TechCrunch Julian O’Connell ask developers on Reddit if it was possible to integrate Instant Tests into their apps. The responses were mix with several developers finding a way to incorporate the feature into their apps but others saying that the feature was too buggy.
In addition to adding Instant Tests Optimizely developer blog has also improve the ordering of its automatic testing process. This will allow developers to focus on the most important test cases while improving the experience and reducing the load on the user experience of its site and web builder and new code base prototyping capabilities.
Although to some the improvements may not seem like much the company has been focus on how it can leverage artificial intelligence to improve user experiences.
For the most part the improvements could be minor but will be leveraging its technology and expertise in the AI space to continue to improve its product and user experience.
For example, the company is leveraging its AI technology to help users gain insights into their performance within the shortest amount of time possible. Another example is the company new code base prototyping capability which is something that seems to be missing from the typical software development workflow.
With the ability to start testing incode before creating a user interface we believe our customers will gain the fastest feedback cycle for their product and it will be more reliable. We also think this improves product and development planning and reduces the risk of downtime and infrastructure cost said the company.
It not surprising that the company is focusing on AI and data since more developers are looking to get rid of developer workflows and try out new technologies.
Part of the company AI focus is also because a lot of developers are still trying to learn how to use the latest version of JavaScript the language that powers most of the tools that Optimizely uses.
This is another area that seems to be missing in the way that development is handle at many of the software development companies and it is why Optimizely has been focus on adding features that allow developers to use the language to their advantage.
On that note it was interesting to hear from other developers about the need to learn to code in order to build apps that have a human touch.
I have never been a programmer. Ive barely even been a nerd. Yet my experience dealing with code is almost always far different than the experience that other people have had. For example, some of my favorite apps have been develope inhouse but if there is a database involve Ive never seen a use of classes said one developer.
This highlights a common problem in the way that apps are develop. With so many tools and technologies available today developers have to know how to pick and choose which of these tools to use in order to maximize the likelihood of their apps actually working as intend.
If the product is not built well or developers are not up to speed on the tool, they are using users are often left scratching their heads wondering why their app is not working as intend.
It important to note that while coding might not be as sexy as coding in a web or native language it is a critical skill that every developer should be able to master.
It will enable developers to create the highest quality apps for their users while making it easier for them to understand their performance and issues.
“I love that understands that most product teams dont code and so they have design an intuitive test creation tool that feels intuitive and is design for the everyday developer. If the product is not built well or developers are not up to speed on the tool, they are using users are often left scratching their heads wondering why their app is not working as intend. While testing is still an important process for developers it important for Optimizely to give developers the best experience so they are willing to share their data and ultimately their user experience with their developers said another developer.
This is an area that startups and other companies developing new apps should pay attention to.
If they want to make their apps widely adopt then they have to be sure that they are building their products with the user in mind. It just too easy to get frustrate with a product or app that doesnt work as intend and share that frustration with the company that develope it.
For the company that is developing a new app it important that they get this right from the start. By getting users on board developers can then get the most value from the product for the lowest cost.
New research from Optimizely shows that teams building apps focus on communication tend to produce the best usertesting apps. A third of teams testing voice base apps do it through text message. In contrast less than 10% of teams testing apps that make payments or provide information over a chat or social network use chat or social media.
The fact that so many companies are focusing on messaging and social networks suggests that the future of products and apps is likely to be about easy communication and ease of use.
