I need to get a new android device for testing the apps created @ buzztouch. Will any device based on android OS is fine or do you suggest any particular device, say gingerbread.

OS 2.3 & 2.4 were reported to be a problem. I recommend you get the latest version. Fred

I have a device running Gingerbread (2.3.3) that works perfectly. I have not had any issues with it at all. I also put Ice Cream Sandwich (4.1) on the device, and didn't run into any issues either. In general, though, I agree with @Fred that you should get the most recent version you can afford. That generally means better hardware support, and more refined features. But, there are tons of lower level devices out there that don't cost a ton (under $100 at Walmart), and they tend to run the older versions. All are good options. Mark

Thanks Fred and Mark for the quick replay :-)

If you are looking for a testing device, another way of looking at things is to get an idea of how many people use different versions of Android. This helps as it tells you what version the bulk of your audience are likely to be on. Some interesting stats are available here :- http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html It shows about 2/3 of android users are on still on gingerbread and it made me realise I need to upgrade my Froyo phone! Alan

@Alan is right on the money. When I received my HTC HD2, it had Ice Cream Sandwich on it. When I looked at that link and realized how few people use ICS, and how many use Gingerbread, I realized I needed to test for the many, and not the few! Mark

Then again someone said go to where the hockey puck will be, not where it is. Not sure who said that or whom was fond of quoting them. Fred

Hi Alan, i think you have nailed the right one here, i wanted a device to test apps. I can get a android 2.3.3 for a bargain price. thanks Alan

"A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be" - Wayne Gretzky

"A good app developer tests their app against the most widely used OS. A great app developer also tests against the OS of the future." - Mark

Here's why you may wish to avoid a 2.3 device: http://www.buzztouch.com/forum/thread.php?tid=75CE283AFF7E28D9EA6C22F&command=isSearching&currentPage=1&topicTitle=&createdBy=pj&repliedBy=&minViews=-1&maxViews=-1&minReplies=-1&maxReplies=-1&forumCategory= As far as I know the issue was never resolved, but I haven't seen any post about it lately. Either way, if I had only one device to choose from I'd go with Google Nexus 7" tablet (I recommend you get the 16 GB version). If a phone was an option I'd get the largest screen device your carrier supports. I understand you can flash the Galaxy Note 5.2" (Verizon) to work with Sprint. Fred

But I have two apps that are running just fine on 2.3, according to my install analytics. With respect to that post, and others like it, I think instead of avoiding supporting the most popular version of Android out there, I think we need to focus on fixing the problem. If it's broken on 2.3, it's likely to be broken on any newer version (unless the problem was with Android, and it somehow got fixed) and even more things are likely to be broken as more code gets deprecated. It's a fine line for sure. You should tests your apps on all versions of Android that you want users to be able to use it on, and restrict it from installing on the ones you don't. But you should always test, test, and more test, regardless of what you choose. Mark

Another thing to considern: My 2.2 device allows me to use it as a hostspot. I recently tried this with a 2.3 device with no success. The 2.2 device has a 3.2" screen. My 7" tablet is my preferred device. When I'm around Wi-Fi don't hardly look at the phone, when I'm no where near Wi-Fi my phone's hotspot powers my tablet. Either way the 3.2" screen gets little use. I understand the thread is about testing, but you'll find that with a larger screen testing & development is possible. Fred

Another thought. No one Android device is going to give you the whole picture, there are a myriad of hardware manufacturers as well as flavours of the OS. Added to that, the simulators are OK but not great. So I would buy a cheap old device or two, as well as something new and modern. I quite like the idea of the Google Nexus too, but I use my 3.2" ZTE blade for testing all the time. My view is you learn more about your code on slow old computers than new fast ones. Alan