Tag Archives: smartphone

3/4 of Australian websites are not optimized for smartphones

Posted on by Vaughan Rivett

A news article on a New Zealand website claims that 3/4 of Australian websites are not optimized for smartphones.  I shudder to think what this may be like for New Zealand websites.  Recently, I have seen comment that some ISP’s are reporting that mobile data usage is now exceeding that of other connection types.

It is now important that websites are developed to cater for mobile devices, while still providing traditional users with the full features which they would expect on a full browser based site.  The problem which is now created, is that for many sites, a massive “refresh” will be required.  Not only, that, but the site will need to be developed with support for multiple browsers and devices.  I am yawning while writing this.  Yes, a big job ahead.

What’s required is a set of development tools which enable a developer to code once, in a way which will allow content to be available in an agnostic manner.  The content must be able to be separated from the presentation layer (what the user sees).  By doing so, the content will be able to be displayed appropriately once a device has been detected.

This is where Lotus Domino Server based websites can protect the investment companies make during website creation.  Through the use of a new approach to programing, content can be easily rendered to the appropriate device, while data is aggregated from multiple sources to a single screen.  The nuts and bolts (security, reusable code, etc…) may already exist, allowing for the rapid creation of websites which are optimized for today’s technologies.

I predict a new question in just 2 years time – What shall I buy, a phone or a PC?

Posted on by Vaughan Rivett

I think that this is quite a safe prediction, what shall I buy, a phone or a PC?  In just another two years this will be the question which will be running through the mind of consumers, but probably not businesses.

Today, I have a smartphone which is able to do almost all that I need and as a result, I could almost live without a PC.  With the age of internet applications, there is little need for much more than a web browser.  I see businesses in a rush to retire desktop applications, in favor of a web browser.  Not only that, but so far this year, the number of smartphones sold has well surpassed the number of desktop computers.

So why is this something that will be on the mind of consumers, but probably not businesses?  The modern business is supporting BYO (bring your own) devices.  I doubt that it will be long before an allowance is included within a salary package to allow for a personal choice in mobile device.

Here are some interesting facts:

  • 72 percent of firms surveyed by Aberdeen Group say they allow employees to use their own smartphones or tablets for work;
  • A recent IDC survey said that 95 percent of workers have used technology they purchased for themselves for work;
  • Global mobile data traffic is projected to grow 26 times over the next five years, according to a Kleiner-Perkins slideshare presentation.

I work with a number of service providers which are enabling businesses to keep up with this trend, taking legacy applications and converting them to applications which can adapt to the device being used.  Often the result is a much better user experience.