Being able to use mu iPod to write a post seemed like something I would never want to do. After last week with not having any updates, this week I decided to give it a try. Amazingly enough it isn’t that bad. The only thing I’m missing is the total control over my picture inserts. But otherwise I find it isn’t too bad. Most surprisingly is that the auto spell check fixes all my fat finger mistypes before I even realize it. Overall the wordpress app isn’t too bad.
Ever notice that every website you go to these days seems to be asking you to install their app instead of viewing a mobile version of their website. Is it really a good idea to keep developing apps instead of maintaining a simple website? It’s a question that I imagine all the sites ask but I’d like to know the research behind it for why they lean one way or another.
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Did you write this entire post on the iPod? I’ll have to check this out. Wonder if I can comment via my iPod Touch ….
Yup. Entire thing was written on my iPod touch.
The Android phone has an interesting way of typing. The keyboard looks the same as the iPhone/iPod, but you can keep your finger down on the touch screen and zig-zag to the letters you want. Every time your finger changes direction over a key, that key is typed in. I didn’t get a chance to try it myself, but it looked a little better than the iPod method.
I’ve heard some good criticism for the trend of app-dependancy. Including in this article: “Mobile App or Browser-Based Site?” (http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/mobile_app_or_browser-based_site.php). On the other hand, some of the user experiences with apps go above and beyond the web version. The New York Times had a good article on this — some of these apps, though are not based on a website: (http://nyti.ms/bytE9Q). Then, regarding usability, author Robert Hoekman points out in an interview that the limitations of apps are encouraging designers to really nail the principles of how to design a good Web application (http://bit.ly/cjTjWq).
My wish is that more websites would have better versions of their pages for mobile and mobile touch. Starting with Moodle!
The Android keyboard you are talking about is called the Swipe entry method. Last I knew it was only available on rooted phones, but I think it was going to be included in the newer 2.2 update. I know my 2.1 phone doesn’t have it.
Did you get any error messages while trying to use the WordPress app? I installed it on the iPad and finally was able to access my site but am unable to compose, comment or view.
Regarding mobile versions versus apps, sometimes I end up having to go to the mobile site instead of using the app because the app doesn’t work right. My tdbank app does that frequently. It does seem like it would be costly to maintain both a mobile version and an app.
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