WML -- whats next?

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alex.barylski
DevNet Evangelist
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Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:00 pm
Location: Winnipeg

WML -- whats next?

Post by alex.barylski »

I need a way to fill out a very simple form (about 6 fields) using a cell phone (basic cell phone) and I was thinking now might be the time to investigate WML. Then a friend of mine shows me his iPHone and how easy it is to view a normal web page, zoom in and enter new records, view listings, etc.

This kind of left me with a dilema...iPhone is clearly capable but with only about 5-15% of mobile users in Canada using that, with another 25-35% using Blackberry and other devices and the remainder having basic cell phones.

What technology do you rely on so that mobile users can add, remove listings data from thei web site remotely?
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Chris Corbyn
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: WML -- whats next?

Post by Chris Corbyn »

WML hasn't died yet then?! Wow... seems like such a useless markup language ;)

Don't most mobile devices just display actual HTML pages now? Blackberries in particular? I'm sure this isn't just an iPhone thing... iPhine just made it a little easier to navigate.
alex.barylski
DevNet Evangelist
Posts: 6267
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:00 pm
Location: Winnipeg

Re: WML -- whats next?

Post by alex.barylski »

WML hasn't died yet then?! Wow... seems like such a useless markup language
Agreed. Haha

I'm not sure whether most phones render HTML. Probably. Even mine does, unfortunately the screen is so small it's senseless and I'm not sure you can actually enter form data, I never tried. :P

I figured a simplified interface that did nothing but show a basic interface would be best, then again you could proabbly get away with using a none styled FORM...so I have no idea what I'm talking about :)
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Chris Corbyn
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: WML -- whats next?

Post by Chris Corbyn »

I think you should research it to be sure, but I'd say you'll be able to get away with using HTML and just have it optimized for small screen devices.

Many websites detect from the user-agent string when you're on a mobile, then they send to a subdomain like mobile.domain.com or iphone.domain.com with a different set of templates.
alex.barylski
DevNet Evangelist
Posts: 6267
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:00 pm
Location: Winnipeg

Re: WML -- whats next?

Post by alex.barylski »

any websites detect from the user-agent string when you're on a mobile, then they send to a subdomain like mobile.domain.com or iphone.domain.com with a different set of templates.
Thats a good idea actually...I've seen those conditionals before so if I search I'm sure I'd find something. Thanks :)
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