LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AQuA today announced the much anticipated launch of the first ever Quality App Directory. Developed in close consultation with mobile app developers, the directory is a totally independent and free resource that lets developers upload details of apps – either self-tested or tested by an approved house – to gain accreditation and recognition for their good QA practice.

“In today’s fast growing app market, the three ingredients for success are innovation, quality in delivery and effective marketing. AQuA has always supported quality in delivery and with the directory we are also supporting the effective marketing of developers’ quality apps”

AQuA is the mobile industry’s non-profit organization supporting developers to further-improve the development of quality apps. It is run and funded by its members: AT&T, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Oracle, Orange, Samsung and Sony Mobile.

In today’s crowded mobile app market, apps in the directory will stand out for their superior quality, showcasing the work of their developer in creating quality apps for users. The directory was extensively beta tested with developers to ensure the right level of testing and an accreditation process that is open and straightforward. Developers can submit self-tested apps, based on AQuA testing criteria, for an entry level accreditation or can choose one of four leading test houses to test their app, for an independent accreditation. AQuA will conduct periodic audits of self-tested apps. In addition, where an AQuA member has successfully tested an app themselves, these apps will gain the status of AQuA Member Verified. Developers who achieve consistent accreditation will secure ‘trusted developer’ status.

The directory will also be an important resource for companies seeking to buy quality apps or work with the best developers. Unlike app stores, it accredits and includes only the best quality mobile apps available, across a range of genres, so that they can have confidence that they have selected a quality product from a reputable developer.

Commenting on the launch, Martin Wrigley, Chairman, AQuA, and Director of Developer Service Orange, said: “In today’s fast growing app market, the three ingredients for success are innovation, quality in delivery and effective marketing. AQuA has always supported quality in delivery and with the directory we are also supporting the effective marketing of developers’ quality apps”.

The Quality App Directory will be available first for Android, with other platforms to follow. AQuA has a range of tools to support developers submitting to the directory including Best Practice Guidelines and Testing Criteria. The four AQuA approved test houses are Babel Media, Intertek, Sogeti High Tech and VMC Consulting. The cost of testing depends on which AQuA-approved test house the developer chooses to use and the type of test needed. For example:

• The approximate cost of testing content within a framework (e.g. a tour guide for Italy as part of a series of tour guides built in the same way) is $40/31 Euros.
• The approximate cost of testing a typical simple app (e.g. a sports news and scores reporting app) is $150/116 Euros
• The approximate cost of testing a complex app (e.g. an integrated business mileage tracker) is $250 / 193 Euros

About AQuA

App Quality Alliance (AQuA) is an independent worldwide mobile industry body comprising device manufacturers, carriers and others within the mobile application market place.

AQuA is non-profit, funded by the members for the benefit of the industry and member contributions are its only source of revenue. The members are AT&T, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Oracle, Orange, Samsung and Sony Mobile.

AQuA’s overarching mission is to support and promote the development of quality apps. The organization aims to reduce fragmentation across the industry (and within platforms), encourage wide-spread adoption of sound working practices to increase the quality of mobile applications and to accredit and promote quality apps to its members and to all app retailers, carriers, app stores and other organizations that are seeking the best quality apps.