App testing

tommy2k8

I have a disability, and after submitting an article to a magazine for disabled people, I have been asked to write a monthly article on the latest communication apps for people with disabilities.
I have a Windows Phone, and the Store doesn't have many apps at all for the disabled. I got it in September (long before I was asked to write the article). So, to test out the apps, I downloaded Android in a virtual machine. Whilst this is okay, it is often slow, and a bit troublesome.
As I am paying off my phone in monthly instalments, should I brooch the subject with o2, and see if I can get a phone with Android on?

spadoosh

Just buy a cheap second hand phone. You wont need a contract just something that has the play store and a wifi connection. Unless the app uses features assosciated with a sim card (text and phone) youll be able to use it over wifi. You can get really cheap new android phones from china but cant comment on quality.

I cant imagine it that likely that youll be able to get out of th contract.

Also seems strange that the programme youre using is slow. It should perform based on your computers hardware which should far exceed the capabilities of any phone.

You could even buy a cheap tablet with android and do as above. I bought one for MIL about 3 years ago for £45, still working, bit clunky but what can you expect. Might have compatibility issues if apps are aimed at phone and not tablet.

tommy2k8

I am installing it on machine with an AMD Dual Core L310 processor with 4GB RAM.
Virtualbox Android has got 2GB RAM allocated.

spadoosh

Ok, see why its struggling.

Maybe look at the second phone/tablet option (though would say for testing purposes i woulds tick with the phone)

You can try contacting o2 but i can imagine youll pay for the privilege and wont get much in the way of the old phone (selling it back etc). Im almost certain they wont simply swap the two for you without increased cost.

Out of curiosity whats the magazine? I work with elderly and vulnerable so your article should be of interest. Not sure if we're allowed to name names on this site so could you pm it to me please?

tommy2k8

Pmmed you with the name of the magazine.
I am going to test an app called Android Voice Access which may need text and phone abilities, I'm not sure.

cookie365

What's the magazine's circulation like? Big enough that a phone reseller might be persuaded to provide you a phone in return for a sponsorship credit?

tommy2k8

It was 20,000 in 2007, not sure now.