Apple markets the iPhone as a true Internet device comparable to its desktop alternatives. One of its killer features is a real web browser. No longer are we stuck with mangled mobile versions with a quarter of the features. No longer do we need our laptops to use the web the way we are accustom to. No longer are web designers required to make mobile versions to support a cell phone.
So what did web designers start doing to welcome this new freedom for iPhone? They started making mangled iPhone versions with half the features of course. Isn’t this why nobody used the mobile web before the iPhone? Isn’t the reason we love the iPhone because it gave us a real browser? What gives?
Every time I use Facebook on my iPhone I have to scroll down to the bottom and click the link to view the standard site, otherwise I can’t see events and invites. Problem is most time I use Facebook on my iPhone is because I need an address to an event. Same goes for Twitter, Google, and a ton of other sites.
If you want an iPhone specific interface for your site, write an iPhone App. But if I’m using Safari, please just give me what I want– a full functioning site that I’m familiar with and has what I am expecting.
14 Comments
I agree with the sentiment.
With respect to Facebook, however, I’d suggest using one of the facebook AppStore apps… they’re better than just going through the website, imho.
Daniel
I agree, and safari on iphone is only going to get better, which should make iphone interfaces less useful. I think more than anything it’s a wow feature and makes the site feel more “ahead of the times”, which I’m not sure warrants an entirely new interface.
While I agree that some mobile sites are harrowing the browsing experience with botched versions, iPhone-specific sites have their place when done well.
The iPhone is still slow (even over wi-fi), so eliminating the JS and CSS bloat that supports every browser since IE 5.5 is one reason to write an iPhone-specific site. Taking advantage of HTML5, CSS3, etc., to provide a superior experience to the desktop is another.
And while I usually have complains about the Google user experience, I think they’ve done a pretty good job with the latest version of Gmail and Reader, both of which are much less usable on the iPhone in their normal state.
I would argue the other way. I think that iPhone-optimized sites make a lot of sense, when done well. Sure, MobileSafari does a good job of viewing normal websites, but a well-done iPhone-optimized site is much more pleasant to navigate.
I wrote about this from a user perspective on my blog back in January:
http://www.dejal.com/blog/2009/01/dejal-site-now-iphone-optimized
And from a developer perspective this month, including code on how to include a checkbox on pages to disable the iPhone optimization — which remembers the state via cookies, so you don’t have to disable it each time if you prefer non-optimized:
http://www.dejal.com/blog/2009/04/developers-should-iphone-optimize-their-sites
I disagree completely. The iPhone isn’t a laptop, it’s a much smaller screen, with much more cumbersome controls (a finger v a mouse), it’s slower (both to render and to retrieve) and it serves an entirely different purpose, I browse the web on my laptop, I’m task oriented on my iPhone.
Take for example, Australian news site news.com.au, the web version is a standard, run-of-the-mill news site, headline articles and imagery, ads, interaction etc, the iPhone version (http://iphone.news.com.au/) however is elegant, directed and purposeful, a simple list of articles which uses the iPhone’s card stack to quickly load and navigate through stories much quicker than hitting the full web version.
I’ll admit that every iPhone version should offer the the opportunity to view the full version, but tailoring your view of the web site dependent on the agent you’re using to access it is entirely appropriate
Some websites have so many images and render so slowly on mobile devices that mobile specific devices are necessary for a semi-sane user-experience. Ideally, all websites would be simple and lightweight in the first place, but we live in a dumb world.
The worst part about mobile sites is that some of them don’t redirect you to the mobile version of the page you were trying to visit, but some sort of mobile homepage. So you have to go through their menus and try and find the original page you were looking for.
I just think there should be an option on the iphone, to say “Don’t go to mobile versions of sites”. Some sort of option that would stop broadcasting whatever it is that allows the sites to identify you as a mobile device. I agree that the sites have their place, but some people, like me, don’t want them.
Or maybe whenever you go to a site for the first time, a box should pop up: “Do you want to view the mobile version of this site from now on?” And you can set your preferences on a site-by-site basis. That’d be nice.
Help. I can’t even open m.facebook from the @@&$$&@&$ iPhone.facebook site. It just goes straight back there. It is so frustrating. The iPhone site does not even display my status correctly. Is there an app that can stop this stupid default to iPhone sites ? Can somebody please write one ?
I could understand your negative feelings about iPhone-oriented versions of web-sites. But, let’s think not only about disadvantages of these specific versions.
I see next advantages:
- faster rendering
- comfortable interface, designed for your screen/pointing device
- operations with phone book: originating call, adding phones to phone book
- GPS-oriented services
But, i agree, that it’s absolutely unfair, to make just redirect to mobile version of site, even user is willing to visit web-version. There should be smart redirect with options for user.
So, developing of mobile version of site (even for iPhone) must use benefits of these device, and make it more comfortable for end user,
You are all missing the point. We should have a choice. Some sites are better in the mobile version. Other sites are crippled. Try billingmanager.com. Sign up for free and then login on your iphone. It makes you want to smash your phone. We pay a lot of money for a phone and plan. Why frustrate us to no end. At least Google has it right, They give you a choice on their website.
I agree.everyone has his/her own right to choose.not all people love to use facebook for iphone.yeah it is simplified but i dont like it!why cant i access the full site of facebook on my iphone?why did they have to block the full site and FORCE us to use the touch site?!!!
This rant reminds me of an old adage my Grandfather used to use:
“If you don’t open your mouth, no one will know how ignorant you are.”
Of course the iPhone CAN render web pages as well as a typical desktop web browser, but that doesn’t always lead to the best viewing experience. The screen is only 320 x 480. Most desktop browsers have 3x more space available and larger text. Trying to cram the entire ESPN home page into 320 x 480 is just ridiculous, so they make a lighter version with bigger text that’s easier to read.
The right tool for the right job.
After all, I can use a textbook as a hammer, but just because I CAN, doesn’t mean I SHOULD.
@bryan,
I would be fine with a mobile optimized site that had the same features as the regular site, but more often than not that isn’t what you get. What you get are mobile sites that are crippled, lacking entire features and sections. If your normal site has features that your mobile site doesn’t, you are doing it wrong. At least for the iPhone you are.
Yeah, im agree with bradly.bryan,ur grandfather is right.he has his point.thats why he told u that phrase. lol!if u dont like full view webpage on iphone,u dont assume other will hate it too.if u cant read or enjoy the full view on ur iphone,dont assume others cant also.dont talk what u personally like and dislike here.all people has his own choice.for me,the phrase u share is a bit rude.