Web users have gotten very good at finding what they’re seeking online. But with today’s proliferation of mobile phones, PDAs, and palmtop computers that can access the Web, search becomes much more challenging — and interesting.
Currently there are only a few ways to search the Web via a mobile device — although there SHOULD be more, in my opinion.
The first method is the most familiar: We type search terms into a little box and hit submit for results. As long as the Web server produces valid XHTML code and mobile-friendly style sheets (CSS), most phones will display results without too much trouble. This is how many mobile sites that offer search do it.
Another method uses SMS (text messaging) and allows users to search via text message rather than using Web forms. This can yield faster results if you have little or no access to a strong WAP (wireless application protocol) signal. Depending upon your carrier’s packages, SMS can also be used without a data plan (which is usually much cheaper than a full data plan).
A good example of this is Google’s SMS service. If you happen to have a text message plan for your mobile device, try this: Send a text message to 466453 (GOOGLE) containing this message: pizza and [your zip code]. You should get a text message back from Google with three or four top-ranked listings, along with click-to-call links to contact those restaurants.
You can also transmit links within the text message response. My paper, the Houston Chronicle, offers a good example of this. See the classified ad platform on our mobile site. Here’s another interesting test: Send a text message to 24766 (CHRON) containing the message ford mustang. You will receive a text message back telling you how many results this search produced, with links to the mobile search results (if you have a WAP access).
This is pretty useful, but still not perfect.
Within the last year, the popularity of location-based services like Brightkite, Google Maps, and Fire Eagle has skyrocketed. Your mobile device’s internal GPS (or triangulation from cell towers, if your device doesn’t have GPS), can determine your location and allow you to simply search for the word pizza to produce local results.
We will begin to see more of these services over the next few years. However, I think we can do even better than that.
As I’ve said in the past, our mobile phones are audio devices first and foremost. Let’s put that audio technology to good use.
I want to speak “Find Starbucks” into my phone to trigger a Google Maps search, or speak “Browse CNN” to auto-dial a browser bookmark. Surfing the Internet hands-free might be extremely useful when I’m driving a car, walking the dog, or even pedaling a bicycle.
With mobile devices like Apple’s iPhone and Google’s upcoming Android platform the possibilities are nearly endless.
Let’s push the limits.
Resources that can help you get started with mobile web development:
- Dev.Mobi: A website dedicated to mobile web development
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Blue Flavor’s Web development guide is a good start — and they’re nice folks too.
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Mobile Web Development by Nirav Mehta. A more in-depth look at mobile development
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Mobile Web Design by Cameron Moll. A great introduction to the mobile Web
Guest contributor David Herrold is Online Operations Manager for the Houston Chronicle. He is interested in: mobile technology, social media, Web design, usability, Web publishing, search engine optimization, and management strategies. This Tidbit was adapted from his July 25 blog post.
