Tuesday
Aug212012
Question: The mobile web?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 3:00AM What’s your view of the web on mobile devices in 2012? I am still not convinced that we have reached the point where we can consistently view full websites on smartphones, but progress is being made.
Reader Comments (9)
With larger screens and better processors, the process is getting much better though. I remember trying to browse the web on early Palm and Windows Mobile devices, so we've come a LONG way! My S3 is actually pretty good, although honestly I'll pick up my Nexus 7 for serious mobile browsing.
Agree with Donald, except my Nexus 7 is awaiting return to google as faulty. However, viewing the web on my S3 is amazing really, and on the iPad is often a better experience than my pc.
I am happy to switch between my Nexus and Galaxy Note I. The Note is very good for browsing. Can't wait for the Note II now :-)
@Gavin, except if a flash plug-in is required! :-)
Hasn't the improvement of mobile browsers, and better mobile hardware specifications more of less made the "mobile" version of pretty much redundant now? And the use of "responsive" design aspects will help with display size issues.
I still much prefer my big monitor. It's bearable on my iPad, but I only use my iPhone if it's a single page and only if there's no alternative. That said, many apps open links to other pages within the app and since it's a single page and source, it's not too bad.
The wife tends to hog the transformer, so i generally end up using my phone most nights, and I really don't have an issue, with browsing via my phone. The 4.8inch screen does make a bit of difference over the 4.3, but even better is the lack of a pause and Chrome is an essential change to the standard browser which I feel is woefully lacking compared to HTC's standard offering. But as Chrome beats both - nothing wrong. Though I must admit Asus standard browser is on a par with Chrome, but as it still has flash I give it the nod ahead of chrome. When that disappears, my wife is in for a surprise when she moves across to chrome.
If available I'll use my PC; can't beat a 24" screen in portrait (unless you go even bigger perhaps).
Second choice tablet.
Third choice phone, but the S3 actually does a great job and I don't mind browsing on it. In most cases I tell it to get the desktop version of a site; the exception is when the desktop version is too cluttered.
There are a lot of websites which have small-screen-friendly versions so the situation is much better than even two years ago
The fact there are still so many which don't explains at least in some part the drive to larger screens
I can envisage that the first affordable HUD - and Google Glass isn't there yet -which is light enough to be worn a lot and has the resolution and quality to be a pleasure to use will kill off a large reason for tablets when you can use your phone as a phone but switch to HUD for a full screen experience.
Embarrassingly enough I only have mobile internet at home. So I either use my Galaxy 2 or tether it to my netbook... which admittedly I can connect to my tv... but I just don't bother. I do ok just using my phone. Today I talked to my parents via Skype. I chatted to friends also using Skype. I use whatsapp, text, voice, music in my car while driving, Facebook... whatever. I'm pretty impressed what I can do just using my phone. I'm going on holiday tomorrow, and I've already downloaded all the maps for the south of France so I don't get any unpleasant surprises in my phone bill whilst navigating around there. I'm not even bringing my netbook which feels weird. I have all my books, music and series on my mobile. I'm almost at the point where I'd say take my computer, but my mobile... over my dead body!