Mobile Brickset is live
Posted by Huw,
I'm pleased to announce that a version of Brickset optimised for browsers in smartphones and other devices with small screens is now live. It's at http://m.brickset.com. If you're using one of the common mobile devices to view this page you shoud be greeted with a nice big link to it at the top, and there's also a link to it in the menu.
It is NOT intended to be a complete replacement for the main site, it complements it. It is deliberately lightweight so that it loads quickly on even the slowest GPRS links. It provides links to the main site on every page so that you can easily access content that isn't available on the mobile site if you're on a fast connection.
I've tested it thoroughly on my Android phone and my daughter's iPod and it is optimised for the screen size of these devices and the iPhone. It also works on my other daughter's Blackberry and beta testers have tried it on a myriad of other devices and have reported success. If you have an iPhone/iPod I have provided a screen icon which will automatically be used if you bookmark it.
In future, if it becomes widely used, I will provide some form of price comparison functionality and links to eBay/Amazon/LEGOshop.com and possibly also integrate barcode scanning on Android devices.
I'd like to thank everyone who tested it, provided feedback and helped me solve the iPhone display problems.
So, give it a go and let me know what you think.
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35 comments on this article
So far so good.
Yup, so far so good
I like that you went with a platform-independent mobile site as opposed to a platform-specific closed app. It's more flexible for you to develop new features across the board and also makes it more accessible. Good show!
Using it with my iPod touch and it's functioning seamlessly, thanks Huw! By the way, how do I modify my own/ want list without going back to the main site?
Once again, very nice work!
excellent work huw
Very awesome!!!! :)
Thank you! It works on ZuneHD!
I agree with vynsane's sentiments. Excellent choice. I also would like to second jaredchan's suggestion: one of the common things to do "on the run" is buy a set at the store and want to check it off the wanted list.
I may well add the 'I own/I want' functionality soon!
I can see the banner 'Viewing on a mobile device?' in Google Chrome, my default browser (on PC) is this meant to happen?
@LegoCoastGuard, thanks, hopefully it's gone now.
Very good, very good. Now I have Brickset all the time ;-)
Darn wish I had a mobile phone!
Fantastic job, Huw - many thanks !
iPhone already has several apps for barcode scanning, Huw, you might wanna include that for the iPhone as well. The iPod doesn't have a camera of course, but the iPhone does.
holy moly,that´s a good thing.
It works great.
Good news!!!
Just checked it out on my mom's iPhone, looks good Huw! :-)
Excellent on my HTC Eris running Android. This is very helpful Huw! Very sleek and streamlined.
Looks great Huw. I love using my Nintendo DSi to check Brickset, but now it's super fast! Thanks! (P.S. I sent this comment via my DSi :-)
Great stuff Huw! I've been using Brickset mobile for a couple of days now on my iPhone, and the usabilty aspect of the mobile site is brilliant (IMHO). Dare I say, that there are a number of other "mobile-enhanced" sites that I access that could learn a thing or two from front-end you have developed for Brickset mobile. Further, your commitment to helping the greater LEGO Fan community through Brickset is to be highly commended.
All of the additional functionality you have/are adding is really appreciated by both myself, and I'm sure, by the many, many LEGO enthusiasts around the world.
@jpmanalo, thanks for your kind words: it's comments like that that make it all worthwhile.
Please do add the I want/ I have functionality. It will be great when out shopping to see what is needed.
@cosmo040, log in, click on 'Me' and there's your wanted list.
Thats great! I now have something to do during plane flights! ;)
I trying this on my dads blackberry curve and the links to the news articles are not working! I am posting this on the main site.
Works very fast and intuitive! Thanx!
(sent from iPhone)
I have an ordinary non-smartphone that I use from time to time for simple web queries (news, weather, facts from google) with image loading turned off. Unfortunately m.brickset.com doesn't work on it (it displays "file format unknown") though some ordinary brickset pages can be viewed by visiting via Google search results (Google will render a special dumb phone version).
As regards Lego search on Google I've used my phone in the past when out and about for a quick check on part count or RRP for a set that I'm considering buying (e.g. one I wouldn't normally buy but appears to be a good deal on sale).
Thanks for doing this Huw, makes it easy to check Brickset all the time. Works great and no flaws that I've noticed
Very cool! I hoped something like this was in the works, but didn't dare ask. The site loaded quickly and is easy to see and use on my BlackBerry Storm. . .I would definitely be thrilled with adding "I own/I want" and also being able to see friends' "I want" lists. . .my daughter keeps her wish list on the site also, LOL. Nice work!
HTC Legend, goes smoothly.
Another iPod touch, the sight is seamless so far! Great job.
(posted from iPod touch)
Thank you very much for doing this!
It works perfectly on my HTC HD2, where I'm currently writing this text on. This is a great addition to the site!
Now I always can have my whishlist with me. :-)
Works cool on Blackberry too!