AWS releases virtual Android app testing environment

Amazon Web Services has launched a cloud-based tool for developers to comprehensively test the compatibility and quality of their mobile apps for its Fire OS and Google Android operating systems.

Called the AWS Device Farm, the service provides testing for 97 Android and Amazon FireOS devices currently available, providing more than 200 unique environments.

To test programs, developers simply upload their Android Application Package (APK) files to the Device Farm.

Developers have the option of using a built-in fuzzing test on Device Farm, or their own scripts for Appium, Calabash, or uiautomator; it is also possible to run instrumentation tests with JUnit, Robotium and Espresso.

Test run on AWS Device Farm. Source: Jeff Barr/AWS

The Device Farm lets developers specify the state the device is in, to simulate real-world scenarios and various configurations. This includes turning wi-fi, Bluetooth, GPS and near field communications wireless radios on and ond off, specifying the device location and language/region locale, and whether or not to add further data and other applications for testing.

Screen shots of the test run can be captured by the Device Farm, along with processor and memory utilisation, and the number of threads the application used.

AWS charges US$0.17 per minute and per device for the testing environment, with the first 250 minutes free. There is also an unmetered testing plan for any Android and FireOS device, costing US$250 a month (A$335.60).