Web pages and mobile phones

Since the launch of the iPhone, there seems to be an increased buzz amongst the globalinterwebnetsuperhighway fraternity about web pages and mobile phones. A few things have changed (unsurprisingly) since we last wrote an article on this subject in 2005. For example:

• Most devices have an action key that allows you to perform the same function as a mouse click.
• Resolutions are higher and some screens are larger.
• With Wi-Fi phones, you can download large files without the huge expense.
• Many phones can store several gigabytes of information.

Opera 4 and iPhone Safari

Opera Mini 4 and Safari on the iPhone have effectively killed the idea of the handheld stylesheet. They want to behave like proper grown-up browsers and good luck to them.

But this doesn’t stop you sending them a site that is customised for them. Enter CSS3 and media queries, but that’s a whole new blog post that I’ll spare you from.

It doesn’t really make sense to stop supporting a standards compliant approach in favour of a CSS3 recommendation that does the same thing. Especially from Opera who are usually the ‘hair-splitters’ of web standards.

If you want to check out your website on Opera Mini, then try the Opera Mini Simulator. I’ll save you the hassle of trying to get it to look at itself. I tried it and it didn’t work.

I know I know, I should get out more.