My favorite blog put up a great article on Mobile web trends today. They have some great resources available and it gives a good perspective on where things are moving with the mobile web. The startups to watch was the most interesting to me, I’m definitely going to check out those sites…
The What’s Next section was also very interesting. But there’s one issue that I keep thinking about that will probably slow down development on applications that actually use some of those fancy technologies. I’m talking about hardware that the phone has but that the browser cant use! GPS, sensoring, biometics, image recognition, etc… most of these things will require the user to download and install an application to use the actual hardware on the device. I’m really curious to see how things develop. I own a phone with GPS built in and I wish there was a way to build a webapp that could access the user’s location (with permission of course).
Maybe its just me, but I sort of avoid downloading and installing things on my phone. And as a developer I would rather spend my time developing web applications that can be used by many different types of phones without having to make special releases for every make and model that exists.
“Apple’s recent announcement that it is allowing third party developers to create applications on the iPhone will have tremendous effects on the healthcare industry.”Web2.0Journal
Ok this has gone too far. I accidentally stumbled onto this iPhone article that also claims the phone is going change the healthcare industry. I’m not sure who started all this but I have a feeling people are writing about this only because a few other blogs mentioned it. Just look at how many people are blabbing about this topic. Google: iPhone Healthcare
Im sure some physicians got all excited over the Epocrates Video and now everyone thinks the iPhone is the only phone that can do what was presented. I also find it humorous how the web2journal article mentions how valuable the phone camera is. Um, last time I checked almost EVERY SINGLE phone has a camera on it now and it usually takes 1 click to send it through email to anyone you want.
“The iPhone’s functionality is undisputed – as a phone, camera, media device and web browser all in one device – who needs anything else?”
What smart phone CAN’T do those things? I’d sure like to know.
Now you might think I’m all anti-iphone, but I’m really not. I think it’s a great phone and I actually have plans to develop something for it. Actually, what we’re going to do is port over our Google Android app to the iPhone. I think the phone itself it slick and really pretty. But the features that everyone wets their pants about aren’t revolutionary. Why does it feel like its taboo to talk negative about the iPod and iPhone. I know I’m not the only one who questions all the hype around these products. Is it because secretly everyone wants one? Maybe.
My biggest issue with the iPhone is that you have to own a Mac to develop on it. They refuse to create the IDE and SDK for windows or any other OS. I guess the outrageous price is a big issue too.
I’d like to meet a developer who writes stuff for Apple products. Do they really exist? I’ve never seen one. I bet they’re just busy listening to their iPods with the Easter Bunny somewhere.
Check out the full screen android phone! So pretty!
The trackball is an interesting feature. Maybe it will be possible to actually play a type of shooter on it? I’m not sure how you would move around though. Still, very exciting to see an actual phone running Android!
And here I thought $10 Million was awesome from Android… Now Apple wants to invest $100 Million into startups to get some apps rolling out for the iPhone.
