Suppose that you have an existing website/web app.

What is the easiest way to make it suitable for mobile phones? Let's say Android, to be concrete.

I'm contemplating the following two options:

1) Just make a new style sheet for mobile phones.
2) Actually write an Android application that communicates with my web app.

In both cases I'd be hiring out the labor.

Any comments/suggestions from those who have some experience with this type of stuff?

If you're app has a solid seperation of front & back-end, you can (which is what most folks do):

1. Write a JS/CSS (HTML5) version using one of the many frameworks (JQ Mobile, Sancha Touch 2, etc) and, well, that might do it. If you want to go the extra mile, you can PhoneGap it and make it native.
OR
2. If all you care about is having your app accessible in mobile, add media queries to your stylesheet (look at SASS/Compass, or, if you're using a CSS frameworks like 960.gs, you can try the Impact.js) that adapts your site to any screen, PC or Mobile.

delomos: If you're app has a solid seperation of front & back-end, you can (which is what most folks do):

1. Write a JS/CSS (HTML5) version using one of the many frameworks (JQ Mobile, Sancha Touch 2, etc) and, well, that might do it. If you want to go the extra mile, you can PhoneGap it and make it native.
OR
2. If all you care about is having your app accessible in mobile, add media queries to your stylesheet (look at SASS/Compass, or, if you're using a CSS frameworks like 960.gs, you can try the Impact.js) that adapts your site to any screen, PC or Mobile.

Which typically looks better?

I suspect #2 will be easier for me. I use Sass/Compass and 960.gs. I'll take a look at this Impact.js as well.

#2 is easier, #1 feels more native and much more flexible

Both might require some JS-fu skills, but I think the investment in #1 is worth the learning (at least browse through their respective docs).

I don't have the time (or interest, really) to learn it...I'll hire it out.

you can use nokia web tools.. It's an sdk that lets you modify web apps for nokia mobiles using html5, javascript and CSS. Am sure if done well or with a little tweaking any stuff you design there can be used across multiple mobile platforms

Nice one you all. Great to see some educative pointers on this medium.......not the usual everyday no value add nonsense!!!

Please keep it up!!

u can use dudamobile.com its a web converter to mobile applicable 4 all phones its a css and html applicable application

Selectin "all media" on ur css is d easiest way, but not optimised for some mobile devices wit smaller screen.
Seun shld tell us how he did his own NL. I enjoy NL on my nokia mobile device. My site is ok on mobile device but still seekin beta options.

Nice thread!

i bet i stumbled into the wrong place

These guys don't speak english, they speak.... i dont know.

I wrote a completely seperate stylesheet for my website.

ekt_bear:
I don't have the time (or interest, really) to learn it...I'll hire it out.

Yes, you can, but just to let you know, JS is a must-have toolkit in any modern dev'er box -- so even if not now, you might be forced to later. And quite frankly, dev'ing for mobile is getting more exciting by the day.

So while you can source it out, it might be nice to understand your deliverable expectations.

27naira:

i bet i stumbled into the wrong place

These guys don't speak english, they speak.... i dont know.

but its not late at all for you to learn the language,cos am getting started to learn this funky language and i think i'd love it.

JUST USE JQUERY MOBILE [ITS DEAD SIMPLE] OR IF YOU ARE VERY LAZY LIKE ME THE BLACKBERRY WEBWORKS SDK WUD BE YOUR BEST BET NO CODING REQUIRED...LOL

media queries is easier and faster and you can even test with your desktop browser. Just minimize the browser to the viewport you specified in the media query

kanywoods: JUST USE JQUERY MOBILE [ITS DEAD SIMPLE] OR IF YOU ARE VERY LAZY LIKE ME THE BLACKBERRY WEBWORKS SDK WUD BE YOUR BEST BET NO CODING REQUIRED...LOL

but jquery mobile requires a seperate domain/sub domain or if i just insert the header scripts and css, would it just convert the website to mobile optimised


Blackberry webworks, haven't really understood it. In my case, i have an already developed website, how do i use these to optimise them for mobile

spikes C:

but jquery mobile requires a seperate domain/sub domain or if i just insert the header scripts and css, would it just convert the website to mobile optimised

Not necessarily, read the docs: http://jquerymobile.com/demos/1.1.0/#/demos/1.1.0/docs/about/intro.html

delomos:
Not necessarily, read the docs: http://jquerymobile.com/demos/1.1.0/#/demos/1.1.0/docs/about/intro.html

quite understood but just to be sure, i still must add those there data role and markups for the changes to be made?

if so, this still means i'll have to touch the semantics

ok, kind of found this too...am gonna test this on ma web development website.

Conventions, not requirements
Although the page structure outlined above is a recommended approach for a standard web app built with jQuery Mobile, the framework is very flexible with document structure. The page, header, content, and footer data-role elements are optional and are mostly helpful for providing some basic formatting and structure. The page wrapper that used to be required for auto-initialization to work is now optional for single page documents, so there isn't any required markup at all. For a web page with a custom layout, all of these structural elements can be omitted and the Ajax navigation and all widgets will work just like they do in the boilerplate structure. Behind the scenes, the framework will inject the page wrapper if it's not included in the markup because it’s needed for managing pages, but the starting markup can now be extremely simple.

Note that in a multi-page setup, you are required to have page wrappers in your markup in order to group the content into multiple pages.

jQuery mobile might be an option.

I have no problems setting up a separate m.whatever.com subdomain.

Hmm jquery seems the option for me.

Yeah, but you need to rewrite all your codes(output) and setup a redirect script(it fly's around the internet)

can u send me d way i can hack my E71.send it to my mail-charlesnosy@yahoo.com.i wan to install ttpod on my phone ,but it did not work.

27naira:

i bet i stumbled into the wrong place

These guys don't speak english, they speak.... i dont know.

Hahahahahaha!!! Sorry, Its not English Language, Its Programming Language.
I'm I right?

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