Websites using Web.wurfl

Okay, let s break down web.wurfl, covering its overview, revenue (as much as publicly available), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

What is web.wurfl? (Overview)

• Purpose: web.wurfl (often referred to as simply WURFL ) is a software library and API that helps web developers and mobile app developers identify the characteristics of devices accessing their websites and applications. This identification enables developers to optimize content delivery, adapt layouts, and tailor experiences specifically for the device s capabilities.

• How it Works: WURFL works by maintaining a vast database of device profiles. When a device connects to a website, WURFL analyzes the device s HTTP User-Agent string (a piece of information the device sends to the server) and other request headers. It then compares this information to its database to identify the specific device model and its features (e.g., screen size, operating system, browser, support for HTML5, etc.).

• Key Features:

  • Device Detection: Accurately identifies a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, feature phones, and even obscure devices.
  • Device Capabilities: Provides access to a comprehensive set of device capabilities, such as screen resolution, operating system, browser, JavaScript support, and many more.
  • Adaptation: Allows developers to adapt content and functionality based on the identified device capabilities, ensuring an optimal user experience.
  • Performance: Designed for efficient and fast device detection, minimizing the impact on website performance.
  • Scalability: Can be deployed in various environments, from small websites to large-scale enterprise applications.
  • Regular Updates: The WURFL database is continuously updated to include new devices and capabilities.

• Use Cases:

  • Responsive Web Design: Adjusting layouts and content to fit different screen sizes.
  • Mobile Optimization: Serving optimized images and videos to mobile devices.
  • A/B Testing: Testing different versions of a website on specific device types.
  • Mobile Analytics: Gaining insights into the device usage patterns of website visitors.
  • Content Adaptation: Delivering different versions of content based on device capabilities (e.g., simpler HTML for older browsers).
  • Advertising: Targeting ads based on device characteristics.

Revenue Information

Unfortunately, web.wurfl s revenue is not publicly disclosed. ScientiaMobile is the company behind WURFL. They are a privately held company and don t release their financial figures. Revenue will depend on their licensing agreements and the number of clients using their services.

Alternatives to web.wurfl

Several alternatives to web.wurfl exist, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some popular options:

• DeviceAtlas: Similar to WURFL, DeviceAtlas offers a comprehensive device database and API for device detection and adaptation. It is often considered a direct competitor. DeviceAtlas is now owned by Afilias.

• 51Degrees: Another commercial device detection solution with a focus on performance and accuracy. They also offer a free, open-source version with limited capabilities.

• Detect Mobile Browsers (Server-Side): Using server-side scripting languages (e.g., PHP, Python, Node.js), you can implement simpler device detection based on User-Agent strings. This approach is less accurate than WURFL or DeviceAtlas but can be sufficient for basic mobile redirection or responsive design. Several open-source libraries and code snippets are available for this.

• JavaScript-based Detection: Libraries like bowser (JavaScript browser detector) can detect browser and device information on the client-side. While convenient, this approach relies on JavaScript being enabled and can be less reliable than server-side detection due to user-agent spoofing.

• CSS Media Queries: A fundamental part of responsive web design, CSS media queries allow you to apply different styles based on screen size, orientation, and other device characteristics. While not a replacement for device detection, media queries are essential for creating responsive layouts. They are used alongside server-side device detection for a complete approach.

• FingerprintJS: While not strictly a device detection library in the same vein as WURFL, FingerprintJS uses browser fingerprinting techniques to create a unique identifier for a user s browser. This can be used for various purposes, including fraud detection and user identification, but it can also be relevant for device-specific optimization in certain cases. Be aware of privacy implications.

Pricing

WURFL is a commercial product. The pricing structure is typically based on factors such as:

• Number of requests: How many device detection requests you make to the WURFL API per month.
• Number of servers: How many servers will be using the WURFL library.
• Features required: The specific features and capabilities you need from the WURFL API.
• Support level: The level of technical support you require.

To get accurate pricing, you need to contact ScientiaMobile directly through their website (scientiamobile.com) and request a quote. They usually have different pricing tiers to accommodate various needs, from small businesses to large enterprises. They have a free community edition, but it has limitations and may not be suitable for commercial use.

Customer Care Details

• Website: The primary source of information and support is the ScientiaMobile website (scientiamobile.com).

• Documentation: They provide extensive documentation on the WURFL API, including guides, tutorials, and API references.

• Support Forums/Community: They may have community forums or support portals where users can ask questions and share knowledge.

• Email Support: They offer email support for paying customers. The level of support (e.g., response time) typically depends on the pricing tier.

• Phone Support: Higher-tier plans may include phone support.

• Knowledge Base: A knowledge base with FAQs and troubleshooting articles is usually available.

• Training: ScientiaMobile may offer training courses or workshops on how to use WURFL effectively.

Summary Table

| Feature | Description | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Overview | Device detection and adaptation solution that identifies device characteristics based on User-Agent analysis. | | Revenue | Not publicly disclosed (ScientiaMobile is privately held). | | Alternatives | DeviceAtlas, 51Degrees, Server-side User-Agent parsing, JavaScript-based detection (Bowser), CSS Media Queries, FingerprintJS. | | Pricing | Commercial; based on request volume, server count, features, and support level. Contact ScientiaMobile for a quote. Free community edition available with limitations. | | Customer Care | Website documentation, community forums (may vary), email support, phone support (may vary), knowledge base, training (may vary). | | Key Benefit | Enables optimized and tailored user experiences across a wide range of devices. Improves web performance, user satisfaction, and potentially increases conversions. | | Key Drawback | Commercial product with ongoing licensing costs. Requires integration and maintenance. May need to be updated regularly to maintain accuracy. |

Remember to visit the official ScientiaMobile website for the most up-to-date information on WURFL and its pricing. It s also wise to evaluate the alternatives based on your specific needs and budget.