Boldly Expanding Testing’s Reach with Shared Devices

According to the American Library Association, there are over 17,000 libraries in the USA. If we consider that the average library collection holds over 100,000 items–including an ever-growing selection of digital content like audiobooks–then you are looking at an astronomical number of books and collection items. In testing terms, that is like the ceaseless expansion of device fragmentation. Manufacturers constantly push technological boundaries with the near-constant release of new devices of varying screen sizes, processors, and operating systems. It is thought that the active number of device models worldwide exceeds 30,000, which makes the device landscape as crowded as the infinitely expanding collections of most libraries.

This is not the only challenge in modern software development. 

• Application Complexity: Modern apps are intricate and interconnected, utilizing diverse technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
• Release Velocity: Businesses today operate in highly competitive markets and must innovate rapidly. Pressure to speed up release cycles can strain testing processes.
• Evolving Technology: New technologies are constantly emerging, putting the software development landscape in constant flux. 

Many organizations find themselves limited when it comes to device access in their traditional testing environments. This restriction harms the ability to thoroughly test applications across the diverse and fragmented mobile landscape. Considering unique hardware, operating systems, and screen sizes, the device landscape seems nearly as infinite as the number of items in the National Library. Giving users a consistent experience across all these devices seems almost impossible. Even organizations with fully mature testing labs struggle to provide comprehensive testing, resulting in defects sneaking through to production.  

There is a compelling solution to the problem. Access to on-demand or “shared” devices opens the possibility for teams to go beyond the limitations of their traditional testing environments. Expanded access to a diverse matrix of devices allows them to extend the boundaries of their testing environments and deliver a consistent user experience across any combination of device, operating system, or screen size.  

The Need to Browse

The view of libraries and their collections as we zoom out is an interconnected web of books, periodicals, and newspapers. The number and variety of devices in use today paints a similar picture. This vast, uncharted territory of fragmentation is made up of thousands of unique device models each with its own unique combination of hardware, operating system versions, and screen sizes. This landscape presents many potential compatibility issues and differences in performance that can get lost if not tested properly.

Traditional testing is no longer enough to cut through the fragmented terrain of mobile devices. Reliance on static in-house device labs offers a limited selection and presents a narrow perspective of testing. Even organizations with globally located dedicated SaaS devices only have a limited subset of real-world devices to test upon. Imagine early researchers trying to find the books and articles they need without a good search or collation system. Those limitations lead to missed opportunities, which can result in underwhelming experiences for a large swath of users.

Unlocking New Chapters with Shared Devices

In the world of libraries, borrowing and reading books can take the reader across vast distances in minutes. For the testing process this means that teams with mature testing practices can access or “borrow” from a diverse range of shared devices. This access will speed up test execution and allow testing teams to seek out new devices and explore strange operating systems. Organizations will see their testing reach expand beyond their traditional dedicated lab and gain a more comprehensive understanding of their app behavior. threat actor using agentic AI. Hackers no longer need deep technical expertise; they simply need access to an LLM and merely a few minutes (or even seconds) of their time.

Curating Your Shelf: Equipping for Comprehensive Testing

Deciding to explore a feature like shared devices should not be rushed. Organizations need to carefully evaluate their existing testing infrastructure. Many will already be managing mature SaaS-based private device labs that are the foundation of their continuous testing strategy.

A good practice would be to thoroughly assess and determine if Shared Devices will truly complement and enhance an organization’s existing capabilities. It is not about replacing infrastructure. We want to help organizations strategically expand to address specific needs and challenges.

Here are some key considerations: 

• Device Diversity: Existing labs may cover a significant portion of the device landscape; attention must be paid to a wider range of devices, latest models, and emerging operating systems.
• Scalability: Shared devices should help seamlessly scale processes to accommodate fluctuating testing demands with on-demand access to additional devices. Flexibility helps ease traffic during peak testing periods.
• Integration: Seamless integration into existing CI/CD pipelines, test automation frameworks, and other essential testing tools and workflows is paramount.
• Security: Data security and privacy are paramount within the shared device environment. When devices are released, they must be cleaned of all customer data and customer configurations need to be restored to device defaults. 

Catalog Success by Achieving Continuous Testing Excellence

Once vetted and properly implemented, Shared Devices will provide the confidence to help teams improve their testing maturity and achieve success. There are five ways Shared Devices show value and accelerate testing. 

1. Seamless Integration: Shared Devices are integrated and executed via a single user interface, streamlining testing and improving flexibility.
2. Expanded Device Coverage: Increasing the pool of available devices helps bridge coverage gaps and allows users to find the exact device combos they need.
3. Enhanced Efficiency: Running automation on shared devices during peak testing hours will ensure an uninterrupted testing flow, accelerating the entire SDLC.
4. Accelerated Feedback Loops: Enabling faster feedback allows teams to quickly identify and address issues across a wider range of devices
5. Higher Quality: Ensuring a consistent UX across all devices empowers teams to create apps that delight users.  

Expanding the Archive: The Future of Testing

Embracing a shared devices approach empowers organizations to push beyond the limits of traditional testing and explore the ever-expanding catalog of mobile devices with greater confidence. This new era of testing is seamlessly integrated into existing workflows and provides several key benefits.

Shared Devices expand testing by giving access to various devices that help ensure compatibility across the entire mobile landscape. They enhance efficiency with an uninterrupted testing flow that eliminates bottlenecks and accelerates testing cycles. Feedback loops are accelerated with rapid issue identification and resolution stemming from the wider range of available devices. It empowers teams to boldly go where testing has not yet been, delivering exceptional user experiences while ensuring consistent performance across all devices.