Blog Relations

I know I’ve been a bit behind the curve on this, but I finally got a mobile device that can cruise the net efficiently – an iPod Touch.  I was prompted by the fact that Wizzard are making an app for Storynory.   (Wizzard host our audio, sell our sponsorship), and I wanted to view it.   In fact all the online marketing people I meet are talking about iPhone aps – the small pieces of software that sit on your iPhone or iPod.

But I’m not fully convinced that apps are the best way to deliver media content to mobiles.  Yes, they would be great to do more complicated things like games.  But perhaps not media.  First of all, apps are for Apple products.   Lots of my friends – the ones not in the image conscious media and marketing circles – have different types of smart phones.  Apple Apps won’t play on them. Then people have to find them in the App Store.  This could bring a new audience (but a limited one).  Most of your regular users will go to your site.

iTunes is still a great way to deliver audio and video to a mobile device.  But  not everyone knows how to find podcasts in iTunes. It seems to me the most important thing is to have site that works on a mobile.  This means it should be written in good xhtml that works on a desktop and on a mobile.   It’s also perhaps a good idea to offer a  different version of your site to mobile visitors (though this can be problematic).

I’ve had my iPod Touch since Thursday night.  I’ve used iTunes a fair bit – for instance listening to the latest episode of For Immediate  Release as well as music.   But the internet site I’ve visited most often is BBC iPlayer. It serves up a mobile version of itself that is easy to navigate on a small screen with video in a format that plays on a mobile.   TV looks pretty good on it.  But I’m listening a fair amount to Radio 4 programmes that I’ve missed.   I know that would not be everyone’s taste, but a mobile device is fantastic for audio. I know that Storynory is in a good place.

I’ve concluded that every site, and especially every site offering media content such as video or audio, should be optimised for mobile.  For many sites it’s good enough to have an alternative css style sheet. Media is a bit different, because you probably need to use a different media format (not flash, but say QuickTime).

An app is nice, but it’s of secondary importance.   Storynory, I’m glad to say, works on a mobile, but it could work so much better.   I’m planning a mobile version.   We’ll have an app too.  I’m just wondering whether to “sniff out” which device people are using, and automatically serve it to them.  Or just to provide a link that people can bookmark.  Sometimes simple is best.