When a phone comes with an internet connection and a fully capable browser, it's not really a 'phone' anymore. It's just a small computer.
Looking at it another way, if a phone has a capable browser, then you really don't have to do any extra work to support it - just build a web app as you normally would. Every site on the internet becomes a "mobile site".
There's no reason the leading internet sites won't also dominate these new pocket computers as well. The only reason that wouldn't be the case is if they had to build some a new product in order to capture the market - which by definition is not the case.
Obviously you've never tried to surf normal web sites on a phone. It's an experience that I imagine to be about as fun as giving yourself a tracheotomy.
You serious? I'm pretty happy using Safari, zooming, etc Sure, it's a small screen and you might have to pan around a while, but it's certainly usable.
And as the parent pointed to, I very rarely use mine as a phone. It's a portable internet device.
Most people use their mobile primarily as a phone or email device. Most people will always prioritize those functions above web surfing because they will prefer web surfing on a PC and are usually near one.
And why would you want to deal with all of the zooming when you can just have a monitor? I mean, it's great when you're on the road, which is maybe what, 5-10% of your waking hours for the average Joe, but at home?
I don't buy that at all. What about people stuck on a train? What are you going to do? Surf the web on your iphone.
What about if you're waiting in a dentist? You're going to whip it out of your pocket, and surf. Yes, compared to time spent at a PC, this is a small amount of time. But I'd bet the usage on the iPhone is the browser, then email, then phone/sms (With games+music in there somewhere).
I don't even think young people use their phones as phones (voice calls) very often now (UK anyway). It's all sms.
Of course it won't replace the laptop, but it replaces a lot. It's much easier to wake up, pick up the iPhone and check a few sites, than get on your laptop.
I agree about the zooming to a point, obviously if there was a hologram projector or something, it'd be great. But the scroll/zoom works for now.
I surely wasn't suggesting that nobody will ever browse from a mobile. Just that it will remain small potatoes relative to non-mobile for quite some times, especially in terms of profit.
Looking at it another way, if a phone has a capable browser, then you really don't have to do any extra work to support it - just build a web app as you normally would. Every site on the internet becomes a "mobile site".
There's no reason the leading internet sites won't also dominate these new pocket computers as well. The only reason that wouldn't be the case is if they had to build some a new product in order to capture the market - which by definition is not the case.