Websites Acting Like Apps
Nov
07
While I've downloaded a lot of great apps since I've started using an iPhone (which was just this year), I'm also a big user of the Safari Browser on the iPhone. As a web designer, it's interesting to use a mobile device that presents websites as mini-versions of the real thing. (well, almost the real thing, there a few differences).
One thing you start to notice when browsing on the iPhone are the mobile versions of websites. When visiting certain sites, a small script detects that you're using an iPhone, and redirects you to a similar site–usually the same URL, but proceeded by the letter "m", or "mobile", or even "iphone," (e.g. 'website.com becomes 'm.website.com'). it's often the same content as the regular site, but using a set of style rules just for the iPhone. The end result is websites that look and function like apps–they fit within my iPhone's browser window, have a lot of the same shiny buttons and tabs, and load/hide content with a touch of the finger. Some that sites that come to mind:
- hotels.com
- espn.com
- gmail.com
Mobile Browsing and Hotels
There are often dedicated apps that work as well as these specially designed websites, but in the example of hotels.com, I didn't know of one. When traveling, I like to search for 4 star hotels at 2 star prices, so their site comes in handy. And thanks to their specially designed 'iPhone' version of their site, I could click through results and find deals on hotels, all within my browser. But the feel of an app was there, and the ease of use. I wasn't zooming in and zooming out all the time.
Another example was Google Reader, their free tool for saving and managing subscriptions to RSS Feeds. There are some apps that offer these tools, but thanks to some decent iPhone styling, I can pull up Google Reader on my iPhone's web browser, and it's simple to click around and read stuff. Nothing fancy looking, but it works, it's free, and I can take it with me anywhere.
Everyone's (Not) Doing It
Not everyone's presenting their content in both an online and iPhone/mobile form, yet. But it's a good idea, especially for high traffic sites. I would bet the cost of developing these mobile versions is comparable to creating an app, and there's no wait for Apple's iPhone approval process (I've heard it's not easy to get in).
Expedia.com was another site I've used for travel, but using that site on the iPhone was not so user-friendly. It can work in a pinch, but when the site provides an iPhone version of their content, it makes me want to come back again. To me, it works as well as an app. Which is a good thing.
Next Up
Obviously, now I need to do a mobile version of my own website, so that's next. I'll post back once I've got something running!
Some Additional Links
Styling for the iPhone
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/putyourcontentinmypocket/
Detecting iPhone for Websites
http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/creating/iphone.html
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