Apple versus PC - Now For The Real Mobile Web
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Apple versus PC brings to mind a whole series of TV ads that brilliantly compare the advantages and disadvantages of two different computers and operating systems. If you missed them, here are a few samples:
Does this explain the slow take-up of the new Microsoft Vista operating system? It no doubt was instrumental in the excellent operating results that Apple announced yesterday. Apparently the sale of Mac computers was a key factor here. It has also resulted in Apple climbing to the No. 4 spot in Notebook sales.
As yet the Apple iPhone is not a major contributor, but the future looks promising for Apple on this one too. Perhaps it’s a compliment to Apple marketing that the biggest effect of the iPhone so far has been on the Mobile Web itself. As Ed Sim comments, The wireless Internet is heating up. With the iPhone, the real Mobile Web is here and now. Websites on the Mobile Web are no longer just severely cut-down versions of the equivalent regular Internet websites. Given these developments, as Lucky Balaraman suggests, you need a mobile web site NOW.
Facing this today reality, the iPhone determines how the Mobile Web will evolve. Indeed Georg Kaindl suggests that the iPhone involves nothing less than a reinvention of the Mobile Web. Some quotes from his post illustrate his position:
As many people have noted, this is quite interesting, since with the advent of web standards, designing specifically for certain browsers or serving different stylesheets to different browsers has been rather seen as something to avoid. Now suddenly, everybody is pumping out iPhone-specific sites.
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I understand why Apple refuses to let the iPhone support the “handheld” media query: After all, “handheld” internet has (unfortunately) often been associated with a watered-down, crappy version of the Internet. The iPhone, on the other hand, wants to provide the “real” Internet. I can see that Apple doesn’t want its iPhone to load a badly designed mobile version of a random website that has not been designed specifically for the iPhone’s advanced browser and high-resolution screen.
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However, what remains true is that a unified, “standardized” version of a website, a piece of software or a generic interface is not always preferable over specialization. Browsing on a desktop with mouse and keyboard is different than browsing on a handheld device with a stylus. Browsing on the iPhone’s scalable, multi-touch controlled Safari version is different than browsing on an ordinary handheld that mostly mimics the desktop. So is browsing on the TV set with a Wii.The more ubiquitous web browsing will become, the more we have to distance ourselves from the “one site for all” idea that we’ve excitedly embraced with the advent of web standards. It’s not about being non-compliant with the standards, it’s about creating different experiences while adhering to the standards. And if we don’t want to resort to ugly hacks, there’s no better way than creating different stylesheets (or even whole front-ends) for different devices.
So the good news is that the Mobile Web is now and not tomorrow. The slightly disturbing news for some is that the One Web Principle is superseded by the Multi-Web Practice. Here at StayGoLinks, we would argue that this was always inevitable.
Related:
The iPhone Boosts the Mobile Web
Further iPhone Boosts To The Mobile Web
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BPWrap
July 26th, 2007 at 10:19 am
“Multi-Web Practice” is, I think, a wise one. But I also believe it’s more subtle than you make out here - and in your other post.
It’s not just that the screens and input mechanisms are different (or even that just about every phone and browser combination has unique challenges for the developer).
No, the biggest reason for wanting to address different classes of client device differently is that the humans on the other side of them are probably in different states or contexts.
The PC vs Wii split requires a little thought on these lines (sitting upright and alert, feeling business-like vs lounging on sofa, taking time out from a game). But hardly earth-shattering.
But the considerations that site designers should make towards mobile use cases are far more significant.
Yes my iPhone renders http://united.com perfectly, but I probably don’t want flight deals to OktoberFest, to read about their new credit card, or read about flat beds.
Look. I’ve gone to the effort of connecting to your site while I’m mobile. Can’t you guess I’m in a different context? In a hurry? On the move? Do me a favour and get me the flight status page. Now.
I’m dragging out my point. But basically, there’s lot of debate about markup-this, browser-that, stylesheet-the-other.
But don’t forget that there’s flesh and bone on the other side of that device. Form follows function and they come first!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
It’s an excellent point you make, James. Of course we’ve got to be customer-centric or user-centric. Usability and User tests are just a thin sliver of what is implied by that. Somehow we’ve got to think ourselves into the mind of that user and design what they’re looking for.
Unfortunately so many of these highly technical questions very quickly get into technology and away from users. Technology is clearly stimulating and mind-challenging. What is often not realized is that if you’re going for challenge, then delivering satisfactory user experiences is even more challenging.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:24 am
[...] Barry Welford presents Apple versus PC - Now For The Real Mobile Web posted at StayGoLinks, saying, “The biggest impact of Apple’s iPhone is that it makes the Mobile Web a NOW reality. The simple One Web Principle is no longer adequate as different mobile devices adopt different style sheets and front ends.” [...]
July 30th, 2007 at 2:19 am
[...] Barry Welford presents Apple versus PC - Now For The Real Mobile Web posted at StayGoLinks, saying, “The biggest impact of Apple’s iPhone is that it makes the Mobile Web a NOW reality. The simple One Web Principle is no longer adequate as different mobile devices adopt different style sheets and front ends.” [...]
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:38 am
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July 21st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Can ANYBODY tell me one thing that a Mac can do that a PC cannot? Why would anybody choose to spend more money on something they do not realize does the same exact thing as a PC? Windows Mobile works just as well (if not better) than the iPhone OS, and it is much easier to develop application on as well. A no brainer for me.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I think Macs can do more then a PC. The can do videos and graphic a lot better then a PC. They can run vista better and faster.