Call for Testing: WordPress for iOS 7.1

The WordPress for iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. 7.1 betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. will be available for testing on TestFlight soon. Not part of the beta program yet? Please sign up for our TestFlight program to join as a beta tester.

What to Test

1. Publicize (Sharing) Support for Posts

You can now manage your sharing connections for individual posts, to control where each post is shared when you publish it. Try it out:

  1. In your site’s Sharing section, connect to at least one sharing service.
  2. Create a new post.
  3. Open the post options.
  4. Set a custom publicize message.
  5. Enable/disable individual sharing connections.
  6. Publish the post.

Voilà! Your post will be publicized to the selected social media accounts, using your custom message.

Feedback:

  • Things to check: Did all of your connected accounts appear in the post options? Did your custom message show up on the publicized post? Was the post publicized to your selected connections (and only the ones you selected)?
  • Flow Challenge: Did the publicize settings make sense in the sequence of steps you took to create your post? Did you ever have to disrupt your publishing process to manage those settings, or did you experience any confusion or frustration along the way?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ pull request.)

2. Noto Font Update

The Merriweather font has been replaced with the Noto font in the app, to provide better support for non-Latin scripts.

Here’s how it looked before, with Merriweather:

And after, with Noto:

Feedback:

  • Please use the app in your language of choice. Let us know if you notice any overall issues with the font, or specific issues in your language (such as characters not appearing or displaying incorrectly).

(Related Github pull request.)

3. iPad Layout for Notifications

Notifications now have a splitview (sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme.) layout on iPads, similar to the rest of the app. iPhone users should not see any difference in the Notifications layout.

Feedback:

  • Please navigate through your Notifications, interact with them, and report any quirks or bugs in the new layout or behavior.
  • Testing Challenge: Try to catch the Notifications with unexpected layout behavior, especially while rotating the device or multitasking on your iPad.
  • Flow Challenge: Does the new sidebar make the best use of your iPad’s screen? Are there actions in the Notifications that don’t use the layout as expected, or places where you now get stuck?

(Related Github pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the TestFlight feedback link, or head straight to the iOS Github repository and open a new issue.

Thanks for testing!

#beta, #ios, #needs-testing, #wpios

Call for Testing: WordPress for iOS 7.0

The WordPress for iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. 7.0 betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. will be available for testing on TestFlight soon. Not part of the beta program yet? Please sign up for our TestFlight program to request to join as a beta tester.

What to Test

1. Navigation Arrows for Notifications

You can use arrows (in the top right corner) to navigate through your in-app notifications without returning to the notifications list. (This is designed to match how you can navigate through your notifications on the web.)

Feedback:

  • Check your notifications in the app. Use the arrows to navigate to older or newer notifications. Do the arrows work? Are they disabled when you reach the end of your notifications?
  • Flow Challenge: How do the arrows feel for navigating through your notifications? Were you surprised or confused by anything? Did the navigation feel natural and expected?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ pull request.)

2. Add Excerpts to Post Editor

You can now add and edit post excerpts directly from the app:

  1. Create a new post.
  2. Open the post options.
  3. Scroll down to the excerpts (bottom of the options screen).
  4. Tap and enter an excerptExcerpt An excerpt is the description of the blog post or page that will by default show on the blog archive page, in search results (SERPs), and on social media. With an SEO plugin, the excerpt may also be in that plugin’s metabox..
  5. View the post and confirm the excerpt is being used (e.g. in the Reader list view, in subscribers’ email notifications, or on your site if your theme uses excerpts).

Feedback:

  • Try adding excerpts to new posts, editing excerpts on existing posts, and creating/editing posts without excerpts.
  • Testing Challenge: Compare the app’s excerpts feature with the same feature in the web editor. Do the app and web excerpt features work in the same way? Do your excerpts stay intact when moving between the app and the web?
  • Flow Challenge: Did you encounter any confusion or obstacles adding an excerpt to your post? Does the excerpt act as expected throughout the rest of the app (for example, in your posts list or in the Reader)?

(Related Github pull request.)

3. Better Support for RTL Languages

The app got a facelift for right-to-left (RTL) languages, with an improved layout throughout the app. Check out the pull request for a series of before/after screenshots showing the changes, and try it out:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to General > Language & Region > iPhone Language and select an RTL language (e.g. Hebrew).
  3. Open the WordPress app. (Bonus: Log in to a WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/ account with the same interface language.)
  4. Navigate through the app and look for any layout issues, e.g. incorrect padding or alignment.

Feedback:

  • Do you speak an RTL language? Please let us know if we missed any layout issues or created new ones!
  • Testing Challenge: Log out and check the login/signup screens. Do they work as expected for the allowed input? Do the error screens look right?

(Related Github pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the TestFlight feedback link, or head straight to the iOS Github repository and open a new issue.

Thanks for testing!

#beta, #ios, #needs-testing, #wpios

Call for Testing: WordPress for iOS 6.9

The WordPress for iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. 6.9 betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. will be available for testing on TestFlight soon. Not part of the beta program yet? Please sign up for our TestFlight program to request to join as a beta tester.

What to Test

1. New “Post-Post” Screen

After you publish a post (“post-post”) you’ll now see a screen confirming the post was published (and where it was published), with calls to action:

  • Share the post
  • Edit the post
  • View the post

Feedback:

  • Try publishing a post in different ways (creating the new post in different ways, or publishing the post from a different status) and confirm the post-post screen appears as expected.
  • Testing Challenge: Try to find a scenario where the post-post screen appears when it shouldn’t, or where the calls to action do not work as expected.
  • Flow Challenge: How does the post-post screen make you feel? Are you able to move on to your next action in the app smoothly, or do you get stuck anywhere?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ pull request.)

2. iPad Layout in the Reader

The Reader now has a splitview (sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme.) layout on iPads, similar to the My Sites and Me tabs. iPhone users should not see any difference in the Reader layout.

Feedback:

  • Please navigate through the Reader, use each section, and report any layout quirks or bugs.
  • Testing Challenge: Try to catch the Reader with unexpected layout behavior, especially while rotating the device or using Reader actions (e.g. sharing, viewing the post/site).
  • Flow Challenge: Does the new sidebar make the best use of your iPad’s screen? Are there actions in the Reader that still don’t use the layout as expected, or places where you now get stuck?

(Related Github pull request.)

3. Refreshed Reader Comments UIUI UI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think ‘how are they doing that’ and less about what they are doing.

The Reader comments styles were updated to more closely match the web:

Feedback:

  • Please make sure the comments appear correctly (with up to 4 levels of nesting), with the full contents of each comment, and that comment actions work as expected.
  • Testing Challenge: Try to find a piece of content or comment thread that doesn’t show up correctly (a missing emoji? a photo or video that doesn’t load? a problem when rotating your device or loading comments from a particular source?).
  • Flow Challenge: Can you open and read comments starting from different points in the app? Are there any accessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility) or usability problems with the new layout?

(Related Github pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the TestFlight feedback link, or head straight to the iOS Github repository and open a new issue.

Thanks for testing!

#beta, #ios, #needs-testing, #wpios

Call for Testing: WordPress for Android 6.5

WordPress for Android version 6.5-rc-1 has been released in the Google Play Store. You can join the betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. from the Google Play Store on your device (under “Become a beta tester”), and comment here or join the Google Plus beta community for more discussion with other testers. (Note: If you see a message that the beta testing program is full, you’ll need to wait for space to open up before you can join the beta. Thanks for your interest!)

What to Test:

New: New oEmbed Support

The app now supports more oEmbeds, including:

  • Kickstarter
  • Reddit
  • Twitter Moments
  • Facebook News

To Test:

  1. Create a new post with some text.
  2. Copy a link from one of the sources above.
  3. Paste the link on a new line in the post.
  4. Publish the post.
  5. The source content should automatically embed in your post.

Note: We’re currently investigating an issue where the embed is sometimes not created if the link is added to the first line of the post. For now, adding at least one line of text before the link (as in the screenshot below) will avoid this known issue.

Feedback:

  • Does your content embed as expected? If not, what is the link you tried to embed and/or the a link to the post where the embed didn’t work?
  • How did you feel while publishing the post?
  • Bonus: Try getting the source link using a variety of methods: copying the URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org from a browser’s address bar, sharing from an app, using a “Share” button in a browser, etc. Do all of those links embed as expected?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ issue and pull request.)

New: Recent Sites in the Site Picker

If you have more than 15 sites, the site picker now shows your four most recent sites at the top of the list. The recent sites section only appears if at least 15 sites are unhidden (showing in the site list), and doesn’t appear in search mode.

 

To Test:

  1. Make sure you have at least 15 sites showing in the site picker (the site list that appears when you select “Switch Site” under your site in the app).
  2. If needed, use the 3-dot menu in the top right to unhide sites so that at least 15 appear, or use the + sign to create new sites.
  3. Select a site from the list.
  4. Select “Switch Site” to go back to the list. Your last selection should appear at the top of the list.
  5. Repeat with several other sites, and confirm that the most recent sites appear at the top of the list as expected.

Feedback:

  • Did the list of recent sites work as expected? Did it show up anywhere unexpected, or not show up when you were expecting it?
  • Describe how it felt to have your most recent sites at the top of the list. Did it help you find the site you were looking for when switching sites?
  • Please report any issues with the list of recent sites.

(Related Github issue and pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? Did you try the additional flow testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the “Enter feedback about the app” form in the Google Play Store, or head straight to the Android Github repository and open a new issue.

Thank you for testing!

#android, #beta, #needs-testing, #wpandroid

Call for Testing: WordPress for Android 6.4

WordPress for Android version 6.4-rc-1 has been released in the Google Play Store. You can join the betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. from the Google Play Store on your device (under “Become a beta tester”), and comment here or join the Google Plus beta community for more discussion with other testers. (Note: If you see a message that the beta testing program is full, you’ll need to wait for space to open up before you can join the beta. Thanks for your interest!)

What to Test:

Updated: Refreshed Reader Design

Reader streams (the list view, such as “Followed Sites” or tags you follow) got a design refresh to match the current WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/ Reader design. A couple big changes to note:

  • There are now five different layouts for posts in the list view. Here are the rules:
    • If the post has 0 images: Text card.
    • If the post has 1 or more images and less than 100 characters: Photo card (using featured imageFeatured image A featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts. or first image).
    • If the post has 1-3 images and over 100 characters: Default card (using featured image or first image).
    • If the post has 4 or more images and over 100 characters: Gallery card (using first 4 images).
    • If the post has a video as featured image or a video as first usable media: Video card.
  • TagTag Tag is one of the pre-defined taxonomies in WordPress. Users can add tags to their WordPress posts along with categories. However, while a category may cover a broad range of topics, tags are smaller in scope and focused to specific topics. Think of them as keywords used for topics discussed in a particular post. streams now have a an image headerHeader The header of your site is typically the first thing people will experience. The masthead or header art located across the top of your page is part of the look and feel of your website. It can influence a visitor’s opinion about your content and you/ your organization’s brand. It may also look different on different screen sizes..

Feedback:

  • Does each post layout work on your device, for example in your Followed Sites list?
  • Do you notice any design issues while scrolling, rotating your device, or navigating through the Reader?
  • Look at a tag you follow: Does the image header load correctly? Can you tap to view the post the image came from?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ issue and pull request.)

New: Draft Reminder Notification

The app now sends you push notifications when you have a local draft that is more than 3 days old. (Local drafts are drafts saved locally on your device and not synced with your site’s server.) There are a few cases:

  • For a draft 3-30 days old, the notification includes the post title and age of the draft.
  • For a draft >30 days old, the notification includes the post title (but not the age).
  • If you have multiple drafts, the notification includes the number of drafts (but not the title/age).

These cases work independently on each site, so as you switch between sites in the app the notifications will adjust to the site you’re working on.

To Test:

  • Write a new draft and exit the editor to save the draft locally. (You’ll see the text “Local draft” in yellow on your draft in the list of posts.)
  • Go to your device settings and set the date to more than 3 days in the future.
  • Open the app again.
  • The notification should appear on your device.
  • Tap “Edit” to open a single draft in the editor or the post list for multiple drafts. Tap “Ignore” to dismiss the notification (it won’t appear again for that draft). Swipe to dismiss the notification, and receive the notification again later (after 24 hours).
  • Repeat these steps for different sites with different numbers/ages of local drafts.

Note: If you don’t have any local drafts on your site to begin with, the notification may not appear (Github issue). This is a known issue with this first beta release and is resolved for the next release.

Feedback:

  • Was the notification clear and compelling to you? What was your reaction to it?
  • Describe what you intended to do after seeing the notification. Were you able to complete the actions/flow you intended, or did you get stuck anywhere?
  • Please report any issues with the notification itself (the number of drafts, the age of the drafts, the timing of the notification, etc.).

(Related Github issue and pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? Did you try the additional flow testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the “Enter feedback about the app” form in the Google Play Store, or head straight to the Android Github repository and open a new issue.

Thank you for testing!

#android, #beta, #needs-testing, #wpandroid

Call for Testing: WordPress for Android 6.3

WordPress for Android version 6.3-rc-1 has been released in the Google Play Store. You can join the betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. from the Google Play Store on your device (under “Become a beta tester”), and comment here or join the Google Plus beta community for more discussion with other testers. (Note: If you see a message that the beta testing program is full, you’ll need to wait for space to open up before you can join the beta. Thanks for your interest!)

What to Test:

New: Swipe between notifications

In the Notifications tab, you can now swipe left/right to move between notifications. (Previously, you had to go back to the notifications list to open another notification.)

  1. Open the Notifications tab (the bell icon)
  2. Tap on a notification to open it
  3. Swipe to move to the previous/next notification in the list
  4. Tap the back arrow in the top left to return to the notifications list

Feedback:

  • Did you notice the “swipe snackbar” pop up at the bottom of the screen to explain the swiping action?
  • Were you able to swipe as expected between notifications? Did the direction of the swipe feel natural to you?
  • Did anything confusing or unexpected happen while checking your notifications?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ issue and pull request.)

Updated: Styles on the login screen

The app’s login screen has new styles to differentiate between the login forms for WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/ and self-hosted sites. To see the difference, log out of the app (or install the app fresh on your device):

  • By default, you will see the WordPress.com login form with the WordPress.com logo and “WordPress.com” stated above the login form.
  • Tap “Add self-hosted site” at the bottom of the screen to switch to the login form for self-hosted sites. This screen now displays the WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ logo with a grey background.
  • Tap “Log In to WordPress.com” to return to the WordPress.com login form.

The new styles:

Feedback:

  • How do the new styles look to you? What feelings do they evoke (for example: surprise, confusion, satisfaction)?
  • Can you log in as expected with each form? Do you have any trouble using either form?
  • Is the transition from one login form to the other smooth?

(Related Github issue and pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? Did you try the additional flow testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the “Enter feedback about the app” form in the Google Play Store, or head straight to the Android Github repository and open a new issue.

Thank you for testing!

#android, #beta, #needs-testing, #wpandroid

Call for Testing: WordPress for iOS 6.8

The WordPress for iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. 6.8 betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. will be available for testing on TestFlight soon. Not part of the beta program yet? Please sign up for our TestFlight program to request to join as a beta tester.

What to Test

1. New Actions in the Editor Menu

The editor’s options menu (the ellipsis menu) now has more actions:

  • If you create a new post with the status set to Publish, you will see a “Save as Draft” option.
  • If the post is set to Draft and you have permission to publish posts, you will see a “Publish Now” option.
  • If the post is set to Draft and you do not have permission to publish posts, you will see a “Submit for Review” option.

Previously, you had to open the post options and manually update the post status before taking these actions.

Editor Menu Before:

Editor Menu After:

Feedback:

  • Try out the above scenarios and make sure the post’s status is changed as expected.
  • Testing Challenge: Try to find a scenario that hasn’t been covered above, and see if an unexpected action appears in the options menu.
  • Flow Challenge: How does the flow feel while writing, saving, and publishing a post? Any surprises or obstacles? Anything that felt really smooth, or evoked confusion or anxiety?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ pull request.)

2. Reader Style & Layout Updates

The styles and layout for each post in the Reader post streams were updated to match the current Calypso (web) Reader. Actions to test:

  • Look at the Reader in both portrait and landscape.
  • Follow a site, share a post, view a post in the browser, tap a tag to view that tag stream.
  • Check that site Blavatars appear as expected.

New Reader Style/Layout:

Feedback:

  • Did any styles or layout look or act broken in the Reader?
  • Testing Challenge: Look at the Calypso (web) Reader carefully and compare it to the app Reader; do you see any significant or noticeable differences?
  • Flow Challenge: How does it feel to read and interact with the Reader with these new styles and layout? Does anything feel especially smooth/improved or cause confusion or anxiety?

(Related Github pull request.)

3. Updated Reader Text Rendering

The Reader formerly relied on a third-party library to display the text on the full post screen. We’ve replaced that library with one of our own design.

  • Look at the full post screen in the Reader in both portrait and landscape orientation.
  • Check that the layout is correct.
  • Check that text can be selected and copied.
  • Test hyperlinks and play embedded video.

There should be almost no noticeable change in the full post screen’s appearance between the old library and the new.

Feedback:

  • Did any styles or layout look or act broken in the Reader’s full post screen?

(Related Github pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the TestFlight feedback link, or head straight to the iOS Github repository and open a new issue.

Thanks for testing!

#beta, #ios, #needs-testing, #wpios

Call for Testing: WordPress for Android 6.2

WordPress for Android version 6.2-rc-1 has been released in the Google Play Store. You can join the betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. from the Google Play Store on your device (under “Become a beta tester”), and comment here or join the Google Plus beta community for more discussion with other testers. (Note: If you see a message that the beta testing program is full, you’ll need to wait for space to open up before you can join the beta. Thanks for your interest!)

What to Test:

New: Magic Links Login for WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/

You can now log in to WordPress.com accounts using a magic link — if you enter your email address on the login screen, you can have a link sent to your email to log in to the app (without a password):

  1. Open the app (logged out) on the login screen.
  2. Enter the email address linked to your WordPress.com account.
  3. On the next screen, tap “Send link” (or tap “Enter your password instead” to log in with a password as usual).
  4. Check your email for the link — you can tap “Launch your email app” to go directly to your email.
  5. Open the email (titled “Sign in to WordPress.com on your mobile device”) and tap the button to log in.
  6. If your account has 2-factor authentication, a prompt will appear in your device web browser to enter your 2-factor code.
  7. Enjoy the magic as you are logged in to the app!

Logging in to a self-hosted WordPress? Enter your email address and the self-hosted login form will appear.

Feedback:

  • Take a screenshot of each step as you test the new and updated features above. Upload your screenshots (you can create a gallery on Cloudup) and share them in a comment here.
  • Did the magic link login work for you? Did you experience any confusion or get stuck anywhere?
  • Does it work on accounts with and without 2-factor authentication?
  • Are you still able to log in as expected to a self-hosted WordPress site?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ issue and pull request.)

New: Open WordPress.com URLs in the App

Opening a WordPress.com post URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org will now prompt you to open that post in the WordPress Reader (in the app). This works even if you are not logged in to the app, giving you access to a logged-out Reader view.

Note: This currently works only for sites with a *.wordpress.com URL.

  1. From another app, open a link to a post on a site hosted on WordPress.com (with a *.wordpress.com URL, not a custom domain name). Try a variety of apps, such as browsers, chat apps, social media, etc.
  2. A picker will appear asking where you want to open the link. Select “WordPress Reader” from the list, and choose “Just Once” or “Always.”
  3. The app will open and the post will appear in the Reader.
  4. If the link is to the comments on the post, the Reader will open the comments view directly.

Feedback:

  • Take a screenshot of each step as you test the new and updated features above. Upload your screenshots (you can create a gallery on Cloudup) and share them in a comment here.
  • Does the post always open in the Reader as expected?
  • If you log out of the app, does the post open in the Reader and work as expected?
  • Do you ever get stuck or end up in a confusing flow?
  • When you finish reading the post, can you move on to your next task comfortably?

(Related Github issue and pull request.)

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? Did you try the additional flow testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the “Enter feedback about the app” form in the Google Play Store, or head straight to the Android Github repository and open a new issue.

#android, #beta, #needs-testing, #wpandroid

Call for Testing: WordPress for iOS 6.7

The WordPress for iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. 6.7 betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. will be available for testing on TestFlight soon. Not part of the beta program yet? Please sign up for our TestFlight program to request to join as a beta tester.

What to Test

1. iPad Layout on Me and My Sites Tabs

On iPads, the Me and My Sites tabs now have a new layout with a sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme.. (Related Github pull request.)

Please navigate through these tabs, use each section, and report any layout quirks or bugs. iPhone users shouldn’t see any change there, so please report any new issues you see with the layout on those tabs.

  • Old iPad layout:
  • New iPad layout:

2. Reader Improvements

This release includes a number of improvements to Reader performance, auto-sizing, and and readability. These changes are mainly targeted toward the iPad experience, and in preparation for future Reader layout changes like on the Me and My Sites tabs. (Related Github pull request.)

Please use the Reader as usual (on iPad and iPhone) and report any issues viewing posts, interacting with posts (e.g. comments and buttons), and scrolling through post lists.

Flow Testing

In addition to testing new features and changes, as beta testers we can give feedback about the flow through the WordPress app. (Not sure what I mean? Check out how the WordPress Flow team tests and what we mean by flow.)

Here are some things to consider or try out in this release:

  • Take a screenshot of each step as you test. Upload your screenshots (you can create a gallery on Cloudup) and share them in a comment here.
  • Choose a task (such as updating your account profile/settings or publishing a new post) that takes you through the Me tab or My Sites tab in the app. Describe how the process makes you feel and whether you were able to finish the entire task you started.
  • When you finish the task, what do you want to do next? Is there a clear path to continue on to your next task?

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the TestFlight feedback link, or head straight to the iOS Github repository and open a new issue.

Thanks for testing!

#beta, #ios, #needs-testing, #wpios

Call for Testing: WordPress for Android 6.1

WordPress for Android version 6.1-rc-1 has been released in the Google Play Store. You can join the betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. from the Google Play Store on your device (under “Become a beta tester”), and comment here or join the Google Plus beta community for more discussion with other testers. (Note: If you see a message that the beta testing program is full, you’ll need to wait for space to open up before you can join the beta. Thanks for your interest!)

What to Test:

New: Voice comment replies for Android wearables

You can now reply to comments directly from your Android wearable device, using dictation (voice reply)! Test it out with your wearable device:

  1.  Make sure your wearable device has access to your notifications:
    • In Android 4.4: Go to Settings > Security > Notification Access
    • In Android 5.0+: Go to Settings > Sound & Notifications > Notification Access
    • On the Notification Access screen, make sure “Android Wear” is checked.
  2. Trigger a new comment notification on a post you published (ask someone to comment on your post, or comment from a different account you own).
  3. Check the notification on your wearable device.
  4. Swipe left on the notification and tap “Reply.”
  5. Speak or use emojis to reply to the notification.

Feedback:

  • Did the comment notification appear on your device?
  • Did the notification look ok and include enough detail for you to reply from your device?
  • Was your comment reply posted as expected?

(Related GithubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ issue and pull request.)

 

Updated: Redesigned Reader post screen

The Reader post screen (for individual posts) was redesigned to match the latest design in the Calypso (web) Reader. Changes include:

  • A redesigned headerHeader The header of your site is typically the first thing people will experience. The masthead or header art located across the top of your page is part of the look and feel of your website. It can influence a visitor’s opinion about your content and you/ your organization’s brand. It may also look different on different screen sizes. for the post which includes the site blavatar + author avatarAvatar An avatar is an image or illustration that specifically refers to a character that represents an online user. It’s usually a square box that appears next to the user’s name. (or just avatar if there is no blavatar)
  • A shortened dateline which includes both the primary and secondary tags on the post
  • The like & comment icons in the footer now include text
  • A redesign of the related posts section, which now has a “More in [site]” section and a “More on WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/” section

Feedback:

  • Do the design changes appear as described above? Do they look good in both portrait and landscape?
  • Do you see any strange or unexpected design changes on posts you read? (Watch or test for edge cases, such as posts with no avatar or blavatar, very long tags, etc.)
  • Are you able to interact with the post (tapping on tags, likes, comments, related posts) and continue navigating through the Reader as expected?

(Related Github issue and pull request.)

 

New: Shortcut to System Settings from App Settings

There is now a shortcut to your device System Settings from the App Settings section. Test it out:

  1. Open the Me tab in the app (the person icon).
  2. Open App Settings.
  3. Tap on “Open device settings.”
  4. Confirm that your System Settings open to the WordPress app setting screen.

Feedback:

  • Did the System Settings open to the right screen?
  • Was the shortcut clear and discoverable in the app?
  • Were you able to get back to the app afterwards to continue?

(Related Github issue and pull request.)

 

Flow Testing:

In addition to testing new features, as beta testers we can give feedback about the flow through the WordPress app. (Not sure what I mean? Check out how the WordPress Flow team tests and what we mean by flow.)

Here are some things to consider or try out in this release:

  • Take a screenshot of each step as you test the new and updated features above. Upload your screenshots (you can create a gallery on Cloudup) and share them in a comment here.
  • As you go through each step, pay attention to how you feel. Are you ever confused, lost, surprised (pleasantly or not), frustrated, anxious, or experiencing something else in reaction to what you are doing or seeing? Share those reactions in a comment.
  • With each new and updated feature, can you start interacting with the feature, complete the process, and move on to your next intended task? If you get stuck or don’t finish where you expected, share that in a comment.

Bugs & Feedback

Did you find a bug or come up with a feature request while testing? Did you try the additional flow testing? You can discuss it here, report it using the “Enter feedback about the app” form in the Google Play Store, or head straight to the Android Github repository and open a new issue.

#android, #beta, #needs-testing, #wpandroid