A mobile browser is a web browser designed for use on a mobile device such as a mobile phone or PDA. Mobile browsers are optimized to display web content most effectively on small screens on portable devices. Mobile browser software must be small and efficient to accommodate the low memory capacity and low-bandwidth of wireless handheld devices. Traditional smaller feature phones use stripped-down mobile web browsers; however, most current smartphones have full-fledged browsers that can handle the latest web technologies, such as CSS 3, JavaScript, and Ajax.
Websites designed to be usable in mobile browsers may be collectively referred to as the mobile web. Today, over 75% of websites are "mobile-friendly", by detecting when a request comes from a mobile device and automatically creating a "mobile" version of the page, designed to fit the devices screen and be usable with a touch interface.
Distinct from a mobile browser is a web-based application that runs on a mobile device, which is referred to as a mobile web app. A cell phone browser, also referred to as a mobile browser or wireless internet browser, is a web browser installed on cell phones to be used to access the Internet.
Some key features of mobile browsers include:
- Optimization for small screens: Mobile browsers are designed to display web content most effectively on small screens on portable devices.
- Efficiency: Mobile browser software must be small and efficient to accommodate the low memory capacity and low-bandwidth of wireless handheld devices.
- Compatibility with latest web technologies: Most current smartphones have full-fledged browsers that can handle the latest web technologies, such as CSS 3, JavaScript, and Ajax.
- Mobile-friendly websites: Websites designed to be usable in mobile browsers may be collectively referred to as the mobile web.
