We figured there would be some frequently-asked questions about DeviceAtlas. On this page, we ambitiously set out to answer them.
We intend this to be the single largest, most comprehensive, and accurate device database on the planet – and to provide the supporting tools, techniques and assistance that you need to take that data and use it to rock your mobile users' world.
Anyone can register and use the DeviceAtlas web site. Come in and browse the site! But we expect that the most useful aspect of the data is how it can be used by mobile web developers and content providers to ensure their services are well adapted for a wide range of different mobile devices.
We are the people behind the .mobi domain name - the only web address that indicates that a site has been designed for mobile users. You can read about us here
Because it's like an atlas. Of devices.
The main site is currently designed for use solely on a non-mobile browser, so .com is a natural choice. The DeviceAtlas .mobi site will be used for aspects of the platform that are uniquely suitable to being accessed on a mobile device. Watch this space!
DeviceAtlas data comes from a variety of sources. Some is gathered from public domain sources, such as the User-Agent Profile resource for devices and the excellent WURFL project. Some is licenced directly from device manufacturers, network operators and infrastructure and tools providers. Increasingly, data will be provided by you, the community of mobile developers and users.
The particular companies that have donated data to the DeviceAtlas project - and who have participated in beta programmes and so on - are listed at the bottom of this page
Naturally we often get conflicting data about devices from different sources. In those cases, we use a weighted system to choose the most likely value for a given property. If everyone agrees what a device's screen size is, then that's easy. If most people agree, then we take the most popular answer and adjust the value's confidence factor downwards slightly.
No, we syndicate a compact serialisation of our data to be placed on the web server, and also provide APIs that offer speedy, optimised access to the data. It's a lightweight JSON file.
We strongly suggest that you make sure that every time you want to update the JSON file, the download was completed successfully and that the file is valid and complete. If the download was broken, your application will not work properly. See the manual on Automatic download of JSON updates
We provide a range of APIs for use in your own applications, and these are available on our downloads page. You need a licence to subscribe to updates to the data. However, that's free for developer use.
During our testing we have done some benchmarks. We are now publishing the resulting performance.
Yes, we're hiring world class staff for the DeviceAtlas project. Call us.
This is a website of mTLD Top Level Domain Ltd, a private company limited by shares, incorporated and registered in the Republic of Ireland with registered number 398010 and registered office at Arthur Cox Building, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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