Back in September, Brandon posted here on a great idea that was in its beta stage at the time – a site that brought together iPhone apps developers and users t act as beta testers for new apps. The site is called iBetatest.com and now it’s done with its beta, and is up and running.
This seems like a win-win idea. If it’s done right, it should be a winner for both iPhone app publishers looking for quality testers, and for users wanting to discover and test new apps, and assist in their development.
The site has only been live for just a very short while, so there are only a couple of app betas listed to apply for right now, and 40-odd registered developers – but I imagine these numbers will mushroom quite quickly.
You’ll need to register on the site (for free) and setup a profile with at least your device (iPhone or Touch) details in order to get started and get yourself in a position to apply to take part in a new app’s beta testing. The device profile includes providing your device’s friendly name and its UDID (a unique identifier) – and the site provides easy instructions on how to find your UDID if you haven’t ever had to look for it before.
Here’s part of the outline of features at iBetaTest.com:
* Beta testers and developers register for a free account
* Beta testers log in and go into the Device Manager and add all of their devices
* Developers can go to Manage Betas module and create a new beta
– at this point they specify beta type (public, manual, invite only, the auto approve setting, etc.)
– select which devices are required to run their application (iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPod touch v1, v2, or All)
– set number of desired testers (2-100)
– write the application ‘s description
– provide info on any incentives for beta tester participation
– upload the application files, license file and any screenshots they want
– write what needs to be tested and add any special instructions and voila – the app is up and running
* At this point (if app is set public), beta testers can see it and apply for it
– ONLY beta testers with devices the application supports, and with UDID ‘s already entered can apply for a given beta
– If the application is set to auto approve – they are automatically added to the list of testers, until the limit set by the developer is reached
– If it is not set to auto approve – the developer gets an email, and then either approves or denies the tester
* During this time, no matter if the application is public or private, developer can also send invites to anyone to come and join the beta
– Users not yet registered on iBetaTest.com get an email, and once they sign up, their Pending Beta Testing Invitation will be shown on the Dashboard from where they can accept or deny it
– Registered members also see it on the Dashboard, and can approve or reject any invitation straight from there
– NO INVITE CODES are necessary. It ‘s all seamless and based on user ‘s email address, for both registered and non registered members
* There is a convenient ‘Get ADC Import File ‘ feature for developers, which lets them download a file containing beta tester ‘s names and UDID ‘s which is directly importable into Apple ‘s Developer ‘s Connection portal; no more copying and pasting
* At any time developer can simply click Close For Signups button under My Betas module and close the beta signup process (which is not necessary)
* Approved beta testers can access all features the system offers right on every application ‘s home page
– From there they may send reports (bugs, feature requests, comments) and communicate with developer and other testers
– Everyone can also download Application files, documentation, and license files straight from there
* The system AUTOMATICALLY checks developer ‘s .mobileprovision files to see if the tester ‘s UDID has been provisioned in that version, and notifies a tester if he/she should be downloading any files yet.
– This way, developers do not have to send the files individually to each tester. They are all available in the same pool, and as soon as the license is uploaded, beta testers know if their device can run and install it yet or not.
* During the beta testing – developers can also email users from My Betas module at any time (one by one, or all at once) with any info they have that has to get to testers right away. If a support email address is provided in developer ‘s profile, these emails are shown as if they are coming from that address, however, if none is entered, they are all sent from system@ibetatest.com
* Privacy is STRONGLY guarded on iBetaTest.com. From initial interviews with developers, before the system was even built, all they cared about was what the beta testers have to say – not, what their personal information is
– The only piece of information a developer can see on their tester is the First Name (for a more professional communication), and tester ‘s username.
– The system itself sends all information via integrated mailing system, thus enforcing the use of Reports Module for all direct communication with the developer
– Each report can be set to either ‘for all ‘ or ‘for developer only ‘, making it easy to talk to the developer ‘in private ‘
* Both developers and beta testers can set their personal profiles (with addition of developers also having a developer profile), where they can publish all other info they ‘d like to share with the world: Short bio, and links to their Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter profiles
* Once the beta testing has finished, the developer has a chance to rate the beta testers (1-5 star rating) and write a short note, which will become a part of Tester ‘s Testimonials Page (located right on their profile with all other info)
* Rating system is an interesting one, to say the least. Each star is 10 points. THERE WILL BE REWARDS for first testers to reach 200, 500, 1000, and so on points – and these won ‘t be shabby either! Stay tuned for more info on this.
The above is an intended scenario which outlines the Life Cycle of a beta, and shows off some of the integrated features.
This seems well thought out. iBetaTest is really hoping for some more developer support to get things rolling a little more quickly now …
For now I would only like to make a personal call to all developers out there to please publish their apps. Testers are very anxious and ready to help out. As I suspected, many are genuinely interested in HELPING and having an early access to the apps not yet seen. Their profiles tell the story.
I registered as a tester this afternoon, and really look forward to seeing how the site develops.
To get started with iBetaTest, go HERE to register …
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