NASA app for the iPhone: Found an easy way to crash the application

Date: 10/29/09
iPhone firmware version: 3.0.1
NASA app version: 1.0

Description:

Note: This takes some finger dexterity, and is more easily shown that described, so I have included screenshots.

There is an easy way to crash the NASA iPhone application. I am logging this bug under the assumption that a future update is being worked on, and that by you having knowledge of this bug it will contribute to a more holistic understanding of your application.

Basically, you can do a finger trick on all image pages. It takes a little practice ( I recommend using two thumbs) but I am able to hit it very consistently.

On any image page, if the user presses and holds, the “i” icon in lower right, and then releases this held down “i” option a split second after a press and release of the “images” button, the user will be taken to a screen with a list of pictures. On this screen will appear the description for picture the user just viewed. At this point the application will crash, and will return the user to the iPhone’s home menu, after the user touches the screen.

Repro Steps:
1. Launch the NASA app for the iPhone
2. Select the “Images” icon
3. Select any image
4. From any image’s profile page, press and hold the “i” icon in lower right of screen
5. (While holding down “i”) Press and hold the “Images” icon in upper left of screen
6. Release the held down “Images” icon – after a split second (takes practice) release the “i” icon

Result: A feat of finger dexterity on any Image’s detail page, involving the release of a held down “i” icon a split second after the press and release of an “Images” back button, will easily crash the NASA iPhone application

Expected: It is expected that the NASA iPhone application will never crash.