- From: Robert Shilston <robert.shilston@ft.com>
- Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 19:58:27 +0100
- To: Tobie Langel <tobie@w3.org>
- Cc: "Appelquist Daniel (UK)" <Daniel.Appelquist@telefonica.com>, "public-web-mobile@w3.org" <public-web-mobile@w3.org>
- Message-ID: <CANbJ1PjBcuGZS3stD=TKnFUgeEuz_02bqucMdk97pi4T9QAm6w@mail.gmail.com>
On 18 October 2013 17:01, Tobie Langel <tobie@w3.org> wrote: > ... > > In a "Web-based OS" device, it would be very useful to > > be able to do this stuff. > > Sure. But to make it the one of the top two priorities of what's missing > on the Web platform seems quite a stretch. > > Can we get offline, auto-rotation lock, smooth scrolling, fast canvas, > etc. first? > > --tobie > > This is certainly a very interesting conversation. However, I wonder whether spending lots of effort on identifying gaps and pushing forwards initiatives to close them will mean web developers are permanently trying to catch up and feel second-rate citizens in the mobile world. I think it there is value in considering where the web is already ahead, or where it has the potential to be ahead. Then lets celebrate those AND ensure that we're remaining ahead. Let's make native applications feel they need to catch up with the web rather than vice-versa. Interacting with the "internet of things" is a use-case where I think the web outperforms native applications, and which I think will become increasingly important as the physical world becomes digitally controlled. Here's an example: I'm in an office meeting room, and need to order some coffee. I hold my phone up against the NFC tag on the wall, which deep links me to a web page run by the facilities team. From here, I can press get instant access to the things I need right now. For example - "Please bring coffee and biscuits in 15 minutes". - "We're struggling with the AV facilities, can someone come and help". - Change the air conditioning temperature up or down a bit. I realise that it's (perhaps) a little ahead of its time, but I think it shows how flexible the web is already. We can do this right now. I don't want to install an app specific to that meeting room, nor an app to control the home media queue at a friend's house so that I can change what music is being played. And I don't need to. I certainly don't want to be deep linked to an app store, then click to install the app, wait for it to download, launch the app, use it, then delete it (or leave it to fill up my device). That's a terrible user experience. Surely the web will be the way to interact with the "internet of things"? So what other examples can people suggest where the web is already ahead? And how can we widen the gap over native apps? Rob -- ------------------------------ This email was sent by a company owned by Pearson plc, registered office at 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL. Registered in England and Wales with company number 53723.
Received on Friday, 18 October 2013 18:58:52 UTC