Mobile platforms in 2008 suffered from increased fragmentation, with different operating systems like Symbian, iPhone, Java, and Android each using different technologies like MMS, Flash, mobile web, SMS, and Silverlight. This fragmentation made it challenging for developers to design applications that could reach all users. The document recommends carefully considering distribution methods, accommodating fragmentation, and using interfaces that can scale across platforms to address these issues.

1. Strengths, weaknesses and
trade-offs of mobile platforms
Future of Mobile, 17th November 2008

2. 2008: fragmentation got worse
Advisory Board Inaugural Meeting Future of Mobile, 17th November 2008

3. Effort
Symbian
iPhone
Java Android
Silverlight
MMS Flash
Mobile
web
SMS
Capability

4. distribution intertwingles

5. why is choice a problem?

6. design and build to scale

7. where are the seams?

8. Symbian Browser

10. What am I saying?
Think carefully about distribution
Learn to accommodate fragmentation
Sew it all together and use interfaces that scale

11. Thank you.
I’ve been Tom.Hume@futureplatforms.com
Future of Mobile, 17th November 2008