I started a discussion on Mobile Start-ups group on Linkedin about why having designed a mobile application instead of having a particular web page/site designed and accesible via mobile-browser?

Mobile applications

• no need of internet connection (accessible anytime if installed)
• more attractive look and feel
• faster
• no costs for data download
• can be easily delivered via bluetooth beamers, web, etc.
• sometimes problem with updating
• need to be installed / downloaded
• can access your phone multimedia capabilities (photo/video), functions (addressbook) or shortcuts.
• application development to be a little more costly than browser-based

Mobile webs

• informations are up-to-date
• lower prices
• no need of installation
• slower (data transfer, etc.)
• limited possibilities for advanced interaction, games, etc.
• you can target a large set of supported devices
• mobile website need to be able to recognize mobile device and deliver proper content (right image sizes, formats, etc.) and also there are still some device supporting only WML and need to be considered.

Did we missed something? Is there anything we could add to the list?
What’s your option when you go for a mobile solution?

Next year Silverlight release — Silverlight 3 will be shipped.

Silverlight 3 will include major media enhancements (including H.264 video
support), major graphics improvements (including 3D support and GPU
hardware acceleration), as well as major application development
improvements (including richer data-binding support and additional
controls) and plenty of additional cool features.

Also, Visual Studio and
Visual Web Developer Express will also support a fully editable and
interactive designer for Silverlight, and add tool support for
data-binding:

via Scott

Submit your application today for the chance to showcase and distribute your most innovative ideas to the largest audience of mobile device owners around the world. Winning developers will:

• Showcase their applications at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain
• Participate in “meet and greets” with Industry leaders, VC’s, Mobile Operators and distributors
• Win CASH up to $25,000 (USD).

More

Soon to be released: www.swfpack.com

Features

• S60 3.x compatible SIS files (Cab, WRT Widget support on the way)

• Works with Adobe Flash Lite Player 1.x, 2.x or 3.x

• Supports Flash Lite Developer Edition player

• Automatic signing of SIS with certification valid for next 15-years

• Supports Symbian Signed Certification: Open Signed, Certified Signed and Express Signed

• Full S60 compatible (functionality and user experience)

• Enhanced memory management

• Content protection: protects application from accidental deletion and malicious use

• Supports Flash Lite 2.x compatible only applications

• Automatic application launch at phone start-up (upcoming)

http://sourceforge.net/projects/janussymbianeng/

Janus Symbian
Engine, the custom made extension that will help you improve Flash Lite
functionalities, has become an open source project! You can simply download it, and you can use it with Janus Symbian to expand the boundaries of Flash Lite! Of course now Janus Symbian Full and Lite have become just Janus Symbian, and it’s free to use even for commercial projects.

I know the application before being open source was showing a “built with Janus” before launching the swf application and that made me prefer the kunerilite wizard.