This image by Twitter summarizes the various mobile device platforms and draws vividly that the smartphone and tablet environment is something each company should take seriously when considering how they want to best serve the growing number of mobile device users. Twitter has developed native apps for each relevant smartphone and tablet in the US market taking a strong argument for native app development. Another or an additional route is to optimize web media to display optimally in mobile devices without requirements (or encouragement) to download iOS or Google Android apps. For instance, Facebook considers its website to display optimally on an iPad and has not (so far) developed a native app. Many newspapers and online magazines on the other hand are fully engaging in iPad app based online magazine production but still figuring out how to handle raising advertising money and subscriptions on this new platform.
How to position in the growing mobile market of smartphones and tablets? There are currently many options for a company to choose from, and here is just the surface:
- Develop website only, optimized for mobile devices but not displayed in any mobile specific ways.
- Develop website + iPhone version prompted upon visiting a site via iPhone (not app).
- Develop website + iPhone app.
- Develop website + iPhone version prompted upon visiting a site via iPhone (not app) + iPhone app.
- Develop website + iPhone app + iPad app.
- Develop website + iPhone version prompted upon visiting a site via iPhone (not app) + iPhone app + iPad app.
- Develop website + iPhone app + Android mobile app.
- Develop website + iPhone app + iPad app + Android mobile app.
This list would continue with any other alternative scenario by combining variables above. Dallas iOS app developer Interaria will be reviewing specific examples of mobile media within this framework during this week.
