Dealing with different devices

The Connect IQ store needs a few more features to better work for a market with so many different devices. Especially because most developers don't have all devices, so they can only test on the device(s) they have and hope it will work on other devices as well.

A first step would be to record or ask anyone who gives a review, which device was used. This makes the review more usable to both developers and other users, and would also enable filtering out reviews if a developer no longer supports certain devices
A second step would be to create a quick checkbox, where users can indicate that the app works on their device (and of course, which device), so one could quickly find out if there is an issue with some devices.

Of course, it will also be a great help if the simulator would really simulate each device, rather then just the layout of the devices.

What do you think? How do you deal with the differences in the devices?

jim_m_58 over 9 years ago

In your description you can point people at the "Contact Developer" button if they have problems, and it has a place on the form to state the device, etc..

For me, I tend to only support watches that can be tested on. Either a watch I have, know someone that can test for me on that watch, or part of the same "family" (like the 23x and 630).

The sim is a simulator and not an emulator, and likely will ever fully emulate any real device (just new FW on a device could make that next to impossible)

Some of the device differences are just things you pick up over time, such as what will/wont work based on things like an oHrm, magnetic compass, etc. and now to deal with touch/non touch devices and write code that works for both.