent limitations in its implementation. Key considerations:
● Data Privacy Concerns:
The risk of exposing sensitive data to third-party vendors requires robust data encryption and access control. Optimal security can be achieved through private cloud services or a hybrid cloud testing model, segregating sensitive data on-premise or in a private cloud.
● Vendor Dependency:
Relying on a specific cloud testing vendor or platform may limit future flexibility. Mitigate this risk by choosing cloud testing services compatible with multiple platforms, ensuring seamless transitions.
● Network Latency Impact:
Dependency on network connections for cloud resource access can impact testing results.
● Limited Control Over Testing Environments:
Harnessing the capabilities of virtualization or containerization technologies enables organizations to establish customized testing environments that can be reproduced across various cloud providers.
● Cost Considerations:
While cloud-based testing offers cost-effectiveness, especially in large-scale scenarios, expenses can accumulate. Organizations should carefully align testing needs with budgets, optimizing scenarios to enhance efficiency.
Real Device Cloud Testing Strategies
● Customize your test environment:
Evaluate your application’s characteristics, target audience devices, operating systems, and expected network conditions to establish a test environment replicating the user experience. Ensure scalability to accommodate anticipated traffic volumes, optimizing testing efficiency and yielding long-term cost savings.
● Cost-Effective Scalability Solutions:
Identify cost-effective cloud platforms and tools that align with your testing requirements. Opt for on-demand access to real devices instead of maintaining an internal fleet. Incorporate open-source tools to reduce expenses while bolstering testing velocity and accuracy.
A cloud-based AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform like LambdaTest enables you to conduct Android automation testing and iOS automation testing seamlessly on the Real Device Cloud, eliminating the need for an internal device library and reducing operational costs. During real device cloud testing, you can access network logs, device logs, app logs, videos, and screenshots, providing valuable resources for debugging your application.
The process is straightforward – just upload the .abb, .apk, or .ipa files to initiate testing. Additionally, you can directly download production apps from the Play Store or App Store and install them for testing purposes.
● Design and Execute Cloud Test Cases:
Cloud test cases, representing scenarios and steps to validate software design in the cloud, must cover critical aspects and functionalities. Designing reusable, maintainable, and scalable cloud test cases is crucial. Utilizing test automation frameworks, scripts, data-driven testing, and parameterization enhances efficiency.
A clear understanding of the cloud environment’s unique characteristics, such as distributed computing and elasticity, is essential. Test cases should address both functional and non-functional requirements specific to cloud-based applications.
● Monitor and Analyze Cloud Test Results:
Monitoring and analyzing cloud test results are vital for evaluating software quality and performance in the cloud. Tools for cloud monitoring and analytics aid in tracking metrics like response time, error rate, availability, and throughput. Cloud dashboards and reports visualize and communicate test results. Continuous tracking of outcomes identifies patterns, anomalies, and areas of concern, ensuring timely issue identification and resolution.
● Optimize and Improve Cloud Testing Processes:
Optimizing and improving cloud testing processes is essential for effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability. Adapting processes to changing software design and user needs is crucial. Employing cloud testing best practices, adhering to standards, and implementing continuous improvement techniques enhance the overall testing experience. Feedback loops from testing experiences contribute to ongoing learning and process enhancement.
Conclusion
Businesses must guarantee the superior functionality and quality of their mobile apps as the mobile app market experiences unprecedented growth. The crucial factor in accomplishing this lies in selecting the right mobile app testing strategy. Depending on traditional physical devices for mobile app testing may not be the most efficient approach in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. In contrast, real device cloud testing provides businesses with the flexibility and scalability required to conduct extensive app testing.