Comments on: Going Mobile: Development and Preparation

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:28:02 +0000

I can’t help but suspect that any recommendations for mobile support devices are likely to be somewhat suspect - given the strong “unknown” factor in mobile expectations.

Still, even if the known capabilities of the browsers and hardware are completely a mystery, one would greatly prefer that the recommendations be somewhat stringent!

By: Robert Wellock

Robert Wellock — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 12:32:20 +0000

It is not so much PNG-8 format itself as it has been well-supported since version 5.xx in desktop browsers. Though the Recommendations are queer with regards to Mobile User Agents - in several areas - I suspect in practice most modern mobile agents would naturally cope.

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 03:58:30 +0000

.png support has been sadly variable for a long time - although I was not specifically aware of issues with handheld devices.

It is a relatively new format on the scene, so it’s hopeful that newer devices will continue to build support for them!

Thanks for that comment - it’s a good thing to be aware of in mobile development.

By: Robert Wellock

Robert Wellock — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:56:40 +0000

Image support for mobile User Agents is an interesting one; most recommendations suggest JPG and GIF are required formats. However for some peculiar reason not PNG whereas it usually produces smaller files sizes than GIF and PNG has text annotations capacity.

By: JackP

JackP — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:39:44 +0000

Thoroughly enjoyed it Joe. Keep ‘em coming…

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 08:07:10 +0000

Absolutely - you can’t open a new tab and look at something else while you’re waiting - because in my experience when I’ve needed Internet access away from the desk it’s for something that if I have to wait for then I’m simply wasting time. There is nothing else I can do. For example looking up maps, checking a review before buying something or getting an address while at the post office ready to post something - all things I’ve used my mobile device for in the past couple of weeks.

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:11:02 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Nathanael!

It really does make a world of difference to a mobile user for a site to be considerately designed. If you’re using a mobile browser, you’re on the move: you need the information now, not “in 10 minutes, when it’s done downloading.” Planning accordingly is totally worth the time!

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 01:29:25 +0000

I never used to really care about mobile devices - but now that I own a half-decent mobile device (not a beta WAP thing from 5 years ago) and actually use mobile browsing on the road, I’m starting to consider more the importantance of CSS for mobile devices - I’ve had plenty of grief trying to access sites that can’t be viewed on a mobile device because of combined image file sizes of over half a meg, frames, mile long scroll bars etc.

Good article!

By: Mike Cherim

Mike Cherim — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:23:24 +0000

Excellent article Joe. Thank you for writing it.