Are you tired of digging the Internet for mobile apps just to find that your particular phone isn’t supported?
With the list of mobile apps below – the mobile version of major sites – your life is simpler. You might not have to download and store apps to your phone to get cool features and functionality.
If your phone supports web browsing, you have a plethora of mobile apps and
websites you can use — just make sure you have a data
plan!
You’ll find most popular websites these days
have a streamed-down version of their site so you can better view and navigate
using smaller screens. If you visit the usual web address from a mobile device,
it usually automatically detects the device and shows you the mobile-friendly
version. However, some sites might require you to bring it up with the mobile
address. Also keep in mind, most mobile sites can be viewed from normal
computers while some require you to be on a true mobile device.
Here are 40 mobile-friendly sites you might want
to check out, neatly categorized:
Social Networking
1) Facebook: m.facebook.com
View a mobile-friendly version of Facebook to keep up with friends and family
anytime from your phone.
2) Twitter: m.twitter.com
You can tweet and access all the other Twitter features from this mobile
site.
3) MySpace: m.myspace.com
If you’re on MySpace, you can use their mobile website to keep up-to-date
with your social life.
4) Flickr: m.flickr.com
Here you can view photos and videos, share, and comment.
Searching and News
5) Google: m.google.com
If you’re a Google fan, don’t forget about this site for all your searching
needs.
6) Yahoo: m.yahoo.com
If you use Yahoo’s search engine or various other services, you might want to
check their mobile version.
7) MSN: mobile.msn.com
If you’re a fan of Microsoft’s portal, check this out.
8) USA Today: m.usatoday.com
Stay on top of the national news with the mobile version of USA Today.
9) CNN: m.cnn.com
If you’re a CNN fan, visit their site to stay up-to-date with the news.
10) MapQuest: wireless.mapquest.com
If you’ve adopted MapQuest as your source of directions and maps, you can
visit their site.
11) YouTube: m.youtube.com
Here’s a site for you video junkies! Browse new videos, search for your
favorites, or upload your own.
12) TMZ: wap.tmz.com
Stay on top of the celebrity news and gossip with TMZ Mobile.
13) MarketWatch:
www.marketwatch.com/m
Here you can check stock quotes, read news, and stay on top of the market
from your phone.
Directories and Portals
14) Cantoni: www.cantoni.mobi
This is a hand-crafted directory of mobile-friendly websites. Browse through
the 11 categories to discover more mobile sites.
15) Wazobi: www.wazobi.mobi
This is a directory of user-submitted mobile sites you can search and browse
through. You’ll find more than just the popular sites.
16) Yellow Pages: m.yp.com
Don’t rummage through the thick phone book. Quickly find the address and
contact info for any business or place by typing the name and a city or zip.
17) Restaurant Row:
www.restaurantrow.com/avantgo
Need to find a restaurant for a date? Or are you already in town searching
for food? Use this site to find a restaurant, view their details, and any
reviews.
18) TV Guide: m.tvguide.com
Have you become too dependant on your DVR service? When you’re out, you can
use TV Guide to review the TV listings, read recaps, get SMS text reminders, and
keep up with the entertainment news.
19) Wikipedia:
mobile.wikipedia.org
If you’ve ever done any researching online, you’ve probably visited the
user-generated encyclopedia, called Wikipedia. This is their mobile-friendly
site.
20) Dictionary: m.reference.com/d
Need to look up a definition or spelling of a word? Use this mobile
dictionary.
Personal Productivity
21) Gmail: m.gmail.com
If you use Google’s Gmail, use this site to check your email from your
phone’s browser.
22) Food Network: m.foodnetwork.com
Next time you’re out and about and need cooking advice, here’s the site you
need to visit. Reference a recipe when shopping or browse through them for
ideas.
23) Skweezer: www.skweezer.com
This site provides a utility that converts normal websites into
mobile-friendly web pages by rearranging the contents and giving you better
text-based navigation.
Fun and Enjoyment
24) Netflix: m.netflix.com
If you have a Netflix account, use this mobile site to find movies, manage
your queue, and write reviews.
25) ESPN: m.espn.com
If you’re a sports fan, use this site to check scores, schedules, game
highlights, and more.
26) Sports Illustrated: m.si.com
If you’re a fan of the Sports Illustrated magazine, you ought to check out
this site.
27) Mobile Stream Center: tuned.mobi
Most phones don’t feature a FM radio, but you can use this site to listen to
most stations via Internet streams. Search for or browse through your favorite
local or out-of-town station.
28) Moviefone: wap.aol.com/moviefone
Here’s a site specifically for looking up movies details and show times,
right from the palm of your hand.
29) AOL Mobile Games: wap.aol.com/games
Next time you’re waiting around, don’t just fiddle your thumbs; start a
mobile game! No need to download, they’re web-based so you can also play on the
computer.
30) TLC: m.tlc.com
If you watch any of TLC’s programming, check out their site for listings,
blogs, and additional coverage on your favorite shows.
31) Mobile TV: m.mobiletv.net
If you aren’t around a television, you still might be able to catch your
favorite show, newscast, or game.
32) Discovery Channel:
m.discovery.com
If you’re a Discovery Channel fan, check out their fan sites, schedules, and
more.
Traveling
33) AAA: AAA.Mobi
Search among AAA approved listings and discounts, view local events, and
access other AAA services from the palm of your hand.
34) National Weather Service:
cell.weather.gov
Don’t wait till the local news broadcast, or until you find a computer; check
the weather from your phone. See current conditions, radar, satellite, detailed
forecast, and emergency info.
35) Orbitz: mobile.orbitz.com
If you use Orbitz to manage your traveling, check out their mobile site.
36) Expedia: m.expedia.com
If you’re a Expedia fan, here’s their cell-friendly site.
37) Travelocity:
mobile.travelocity.com
Yet another travel management site you might be interested in.
Shopping
38) Amzaon: m.amazon.com
Shop for or research books, electronics, toys, and much more, right from your
phone.
39) eBay: m.ebay.com
Search the auctions and stores. Plus access your account: view any items
you’re watching, buying, won, didn’t win selling, sold, or unsold.
40) PayPal: m.paypal.com
Login to your account to view your PayPal balance, send money, set or change
your PIN, and more.
Eric Geier is a freelance tech writer.
He has authored many networking and computing books for brands like For Dummies
and Cisco Press.