Today's news proclaimed what many of us probably already knew.  Tablets, including the Ipad, Kindle Fire, and E-book readers, are growing faster than any other computer platform.  According to an article on the CBC website, the percentage of Americans owning some sort of tablet or E-book reader jumped from 18 percent in December to 29 percent in January. And the story is likely the same in Canada.  It seems many people found them in their stockings.

Like mobile phones, tablets are great new devices, but they present challenges for websites and website owners.  Size is, of course, the biggest issue.  It's almost impossible to have a website that looks good on a normal size PC monitor and a mobile phone.  The Ipad is about half way between, so many sites are still passable on that platform.  But the Kindle Fire and other tablets are smaller and make it more difficult.  Unfortunately the different phone and tablet manufacturers haven't, and may never, settled on one or more consistent screen sizes so websites and website developers are having to learn to adapt to a varied landscape. 

Another issue is compatibility, some website programs won't run on the new platforms.  Adobe Flash is particularly a problem with the Ipad, Iphone, and many other smart phones.  Many, many website video players, audio players, slide shows, and even e-cards use Adobe Flash.  Some websites are completely built on Flash. It's been a great, flexible, adaptable program for many years.  But it doesn't seem to be moving forward with the new platforms.  Fortunately the newest basic website language, HTML5, is developing support for multimedia and what is now done through Adobe Flash, but HTML5 is still under development.  And, while it is supported by most browsers, including those on the Ipad and Iphone, it's new and few applications are written in it. 

If you were wondering when to start making plans to make your website more compatible with tablets and smartphones, now is the time.  Not only do more people own them, more and more people are turning to them first for accessing the internet.  They go with you anywhere, so people just get used to using them rather than waiting for the computers to turn on.

If you have any questions or concerns about making your Trinity Web Hosting site more smartphone and tablet compatible, give us a call at (780) 669-2678 or email us at info@trinitywebhosting.com.