Mobile Applications And Mobile Websites

 Thanks for all the comments!   Companies need to think why they want an Iphone or Android app, and if there is a business benefit, just do it. 

 I talk to a lot of companies that want to build an iPhone app without giving much thought to the reasons why or needs of their audience. For them, it's simply about staying on top, keeping up with the trends, showing off and in quite a few cases - bing ahead of their most feared enemy, a particular competitor, business associate or even someone they once knew at school that also have an iPhone app for their company. I believe that these are all valid reasons too. :)

 Great clip! I talk to alot of clients that says...."We want to build an iPhone app or Android app" and my next question is.....Why? What´s going to be the purpose with your app?
They rarely have a good answer to that! But in most of our projects right now we build mobile versions of the clients web sites... Right now, up to 10% of the visitors of our clients websites are mobile users and it´s increasing very fast. It´s a very interesting development.

Do you guys think that we are seeing some kind of major evolution in how people are cosuming the Internet right now???

An app would be able to provide an enhanced user experience and interactivity compared to a mobile website. If you need to engage your customers on a regular basis and provide constant updates, releasing an app for them to download on their phones would be better: It keeps your app (and your company) at the top of their list.

That said, it probably pays to have both a good mobile app and mobile site, and a good strategy :)

I too feel that a mobile site and a mobile app are like apples and oranges.

Your site should have some sort of mobile-friendly element as more and more people are accessing the web via their mobile phones.

An app, in my mind, is like a tool for manipulating the mobile web.  It helps perform function.  There are many articles on this available on whether an app is a feasible investment for various operations.   

But hurry - the information will continue to change rapidly!  :)

Good topic to discuss!

 In my opinion mobile sites and applications for mobile devices cater to different needs. If you are going to develop an application there should be a obvious need that can be satisfied. When it comes to mobile sites, if you have a lot of hits from mobile devices on your regular site you can start to think about develop your mobile profile. 

To summarize applications is suitable if you provide a service that customers use on a regular basis, like betting sites and so on. Mobile sites if you have a business that customers come to from time to time, like blogs and local restaurants.

Its an interesting question and I´m sure that if you ask me the same question in one year, my comment will probably be another one...