So what’s a low specification phone? Say something with less than an Arm9 with less than 50 megs of memory to play with.
Lets not kid ourselves, most of the world use low spec mobiles. I’ve thought about how the Web application platform will be delivered on such devices in “developing countries”: over a long period of time.
I predict most people in the world will only have a usable Web environment on their mobiles in about 20 years. So roughly 2030.
However some people can’t wait that long. So lets say we stripped WebKit to it’s core HTML rendering capabilities. No Javascript engine, etc. etc. A colleague says that might work on a low specification device (32meg) with a lot of work. Is it worth the work though?
I don’t think so, because there are stats out there to say that most low spec phone users aren’t really interested in applications. Secondly and probably most importantly lets not forget these people are probably not on any sort of cost effective data plan! Thirdly the interactive and more efficient Web requires Javascript capabilities.
So how are low spec mobile users going to be offered services? I imagine via voice services will bridge the gap like they are doing currently now for the developed world. Here in the “developed world” we have call centres and over time most people will migrate to better services offered via the Web application platform.
So please be patient, the future of the Web on mobile for the masses will be slow, evolutionary and I’m fine with that.
Let me know your opinion if it differs. 
Recently I really enjoyed watching the movie Blood Diamond.
It is a first time I can think where a “White South African” is a lead character in a mainstream Hollywood film played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
I was actually impressed with Leo’s performance. His accent was plausible, though some of the South African-isms are a little odd or dated. I guess the movie is supposed to be set a few years ago, but my South Africans don’t use “China” and “Broer” all that often. It is only used in informal cases. “Boet” would be more accurate IMO, though I guess he is supposed to be from Rhodesia.
I didn’t like the story line with Solomon Vandy all that much. Especially with the ending where he gets applauded before he gives the speech. Like, OK. Hollywood ending, indeed.
The reporter stuff with Maddy Bowen was also really cliche. OMG.
Silly bits:
* Getting out of jail for smuggling Blood Diamonds in a couple of days? OK. Sure… Same goes for the rebel leader? Aha…
* Jack Daniel product placement. Come on.
* How the hell does his find Vandy after being in South Africa. That’s nuts.
* Ordering in an attack chopper and being in the same place as it is going to attack. Hilariously bad. Also the part when he runs through the camp shooting people and some how not getting shot.
* Going to a rebel village to see if son is there.
* Skinning a baboon. WTF hunts baboons? OMG that was strange.
My main gripe is that this Holywood film could have been better edited and much shorter.
South Africans who complain about crime are whingers according to Desmond Tutu.
Many white South Africans, in particular, continue to whinge about it. In parliament recently, the Safety and Security Minister controversially told some of the "whingers" - in this case, a group of opposition MPs - that they could leave the country if they did not like it.