This project is about 5 years overdue – but since all my time was being burned keeping track of 240 Rush Limbaugh affiliates, it never got done.
The first step is to accurately detect if you’re using a “mobile” device (this would not include laptops that are full blown computers with big screens). I’ve added some basic logic to the security module (which everything goes through) to see if you are using a mobile device – iPod, iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry – and set a flag. I’ve noticed that on other sites, phones are given special treatment different than iPads – because of the smaller screen and the presumption that could be on a restricted wireless data plan. That’s something I probably should also work to detect.
If the web site thinks you’re using a mobile device, it will now show “Mobile Device Edition” up in the upper left hand corner. As you get time, let me know by posting to the blog if your mobile device is reported that properly – I need most to hear from people using non-Apple devices like android phones.
Right now, that message is the only effect on mobile devices, but that will change shortly.
Please post your observations about what you want the web site to do differently if you’re on a cell phone or iPad… [writing an SRGuide “App” is off the table due to the patent and copyright implications]. The first thing I’m almost positive I want to do is make “Compact mode” the default on phones.
As I’ve pointed out myself, a common problem with web sites is you say “Yes I am on a phone – but please give me the Full Website” and after two clicks, you’re back to the spartan mobile menu again.
if you folks keep doing your part on reviewing the web sites, the front door will eventually open again with something that I’m proud to operate. I’ll do what I do best – which is improving the programming. Let’s do it.
I don’t see the Mobile Device msg at the top left, right, or anywhere on my Android.
Interesting – the web log shows you running Chrome, but using Windows NT 6.1 (aka Windows 7.1)
Is the browser set to send an alternate user agent string and pretend you are using Windows?
Most of the time I’m using chrome on a windows7 pc.
I thought I would try out the mobile interface using my LG android smarting phone.
But when I just now tried, i see the Mobile Device Edition on my phone (not what I’m using to post this).
The mobile edition looks very good.
So far, that message is the only difference. If I leave it in place that people have to log in, then I can stop storing settings in the browser cookies.
It’s interesting the things I’ve learned the past couple weeks about web hosting services and wireless connections. When you’re in a vehicle going down the road and you are handed off between phone carriers, making it so the stream doesn’t stop working takes some cleverness.
The cell phone companies are doing real world trials now on LTE Multicast, which is more similar to SiriusXM than to the current streaming. If it works, it is Katy Bar the door on what happens next, and “Over the Air” radio may not even have a seat at the table – which means neither does this guide. Evolve or die.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2014/05/verizon-wireless-lte-multicast.html
I get the Mobile Device Edition wording on my Android phone.
Excellent – now the part two. How should the web site behave differently, once it realizes that? Should behavior change if I detect you’re connecting wirelessly?
Keep in mind that I don’t show streaming links – some other places make a point of pointing out bit rates, but my sense is that information can be unreliable due to automatic speed adaption