| Developers for mobile phone applications have | | | | far, this has already happened to certain |
| started to make applications that work with the | | | | companies and certain sites. A company could |
| browser. The reason is that there is an advantage | | | | change their browser so these applications do not |
| to making one application that can work with a | | | | work at all. While it doesn't seem user friendly, |
| variety of phones and phone platforms versus | | | | this is a practice that will most likely continue. If |
| porting the application to each individual platform | | | | you don't like this as a user, stop supporting |
| and device. If accessed on the web, it can reach | | | | companies that do this. |
| a far larger market. While there are these | | | | Another issue to consider is that web based |
| advantages, there are also some limitations to | | | | mobile applications need a constant internet |
| consider. | | | | connection. For many in areas with good wireless |
| First, the developer must make sure the phone | | | | coverage this isn't much of an issue. The problem |
| works on all browsers. At some point in time | | | | is that at times there could be poor connectivity |
| there will be a variety of competing mobile | | | | meaning that an application that is installed on the |
| browsers just like it is on the desktop. The | | | | phone at this point becomes superior. Some on |
| developer must constantly test the mobile | | | | their plans come with limited bandwidth. These |
| application in each of these after an update to | | | | users might not want to risk going over their |
| make sure that the software continues to work | | | | bandwidth and might prefer to use installed |
| correctly. | | | | applications instead. |
| There is some huge risk in having a web only | | | | While there are these limitations, it seems that |
| application or a phone. What happens if a | | | | developing for the browser versus the platform |
| manufacturer or phone company blocks the | | | | will be easiest in the long run especially as more |
| application or site the application is hosted on. So | | | | mobile platforms become popular. |