September 2024 Summaries

BrowserStack has announced the General Availability (GA) of its App Accessibility Testing tool for developers and QA testers to ensure iOS and Android apps meet accessibility standards. The platform uses a proprietary rule engine, allowing users to test on real mobile devices and catch all types of accessibility issues 5X faster. BrowserStack's App Accessibility features include an App Workflow Scanner, Screen Readers, a Centralized Dashboard and Reporting system, and Zero Setup requirements. The GA version also introduces new features such as Screen Reader Support for iOS, support for WCAG 2.2, support for hybrid and cross-platform apps, new app upload methods, local testing, geolocation testing, access to accessibility settings, and localization testing for screen readers.

In this edition, BrowserStack introduces App Accessibility Testing for enhanced mobile app accessibility health monitoring with faster issue detection. They also launch Bug Capture to create data-rich bug reports in seconds. Product updates include new framework support for Accessibility Automation and added features like comments, drag & drop test steps, and custom date range in Test Management. Community updates feature the BrowserStack Champions program for QA enthusiasts and a positive customer testimonial highlighting the benefits of using BrowserStack as a testing tool.

BrowserStack is celebrating notable figures in the testing industry who contribute their expertise to the community through thought leadership. Beth Marshall, a Senior Quality Engineer at Lloyds Banking Group, shares her insights on her role and career in software testing. She emphasizes continuous learning as an exciting aspect of the profession and highlights the importance of staying updated with new trends while focusing on fundamental skills. AI is seen as a tool to augment roles rather than replace them, and collaboration within teams has significantly impacted productivity. Beth's go-to productivity hacks include getting enough sleep, prioritizing learning, clear communication, and reading books like "Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)."

BrowserStack is celebrating notable figures in the testing industry, including Michael Bolton, a seasoned testing expert and co-author of Rapid Software Testing. With over 35 years of experience, Bolton focuses on helping teams solve testing problems and improve their practices. He emphasizes critical thinking around emerging technologies like AI and LLMs, and is working on a book with colleague James Bach titled "Taking Testing Seriously." Bolton's advice for newcomers in software testing includes developing skills and being prepared to face challenges.

BrowserStack is celebrating notable figures in the testing industry for their contributions to thought leadership and knowledge sharing. One such icon is Sri Priya P Kulkarni, a Software Development Engineer in Test at American Express. She emphasizes the importance of passion and continuous learning in software testing, as well as staying connected with test communities and exploring new technologies. AI has also impacted her team's approach to testing, allowing them to focus more on strategic tasks and enhance productivity.

BrowserStack is celebrating influential figures in the testing industry by recognizing their thought leadership and contributions to the community. Gleb Bahmutov, Senior Director of Engineering at Mercari US, shares insights on efficient testing practices and offers advice for those starting their careers in software development. He suggests making learning public through blog posts or searchable notes, which can also serve as proof of experience during job interviews. Bahmutov stays updated on new trends and tools by subscribing to newsletters and reading interesting blog posts. One current testing trend that excites him is running React/Vue component tests in real browsers instead of JSDom. AI has not significantly impacted his team's approach to testing, but they use GitHub Copilot for small syntax bits. The biggest shift in their testing process was transferring responsibility for automated end-to-end tests from QA to developers during the initial review of pull requests, streamlining workflow and ensuring new features don't break existing ones. Bahmutov emphasizes the importance of small, manageable pull requests to maintain productivity and keep things moving forward.

BrowserStack is celebrating notable figures in the testing industry for their contributions to the field. One such figure is Judy Mosley, a seasoned QA Engineer at TextUs with seven years of experience. She emphasizes her love for both manual and automated testing, ensuring every user's experience is optimal. As part of her role, she builds automation test suites for regression testing, educates the Engineering team on current QA practices, and mentors them in building automated tests. Mosley advises newcomers to software development to trust their instincts and keep learning. She also highlights the importance of staying updated with trends and tools in software development by being part of the testing community, attending conferences, connecting on LinkedIn, reading blog posts, and watching videos. Two testing practices that excite Mosley are Component testing with Cypress and Contract Testing. AI has made small but significant changes to her team's approach to testing, such as using GitHub Copilot and an AI assistant in their test management system. The biggest shift her team has made is "Shifting Left," which involves bringing in testing at the beginning of a project instead of making it a focus at the end. Mosley emphasizes time management as a key to productivity, using techniques like scheduling learning and creating time blocks for deep focus. BrowserStack plans to continue spotlighting more #IconsOfQuality who make a difference in software testing.

BrowserStack is celebrating notable figures in the testing industry for their contributions to the field through thought leadership and knowledge sharing. Michal Drajna, a passionate QA Engineer at Investown, has set up automated testing using Playwright for web applications and Detox for mobile apps, significantly speeding up the process. He advises newcomers to stay updated with industry trends, follow experts on social media, take courses, and work on personal projects. Drajna is currently interested in AI's potential impact on testing and has implemented shift-left testing in his projects. The biggest shift for his team was moving from manual to automated testing, which accelerated the release process and improved early bug detection. His productivity hacks include time blocking, the Pomodoro technique, minimizing distractions, taking breaks, and automating repetitive tasks.

Today is World Tester's Day, a day to appreciate the hard work of testers and quality engineers who ensure that products we use are reliable, efficient, and enjoyable. Their daily tasks involve finding bugs before users do, writing test cases for edge scenarios, and collaborating with development teams. Despite challenges such as long hours and tight deadlines, their dedication keeps the tech world moving forward. Companies like BrowserStack aim to make testers' lives easier by providing tools that integrate seamlessly into the testing lifecycle. On this day, we celebrate the relentless passion of testers and honor some of the icons in the testing space through #IconsOfQuality on Twitter and LinkedIn.