How would you define Mobile Web ?
What do you think Mobile Web is (will be) ?
* wired web adapted to mobile
* something new
* something in between ?
If it's different from the wired web, is it a lowered version (because of screen size etc) or an enhanced one ?
Good Answers (10)
Peter S
ROI focussed Web Guru
Best Answers in: Web Development (2), Facilities Management (1), Search Marketing (1), Blogging (1), Information Storage (1), Wireless (1)
Hi Frederic,
Looking at the existing answers already here I'm probably going to be in the minority!
What it is:
- wired web "adapted" to mobile (I put adapted in quotes as Im not sure there is all that much adaptation going on!)
- a lowered version of the wired web
I can't tell you what it will be, but ....
If the mobile web is to ever take off ... I think people should consider what it is they are trying to achieve. Taking the same site and same content and adapting it to fit on a small screen isn't really rocket science and reeks of bad planning. It kinda sounds like ... cars have four wheels, therefore when we invented motorbikes, shouldn't they have 4 wheels as well?
Both are forms of transport just like the web and mobile web are forms of communication / interaction. I really dont want to read full articles on the mobile web, but i would like to see the title and header and then mark that article as something i want to read when i return to my desk. I dont want to be able to use linkedin when mobile, but i would like a simple search my contacts style screen.
In essence, developers and business owners need to remember that the mobile web is exactly that .... mobile! If approached from that perspective offerings can be made that enhance what I can do whilst mobile, rather than trying to deliver a non mobile experience to a mobile user.
Peter.
when it comes to the mobile webI think I can take a stab at what it needs to be if it will ever take off.
What it needs to be:
- accessible
- fast
Anything that makes seamlessy a service available on a mobile device. It can be new, an adapted version of the wired web, it does not matter but it has to be formatted/adapted to the characteristic of a mobile device.
Some service might makes sense only on the mobile web, some might only on the wired web.
Links:
Ludo B
Director Central Europe at Limelight Networks
Best Answers in: Telecommunications (1), Wireless (1)
Interesting question! I would define Mobile Web as any site that is accessed from a mobile phone - especially because the jury (i.e. user behaviour) is still out on whether in the end it will be about made-for-mobile sites, wired web adapted to mobile, or a mix of both.
I expect that users and site owners will all end up in a situation where the wired web is adapted to mobile, because users will not accept anything less. Of course the screen size etc will mean that in some respects, the mobile web will be a lowered version from the wired web, but at the same time, on other aspects, it will be greatly enhanced - making use of the facts of the mobile device being always on, always connected, totally personal, and location sensitive - which PC's are not.
Next to that, pure or mainly mobile brands will appear, just like in the past when new media turned up. I see already some sticky mobile brands appearing in various Western Europe countries - a range have already achieved very wide adoption in Korea and Japan.
I agree that the mobile web, as we know today, is an adaptation of wired web sites to cellular devices and, due to devices "limitations" (screen size, keyboard etc') it is a lower version.
BUT !! - things change dramatically:
We see more and more sites and tools that change the way mobile web is used.
For example: visit www.celladmin.com - this is a wap generator that enables every one to create, manage and publish his own personal or business site.
This makes user generated content (UGC) available to mobile users - easily!!
The result will be that every user, who wants too, can create a new site which is NOT and adaptation of a wired site.
And we will see new implementation for communities, businesses, personal site and many more.
And, don't forget, devices improve and so is the user experience.
If you'd like more information you are invited to contact me
Danny
Links:
Barbara B
Mobile Design and User Experience Strategist
Best Answers in: Wireless (12), Web Development (6), Software Development (5), Interface Design (2), Blogging (2), Graphic Design (1), Mobile Marketing (1), Product Design (1)
I think we'll see a combination of:
1. "desktop" web sites adapted (usually automatically) for mobile
2. many sites with mobile versions. The mobile version will not just be for small screens; it will incorporate mobile device capabilities (camera, LBS, tilt, NFC payments, etc.) and user needs (an expense reporting site on the mobile will be focused on recording expenses where the desktop site will be focused on creating reports)
3. local applications accessing web content where this radically enhances user experience (email, maps) - even more than is present for the desktop
4. widgets for high volume information that needs to be glanceable (like Apple, Yahoo, Opera Widgets; Microsoft Gadgets). Current weather conditions, current traffic conditions, etc.
Item 1 gives you the worst possible experience for the mobile, but at least it's complete and cheap to implement. Item 2 is better - assuming the designers have done their job right.
Hi Frédéric,
Mobile web today is mainly wired web adapted to mobile, lowered version because of screen size, interface, cost (in most cases you'll be invoiced accordingly with connection time or data size), access (primary access today through your carrier's portal), bandwidth and latency, multi-format phones (so many different OS, screen sizes, network making it difficult to deliver generic content)...
I see mobile web tomorrow as an enhanced version of wired web, taking full advantage of mobility with the usual "anywhere anytime" pitch:
- Great user experience with generic flashlite-like navigation/iphone_like screen
- 3G/4G bandwidth and latency to get quick and easy access to rich media content
- Flat fee "all you can east" costs (even when you're abroad)
- Broad and easy access to off portal contents
- Upload and share contents without interoperability issues
Plus specific added-value features vs. wired web
- Access anywhere anytime
- Geolocalized-related content (entertainment, friends, communities near from your location)
- Open seamless access to sms, camera, address book, personal media
- Full seamless convergence with your personal PC
...Still a long way to go, but it will happen
Eric
Hi,
When you say mobile web I take it you aren't talking about a laptop with a HSDPA (broadband) datacard connection. I understand the mobile web as the internet accessed through a mobile phone or another handheld device - something you can use while you're waiting in line at the supermarket, riding on the bus/train or walking in the street.
The content that I think will be the most successful on the mobile web falls into two groups:
1) Services that are useful when you're on the road. E.g. white/yellow pages, culture calendars for the area you're in or a check-in service you can use on the way to the airport. And of course full access to all features of linkedin.
2) Entertainment that only requires a short attention span. Reading short news articles, youtube for the mobile, made-for-mobile tv shows, blogs etc.
You will be most likely to access the mobile web when you are away from home and have extra time to fill. Some will use it to accomplish tasks while others will use to be entertained in the waiting time.
This content will, of course, be adapted in a way so it's easy to navitage on the mobile.
_How_ the mobile web will be provided on the device (as an installable application, in the web browser etc.) not as interesting IMHO as that only serves as a means for accessing the content. I imagine most will be browser based, but some services will still need to be a separate application - just like it works on the desktop/laptop today, but with slightly more emphasis on the browser based apps.
Mobile Web is already existing now in some places like Japan.
It is not a matter of wireless technology neither a handset issue.
This very competitive Japanese market has given to users a range of services that brought the support/entertainment they were expecting from their mobile handset at a level of price they have accepted.
As an example, Mobile TV for example seems successful in Japan...but is free of charge!
A definition could be "Connected Services in mobility situation".
Still to be created in Europe for example. Price issue mainly!
Until recently, the mobile web has been a lowered version of Internet sites and services. Mainly because of the limitations we all know, small screen lack of keyboard, connection speed.
Then, screens began to be bigger with better resolutions, handset manufacturers started to implement physical or virtual keyboards and 3G/4G gained ground.
Everyone might have a good idea on what will be Mobile Internet, it might be through mobile versions of web sites, widgets that rely on Internet databases or real web sites displayed through mobile browsers. Whatever the form it takes, innovations such as the iPhone or ZenZui drive new users, create new interests and enhance developers creativity.
For me, no matter what is the technology behind it, what users need is a seamless access to content and services on their mobile device. And that's precisely what innovators bring to the market.
Mobile WEB is the convergence of WEB2.0 and Mobile internet experiences.
On one hand mobile web can be defined as the experience of the wired web as well as mobile markup sites adapted for any mobile device, on the other hand mobile web is also evolving as a platform that allows content owners/publishers, developers, enterprises and communities to build experiences and services that enable consumers to discover and consume digital products.
The Mobile web has its own nuances but for the consumer it is the extension of the internet experience adapted for the small screen. The business models of the internet will follow in the mobiel web but new models will also emerge in mobile in order to harness the personal nature of the medium. At the end of the day the mobile web is another step in the evolution of new media. Unlike the internet and the www, mobile web is not a revolution, but it is indeed a very important and valuable evolution.
More Answers (16)
I think that future of Mobile Web, is in adapting the services, prodived by traditional websites, into a mobile platform.
Many companies tried a lot of new ideas in a mobile web, and as we see, most popular mobile web resources is a representation of a big portals - news/weather/etc.
I look at today's mobile web as a port of the WWW - a condensed, pocket size version (WAP) of the Web we all know and love. With that said, the capability set of the mobile web is evolving and will deliver a more robust service offering than what it currently provides. Right now, screen size and broadband connectivity of the handset are influencing the consumer experience and rate of adoption. A lot of people I know use the mobile web to do quick checks on sports scores, stocks, etc. As the feature set of the browser becomes more evolved and more consumers get familiar using their mobile browsers, I think you'll start to see more advanced behavioral interaction, like social networking and IM via the mobile browser.
My two cents, anyway.
Mobile web is currently a mix of PC-based technologies that have been stripped down and crammed into our tiny cell phones and PDAs. We are just starting to see the advent of full featured mobile web via devices like the iPhone and Windows CE 6.0 devices.
However, I envision that Mobile Web will take a drastic turn in the near future. It is currently trying to mimic what has been accomplished for large-screen PC based systems. However, the mobile platform will never be able to provide this "large screen" (unless someone finally nails a wearable-computer design) so it will need to turn to various new types of user interfaces to work more effectively and efficiently.
We may see the mobile web becoming more of an audio / video based system that relies less and less on text based information display. Especially with the aging population that already has trouble reading information from standard computer screens.
Mobile Web is where Web 2.0 Converges with Mobile 2.0 and allows for multiple people to enteract and exchange and share information and ideas. It is also about convience and information on demand immediatly. The idea of R2D2 putting his interface device into the socket and able to control any aspect of the death star is were technology is heading. Everyone will be able to gain and share information and ideas in an instance and also find and share any services and products that they enjoy with massive audiences. At US Modular we are workign on this concept with our N-Hand product line, it is a memory module that allows you to load your personal profile onto it and when connected with any network enabled device it is constantly pulling information from the web that is outlined on that profile. Reach me at bbilbruck@usmodular.com to find out more. Bob Bilbruck
Links:
Dominique B
Project Officer for "Futur en Seine", the main worldwide digital festival event by Cap Digital, www.futur-en-seine.org
That s the question regarding mobile marketing market... The answer is for sure not stricly with WAP, but with a real worlwide mas market application (i.e; free downloadable java once) free for users, including the trade mark in the mobile phone. However, its only the first part, the thechnological one. there's 3 others mean points :
-prescription of the mobile solution with realnetworks
-content (packaged marketing solutions and thematics once)
-CRM/marketing/technologic plateform.
Dominique Bournazac de Lastours
bdelastours@yahoo.fr
The banner of mobile web is used to describe a lot. Technically for me there is no difference in a server serving a mobile device or a PC as all using HTTP protocols. The difference being in trying to customise the presentation layer and allowing for differences to make the experience more usable.
I think the main point is to try and bring the web services you access on the PC to the phone. I dont think this will ever be the same experience (limitations of device size and human factors), but we need to strive for one that is usable on the phone. Applications which will deliver these services will be the browsers, widgets, ODPs etc.
The mobile Web is not just about overcoming the connectivity, ergonomics and device constraints that make access more difficult than on the desktop that the Web originated on. Focusing on these issues is merely playing catch-up with the "normal" Web.
The value that the mobile Web brings is context sensitivity. The mobile Web is about being there, in contact with the physical world away from a desktop. So bring on location sensitive services, search by photo similarity using the on board camera, search by sound similarity using the on board microphone, augmented reality (for navigation, social life or technical help), QR codes readers and barcodes readers using the camera, RFID readers, permanent presence management including location and activity…
Shoehorning complex applications on a handheld device is hopeless. On the other hand, the handheld device is the one you being with you, so when time comes to interact with the environment anywhere there is just no other choice. Linking the physical world to the virtual one, that is the mobile Web.
When the physical world merges with the data, wonderful things happen !
Mobile Web will only truly make sense when linked with geolocalization which means localization specific (and aggregated?) content. With this in mind, it will help the every-day/every-moment little tasks of our ever moving society...
Another aspect of Mobile Web making truly sense will be the interface but this is another story... PDA like vs electronic paper, the future is not really written by now.
Mobile web will be in the between from the wired one. The reason is the use of the mobile handset. the handset is more and more becoming the personal media player (music, pics & video) so the mobile internet will service those uses. It is different then blogging or reading wikipedia etc. but its just like downloading music P2P or from itunes (p2p is already possible for mobile - see link below), and just like sharing pictures in flickr. So I'm pretty sure that for the next 5 years it will be some how in between.
Links:
I think mobile web should be an environment, in which only the needed information for that moment is easily provided to wireless devices and their users.
Actually mobile web is rubbish and costs a lot of money. Mobile content costs too much because operators just think in steal the customer credits.
The only way to make it good will be doing it for free. For example: free WIFI sponsored by a city.
Also, the technology behind the mobile phones are too linked to the operator logic.
There have been lots of semantic debate about whether its the "Internet on Mobile" or a "Mobile Internet". Implicit in this debate is criticism of the operators walled garden approach allied to extortionate and non transparent data charges. Though to be fair this is changing. Writing with a UK perspective where operators such as 3 provide "all you can eat" data tariffs even Voda has a stepped/ pseudo "all you can eat" rate.
However most of the initiatives have smacked of technology push rather than consumer pull.
I think mobile / internet convergence will produce a lot of divergent devices/services. A single global homogenous converged offering is almost not what consumers want - they have different tastes, incomes etc - and competition by definition leads to fragmentation. This is especially true in mobile e.g SMS, ringtones and the Blackberry
Will we have a universally accessible Internet ? I think eventually yes as the operators will split into network and service co's where the network division is a utility providing access and the service division competing in value add services. However there are a lot of challenges devices, standards, business models to name a few
I would define the mobile web as web applications that can be accessed via a wireless mobile network (WIFI not included) using wireless handset devices.
I would consider it a limited version of the wired web because of several factors:
Screen size - but many services are now offering their portal in both wired and wireless formats.
Compatibility of handsets with content - This is somewhat related to screen size, but there is much more to it. On wired PC’s there are only a handful of browsers, so it’s easier to adapt and deliver content. With mobile handsets you have thousands of different browsers (user agents) which dictate to the server which content will be delivered to the device making it very difficult to manage and maintain the wireless applications and services.
Limitations of operator infrastructure - A couple of years back, European operators introduced 3G as the greatest thing since sliced bread. In reality, their network infrastructures were not robust enough to deliver reliable 3G service. In high population areas, base stations would easily become saturated if multiple users happened to be connected in the same area. The problem was exacerbated during peak hours of voice activity as voice calls would be given priority over UMTS connections. HSPDA only offered the possibility of connecting at higher speeds, but did not bring any more reliability as the network infrastructure is the same. Here in France, the EDGE network (115K connection) is about the most reliable and widely available.
Hence, the acceptance of wireless web applications by the masses will depend on several key factors:
Cost – still relatively expensive when compared to wired
Compatibility - standardization by handset manufactures to simplify content delivery
Availability/performance - better wireless infrastructure for performance
Note: This answer is based on my experience in Europe. I’ve have limited experience in the states.
I would define the mobile web as a series of interlinked mobile specific web sites that provide you with what you want to know, when you want to know it, wherever you want to know it, or allow you to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, wherever you want to do it, using a web browser on a handheld wireless device.
Yes, this means that the Sony PSP, the iPhone, and the iTouch access the mobile web.
The mobile web is made up of any type of content that can be viewed in a mobile web browser, that has been designed and optimized specifically for the hand held device.
Pushing an Internet site through Skweezer or the Google Transcoder do not make them part of the mobile web.
The key to the mobile web is not to emulate the wired web. It is to provide functionality and information that people need when they are NOT at their computer. I need to find stuff quickly. I need to have simple menus and access keys, and only show me what I need to know.
A good example of this is our mobile property sites. These are mobile web sites that are specifically made to be viewed on phones when home buyers are standing in front of a house for sale, or reading an ad in a printed publication.
Fully functional, fast loading, informational sites that give all involved exactly what they need, when they need it, where they need it.
One feature we are adding is the ability to get directions from a house you are at, to another similar one for sale nearby. This will exist on the mobile site, but is not important on the wired web. They are specific directions from one house to another, to be used when you are at the house.
Lastly, don't show me features or content that I can't access. If you know my handset supports video, then show me that link and picture. If I can't do video, than adapt the content to not show it to me. No reason for me to pay to transfer data that links to content I can't use.
Links:
Take a look at something like MoFuse.com, it enables a desktop site to be converted to mobile in a simple way.
As data traffic is a major consideration on mobile phones, compression of pertinent data becomes an important issue, for that, you can look into something like GreenLight's Skweezer @ http://www.greenlightwireless.net
A combination of above 2 will create an enhanced and lowered version of a webpage for the mobile web.
Links:
Mobile Web is first an acces issue today there are many ways to get access through a combination of Wifi/Wimax/GPRS/3G/3G+....
So far nobody has proven a successful business model.
Therefore Mobile Web is stil a dream of the ubiquity for voice, data, internet Nevetheless it is under definition, I saw some prototypes from major suppliers.
In my opinion, IM and related applications is the answer to your question.
Should somebody comes with a sound business case, Mobile internet would become a reality.
