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theDreamer · Oct 1, 2007, 09:05 AM

So having my iPhone for a awhile now I have really enjoyed it, even with the lock down of third party applications, ring tone fun, etc.
The one thing I have always enjoyed on my phone (even on EDGE) is browsing the web anywhere I am at anytime, full web. Yet recently I have noticed a few websites are making "iPhone versions" of their websites. This is all fair and good if I wanted to use it, but I bought my phone to not need my own specific website to browse. I want my phone to visit the same website I do on my laptop or any other computer.

The problem has come is that some of the websites are now forcing my phone to go to their "iPhone" version of the website when I do not and no matter what I try I have yet to find a way around it. Anyone have any ideas on ways around it, or why websites feel it is necessary to do this?

Problems so far:
~Google (takes me to the "mobile" version)
~Facebook (forces me to "iPhone" version)

Any others you know let me know and I will update the list.

DigitalEl · Oct 1, 2007, 11:01 AM

It's not generally necessary for formatting reasons, but for bandwith reasons it's a blessing when you're on EDGE.

I haven't run into too many problems using the iPhone browser on "normal" websites, but Orbitz is a challenge.

On EDGE though, I generally don't even try too often.

mdc · Oct 1, 2007, 11:15 AM

I like the iPhone websites, especially when using EDGE, but I do not like it when sites force your iPhone to the iPhone version.
iphone.facebook.com is the iPhone version, but I should not be forced to iphone.facebook.com when I go to facebook.com on my iPhone. I want to be able to choose which version I want to see. The iPhone version of facebook, for example, cannot join groups.

I hope the developers realize that not everyone wants to use the iPhone specific site 100% of the time.

theDreamer · Oct 1, 2007, 11:16 AM

I agree on EDGE it is fine and helps, but for me I am on wifi 95% (or more) of the time. So having the "iPhone" website has actually slowed me down because I am having to do things differently.

mdc · Oct 1, 2007, 11:45 AM

EDGE vs. wifi is about 70/30 for me.

::maroma:: · Oct 1, 2007, 12:19 PM

I agree, I'd like a choice when I load a page whether or not to use an iPhone version or the "real" version. I think there should be a simple splash page with 2 buttons, one that says "iPhone Version" and "Normal Version", when an iPhone is detected.

The best part of Safari on the iPhone is that we don't need those mobile-specific versions of web pages. Now, if we could just get web developers to code pages (and their banner ads) to not be so damn laggy when loading <ahem MacNN!>.

theDreamer · Oct 2, 2007, 08:45 PM

I found on way around the Facebook "iPhone" version of their website, but I can not get it to go straight to it.
On the "iPhone" version scroll to the bottom and you can select full version, but the problem is you have to go first to the "iPhone" version then to the full version which might not be worth it.

zerock · Oct 2, 2007, 08:55 PM

meebo.com

nonhuman · Oct 2, 2007, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by zerock

meebo.com

Do you really want to use the regular Meebo interface with the iPhone? No. Not only does the interface simply not make any sense, but it would be far too bandwidth intensive for people on EDGE.

Yes, having a normal web browser on the iPhone means we don't need special iPhone pages, but there's more to it than that. The iPhone isn't just different from a full computer because of it's small screen, it's different because of it's completely novel interface. That interface translates pretty well to websites, but the iPhone specific sites are tailored exactly to take advantage of not only the screen size, but the interface of the iPhone.

RedHeadRiley · Oct 3, 2007, 09:28 PM

I don't have "yet" an iPhone but have talked it up to all my friends and clients. I took the time to try one out today and was extreamly disappointed on the functionality of one app. : Safari

The one application that I expected to be the happiest with next to mail.

I do security systems and planned to have several clients use iPhones to view the security cameras. NOT!

Safari and Netscape support server push and therefore do not need java for streamed video.

On the iPhone, going to the "name of domain":8000 takes me to the web server llike it is supposed to do but then continues "loading" until I get "server quit" or "server imed out"
On a good connection this method yields great video and even on dialup you get a full screen still about every 40 seconds.
This was on Edge, not Wi-Fi though I do not think it would make a difference.
Any ideas? - I do not think that port 8000 is blocked on the ATT store network but will check tomorrow just to be sure.

Riley

theDreamer · Oct 3, 2007, 09:51 PM

On EDGE loading any video is horrible, even Youtube really only works on wifi.
You need to try it again on wifi to get the actual affect of video on the iPhone, and while this can be a deterrent to buying it because you can not load video very well over EDGE. There are plenty of wifi spots around, unless you live in a bad hotspot place well...that sucks.