If anyone is interested in designing or developing WAP sites for mobile phones, I have found some very useful information and put together this list of 11 essential tools for mobile Web development. You can also learn more about Punchkick Interactive’s mobile WAP and Web Site development capabilities.
Tools and Resources:
1. Mobi Ready score
Get your free page analysis and Mobi Ready score. This report tests the mobile-readiness of your site using industry best practices & standards
2. XHTML mobile phone emulator
Type in your .com / .net / .org / .biz, etc. site address and you can check how your site looks to a typical mobile phone user. Available handsets are the Nokia n70 and a Sony K750.
3. Submit Your Mobile Site to yahoo.com
This form lets you submit a mobile site to yahoo.com so that the mobile site will be included in search results when someone searches via their mobile handset at http://wap.yahoo.com.
4. The Mobile Domainatron
The Mobile Domainatron demonstrates a domain name’s mobile usability including: Calculating total keystrokes required to input the domain name on a typical i-mode mobile.
5. Mimic
Mimic (formerly i-Mimic) emulates either an N400i (European) or N505i (Japanese) i-mode mobile. Simply enter a URL and select the mobile you want to emulate.
6. YOSPACE.com phone emulators
You can either use the free online emulator for the 40+ handsets or you can use the standalone developer version on your PC. From here you can download the standalone version with a restriction of 5 minutes of use. Alternatively, you can buy a single user license is £299 + UK VAT.
7. WURFL – the Wireless Universal Resource File
The WURFL is an XML configuration file which contains information about capabilities and features of several wireless devices. The main scope of the file is to collect as much information as possible about all the existing wireless devices that access WAP pages so that developers will be able to build better applications and better services for the users.
8. Article :: The Mobile Web Top 10
Pukupi’s top 10 hints for building interoperable mobile web sites really spells out much of what has been questioned regarding mobile Web site development.
9. Article :: Making Small Devices Look Great
Opera has put together this wonderful resource that gives code examples, tips, and emulator advice for developing mobile XHTML pages.
10. Article :: Global Authoring Practices for the Mobile Web
This document gives general guidelines for web developers and content authors who are searching for directions to help create sites for the mobile web.
11. Blog :: http://www.handheldusability.com/
Handheld Usability is the first book to cover the emerging field of handheld product design. The book covers everything from product design cycles to optimum menu length and audicon (audio-icon) characteristics. Read the first chapter and preview other sections here.
This list was meant to grow. If you would like to add to it, simply post a comment.
This is an excellent resource for all the Mobile Web Designers and Developers out there. You can also add this to your list Scott Weiss’ Handheld Usability . http://www.handheldusability.com
Sidhartha Bezbora
http://www.WirelessDuniya.com
Thanks for the comment. The book looks great. Have you read it?
Yah Ryan. I have a copy of that book. Its a very good book for the starters. By the way I am going to refer this Mobile WAP and Web Site Development Tools and Resources in my blog.
Sidhartha Bezbora
http://www.WirelessDuniya.com
thanks for compiling this list . it s really helpfull
That’s how I felt too Prashant.
Sidhartha, thanks for the link! I’ll grab the book of Amazon. Thanks.
Cameron Moll also has some great material at on mobile Web design:
http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000398.html
Great list. I don’t think many designers are taking mobile web design seriously enough. Your list is a good starting point.
Regards
I was looking for mobile WAP.Thanks for a short and nice description.
Once you develop your site make sure that you test across different devices. Your site will look and work different depending on which device your on. In order to understand the true user experience use DeviceAnywhere from Mobile Complete. This service allows you to remotely access real devices on real networks. Tools like DVR, Screen Capture, Input to Output Analysis, and Collaborative Development make DA the best development tool for mobile content.
Go to http://www.deviceanywhere.com to find out more and sign up for a free trial.
Please check out http://whatuseragent.com — a WURFL-based web service.
Hello Madam/Sir,
I represent the website http://www.onestopphoneshop.co.uk (a company selling cell phones), and after perusing your website I am keen on hosting some links on your site.
I will provide all required information, as well as the link text and the URL.
We will pay you if you place our one page advertisement in your site .
We want to place on page advertisement on your site.
Here is an example through which you will get some idea http://vteacher.net/ just log on to this website in the left navigation bar you will find a link of Mobile Phones. Just simply click the link and you will be directed to our one page advertisement
It would be great to hear from you about this. You can contact me on this email address.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Stuart Gray
stuart@crawlernet.com
Thanks 4 that.
a few I hadn’t seen b4
Excellent info. Designers taking mobile seriously now will find their skills in big demand very soon.
hi all mobile site experts
i am developing a mobile web site for japan. that site working for any nokia phone but is not working in Sharp W61SH phone. simply i want upload file from mobile phone. but mixi.jp site implement this in that phone also.
so any body can help me how to do this. especially Japanese peoples
thanks
Nayana Adassuriya
Love this page, is it updated often? Bookmarked
Great post.. it is good to see all these sites at one place. Great job.
Great list. Thank you for the information.
Yep, even three years later, this is still a good reference list for mobile web development.
Many thanks.