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Twitter intros Android Alpha program, lets members test new features even sooner
Back in August, Twitter launched a beta tester program for Android app users, enabling access to early features before they hit the official application. Now the social site is taking public testing a bit further with a new Alpha experiment program. According to TechCrunch, the Android team announced the move in a Google Groups post accessible only to current testers, opening up the program exclusively to existing members for the time being. Space is limited, unfortunately, so if you haven't tested unreleased features for Twitter in the past, you might be out of luck. If you've received an invite from the team, however, don't dally on clicking that link -- Alpha testers will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, and if you're eager to try out half-baked app features long before the general public, this is definitely your best shot.
iPhone 4 prototype surfaces on eBay: A+++ condition, would buy again
And with that, the tradition continues. Every year or so, it seems that an iPhone prototype of some description manages to find its way onto eBay, and just over a year after the first iPhone 4 prototype made its way into public view, the precious item you see above is now available on a public auction site. To our knowledge, this is the first iPhone 4 prototype to be offered for sale on eBay -- at least from someone who actually appears to be legitimate and in possession of the device he / she claims to own -- boasting an etched 'DF1692' label in the lower right, omitted volume button markers and a mysterious 'XXGB' label around back. Unfortunately, we're told that it can't be activated through iTunes, and popping in an AT&T SIM did the seller little good. 'Course, at $810 and rising, we highly doubt such trivial matters will deter collectors from ponying up. Hit the source link to get your bid in -- you know, before Apple's henchmen convince Mr. Donahoe to pull the plug. Update: As of 12:58am ET on July 4, 2011, this phone now sits at $70,100. Let freedom ring. Update 2: As of 1:11am ET on July 4, 2011, this phone now sits at over $100,000. We highly doubt the buyer's coming through on this one. Update 3: As of 8:44am ET on July 4, 2011, this phone now sits at just over $2,000. The seller has apparently cancelled numerous false bids.
Give me my Rift beta FAQ, beta FAQ, beta FAQ -- Trion's beta FAQ ribs!
There have been a lot of antsy players bouncing on their toes outside of Trion Worlds HQ as they await word of any new Rift: Planes of Telara beta news. While all is quiet on the beta front for the time being, Trion CM Abigale posted a pretty useful beta FAQ on the Rift forums to handle the bombardment of commonly asked questions. While some of the information covers the multiple tiers of potential beta testers that we reported a couple weeks ago, Abigale painstakingly covers all the angles. One of the interesting aspects of Rift's beta process is that it will take the form of self-contained "events," and not all beta applicants will be invited to all of the events. In fact, once a non-VIP tester takes part in a beta event, their name goes back in the pool of potential testers and may or may not be redrawn for the next round. Of course all of these queries are overshadowed by a single dominant question: When will beta begin? While alpha has been underway for quite some time, Abigale refuses to place any time frame on this question and simply states, "Beta dates have not been announced yet." You can read the full FAQ over on the Rift forums.
More NCsoft hiring news, but for what? FOR WHAT?
NCsoft Europe, after announcing that they're looking for employees for an as-yet unannounced new title, have stepped up again with good news for those game enthusiasts eager to break into the industry: they're hiring for a full-time, year-long game tester position (open to UK residents only -- near Brighton, England, to be specific -- sorry, Tennessee). From the website:"The position offers learning whilst at work and block release learning at City College Brighton and Hove, resulting in a Games QA NVQ. Applicants should be IT literate and have Maths and English at GCSE grade C or above. Interviews will be held early February, with the lucky candidate starting 3 March."For more information, check out the listing on their site. This is a pretty quick hiring window; given that, and the fact that it's a tester position makes me wonder exactly how far along this mystery title is in development, if testers are already needed. Of course, they're just hiring one tester so far, so I'm flummoxed. We'll keep track of further developments as they occur!
LotRO players, Isengard calls you!
More specifically, active players of LotRO: Shadows of Angmar are eligible to participate in testing new and revised content well in advance of any of it appearing on public servers! This is the Isengard Programme, named after the tower in which Saruman consolidated his power (yes, lore fans, I know its history goes much further back, but if I type it all out, I'll never get this post completed).The requirements for acceptance as a tester are: Must be age 18 or older Agreement to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) A solid grasp of the English language If you're one of those people who keep checking the 'Net for news of updates and new content, this position is perfect for you! If you're interested in participating, please send an e-mail to isengardeurope@codemasters.com and tell them a little bit about your LotRO experience. You should include the following in this e-mail:Name:Date of birth:Forum name:Best forum post / bug submission:Your own LOTRO experience:Here's the originating link, for you purists out there. Seats are limited, so get cracking on this ASAP![Thanks, Boltar!]
Eight-year-old tests chips for Actel, owns an oscilloscope
Sure, you had a paper route when you were a kid; heck, we bet you were even good at it. Well listen up buddy, your fond memories of childhood success are about to be completely disintegrated by Carson Page, an eight-year-old from Austin, Texas who really works for a living... evaluating chips for Actel. The boy, who's been working with the company since he was seven, apparently has a knack for the technical side of things, so much so that the chipmaker has been using him on a regular basis to suss out bugs, test software, and generally act like a super-genius at the drop of a hat. Apparently, the interest in technology comes from his father, a tinkerer who owns an electronic design company. Mark Nagel, a field applications engineer for Actel says about the kid's work, "We would ask what he liked and didn't like about it and he could explain it on a very high-end level," adding, "It's amazing; when you talk to him it's like you're talking to a regular guy doing design." A regular guy, indeed. [Warning: read link requires subscription][Via CNET]
Prospective QA manager shuns Sony practices, Microsoft too
Sparked by uproar over a "game-killing" bug in Genji, Ritual Entertainment QA manager Michael Russell recalls a job interview for FPQA Manager, held at Sony's San Diego offices. There he caught a glimpse of Sony's QA process, which, according to Russell, "allows creativity to squash quality" -- he promptly removed himself from consideration for the job.Before Ritual, Russell was a lead tester at Microsoft Game Studios. He claims his previous employer is also failing at quality assurance, but from the other end of the spectrum: "At Microsoft, the stringent QA processes often strangle creativity."Russell calls for some middle ground to be walked, lest the industry fall into turmoil, but neglects to offer any advice to Sony or Microsoft. Are we to be doomed by bugs and boredom?[Thanks, SickNic]
Be a Vista Media Extender beta tester
Feel like suffering through bugs for the benefit of fankind? The Windows Vista people are looking for Xbox 360 owners to beta test Media Center Extender. The requirements seem simple enough: Do you have an Xbox 360 console, and is it connected to the Internet? Is your PC capable of running Vista Ultimate or Home Premium? Are you over the age of 18? Do you live in the United States? Assuming you qualify, fill out this survey to apply. If you're accepted, please report your experience to the rest of us here at Xbox360Fanboy.[Thanks nowandtheworld]
