Ask Slashdot: Data-Only Android For Development?

UrbanaMan writes "I am about to start developing Air and Flex apps for Android and need a smartphone to use for debugging. I want to be able to carry on working in the UK as well as in the US. I don't need to use the phone, so I am looking for an unlocked phone that can be used on pay-as-you-go data plans on both sides of the Atlantic. For app testing I need Flash Player (plus a processer pwerfull enough to support flash), a reasonable amount of memory, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, camera and USB (inc charging) and Android 2.3 or later. Are there any such phones/deals available for non millionaires?"

Comments

Flash

[Nerdfest]

Dude, the Flash thing was just to annoy Jobs, you're not supposed to actually use it.

Re:Flash

[naz404]

The BIIIIIIIIIG advantage over Flash SWFs /AIR apps is that your entire app can be put into a single neat bundle. Can't say the same for Javascript + CSS + Canvas. Sound on HTML5 is pretty screwed up too.

Anyway, Flash/AIR is the way to go right now if you want to target multiple platforms at relatively low cost/time/manpower. Flash & AIR run on: Windows, OSX, Linux, Android 2.2+, Blackberry Tablet OS, Apple iOS (as a native app via the iOS packager). Native will give the best speed, but if your speed requirements aren't so stringent, Flash/AIR will get the job done.

Oh, Lenny, you've got your techs confused. AIR != Flex. Flex is an Open-source framework that will allow you to publish SWFs or AIR Apps via MXML + Actionscript 3. AIR = more like Flash taken out of the browser sandbox & given native desktop hooks. Sounds like you're part of the "bashing stuff I haven't even touched yet based on FUD" camp.

Don't kid yourself. The face of the web is ruled by designers, not coders. Until WYSIWYG tools that make animation of UI interfaces/objects easy for non-coder designers become ubiquitous, Flash ain't going to die anytime soon. (*note: Adobe now has a Flash .FLA to HTML5 export in beta at the labs right now)

Re:Flash

[Anonymous Coward]

FUCK YEAH! Thank you, somebody gets it. Fuck Apple for no-flash, but let's never forget: fuck Flash.

Craigslist

[scot4875]

If you can get by with wifi-only for your data connection, just grab whatever phone you'd like off of Craigslist. I'm currently debugging with a Hero and an Evo that aren't tied to any plan, and rarely leave my desk.

Also, the emulator works for debugging the vast majority of the time, and gives you access to whatever networks the host is connected to.

--Jeremy

Re:Developing Flash "apps" for a phone, eh?

[Bobfrankly1]

Developing Flash "apps" for a phone, eh? Here's a quick set of instructions:

- buy shotgun and ammo

- load shotgun

- insert in mouth

- pull trigger, repeat as needed

Seriously, I can't think of anything more suck-tastic than Flash apps on a phone. Piss-poor battery life, miserable performance and a UI that'll probably still think there's a mouse around...

Steve, the nurse said you need to get back in bed for your sponge bath...

Check the support phones on Cyanogen Mod forums.

[Pengo]

There are almost no phones that are affordable running 2.3.

I do development and use a unlocked Incredible on Verizon, but it's not activated, I just have it using WiFI.

On the road my kids can use it as a portable game device, i have a hotspot 3g card so the phone works as a phone, even when roaming.

I paid less than $200 in a local paper to get the phone, it was in perfect condition and runs fine. I actually enjoy that phone so much with Cyanogen i'm tempted to use it in place of my iPhone (also on Verizon).

I personally would never buy any Android phone that wasn't supported by the Cyanogen developers. (I'm looking at you boot-locked Motorola!) :)