Talk-android: improvements for alpha testing

[mahibi]

• [x] create an Alpha Channel on GooglePlay for Alpha testers
• [x] clarify how someone can become an alpha tester
  
  
  
  • user has to be in beta channel and he must join the google group. Right now this doesn't work reliable.
  
  
• [x] add info for alpha channel to Readme: https://github.com/nextcloud/talk-android#testing
• [x] create automation for alpha releases (weekly)
  
  
  
  • [x] check why cronjob can't find the required gradle tasks (manually executing gradle tasks works fine...)
  
  
• [ ] all beta-testers should see an info inside the app asking if they would like to become an alpha tester
• [ ] add "become alpha/beta tester" link to the "about" section of the app
• [x] reorganize folder structure of https://download.nextcloud.com
  
  
  
  • [x] wait for sysadmin to create folder
    
    
    
    
    
    • [x] set path in script
    
    
    
  
  
• [ ] automate publishing for F-droid
  
  
  
  • [ ] would be nice to solve https://github.com/nextcloud/talk-android/issues/961 beforehand
  
  

[Chartman123]

Just a small question: Should we already see an alpha version after joining the alpha group?

[mahibi]

you should already see an alpha version in google play if you are a beta tester and joined the alpha group. Switching from beta to alpha channel might take a few minutes. Please let me know if there is still no version available for you in alpha channel.

For the beginning the alpha versions might be released unregulary, as we might have to fix things in the automation process.
Tomorrow there should be a new alpha release available with further instuctions.

[Chartman123]

I joined the alpha group some days ago. But still no update... 🙈

[mahibi]

ok, that's strange. anyway tonight a cronjob will run to release a new alpha. so let's wait for this until tomorrow

[mahibi]

there's still something wrong. will inform you when it's fixed..

[mahibi]

There is now an "11.0.0 Alpha 04".
Can you have a look if's available for you in Google Play Store @Chartman123 ?

This alpha was still not created fully automated so there's still something to fix. Anyway new versions will be published manually if needed..

[Pilzinsel64]

It's the same for me. A few days ago I registred for beta channel in play store and for the alpha group.
I tested it in this minute and there is still no update for me. Will try it later again and tell you it works for me.

[tobiasKaminsky]

With my second Google account I do see an update from today.
(this is different than my developer account)

Strange that it does work for Marcel and me, but not for any other…

[mahibi]

i see the alpha version with both google accounts now. i had to open the play store another time to be refreshed.. but i guess there is still some other problem..

[Chartman123]

I did a check a few seconds ago: no new version. Latest is 8.2.0

[mahibi]

some collegues don't see any version as well. and i see their email addresses are subscribed to the google group. Have no clue yet

[mahibi]

Well others have these problems as well... https://www.reddit.com/r/androiddev/comments/9ufgek/why_is_googles_alphabeta_apk_distribution_so_bad/

If anyone sees an alpha on the play store sometime please let me know..

[Chartman123]

Ok, now I left the beta program inside Google Play, waited some time for it to take effect, and rejoined the beta program. Now I am offered the alpha version 👍🏻

[Pilzinsel64]

Ok, now I left the beta program inside Google Play, waited some time for it to take effect, and rejoined the beta program. Now I am offered the alpha version 👍🏻

I tried it now and can fit in, it works!

[mahibi]

@Pilzinsel64 did you re-join the beta channel too or did you just wait?
anyway thanks for your help @Chartman123 & @Pilzinsel64

we should generally assume that the releases are distributed very slowly via google play. This can also be read in this statement from Google: https://stackoverflow.com/a/65222468

It's just weird that the releases aren't available to users at the same time, but gradually.

[Pilzinsel64]

@mahibi I left the beta program and waited some hours and then joined again. I imitatily got the update for alpha 4. But I didn't left and rejoined the alpha group. I guess it's required to first join the alpha group and then join the beta program.

[wbob]

The nextcloud (sync) clients beta channel is published to F-Droid, maybe this is an avenue for Talk client testing too?

[mahibi]

@wbob yes i plan to also publish automatically on F-droid

[mahibi]

@Pilzinsel64 other collegues got the alpha version via google play by waiting 2 days..
So i guess for the future i cannot give reliable information when exactly the alphas will be available in the play store

[nickvergessen]

I think some more checkboxes are ready?

[mahibi]

I think some more checkboxes are ready?

done. some are still to do..