Friday, April 7th, 2006
Ajax to Make Mobile Web 2.0 a Reality?
Mobile applications, while getting much better, have been floundering on the edge of things (besides the ones that just push out content like ringtones and games, of course), seem bit too slow for most of us fast-paced, short attention spanned individuals. Sure, there are some exceptions out there, but on the whole, there’s just not that much appeal. Fortunately, it seems like things might be turning around - and it’s thanks to Ajax.
Ajit Jaokar writes in his new article on the LinuxWorld Magazine site that Ajax just might be the “hallmark of mobile Web 2.0″.
Recently, Opera announced the availability of AJAX on mobile devices through their browser. Considering the popularity of Opera in the browser market (especially in the mobile browser market), this announcement is indeed very significant. Having been involved in creating mobile services for a few years now, I believe AJAX will replace both Java ME and XHTML as the platform of choice for developing mobile applications.
He goes on to back that statement up with comments that he knows “web 2.0 mobile” is more than just Ajax on a cellphone, but also that the momentum behind Ajax development combined with a current lack of simple, easy to use development methods could drive Ajax up in the ranks even faster.
He compares Ajax to other technologies currently being used to develop mobile applications (like Java ME and XHTML), and notes three problems that, no matter the platform, you’ll still see when developing these apps. It’s his opinion, thought, that Ajax will eventually make its move and overtake the slower, “seriously flawed” model that the Java ME camps have followed up until now.
“Mobile applications, while getting much better, have been floundering on the edge of things”
Must be why it’s a billion dollar or so business.
Opera? Oh yeah, the group that just did their browser in Java ME.
To say mobile Ajax will “replace” XHTML in my opinion is misleading, but moreso just inaccurate; ajax certainly does not replace XHTML on the web, it is a complimentary technology/approach - though I’m no expert in the area, I’d imagine this reasoning also applies to the mobile platform. I’m a fan of XHTML/CSS/JS, but I think Flash also has a lot of potential for interactive mobile apps/games, etc.
[...] ajaxian.com/archives/ajax-to-make-mobile-web-20-a-reality [...]
I agree with Scott here - Ajax doesn’t replace XHTML, it works with it. Without some XHTML to manipulate, what is Ajax doing?!
There are some other funnies in that article, too - sentences like “The AJAX engine is written in JavaScript as a JavaScript library and sits in a hidden frame.”
Hmmm. Does it? Always? In a hidden frame? Um..what? I’m not overly convinced that particular author is very much of an expert in this area.
Good point about the woeful fragmentation of J2ME though.
[...] Ajax to Make Mobile Web 2.0 a Reality? [...]
[...] Ajaxian » Mobile Friday, April 7th, 2006 Ajax to Make Mobile Web 2.0 a Reality? [...]
I believe AJAX will replace both Java ME and XHTML as the platform of choice for developing mobile applications
Right… just a minute after it replaces Java and C++ for desktop applications.
Get real folks, and don’t overhype AJAX. It’s a great technology, but it has it’s own uses, it’s now good for everything.
When do you think ringtones will be gone and phones will just be like mp2 players?
vicodin
awkward wetter!mounts Sammy subexpressions must buy viagra online http://buyviagraonline.infoxz.com/
Web 2.0 here. Ajax there.
Is it such a phreaking revolution?
Good, old-fashioned useability and design seems to be forgotten - as long as there are rounded corners, boxes-to-move and other fun stuff, it is optimal.
Two years after this prediction is becoming a reality, today many mobile browsers support AJAX, the list is impressive:
Opera Mini 4, Opera Mobile 8.6, NetFront 3.5, Minimo 0.2, IE Mobile 6 (Windows Mobile 6), iPhone/iPod Touch, Android, S60WebKit (S60 3rd of Nokia phones), Iris 1.0.8 and QtWebKit embedded (Qt 4.4).
Some frameworks like ItsNat are exploiting this capability to bring the web 2.0 to the mobile world avoiding the tedious page to page navigation.