Why I Beta Test iPhone Apps
So I have embarked on a new adventure — to beta test new iPhone applications.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? For some, yes. Others may be wondering what the heck I’m talking about. With thousands of new iPhone applications being introduced to the App Store on a regular basis, it’s hard to know which ones are total junk and which ones have real promise, and I’m tired of downloading a new app, only to be let down by bad quality, bugs, crashes, or just bad implementation. Beta testing is a great way for developers to improve their app and make sure it can be of actual use to iPhone users.
And frankly, I feel that I can make an excellent contribution to developers by giving them publicity on my blog in addition to helping them find ways to improve the product. And it’s just neat to play with a product that’s not publicly available yet.
Now, while the idea sounds quite glamorous, betas are not public for a very good reason — they have a LOT of bugs that need to get worked out before the final product gets submitted and hopefully accepted. The last thing any developer wants is to sell a buggy app that everyone has issues with and nobody likes. It certainly wouldn’t help their reputation, either. So while I enjoy testing out and previewing apps that nobody else has been able to play around with, it’s no pleasure trip. There are certainly some responsibilities that go along with the privilege.
I know most of you would like to know about the latest and greatest apps coming out, and I want to continue raising the bar of expectations for iPhone apps. In the 3 months since the App Store came out, the bar of expectations has been raised significantly, and there’s no reason why it can’t keep going up. I have doubled the productivity of my iPhone in the last 2 weeks alone due to several new apps.
How does one become a beta tester? A little mixture of luck, associations, prior experience, digging, and asking around. My new adventure is all about learning what it takes to become one. So far I have been able to test two, and am eager to add more to my list.
So my plan is to use my blog as a vehicle of publicity for developers, and to give myself something else to do late at night that doesn’t involve TV.
Tell me — are you interested in knowing what to be on the lookout for? Would you like to know how to get the most out of your phone?
My mission is to help you get the most out of your phone, and to keep an eye on the newest trends in wireless. And I love playing with new stuff. So that is why I beta test iPhone apps.
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