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I came across a very good article on CMSWire (one of the most authoritative sites on SharePoint btw) about the mobile experience of SharePoint 2010. In 2011, when powerful mobile devices are widely available, creating a mobile experience for applications is not just about creating a stripped down version of desktop applications, but a robust app in its own right customized for mobile experience. There are 3 ways that applications can be made accessible from mobile devices. Either they may be accessed through the mobile web browser, through optimized and customized HTML interfaces for mobile devices. Or they may be accessed through local "apps" on the mobile. Or they may interact with the native apps of the mobile device - mail, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks etc. However, although SharePoint 2010 is much improved from earlier versions in terms of user friendliness and new social features, its mobile version is dissapointly not more than a slightly improved HTML version of its earlier mobile interfaces. Although you can access and browse your SharePoint site, and view list items and documents, you can do little to do more than view and interact with the elements. You can do some basic tweaking to change the default landing page for your SharePoint site, but it brings little more in terms of "out-of-the-box" experience. But in true SharePoint spirit, it offers the option of using web parts, and creating highly customized and robust mobile web apps which interact with your regular SharePoint site. However, this requires hiring IT and SharePoint "experts", well versed with the latest capabilities of SharePoint. This has always been the general theme of SharePoint. It does not bring much functionality right out of the gate, but is an almost infinitely customizable platform. SMBs however, may find alternatives to SharePoint more suitable, both in terms of mobile and desktop experience, which are developed for companies looking without time or expertise, and simply looking for a robust "out of the box" experience.
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