The web was designed for browsing.
Now we want to connect more but the web is not designed for connecting. This is why the Facebook web page does not feel “right”.

Mobile apps are free from the web browsing model, free from the “sit at your computer” model, and have therefore an opportunity to connect better.

From the point of view of a web designer/developer, I can’t deny that there is a shift of focus in the air. Using the web, with a conventional mouse and keyboard is already starting to feel archaic when you compare the experience to a touch screen.

I think the introduction of higher res hand-held devices like the iPad are going to impact the industry I work in (web), but as you said, this can be in a positive way.

IMO practitioners that clutch to the traditional web experience will be left behind. Maybe not now, but within the next 2-3 years.

At the end of the day we’re creating experiences for ‘users’ and if it turns out that 80% of people choose mobile over traditional web, then I know where I’m going to be…

However, this kind of device got special requirements as well, most of all due to the size of the screen itself which could be one of the reasons why a regular website such as facebook for example doesn’t work well. (Admittedly, the user experience of facebook isn’t better on a larger screen either)

This said I think right now and probably even in the future, both will complement each other and so it’s definitely a chance for designers, especially if the technology gap will be closed by HTML5 and CSS3 sometime soon.

1. You forget to mentiont hat the mobile landscape is fragmented when it comes to apps. Developing the same app for the iPhone and Android is doable (though repeating some code); beyond that – no thanks.

2. Burst that tech-geek bubble and get out into the real world and see how many people are (NOT) using iPhones/Androids. It’s rather a lot of people. Here in the UK the only place I’ve seen a take-up that would make me choose an app over a webapp was in central London, and quite a few were Blackberry devices.

Yes, an app’s interface can be very polished, and browsers/webapp developers need easy ways to leverage an improved UI (and gain for free what a phone can give). But does that say the end of the web app? I think not…

Of course, Apple, Google, Microsoft and other like native mobile apps. Native apps encourage their users not to abandon their products. But they are not cost-effective to produce for multiple platforms. And they do not encourage rapid development or iterations.

Like others here, I would rather see us embrace the open mobile web and promote web technologies and standards. Already we are seeing a fragmentation in browsers (WebKit vs non-Webkit) that is bad for users and developers.

The apps are just a new way of using the Web, not replace it.

It’s just a matter of time (actually a matter of the increase of usage) before the apps get advertising too.

I do see a bright future for mobile web! I’m looking forward to the time when third world countries can join in, trough affordable smart phones!

The challenge for businesses in the future will be how to give people web services and still make money off of them. If everybody uses the ad free app, how does the proprietor still make money without compromising simplified the user experience people obviously want.

Another thing to consider is the fact Google is making a big push for fiber optic networks that blows todays ISP service out of the water to the tune of 100ish times the speed. If this gains steam (c’mon, it’s Google, it’ll gain steam), we could, in a short period of time, have online Photoshop and 3D Animation type programs at our fingertips. I don’t know about you, but there is no way in hell I’d do any real design work or animation on a phone. A browser app though, sure, I’d try it.

Long story short, I think many desktop apps may take a hit, traditional websites with better functionality might take their market share, and mobile will quickly crest (in 2-3 years). There’s only so much crap you want to do on your phone.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

By the way I’m from Colombia and you have one more follower on twitter ;)

See U!

On the other hand a mobile website that’s designed specifically for mobile can be much more cost effective.

Take Japan for instance. Mobile phone use has always been years ahead there than in the US or UK and for years companies have been deploying effective mobile applications over what is effectively an advanced version of WAP and driving revenue on small handsets.

If people return to the point of what they are trying to achieve with mobile and not being gimicky with apps, then I think mobile websites would increase in popularity.

Campaign monitor created an effective mobile app using jQuery Touch so it’s browser based and works like a native iPhone app and is perfect to use. You can even create an application icon for it that boots up Safari – now that’s cost effective stuff.

For more info on mobile and an article I wrote (sorry I know I wrote it but I believe it’s related and of value like this article) on planning mobile marketing, there’s an article on wise marketer (needs free registration but it’s a great site), here: http://bit.ly/bcKoDb

Although my article above does use social networking as the example I do also prefer the apps for eBay, I Love Film and Amazon too instead of their corresponding websites. But, I would still use their websites more than I would the sites for Twitter and Facebook.

Rob.

Glad it caught your attention :) Thanks for commenting.

Rob.

Good point. I think advertising on the Facebook app would spoil it somewhat.

I too get frustrated with the adverts on the website and all of the ‘reconnect to person x’ etc. I think that probably is a large part of why I turn to the app first, for now at least.

Rob.

Hmmmmm, perhaps it wasn’t the best turn of phrase for me to use :)

Rob.

Thanks for your comments. I haven’t used touch.facebook.com but will check it out and try to comment soon.

Thanks

Rob.

We do not have to change the web to fit in iPhones, iPads and etc, this itens must change to fit the web. Its impossible keep many versions of an page online and updated, it reminds me when we have one site to each navigator agent.

The wolrd of moment for me its make all Standard.

However, I’m not necessarily a fan of mobile sites. Biggest gripe are websites that “force you” into their mobile versions without a choice or a clear, easy-to-spot link (which should always be right at the top) to exit them quickly (such as Amazon & YouTube, grrr!) That right there should be a HUGE No-No to website owners, ie:

Do Not take away my freedom to choose whether I want your regular site or your mobile version. Often, a regular site is much preferable since I can “pinch & zoom” my way around it.

When it comes to Twitter, though, the apps are great.

(Since I spend so much time using iPhone for everything, when I do have to use the laptop again, I noticed it is so much harder to use the mouse since I am now totally “touch-trained” :)