Accessing the internet while on the go usually means a choice between a mobile version of a website or a specially created app. Apps have the disadvantage that they must first be installed. They then operate independently, cut off from the broader internet. However, once installed, they tend to be faster at accessing information.
But don't rule out the old website just yet. They are uncomplicated and users don't have to waste time checking for a compatible app before starting a search.
"You can call it up without any pre-installation and the information can be found via a normal web search," says Benedikt Hanswille of the German Federal Association of the Digital Economy.
Mobile websites have usually been modified to fit smaller screens and to be controllable by touch. Smartphone users are usually directly rerouted to such sites, though it's possible to save a little energy by just typing in the address directly and cutting down on the download time. Usually they employ the letter "m" or word "mobil" instead of "www" in the address.
The websites usually have the same information as on the standard site, although some navigation elements might get lost when the sites are shrunk down.
"If the user wants the desktop version of a website on a mobile device, there's usually a button for that towards the bottom of the website," says Luca Caracciolo, manager of the e-business magazine t3n. But there are drawbacks. Mobile websites usually have fewer functions than apps. "Generally, websites have no access to the phone's hardware," says Hanswille, though some satellite navigation functions will work in the browser. Useful functions like push are also usually exclusive to apps.
Apps are also prized for their ability to access address books, calendars and stored music. "If you set aside the initial download of the application, apps have shorter download times," says Hanswille. That's because, thanks to their set layout and appearance, the programme only has to update the newest contents. Of course, that function also makes apps less flexible than the alternative.
But, for the same reason, using apps should involve smaller amounts of data transfer than with mobile websites, which is important for smartphone users with limited data plans. However, Hanswille notes some exceptions to the rule.
"Some apps load various pictures and data in advance, to optimise use and speed up things," he says, noting that this data might never get used, meaning unnecessary traffic.
Of course, the same can happen with mobile websites. However, these are usually set for transferring smaller data volumes. Still, be on the lookout for offenders.
To combat such cases, some browsers allow users to regulate their data stream, says Ragni Zlotos of German computer magazine c't. "Opera mobile allows you, regardless of server settings, to get the various websites delivered in data-comprised format."
Others say the odds are better of being able to access data offline are better with apps, though there are no hard and fast rules. "Developers have to build these kinds of functions in," says Caracciolo.
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