As part of an ongoing strategic process to optimize our web presence for all users, the Office of Web Communications has completed the initial development and rollout of a UA Mobile Web site for The University of Alabama. This site is a custom web site and suite of applications which deliver top-level content, services, and features from UA to your iPhone, Blackberry, PDA, or other smartphone. UA Mobile Web optimizes web services and content specifically for mobile devices, making them immediately available to users any time from anywhere. The beta version of UA Mobile Web includes functionality and content such as:
- News
- Events Calendar
- Campus Map
- Faculty/Staff Directory
- Video
- UA Web Sites
- CrimsonRide
- Contact UA
- Search
UA Mobile Web is now part of the UA Home Page, so that visitors who navigate to www.ua.edu on mobile devices will automatically be redirected to the appropriate mobile version for their device, including separate versions for iPhone and other devices such as Blackberry, Android, Windows Mobile, etc. Users will always have the option of viewing the full UA Home Page (as it appears in a web browser) via a link on the mobile site if desired. The UA Mobile Web site can also be accessed directly at http://m.ua.edu/.
UA Mobile Web was developed in-house by the Office of Web Communications using open source code and platforms. As this is a “beta” release, we plan to grow and expand its functionality and content in the near future and over time. Also, we are treating this platform as an open one, so there is certainly the opportunity to add to the mobile site with additional pieces and applications developed elsewhere or by other groups. We’ll be reaching out to other areas on campus to make this option known and available.
We believe this effort represents a significant step forward in making our content and services available to all audiences in as many platforms as possible. If you have any questions, feedback or comments, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Filed under: Announcements, Design, Development | Tagged: blackberry, google maps, iphone, windows mobile
