Amazon Web Services launched the AWS Device Farm this July to provide support for testing native and hybrid applications on iOS and Android devices. The AWS Device Farm provides the ability to test apps in the cloud against a large collection of real phones and tablets without the complexity and expense of deploying and maintaining device labs and automation infrastructure. Device Farm supports native and hybrid Android, iOS, and Fire OS apps, including those created with PhoneGap, Titanium, Xamarin, Unity, and other frameworks.
Now the company has added support for testing browser-based applications on iOS and Android devices. Developers can now create a single test run that spans any desired combination of supported devices and makes use of the Appium Java JUnit or Appium Java TestNG frameworks.
Developers can use the AWS Device Farm by uploading an app and the service runs tests on a fleet of unique device/OS combinations. Within a few minutes the system provides detailed reports that pinpoint bugs, performance problems, and other issues. Developers can also automatically initiate tests by integrating with continuous integration tools such as the Cloudbees Jenkins Platform.
The Device Farm Offers the Following Benefits:
Test on the same devices customers use
Run tests across a large selection of physical devices in parallel from various manufacturers with varying hardware, OS versions and form factors. Unlike emulators, physical devices provide a more accurate understanding of how users interact with an app, by taking into account factors such as memory, CPU usage, location, and modifications done by manufactures and carriers to the firmware and software.
Fix issues faster
Focus on the most important issues by viewing detailed, actionable reports.
AWS identifies and groups problems across every device, so developers can quickly analyze results, logs, screenshots, and performance data across tests.
Simulate real-world environments
Fine-tune the test environment by configuring location, language, application data, and installing prerequisite apps to simulate real-world customer conditions.
Choose the tests that work best
Run the built-in test suite with no scripting required. Or customize tests by selecting from a range of open-source test frameworks like Appium, Calabash, and Espresso.
Integrate with development workflow
Use the platform’s service plug-ins and API to automatically initiate tests from continuous integration systems like Jenkins and other development tools.
Test with confidence
Each device is dedicated for the duration of a test and completely isolated from other devices at the software and hardware level. After each test run, the devices are wiped to remove the application and data.
Affordable pricing
Pricing is based on device minutes, which are determined by the number of devices used and the duration of tests. AWS Device Farm comes with a free tier of 250 device minutes. After that the cost is $0.17 per device minute. As testing needs grow, there is an option to opt for unmetered testing plan, which allows unlimited testing for a flat monthly fee of $250 per device with no long term contract.
AWS Device Farm currently provides support for the following test types:
Android
Appium Java JUnit
Appium Java TestNG
Calabash
Instrumentation (JUnit, Espresso, Robotium, or any instrumentation-based tests)
UI Automator
Explorer
iOS
Appium Java JUnit
Appium Java TestNG
Calabash
UI Automation
XCTest (including KIF)
Web Apps
Appium Java JUnit
Appium Java TestNG