FAQ
What is Handset Detection all about ?Why do I need Handset Detection ?
How accurate is the information ?
Why are there so many devices ?
How do I link Handset Detection to my website ?
Who uses this service ?
What are the system requirements ?
In what countries is this available ?
Do I need to get updates ?
Is there any software to download ?
Is there any tracking code that needs to go on all my web pages ?
I forgot my password – What do I do ?
I found a bug ! How do I report that ?
What is Handset Detection all about ?
In a previous life I found myself needing to detect handsets over and over again to deliver customized content to mobile devices. One day David suggested that other people might find that useful. Eureka ! HandsetDetection.com was born.
I hope you find this service useful and if you have any thoughts, comments or problems then let me know. Cheers, Richard.
Why do I need Handset Detection ?
Handset detection allows website owners to customize content for portable or mobile devices. Generally handsets and cell phones format web pages poorly. Handset detection provides you the opportunity to detect detect a device in real time and do something about it. You might choose to use a different set of page templates, redirect to a mobile website, deliver custom jad’s or jar’s (if you develop mobile apps).
You can also request geo-location information. (country, city, isp and company details).
How accurate is the information ?
We’re 70% sure its 90% accurate, allthough there’s only a 25% chance of that ! But Seriously .. Raw Handset data comes from a variety of sources, chiefly WURFL but other sources as well. Geo-location data is sourced multiple vendors. Why not sign up, log some data for a while and check out the accuracy yourself ?
Why are there so many devices ?
Good question. Companies keep making new and sometimes even better devices ! Some devices conform to standards, some mostly do, others dont at all. Also some devices have multiple versions of software as vendors fix bugs and release updates.
How do I link Handset Detection to my website ?
Lots of people ask that question - so we made a how it works page.
Take a look at the API information for the full technical details.
We use the service for :
Mobile content provisioning (ringtines, icons, wallpapers).
Mobile website customization.
J2me applications delivery.
What are the system requirements ?
You’ll need a website or some way to script web service requests to Handset Detection. Thats about it.
In what countries is this available ?
All of them. The web service has no restrictions on countries.
No. Our service automatically updates itself a few times per day, thats the great thing about software as a service (SaaS).
Is there any software to download ?
You can download plugins and API Kits.
Is there any tracking code that needs to go on all my web pages ?
No. Our system works by your webserver passing queries directly to our web service. We then send the replies back to your web server so your web server can decide how to format pages before sending them to people browsing your website.
I have forgotten my password. What do I do ?
Jump off to the forgotten password page.
I found a bug ! How do I report that ?
Email – Richard, Thanks.
