Websites using Wurfl

Okay, let s break down WURFL (Wireless Universal Resource File) with an overview, revenue considerations, alternatives, pricing, and customer care details.

What is WURFL?

WURFL is a software library designed for device detection. It s essentially a vast database containing information about thousands of different mobile devices, tablets, smart TVs, and other web-connected devices. This information, known as device capabilities, includes details such as:

• Operating System: iOS, Android, Windows, etc.
• Browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.
• Screen Size: Dimensions and resolution
• Rendering Engine: WebKit, Blink, Gecko, etc.
• Input Methods: Touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, etc.
• Hardware Features: Camera, GPS, etc.
• Performance Capabilities: Memory, processor speed, etc.
• Network Capabilities: WiFi, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.

How does WURFL Work?

When a user visits a website, their device sends a User-Agent string within the HTTP request. WURFL uses this User-Agent string to identify the specific device and then retrieves the corresponding device capabilities from its database. This allows websites to:

• Deliver tailored content: Optimize layouts, images, and functionality for the specific device being used.
• Improve user experience: Avoid rendering issues and performance problems that can occur when a website isn t optimized for a particular device.
• Analyze traffic: Better understand user demographics based on device usage.

Key Features & Use Cases:

• Device-specific CSS/JavaScript: Load different CSS or Javascript based on device, resolution.
• Image optimization: Serve different image sizes optimized for varying screen resolutions.
• Content adaptation: Display simplified mobile layouts on smaller screens and more detailed layouts on larger screens.
• Application targeting: Use device information for in-app analytics and content delivery.
• Analytics and tracking: Understanding device usage for targeted marketing.

Revenue Considerations:

• WURFL s Business Model: WURFL is primarily developed and maintained by ScientiaMobile, a company specializing in device intelligence. WURFL is sold as a paid product through various licensing options.
• Revenue Sources:
  • Licensing Fees: Most of ScientiaMobile s revenue comes from licensing WURFL for commercial use. There are different licenses based on the type of use.
  • Support and Maintenance: Companies often purchase support packages for access to updates, bug fixes, and technical assistance.
  • Consulting Services: ScientiaMobile also offers consulting services related to device detection and optimization.
• Profitability: ScientiaMobile appears to be a profitable company that relies on consistent revenue through licensing. They are known for continuously updating the WURFL database, which increases its value.

Alternatives to WURFL:

While WURFL is the most popular and established device detection solution, there are alternatives, each with pros and cons:

• DeviceAtlas:
  • Pros: Similar capabilities to WURFL, strong database, and support.
  • Cons: Can be more expensive than WURFL, licensing structure can be complex.
• 51Degrees:
  • Pros: Open-source options available, competitive pricing, good accuracy.
  • Cons: Database might not be as extensive as WURFL or DeviceAtlas.
• OpenDDR:
  • Pros: Open source, free to use, very granular device definitions.
  • Cons: Requires more technical expertise, less support and ongoing maintenance may be on the user
• User-Agent Parsing (Custom Implementation):
  • Pros: Free, complete control over implementation.
  • Cons: Extremely complex to maintain a robust database, and challenging to keep up-to-date with rapidly evolving device landscape, prone to errors, higher maintenance cost.

Pricing Details:

WURFL s pricing model is complex and dependent on usage. Generally, they offer licensing options based on:

• Project size: Number of websites or applications using the library
• Traffic volume: Number of device detections per month
• Deployment method: Cloud vs On-premise.
• Support level: Different support plans are offered with varying response times and levels of assistance.

Key Pricing Considerations:

• Free Trial: ScientiaMobile offers a free trial of WURFL which allows developers to test the product before deciding on purchase.
• Commercial Licenses: These are designed for businesses using WURFL on production websites/apps.
• Annual Subscription: Most WURFL licenses are on a recurring annual subscription basis.

Note: Specific pricing is not always publicly available. You need to request a quote from ScientiaMobile to receive tailored pricing for your specific needs.

Customer Care Details:

• Documentation: Extensive documentation is available on the ScientiaMobile website, including API references, installation guides, and tutorials.
• Email Support: ScientiaMobile offers email support to their users based on the level of support purchased.
• Support Portal: Customers often have access to a support portal for submitting tickets and tracking progress.
• Professional Services: They also offer paid professional services such as consulting and custom development.
• Community Forum: There may be community forums where users can ask questions and share tips, although primary support comes from ScientiaMobile directly.

In Summary:

WURFL is a powerful tool for device detection, but comes with a price tag that needs to be evaluated against alternatives. Here s a table summarizing WURFL:

| Feature | Details | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Functionality | Device detection library, identifies device capabilities via User-Agent. | | Use Cases | Responsive design, content adaptation, analytics, targeted marketing. | | Revenue Source | Licensing fees, support, consulting services. | | Alternatives | DeviceAtlas, 51Degrees, OpenDDR, custom implementations. | | Pricing | Varied, dependent on usage, requires contacting ScientiaMobile for quotes. | | Customer Care | Documentation, email support, support portal, professional services. |

Before committing to WURFL or any other device detection library, it is important to carefully evaluate:

• Your specific use case: How critical is device detection for your business?
• Your budget: Can you afford the licensing fees and support costs?
• Your technical expertise: How comfortable are you working with the library?
• Alternatives available: Do any of the alternatives offer a better value proposition for your needs?

I hope this comprehensive overview of WURFL is helpful. If you have further questions about a particular aspect, feel free to ask.