In the first days of mobile internet connectivity, simple navigation was commonly underdeveloped to the point of being functionally impossible. Today, mobiles are being given just as much attention as their desktop contemporaries as a platform, and this pattern is only becoming more pronounced. Looking back at past limitations and examples, we want to examine what caused the initial hurdles, how they were overcome, and why iGaming so perfectly illustrates this gradual evolution.

 The Third Mobile Generation

Mobiles have long operated by a collection of technologies that are separated by a somewhat arbitrary designation of “generation.” Each of these generations is meant to indicate a significant step up in potential, though the breadth of these changes differs wildly. The first two generations, 1G and 2G, were not internet-capable, as it was the advent of 3G which made this possible.

3G was problematic, however; hampered by severe data, display, input, and processing limitations. Web browsing on 3G, at least initially, often relied on cutting out images and offering simple text interfaces. Even with the smaller pages of the era, this led to frustration and confusing experiences.

Because of these problems, early internet services would often instead need to rely on apps. iGaming apps were a popular early example of this. These played well with the limited devices of the time, though only with apps, as app-less webpage access was largely impossible at the time.

“Mobile Phone Keyboard” (Public Domain) by José Miguel S

Smartphone Evolution

The most significant hurdles of the early internet were tackled largely through the advent and proliferation of smartphone technology. With larger and higher-quality displays, as well as more advanced processing capabilities, displaying webpages accurately and efficiently became an increasingly realistic pursuit. This was further aided by 4G, which gave a massive boost in potential mobile internet speeds.

All was not smooth sailing though, as for a long time many web developers still operated on the idea that mobiles were more of an option than a primary platform. Because of this, even while web pages could load on mobile, they often fit poorly and suffered navigational issues due to inattentive design.

Again, apps were commonly seen as the way forward. Since these apps enabled developers to create a cohesive display across all devices, which was difficult with mobile webpages and different browsers, they became extremely popular. Mobile casino games were once more a strong example of this, where it still took an app to manage what a PC could often do straight from a webpage. This long-standing issue would change, however, with the arrival of HTML5.

“HTML5 gaming rocket wallpaper” (CC BY 2.0) by codepo8

HTML5 and its related technologies proved an enormous boon to webpage development, in that they allowed simultaneous development of both mobile and desktop browser versions. Combined with a greater understanding that mobile was becoming the platform of choice for many users, this caused a revolution of better cohesion between desktop and mobile webpage design.

Returning to the iGaming example, we could look at any number of these services, which include casino and poker games as well as sports betting and innovative offerings such as jackpot bingo at Paddy Power. Formerly, iGaming websites had to rely on different websites for mobiles and desktops, and very different appearances for apps. Today, all three of these avenues are largely interchangeable, with the likes of games like Temple of Iris 2 Jackpot, Lucha Rumble and Dynamite Digger Jackpot being playable from wherever the user prefers. While not all websites measure up to this example, this is the sort of target towards which many are now aiming.

“Smartphone” (CC BY 2.0) by Janitors

No matter the industry, the evolution of mobiles as a platform, overall infrastructure, and greater processing and programming technologies have led to much more cohesive and convenient systems of access. No longer limited by choice, users can now do what they want from where they want, and on an almost worldwide scale. While there are still a few hurdles yet before we see total adaption, we’ve come a long way, as iGaming shows, no matter how often we might take that for granted.