The Disappointing Landscape
Mobile browsing has long been a source of excitement as well as frustration. As time has passed, more cellular phones and other portable devices have given users the ability to surf the Web. However, it always seemed that the overall experience left a lot to be desired. Even as faster networks emerged, the browsers themselves still did not deliver anything close to what users were seeing on their PCs. Promises of "near desktop experiences" failed to hit the mark time and time again.
Hope on the Horizon
That all began to change, gradually, as browsers such as Opera Mini 4 hit the scene. Finally, surfing on the run was starting to become less of a hassle and much more rewarding. With better page rendering and advanced features, the line between desktop and portable began to blur.
Desktop On the Go
The one browser that had the biggest effect on the mobile scene in 2008 was Safari for the iPhone. Offering what can be considered a true desktop experience, Apple's portable browser provides an impressive display, easy-to-use zoom controls, bookmarks, and a choice of integrated search engines. The introduction of the iPhone 3G just furthered Safari's power by significantly speeding up page load times. The fact that the iPhone still does not allow Flash hinders some sites from reaching their full potential. However, that is just one of a few cons in a browser stacked with pros.
