Top 5 Websites Made For The iPhone
November 27, 2008 by Ryan Ray
Let me start by stating the obvious… the iPhone’s browser is a work of art and it rules the phone browsing world single handedly! We’ve all known since the day of the iPhone launch that this mobile version of Safari is incredible at bringing us the internet on such a small screen. Remember the now defunct Apple ad that stated the whole internet in your pocket? It really was true, until some people called it lying since flash isn’t available in the iPhone browser. On a side note I say flash can burn in hell, but that’s just me. I know many disagree with me on that, but that’s life hah. So with a slow data connection and the full internet in your pocket, we have the chance to view some awesome websites. Throw in the new user interface based on touches, swipes, and pinches, web developers had an awesome and new way to create websites ready for mobile devices.
It does seem to be sort of an oxymoron in the way that the iPhone can display the full website with no problem, but then we still have special versions of website built specifically for the iPhone. It throws me for a little bit of a loop. Still it makes sense as if you could imagine trying to surf the full version of a website on the EDGE connection… NOT GOOD. With that in mind I am going to talk about 5 of the best websites specially formatted for the iPhone. Starting from my favorite to least.
#1 Facebook
Obviously as a college student I find plenty of ways to waste hours and hours and then more hours, surfing err stalking on Facebook. It makes it even worse when Mark Z. decides to release a mobile version of the site, long before the app existed. The iPhone Facebook is beautiful and works just as well as it looks. Easily navigated I can find the latest pictures and status updates to see what my favorite people are doing at all times. I’ll even sit in class and get on Facebook. I probably check status updates every minute, just to make sure no on slips anything by me. Thanks iPhone Facebook, you should see me now with the dedicated app.
#2 Digg
My second favorite way to pass the time in boring classes is of course Digg.com. This website is an incredible alternative to the old, often stale, mass media. As I often say, if you live under a rock then Digg is going to wake you up to what real news looks like. Digg operates off of a genious scheme, where users submit the news and then other users “digg” it up or down. The most popular stories make the frontpage and get the most views. There are plenty of hilarious and serious stories for me to read each day. I often check the mobile version of Digg, or use the app called Shovel, during a boring class. It helps pass the time and keeps me informed.
#3 Google
The mighty Google, the internets home page. This web giant is one of the coolest companies in this day and age. Of course being labeled as such they are up and with the latest technologies out there. Google’s website is plain and easy to use enough already. They don’t burden their pages with images, keeping in mind the third world countries slow internet connections. And when it comes to the iPhone version of Google they take their simple design and simplify it even more. This makes the iPhone’s version of Google a joy to use.
#4 Amazon
Amazon is a wonderful retailer for many many people, of course many of these people of the world own an iPhone. Amazon was a little slow to get their iPhone ready marketplace out there, but it is out there. Amazon hasn’t made their own iPhone app like our next site, so their iPhone site is all they have. It’s simple and easy to use. Loads quickly and works fairly well. Definitely a welcome addition for the iPhone.
#5 eBay
The second retailer on the list, but worth the mention. eBay has both an optimized website and their own native app for the iPhone. They are really on top of the game. The app hasn’t been received all that well, and I agree it isn’t the best but that’s what updates are for. Again the iPhone version of the site is simplified. Loads quicker for the slow EDGE connection, and fits on the iPhone screen. Great to catch the last minute bids on that new iPhone 
I know all of these websites are huge and mainstream sites. That’s also why they have been optimized for the iPhone. They have tons of users and that includes mobile users, such as the iPhone. Perhaps I’ll start searching for some unknown but awesome websites that are optimized for the iPhone! Anyway, give me your feedback. What do you think about these sites? What about the optimized site vs. a native app? Thanks for reading, hope to hear from you
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