Beginning Smartphone Web Development, my first Mobile Web development book, is completed, at press and expected in bookstores by December 31,
2009. The book is published by Apress as a part of their Wireless titles.

I am proud of this book because it is a comprehensive introduction to Mobile Web development for developers with no prior mobility experience. This book is for you if you are a Web developer who wants to break into Mobile Web development, if you are a Web designer wondering “what works” on the Mobile Web, and if you are a technology executive wanting to craft a smartphone Web strategy with realistic expectations of browser capabilities.

See the Beginning Smartphone Web Development book details page to review the table of contents, source code samples and author and reviewer biographies.

In Beginning Smartphone Web Development, you’ll learn to:

• Identify web traffic from mobile devices.
• Develop web sites using the markup languages of the Mobile Web: XHTML, XHTML-MP and CSS.
• Add Mobile JavaScript and AJAX to increase client-side web interactivity on smartphones.
• Adapt the syntax and design of Mobile Web pages to target smartphone models.
• Study the design and usability of high-traffic Mobile Web sites.
• Design Mobile Web pages for optimal usability on the form factors of smartphone screens.
• Enhance Mobile Web pages to target advanced features of smartphone browsers.
• Validate and compress mobile markup to optimize for network transmission and browser performance.
• Simulate smartphones in the mobile ecosystem.
• Read Mobile Web growth forecasts and opinions from Mobile Web technology experts.

My co-author, Rajesh Lal, contributed a strong chapter about Mobile Web design and usability for smartphones.

I am seeking interviews with real-world Mobile Web developers for a series of articles about what it really takes to build and deploy a high-traffic, content adaptive and standards-compliant Mobile Web site. Volunteers are encouraged!

Are you an in-the-trenches Mobile Web developer? Have you successfully navigated technology and deployment challenges to release a Mobile Web site? Do you have advice and strategies that you’d like to share with the mobile developer community? Please contact me and include a link to the mobile site.

The articles will be posted here and possibly re-published at other technical blogs and magazines.

Update: I found an excellent technical reviewer for the book. Thank you for the interest! I have kept all your names for future project consideration.

I am looking for a technical reviewer for my forthcoming Mobile Web Development book schedule for release in December 2009. This is a paid position with the book publisher.

You must be an expert in mobile web development technologies across the spectrum of mobile devices – from low-end legacy markup like WML to HTML/JS/AJAX and WebKit extensions for smartphones – including WURFL and content adaptation concepts. You must understand the oddities of the mobile ecosystem. You must also have an excellent command of the English language. No prior tech reviewing experience is required.

Ideally, you are located somewhat near Portland, OR to leave open the possibility of in-person collaboration.

Please send your qualifications to me via email if interested.

My two Fall 2009 classes at Portland Community College in Portland, OR are available for registration.

Mobile Web Development

Mobile Web Development is an introductory class for web developers and designers that teaches the basics of creating content for the mobile web. We study design principles, device adaptation, usability, standards and best practices for mobile web development. Students build a device adapted mobile web site as the class project.

Mobile Web Development class details:

• Review the Course Syllabus and Prerequisites
• CRN: 47743
• Fee: $350
• Sep 30 – Nov 4, 2009
• 5:30pm – 9:30pm on Wednesday evenings
• Class meets in Room 118, Mt Tabor Hall at PCC SE Center (SE 82nd and SE Division)
• Class location is a computer lab. Computers are provided. Laptops and personal web space are encouraged. If using the PCC computers, bring a thumb drive to save your work.
• 2.40 CEU credits from PCC Computer Education Training and Certification program

Advanced Mobile Web Development for Smartphones

Advanced Mobile Web Development is a new class that teaches advanced techniques for creating rich and interactive mobile web sites for smart mobile browsers that support full HTML and Javascript interactivity.

The class targets iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Palm Pre and other smartphone models. Topics include interoperability, optimizing markup for advanced micobrowsers, embracing WebKit extensions, JavaScript and AJAX on mobile devices and effective use of device databases. Students build an interactive, device-adapted mobile web site targeting smartphones.

See the advanced lessons of the Mobile Web Development curriculum for details.

Advanced Mobile Web Development class details:

• Review the Course Syllabus and Prerequisites
• CRN: 47762
• Fee: $350
• Oct 1 – Nov 5, 2009
• 5:30pm – 9:30pm on Thursday evenings
• Class meets in Room 1512, Washington County Workforce Training Center (NW 185th and NW Walker Rd in Aloha, OR)
• Class location is a computer lab. Computers are provided. Laptops and personal web space are expected. If using the PCC computers, bring a thumb drive to save your work.
• 2.40 CEU credits from PCC Computer Education Training and Certification program