An Essential Lesson for iPhone Webapp Developers

I was just having a scout around and came across some information regarding the MySpace iPhone webapp. The fact that MySpace have come up with a webapp is not new, but the discussions taking place by users of the webapp make for an interesting read for any iPhone or iPod Touch webapp developers.

It seems that MySpace now checks whether you're using an iPhone and sends you to it's new MySpace iPhone Portal.

Orginal Article:
myspace has just updated their mobile portal and now checks to see if you are on an iPhone and sends you to its new MySpace iPhone portal. The MySpace webapp is modified to look very much like the iPhone interface. On the top are 3 tabs (Home,Mail,Help) which does not seem to be the most important aspect of MySpace as far a user is concerned. The iPhone version of MySpace has features including viewing your friends list, viewing photos (yes images are resized for iPhone viewing), viewing and adding comments, messaging your friends, profile viewing, blog viewing. You can also update your mood and status and lots of other features.

Seems this is really pissing off MySpace users. Here are just a few of the comments made so far...

one of the great things about the iphone is that you have the ability to look at ACTUAL websites. not crappy mobile WAP sites.

i just went to myspace when i was at work and was so irritated when i didn’t see the actual site. not just that, but they don’t even have an option so you can view it.

i hated facebook for making an iphone-specific site. but at least they have the option to view the real site instead of a mobile site. stop making mobile sites for the iphone! you’re ruining the iphone!

NOT COOL!! I agree that the whole reason we all spent the money for the iPhone was so we’d be able to view THE ACTUAL websites like Myspace - not dumb-down versions. If they want to add an app IN ADDITION to the regular site, fine. But to be redirected to a wap site specific for mobile phones is ridiculous and takes away from what the iPhone was meant to provide. I hate it!!!

This sucks… No other way to put it. I agree 1005 with the comments above. why have a phone that is cacable at looking at full length web sites if all you get is this crappy web app? 600 bucks for this? Stop ruining the iphone please.

yeah complete BS I check my myspace every chance I get… its bad enough that u can’t view videos and/or listen to music on myspace now my iphone is no better then the “myspace mobile” I had I my old razor…. I agree 100% atleast give the option of the web app or the actual site…. We need to tell someone that matters… Someone should comment tom and let him know that iPhone r pissed off….

yeah complete BS I check my myspace every chance I get… its bad enough that u can’t view videos and/or listen to music on myspace now my iphone is no better then the “myspace mobile” I had I my old razor…. I agree 100% atleast give the option of the web app or the actual site…. We need to tell someone that matters… Someone should comment tom and let him know that iPhone owners r pissed off….I can’t check my myspace on this shitty myspace mobile garbage.

Dammit! The reason I got the Iphone was to see real web pages. I might as well go back to a regular cell phone.

You can view the orginal article and comment yourself.