Technology responsible for AMBER and presidential alerts undergoes Apkudo Experience Analysis Testing

October 14, 2014 – Baltimore, MD – Apkudo, the device quality assurance company, today announced that it has successfully completed Device Experience Analysis testing on the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) service. This work was sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate.

WEA emergency messages are sent by authorized government alert originators through mobile carrier networks, and may include extreme weather information or other threatening emergencies in specific regions, AMBER alerts, and presidential alerts during national emergencies.

WEA messages appear on subscribers’ mobile devices in a manner similar to text messages, but use cellular broadcast to ensure they are delivered immediately, avoiding any potential congestion or delays on wireless networks. Unlike text messages, WEA messages are location aware, which allows them to be sent to mobile subscribers within a specific geographic area.

Successfully implementing WEA requires that potentially life-saving alerts appear on a variety of handheld devices on multiple service provider networks. Messages should prompt recipients to respond appropriately. It is crucial the information can be seen and acted upon regardless of the recipient’s device or network, which is where Apkudo helps.

Apkudo created a custom Device Experience Analysis testing methodology that examines how WEA interacts in the mobile ecosystems. Fifty (50) devices comprised of Apple, Android, Windows and Blackberry operating systems were tested for the DHS-sponsored work, on four top-tier – and smaller – carrier networks, to provide statistically representative results.

Apkudo received support from Rohde & Schwarz, a global Test and Measurement supplier for the wireless industry. An R&S CMW500 radio communications tester was used, which supports multiple mobile wireless technologies in a single box, and with CMWCards, a graphical test script tool that makes it easier to create wireless signaling tests.

The tests examined whether the various devices were able to implement WEA. For example, they looked at whether the device could implement WEA without crashing or failing, whether it performed the expected response under each setting, alert type, and scenario, and whether the device performed in a manner that was accessible, intuitive, and pleasing to the recipient.

“Lives will depend on the WEA service working properly, so having an accurate picture of how the technology will perform in real-world situations is incredibly important,” said Josh Matthews, co-founder and CEO of Apkudo. “The Apkudo Device Experience Analysis testing – assisted by the industry-leading equipment from Rohde & Schwarz – provided DHS with valuable information, and helped to enhance the alert service.”

Apkudo Partners With IQT to Expand Its Mobile Device and Application Testing Capabilities

Agreement focuses on enhancing automated, cloud-based user-experience testing

September 23, 2014 – Baltimore, MD – Apkudo, the mobile device quality assurance company, announced it has entered into a strategic partnership and technology development agreement with In-Q-Tel (IQT). IQT is an independent strategic investment firm that identifies innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the U.S. Intelligence Community.

The investment will allow Apkudo to further the development of the Apkudo Approved mobile device and application-testing platform, providing IQT customer agencies with a versatile testing platform that can be used to test mobile applications in many scenarios and environments.

“Simulating how mobile apps and devices work and determining the end-user experience before launch can be daunting, particularly with so many devices, operating systems, and networks,” said Josh Matthews, co-founder and CEO of Apkudo. “Apkudo Approved testing automates this process, utilizing actual subscriber usage scenarios to uncover any issues so they may be corrected before being launched to customers.”

Apkudo’s experience testing technology includes software and hardware infrastructure for automated execution, interaction, and analysis over a large workload of applications and devices.

“Just like the private sector, use of mobile devices and applications in the federal government is expanding and our customers need to understand how end users will interact with their technology,” said Jay Emmanuel, Senior Vice President of IQT’s Mobility practice. “Apkudo’s comprehensive testing methodology makes the job of properly vetting mobile technology faster and easier than traditional methods, and we’re pleased to help facilitate its continued development.”

About IQT

In-Q-Tel is the not-for-profit, strategic investment firm that works to identify, adapt, and deliver innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Launched in 1999 as a private, independent organization, IQT’s mission is to identify and partner with companies developing cutting-edge technologies that serve the national security interests of the United States.

Apkudo analyzes eight Nakamichi devices to ensure the best possible user experience 

September 3, 2014 – Baltimore, MD, and Hauppauge, NY – Apkudo, the mobile device quality assurance company, and Reliance Communications, one of the nation’s premier wireless distribution companies, today announced that Reliance has successfully launched the first group of “Tested with Apkudo” accessories. A total of eight Nakamichi Bluetooth™ speakers and headsets, as well as wired headsets underwent Apkudo’s rigorous and comprehensive testing process before being cleared for launch. Reliance is the exclusive distributor of Nakamichi headphones and portable Bluetooth speaker products in the US and Canada.

Apkudo surpasses simple functional testing to analyze wireless accessories from both a technical and user experience perspective to determine how devices will perform in real-world use cases. This allows service providers and distributors to manage their accessory portfolio based on the user experience delivered, in addition to technical specifications and pricing.

“The entire Apkudo Approved process has been extremely valuable,” said Cornelius VanGinhoven, Vice President of Product Management at Reliance Communications. “They reviewed the Nakamichi products down to the most granular detail, giving us extensive detailed reports that we could use with the manufacturer to make these great accessories even better.”

“An accessory that has the ‘Tested with Apkudo’ mark has gone through the most thorough and in-depth testing in the industry,” said Josh Matthews, co-founder and CEO of Apkudo. “Other accessory testing companies simply provides pass/fail results without any insights or actionable data to make accessories better.”

Reliance will begin offering Nakamichi headphones and speakers for sale to customers in September 2104.

About Reliance Communications
Reliance Communications is a one-stop service solution for the wireless industry, focusing on distribution, product development and reverse logistics. Reliance is a national distributor of the newest wireless devices and accessories and one of only three authorized distributors for Verizon Wireless in the US. Headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, Reliance has over 20 years of experience throughout the wireless ecosystem as a retailer, agent, master agent and distributer. For more information please visit our website http://www.reliance.us. 

September 2, 2014 – Baltimore, MD – Apkudo, the device experience assurance company, today announced the launch of ‘Confirmed Kill’ testing to verify and validate smartphone kill switch implementations. The test suite – an extension of Apkudo Approved device analysis – will ensure device kill switches meet the requirements of the law while providing the best possible user experience.

California State Senate Bill 962 – which was signed into law on August 25 and takes effect July 1, 2015 – mandates that device manufacturers implement extensive measures to protect consumers against the theft of mobile devices and the data they contain. These include the ability to remotely disable voice, data, and app capabilities if the device is lost or stolen, enabling of the kill switch by default, and forbidding the feature from being disabled by a hard reset.

“The bill attempts to balance the needs of the consumer with the freedom for manufacturers to comply in the way that best suits their platform,” said Josh Matthews, co-founder and CEO of Apkudo. “It does, however, put the onus on these manufacturers to integrate this kill switch functionality into incredibly complex mobile operating systems. This in turn will lead to issues with both fragmented compliance and fragmented user experiences.”

The Confirmed Kill test suite from Apkudo provides industry-first independent validation that ensures both correctness and effectiveness of kill switch implementations, and consistency in user experience.

Confirmed Kill has been added to the market-leading Apkudo Approved device test plan, which analyzes smart devices from both a technical and user experience perspective to determine how devices will perform in the real-world. It allows device manufacturers and service providers to uncover and fix any issues before launch and ensure the best possible user experience of their devices.

Apkudo analyzes mobile device accessories to improve user experience

July 15, 2014 – Baltimore, MD, and Hauppauge, NY – Apkudo, the mobile device quality assurance company, and Reliance Communications, one of the nation’s premier wireless distribution companies, today announced that Reliance is using the industry-leading Apkudo Approved accessory testing to further its focus on quality. Initially, Apkudo will test the Nakamichi line of audio accessories to ensure the best user experience. Reliance is the exclusive distributor of Nakamichi products in the US and Canada.

Apkudo analyzes wireless accessories and how they are used in conjunction with devices to provide a comprehensive experience assessment above and beyond technical and functional testing. Because accessories have the ability to change the device experience – a carrying case can cover a microphone, for example – it is important to consider the impact an accessory has on a device rather than approving it on specs and price alone.

“By adding Apkudo Approved accessory testing to our pre-launch efforts, we can be sure we meet the highest standards in the industry and meet or exceed customer expectations,” said Cornelius VanGinhoven, Vice President, Product Management at Reliance Communications. “Based on our confidence in the value of this process, we are adding the ‘Tested with Apkudo’ mark to packaging to reflect the incremental measures we’re taking and their value to the consumer.”

“Reliance has established a leadership role in terms of making sure products they carry provide the best possible user experience,” said Josh Matthews, co-founder and CEO of Apkudo. “Adding Apkudo testing to the process will help Reliance to improve customer satisfaction, reduce returns, and optimize their accessory portfolio.”

Apkudo’s analysis of Nakamichi headphones and speakers completed this month.

About Reliance Communications
Reliance Communications is a one-stop service solution for the wireless industry, focusing on distribution, product development and reverse logistics. Reliance is a national distributor of the newest wireless devices and accessories and one of only three authorized distributors for Verizon Wireless in the US. Headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, Reliance has over 20 years of experience throughout the wireless ecosystem as a retailer, agent, master agent and distributer. For more information please visit our website http://www.reliance.us. 

About Apkudo
A mobile device quality assurance company, Apkudo is pioneering analysis technologies that deeply and holistically test pre-release mobile devices against millions of different possible use-cases and activities to discover bugs and refine the user interface and experience, taking devices from bad to good, and good to great. Apkudo works with many of the world’s largest device manufacturers and over 50 U.S. carriers.

Apkudo is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Apkudo team includes deep research expertise with mobile operating systems including optimization, usability and performance testing, and is focused on helping the ecosystem deliver the best possible user experience to all device owners. Learn more at http://www.apkudo.com and email hello@apkudo.com for additional information.

Apkudo Press Contact:
Barbara Henris
Quexor Group
+1 703 470 9446
bhenris@quexor.com

Reliance Press Contact:
Jeanne Healy
Reliance Communications
+1 631-240-8337
Jeanne.Healey@reliance.us

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Apkudo Partners with CCA to Create Common Device Requirements for Competitive Carriers

“Device Hub” provides operators with access to the latest devices, faster and at better prices  

March 27, 2014 – San Antonio, TX – Today, Apkudo and Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) announced the launch of the CCA Device Hub Powered by Apkudo (Device Hub), a centralized resource that promises to revolutionize the device buying ecosystem for smaller rural and regional wireless operators.

The Device Hub will enable CCA carrier members to more efficiently and economically manage their device portfolio from end-to-end by providing a platform to interact, collaborate and share information. The Device Hub will gather and consolidate network and device data from participating carriers and will use that information to create a “SmartSpec,” a common device specification that participating carriers, device manufacturers and distributors can use to simplify and accelerate the device launch process.

“The Device Hub is a game-changer for our members, especially for smaller carriers who do not have the scope and scale to access the latest devices,” said CCA President & CEO, Steven K. Berry. “The Device Hub helps overcome this obstacle by allowing carriers to pool their resources to create a ‘Virtual Tier-1’ operator, and I am delighted that Apkudo, a CCA member, is helping carriers solve the device dilemma.  The Device Hub is a good complement to the Data Access Hub, which is full speed ahead with CCA’s announcement earlier today, and this is another great reason to become a member of CCA!”

“The Device Hub is a one-stop shop for CCA members,” said Josh Matthews, Co-founder and CEO of Apkudo. “They can access our industry-leading ‘Apkudo Approved’ reports, which contain usability and performance data on almost every device in the marketplace, and use this information to make much more informed decisions about the devices they offer their subscribers from a user-experience perspective. This will save considerable time and resources during all device launch phases, and for post-launch customer support.

Participating carriers will have access to all of the Device Hub resources through a secure portal.

December 10, 2013 – Baltimore, MD – Apkudo, the device quality assurance company, and the China Academy of Telecommunication Research of MIIT (CATR), today announced that the companies have agreed to deliver Apkudo’s device user experience testing and analysis to the Chinese market. Apkudo Approved, a comprehensive user experience analytics suite, helps wireless operators and device manufacturers successfully launch their mobile devices.

An Apkudo Approved device is one that provides a consistent, reliable, and well-characterized user experience. The Apkudo partnership will allow Terminal Test Labs (TTL) within CATR to help their customers determine how their devices perform across millions of different user scenarios, exercising key apps, and comparing them to every other similar device on the market.

“China is the largest wireless device market in the world,” said Song Chongwen, Director of Marketing and Sales at TTL. “This market has matured so rapidly that user experience is often an afterthought. It is critical the dominant Chinese operators and manufacturers now aggressively focus on how to make their customers’ user experience better.”

“Apkudo is committed to helping the mobile device ecosystem deliver the best possible user experience. TTL currently tests about 1000 devices a year, and with Apkudo’s help they can ensure that higher quality devices get into the hands of Chinese consumers,” said Josh Matthews, CEO of Apkudo.

November 25, 2013 – Baltimore, MD – Apkudo, the device quality assurance company, today announced the acquisition of Blue Potato, an innovative wireless device testing and certification company headquartered in San Diego, California.

Blue Potato currently provides technical expertise and testing services to help OEMs/ODMs and wireless operators bring their devices to market more quickly by leveraging their knowledge of North American lab approvals to navigate the end-to-end approval process. Its cost effective approach in providing functional device testing as a managed service allows OEMs and wireless operators to focus their efforts and resources on other critical areas.

The acquisition combines Blue Potato’s innovation in traditional testing and certification of all devices with Apkudo’s innovation in user experience testing and optimization. “The fit couldn’t be better,” stated Josh Matthews, Apkudo Co-Founder and CEO. “The joining of these two innovative companies greatly expands our offering and now allows an approach to traditional testing through the lens of experience testing.”

Apkudo Approved, a comprehensive user experience analytics suite, helps wireless operators and device manufacturers ensure the successful launch of their devices. An Apkudo Approved device provides a consistent, reliable, and well-characterized user experience.

“Device interoperability, testing and certification are constant challenges, especially for OEMs entering the U.S. market,” stated Stan Scheufler, COO of Blue Potato. “We are excited to join the Apkudo team, who share the same core principals of making it easier for OEMs and wireless operators of all sizes to offer the latest devices and deliver the best possible user experience to their subscribers.”