Although we understand that *most* mobile developers aren’t Formula 1 drivers, they are just as awesome, and what mobile developer wouldn’t want to have the opportunity of test driving one of their apps on the latest and greatest from Sony?  Correction:  make that Testdroiding.  Yes, you just read that right.

We’re collaborating with Sony Mobile to deploy their Xperia line of devices on Testdroid Cloud so that you—mobile developer/tester/racecar driver extraordinaire—can Testdroid your apps and games on these full HD devices, for free.  Our priority is providing you, our users, with tools that make your mobile development and testing life easier, and access to the most fantastic screens used in Android devices is now within your reach.  Testdroid Cloud running Xperia devices offers a combination of features that enables you to:

·         Maximize device support instantly and with minimum effort: just upload, select and run.  Results will be delivered to you by email in minutes;
·         Develop, test and deploy apps and games in a fraction of time. Build tests for your app and run them at Testdroid Cloud;
·         Ensure your apps are differentiated on full-HD resolution screens;
·         Rapidly and accurately capture, verify, and replay your tests, with quick delivery of functionality and performance metrics;
·         Access the devices anytime, anywhere.

This partnership with Sony is exciting for us on so many levels, notably as it supports our continued interest in collaborating with leading OEMs and reinforces our overall global approach to efficient and accurate mobile applications development.
So … drivers, start your engines!  Testdroid your own Sony device now at cloud.testdroid.com:
·  Xperia™ S
·  Tablet Xperia™ S
·  Xperia™ P
·  Xperia™ Z
·  Xperia™ E

Sandboxes. We’ve all sat in them, built castles in them, wrestled toys away from other children in them. The definition of a sandbox is quite simple: a box filled with sand where children play.

Next week, May 15-17, we’ll be in the most recognized sandbox in the technology playground, the Google I/O Developer Conference Sandbox, and we are fired up to be part of this elite group! The Developer Sandbox showcases demos from a wide range of developers who have built applications based on products and technologies that are being featured at Google I/O. This includes us. We’ll be rubbing elbows and exchanging ideas with talented minds as we introduce Google+ sign in to all Testdroid products. Earlier this year, Google launched its Google+ sign in as a standard way to log in to online services. We support Google’s initiatives in whatever they do, even more so when developers are at the heart of these initiatives. Move over Facebook, now you can sign in with Google +!

This will be the second year that we’ve showcased Testdroid at Google I/O. Last year at this time, while some developers showed limited, web-based app testing capabilities in iOS, we were the only ones there that demonstrated the power of cloud-based app testing. This year we expect to see many more like-minded developers, even though we remain first-to-market with a global reach. We view our second year participating at Google I/O as a milestone that not only marks our growth over these past 12 months – confirming that we are on the right path and doing some cool stuff – but is testimony to the evolution of the Android testing platform industry as a whole … like more children playing in the sandbox.

We look forward to our three days in San Francisco next week at Google I/O and are excited to be in the Sandbox. Oh, and we promise to play nice!

If you’re not already familiar with the magic of the Testdroid Cloud dashboard, why not take a test drive today?

Testdroid Cloud is our online service for testing your application on 200+ real Android devices. Your dashboard in Testdroid Cloud gives you a quick look at everything that is going on in your tests. Plus, you can see many of the devices that are available.

First, you’ll need to log in to your Testdroid Cloud account. If you don’t already have one, you can register and try it for free at cloud.testdroid.com. Find more info about creating your account here.

On your dashboard, you’ll see that you can review your account information, check out all of the devices we support (including newly added devices), organize your devices into groups for better testing, and review and manage tests in the project section.

There’s a help button to provide instruction and tutorials along the way. And if you happen to get lost, simply click the cloud icon to get back to your home page.

It’s that easy to keep informed about your results and stay solidly in the driver’s seat for all of your tests.

Check out our video for more information:

Break out the champagne and beer (or your drink of choice). It’s a day of celebration here at Bitbar as we can finally announce that we’ve completed a $3 million financing round!

With this investment, we now have the awesome opportunity to expand our mobile developer tools beyond Android, iOS and HTML5, AND beyond just testing. Exciting stuff!

A couple of weeks ago, we blogged about the renaissance of the mobile developer. It’s all about you – the developers who are adding to your toolboxes and sharpening your skills, especially to make testing part of your responsibilities.

For this very reason, we have focused on building tools for developers rather than for traditional testers. The success of this strategy is evident in the growth we’ve seen as 40 percent more of you are joining us each month.

And now we’re on our way to providing a fully integrated development, testing and deployment experience for all relevant mobile platforms

We’re extremely grateful to Creathor Venture of Frankfurt, which led this round, as well as DFJ Esprit (London), Finnvera Venture Capital (Finland), Qualcomm Incorporated/Qualcomm Ventures and TEKES (Finland) financing.

Look below to read what a couple of our investors have to say about our technology and the market. Then join us in a toast to celebrate our next chapter!

Cheers!

Marko, Jouko and the entire Bitbar/Testdroid Team

“Bitbar’s disruptive technology has the potential to revolutionize the entire mobile software development process. The company has made excellent progress in a very short time and is very well positioned for the future.”
-       Marc Biel, Investment Manager at Creathor Venture

“At DFJ Esprit we have a global outlook. World class teams are at the heart of every business we invest in. We are committed to backing the very best European talent right here at home to create businesses that can win in global markets. Bitbar’s customer traction in the Android developer market and the pace this market is developing is what made this investment stand out.”

-       Scott Sage, principal, DFJ Esprit

Ahhh…the Renaissance. That period of historic revival where the “Renaissance Man” thrived in multiple fields and disciplines – from art, language and philosophy to science, engineering and medicine.

Without a doubt, the technology world is deep in its own renaissance. And akin to the scholars of the renaissance age, there’s no individual who is more at the forefront of the current technology revolution than the mobile app developer.

Gartner Research Director Danny Brian has explored the topic of  The Renaissance Developer, saying:

Read more…