Developing sites for handheld devices

[Bo Aakerstrom]

My new mobile/ cellphone have got internet access, which prompted me to check out how some of the sites I visit often (such as this forum) work on a QVGA screen.

No so well, is the answer to most of the sites I have visited, with only a few exceptions.

I have had an option to simulate how pages would look on an iPhone in my IDE (Aptana Studio, in case you wondered) for some time and discovered a page that simulates how pages would look (and work) in Opera Mini (http://www.operamini.com/demo/) earlier today.

You can find more on the subject of CSS support in some browsers for handheld devices here (http://www.howtocreate.co.uk/tutorials/css/mediatypes).

Just wanted to share some, hopefully, useful links.

[George]

My new mobile/ cellphone have got internet access, which prompted me to check out how some of the sites I visit often (such as this forum) work on a QVGA screen.

No so well, is the answer to most of the sites I have visited, with only a few exceptions.



But what is the level of expectation of the viewer of a web site when using a hand held device?? I tested on an IPhone (that's the Apple one, isn't it?) six months ago, and as soon as I adapted psychologically to what I had in hand, it was amazingly easy to see the sites by using the controls to move around on it. In short, within minutes I was impressed by what I had. I had a young college student test my site on the IPhone, and he moved around in it and read it quickly and with no problem. But he was used to using an IPhone.

However, I understand that netbook laptops (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook) are the next big thing in the market, mini-laptops the size of a small book that weigh just over two pounds and have screens as small as 7 inches, the average apparently 9 inches, costing as little as $250, but the apparent average over $300. We do want design to be liquid for many situations, but we can't help but be influenced by what is most popular in screen sizes, and I think these mini-laptops are going to add a new dimension to how we conceive our designs. The time to start thinking about that, I think, is now. With hand held devices, I'm not sure people are doing a lot of web site browsing on those.

I think the idea of these mini-laptops is exciting. I've discussed at length in the forum before on what is the best way to have a small device to carry around a lot of resources (and now it amazes me how many good resources are being added to digital formats everyday, and I keep buying more, when they are not free) -- I have no doubt, this laptop is it. But people like them just because they are easy to carry and communicate with from remote locations.

I just went into Walmart's web site, and they have a netbook on sale now for $338, 8.9 inch screen.

George

[Steve Rindsberg]

The netbooks tend to have resolutions in the low-to-normal range, so reasonably designed liquid sites don't cause any terrible problems on them. Set your desktop to 800x600 and stand waaayy back; you've got a fair idea what a netbook user will see.

The phones are much lower resolution and need special consideration though.

[Steve Rindsberg]

Thanks ... useful page to have stashed away.

[Bo Aakerstrom]

The other issue with mobile phones is the absense of mice - navigating using only a small keypad can be frustrating. Scrolling through screen full after screen full of links to get to the content is another thing. But on the other hand, following lots of links can make it expensive to browse the web for those not on a fixed price plan. It is important to find a balance.