Mobile Web Reference
Mobile development and testing
Device detection, media queries
- Device and feature detection on the mobile web: Describes current approaches in client and server-side device and feature detection. Also introduces the concept of device groupings and content adaptation.
- How to serve correct content to mobile browsers: An article by Opera introducing common methods to detect browser characteristics and serve the appropriate content.
- A very modern mobile switching algorithm part 1: Detailed article by James Pearce about device detection principles. Code samples are included in part 2.
- Lightweight device detection in php: A short article from dotMobi that includes a sample detection script.
- Device Atlas Personal: An introduction to the cloud-based version of the DeviceAtlas device database.
- Designing and Developing mobile web sites in the real world: A two part article written by Brian Suda for Opera describing mobile web development approaches. Part 1 covers general principles around mobile contest of use while Part 2 discusses device detection and provides a case study.
- DotMobi mobile web developer's guide: A few years old now but still quite useful as it includes an overview of the various W3C mobile web guidelines.
- Mobile developers guide to the galaxy: Not mobile web specific, but provides a good overview of the industry.
- Safe media queries: An article by Opera showing safe and problematic uses of media queries.
- Mobile compatibility table: Peter Paul Koch's extensive mobile browser tests. Some tests are out of date however new tests may be coming soon. Note this page is not mobile friendly.
- Return of the mobile style sheet: Great introductory article by Dominique Hazael-Massieux of the W3C. Includes one of the best explanations i've found to date of the state of the media type.
- Luke Wroblewski's mobile first approach.
- Rethinking the mobile web: Our presentation on developing for mobile first. (Slide Share)
- Guidelines for web content transformation proxies: A working draft of the proposed W3C guidelines to ensure equitable use of proxy services.
- W3C mobile web initiative: Parent group for the various W3C mobile working groups.
Emulators and on-device testing
- Testing mobile web sites using Firefox: A short tutorial from dotMobi on the use of Firefox add-ons to emulate device user agent strings on the desktop.
- Forum Nokia's device and feature detection sampler: A sample device capabilities detection page we created to complement the Forum Nokia device detection article. Point your mobile browser to forum.nokia.com/device-detection for a quick snapshot of HTML 5 and JavaScript support along with the device user agent, screen size and media query response.
- W3C mobile test harness: This working group is now closed but the test harness remains as a handy reference to device capabilities. Source code for each test is provided. Note that while the individual tests are mobile friendly, the main test harness pages are not.
- W3C Mobile OK basic tests: A list of tests used to assess W3C "Mobile OK" status.
- W3C mobile compatibility tests 1 and 2: Small series of tests for data gathering purposes. Test 2 does provide output however.
- Remote device access: A free service from Forum Nokia that enables remote testing of web sites and applications on live S60 devices. For S40 devices, see Device Anywhere or Perfecto Mobile.
- DeviceAnywhere: Cloud based remote device testing service.
- Perfecto Mobile: Cloud based remote device testing service.
- Opera Mobile Emulator: A desktop emulator specially designed to test content for Opera Mobile. A follow-up article describes how it works. Also see, Remote debugging with Opera Dragonfly.
Stephanie is a designer and closet anthropologist with a passion for the many ways people interact with technology. With a diverse background, Stephanie's expertise lies in marrying design, technology and business goals to craft simple, elegant experiences. A compulsive researcher, Stephanie is always keen to discover and share insights on the mobile web and mobility trends in emerging economies.