The Browser Handset?
Peter Harbeson of the S60 Browser Blog has written an interesting article about an experiment he pursued. He tried to see how many applications and uses in a cellphone he could replace by only using the built-in browser, as well as the calling capabilities of the handset. Not surprisingly, he could basically perform many actions that once were software-dependent, like manage a calendar, edit Word and Excel documents, type emails, send sms, listen to music, read ebooks, watch videos, and the list goes on. The only limitations he found were using the camera and setting reminders.
Peter concluded by asking himself the stellar question: what if a company focused on bringing a phone that is only capable of making calls and browsing the web, what if it put all of its resources into providing a powerful browser that could replace all other software? The answer can’t be easily found, I guess. The comments on Peter’s post seem to be divided between those who tend to believe it’s possible and those who think there are many applications that would use too many resources for a browser to handle.
Jump in on the conversation, and don’t forget to tell us what you think here too. It’s an enticing problematic that would raise a lot of questions: What are the limitations of the web as we know it? What are the improvements to be made in a browser in order to let it handle more and more resources? What is the destiny of all 3rd party application developers and companies? And is the mobile OS, as we know it, dead by the simple fact that whatever it is, it has an internet browser somehow and that that particular browser can (and will) perform everything a full platform would normally do?
Edit: Michael Mace from Mobile Opportunity has just wrote an article about the same issue that we are discussing here. I haven’t read it fully yet, but I have breezed through it and, as always, it seems enlightening and thought-triggering.
I have seen web apps work well, especially on the iPhone. However, I still prefer having native apps. What if I need the dictionary and have no connection? How about GPS mapping in a country without connection. I want t access and edit my work files without having to go online. What if I am in the subway and want to review my presentation and practice in my head.If I have no connection I cannot get the document…much less open any document stored locally (app is web based). Not to mention that developers will charge for the service instead of the app. This will severely hinder the open source movement that we are seeing on linux and S60.
You are absolutely right Neil, but the fact is that the internet connection as we know it is becoming more and more ubiquitous each day and we will reach a level of 100% connectivity and 100% connected people. Probably not tomorrow but sometime soon. If you want, take a look at the end of the post, where I posted a link from an article written by Michael Mace about this same issue. Interesting as ever.
An RIA app (aka a hybrid app) is where browser apps work best. There’s information that should be enhanced by having access to the Internet cloud, and times when that information is best just being used only on the personal-user’s handset.
I’d love to see more device support these, but until browser run-times get with the program (so to speak), it wil not quite be an immediate future in terms of using the browser as the interface for all apps.
Slightly side comment: This should have been the aim of the Internet Tablet since the introduction of OS2008 IMO. The hardware is more than ready for it on this device.