Help justifying iphone/ipad

[gnuboston]

I work in a large company and have been doing web site building, SEO, web design and web strategy for 12 years.

Just about every person I work with has an iphone. Some have both an ipad and iphone. A few have android smartphones. Others’ 5 year old kids have ipads or iphones. It’s not a fad, it’s the future of computing.

My company does not reimburse employees for any mobile devices. With the lousy economy there is no prospect of that policy changing. However they have been content to allow BYOD (bring your own device) -- maybe because it saves them having to buy so many new computers.

Clearly experiencing the nature of mobile apps requires letting the device infiltrate your life so you appreciate the possibilities. So many apps tie into location services or other sensors to enable all kinds of new and exciting things. I don’t think a simulator on a desktop computer will give you the insight into what the device can do.

Due to an unfortunate series of events I cannot afford to spend $2000 on an iphone (the true cost when you factor in the 2 year commitment) or $700 on an ipad. It wouldn’t matter if the true cost of either was only $500, it is still out of reach.

Here’s the insane part: I am responsible for recommending the company’s mobile strategy for web. As in should we be making apps, responsive websites or just html5 pseudo-apps? If we make apps, should they be for all platforms? Just iOS? What tools to use?

Certainly you can read about what’s going on in industry journals or Gartner reports. I've bought a shelf full of books on how to make apps. However how credible is the recommendations of a web professional who has no experience with any mobile devices? It’s fairly obvious to coworkers whether you have a mobile device or not, since everyone is constantly showing new apps to each other or playing back videos or texting on them, or complaining about AT&T or even writing apps.

What to do? It’s just driving me crazy as I feel my career will suffer.

GB

[DaveSawers]

First off, you don't need to spend that amount of money on an Apple device. An iPod Touch ($199 or less) gives you all you need to run apps. However, the larger iPad screen gives you much more design space to play with and is probably more useful for most businesses.

If you're only developing apps for internal use, and if you don't work for a large company, then HTML5 is the best way to go because you don't have to work within iTunes' restrictions. If you plan on making vanity apps for customer awareness or you have hundreds of internal users, then writing them using IOS and distributing them via iTunes is the best way to go. Of course, you may then have to spring for a Mac to develop on too.

Web pages aren't dead, but if you want to move ahead in IT, get with the app development program.

[gnuboston]

My impression is that the ipod touch is a fine media player but without the gps and online-anywhere connectivity of smartphones, you are tethered to home, work or a coffeeshop's wifi. This leaves you out of the true mobile experience of doing stuff wherever you are. So in a way it is more like a tiny netbook. I've heard that some ipod touches have difficulty getting on wifi at a non-trivial number of wifi hotspots. Even ignoring that as an issue, the amount of time to negotiate getting on random wifi nets increases the friction of a seamless mobile experience.

GB

[DaveSawers]

I recommended the iPod Touch because it runs apps. I use one for testing my apps as I have no use for an iPhone. I use an Android phone (also for testing apps). I do other testing on an iPad.

I thought from your post that you wanted to be able to develop apps. If instead you just want to get immersed in the mobile culture, I guess you have to buy an iPhone or an Android!

[gnuboston]

I do want to develop apps, but I believe you'd be disadvantaged unless you really grok the mobile experience.

GB

[DaveSawers]

I do want to develop apps, but I believe you'd be disadvantaged unless you really grok the mobile experience.

I think there should be an "I Disagree" button alongside the "I Agree" button so I don't have to write a whole post.

[CindyC]

+1 to your opinion!

[LD]

I think there should be an "I Disagree" button alongside the "I Agree" button so I don't have to write a whole post.

Interesting point Dave. I think, however, it's easier to "agree" with someone without a need for added verbiage. If I disagree with someone, I would naturally add my reasons and in some cases, proof. IMO.

[ibuyforums]

The advice here is all good. Apps are totally overrated, overpriced and unnecessary unless they do something other that standard html5 wont do.