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September 06, 2007
the mobile web just arrived
A lot of folks have been doing excellent work making the mobile web a reality, not least of them Opera, with their excellent mini and mobile browsers.
But the mobile web isn't just about browsers - though of course good browser are vital.
It's about devices that can use the web as seamlessly as possible - the problem traditionally has been browsers run on mobile phones, and these have UIs designed for (well if designed for anything) texting and making phone calls
It's about affordable bandwidth - typically data charges over the mobile networks worldwide have been prohibitively expensive
The Blackberry got these things right when it comes to emailing - the combination of an acceptable user experience, coupled with transparent and not unreasonable pricing for data saw blackberry take a stranglehold on mobile emailing, despite the many year head start of pioneers like Palm
I think today the mobile web got its blackberry - the iPhone Touch - essentially the phoneless iPhone I begged for when the iPhone was anounced.
Not available 'til later this month, not announced for Australia as yet, but I'll be getting one as soon as possible, which is rare for me.
September 6, 2007 | Permalink
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Comments
they have a buyer in me too. it makes me almost physically sick how amazing the UI is on these things. so jealous.
Posted by: Pete Ottery | Sep 6, 2007 9:47:20 AM
The Touch looks nice, but I'll wait until they put the interface onto a large-capacity 'pod. The problem of wifi scarcity still holds it all back as well.
Posted by: Ben Buchanan | Sep 6, 2007 10:25:26 AM
Probably got a buyer in me to, even though my phone does everything the phonless iphone does (albeit with only 2Gb of storage) and more: bluetooth, mobile data and make phone calls. The touch is so damn sexy.
Mobile data in Au is not that expensive if you are with the right carrier. $40 for 2Gb a month at up to 1.8Mbps on 3. You need a phone plan with them but the minimum is the same as line rental for broadband $20 a month, but that $20 on a plan translates into calls, not something you get when paying line rental. Mobile data rates has come along in the last 12 months when you where paying 2.2cents a kb.
Posted by: Nick Cowie | Sep 6, 2007 12:39:01 PM
Ben,
not in my house it doesn't ;-)
But seriously - it' a chicken and egg - the more demand for wifi, the more likely we are to see it. Say hello to demand ;-)
john
Posted by: John Allsopp | Sep 6, 2007 12:40:01 PM
You can order them now, in Australia, estimated availability September 28th
That would be the second day of Web Directions!
Already ordered
john
Posted by: John Allsopp | Sep 7, 2007 8:38:24 AM
High on my wish list: It would be great if they could function as a wifi remote for iTunes and Airport Express.
John, bring it to the conference so we can live vicariously through your purchase! :-)
Posted by: gavin jacobi | Sep 7, 2007 2:44:03 PM
Gavin,
oh, don't worry - if it has arrived, it will be there!
john
Posted by: John Allsopp | Sep 7, 2007 3:02:34 PM
