Screen readers are software applications that convert digital text into synthesized speech. They are primarily used by users with visual impairments, including blindness, to access content on computers and the web. While there are other assistive technologies for other types of impairments, screen readers specifically cater to those who cannot see or read screen content normally.

The primary objective of the Test Planning phase is to define the scope, approach, resources, and schedule for the testing activities. It involves determining what will be tested, who will do the testing, how the testing will be managed, and the criteria for success. This foundation helps guide all subsequent testing activities.

During Performance Testing, the system's performance is evaluated under various conditions to ensure it meets the desired criteria. Metrics like throughput (transactions per second or tasks per time unit), response times (how long it takes to respond to a request), and resource utilization (CPU, memory usage) are key indicators that help testers understand the system's performance behavior.

A test strategy lays out the overall approach and objectives for testing, ensuring they are in harmony with the project's goals. This alignment is critical because it ensures that the testing efforts support the broader project aims, focusing on delivering quality and value to the stakeholders. It sets the direction, scope, resources, and timeline for the testing activities.

End-to-end testing typically fits just before deployment in the Continuous Delivery (CD) pipeline. In the CI/CD model, continuous integration deals with the frequent merging of code and running unit tests to ensure code integrity. The CD pipeline, on the other hand, ensures that the integrated code is consistently in a deployable state. End-to-end testing, which tests the flow of an application from start to finish, ensures that the system behaves as expected and identifies system-level issues before actual deployment.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is the last phase in the testing process before the software application is handed over to the customer. During UAT, actual software users test the software to ensure it can handle required tasks in real-world scenarios, as per their business requirements.

System testing is conducted after integration testing to ensure the overall functionality of the entire system. While integration testing focuses on the interfaces between integrated units, system testing evaluates the system's behavior as a whole, ensuring all components work harmoniously together.

False positives refer to warnings or indications produced by automated static analysis tools that are not actual issues in the code. While they can cause initial concern, upon review, they turn out to be irrelevant or incorrect. It's essential to distinguish them from real issues to ensure productive and accurate software testing.

Distributed teams, especially across different time zones, can face multiple Configuration Management challenges. There might be a time lag in version updates, leading to potential code conflicts. Teams might use tools differently or even different versions of tools. Additionally, environment setups might differ, leading to the "works on my machine" problem. Effective communication, standardized tools, and periodic sync-ups can help address these issues.

Testing on both newer and older versions of mobile operating systems is crucial to ensure the broad compatibility of the application. Users may be on a range of OS versions, and ensuring functionality across this spectrum is vital for user satisfaction and retention. Older versions might have legacy features or compatibility issues, while newer ones might introduce new functionalities or security measures that the app must be compatible with.

Test Control involves making decisions based on the status of testing activities. When resources are limited, it's crucial to ensure the most critical and risk-prone areas are tested first. Prioritizing test cases based on risk and criticality ensures that vital functionalities and areas get the needed attention.

Test automation often involves initial setup time, script writing, and maintenance. If tests are to be run only once, the effort to automate may outweigh the benefits. It's best practice to avoid automation for tests that won't be repeatedly executed.