Add-On Releases - Mobile Device Style Assignment

This is my first released hack, be nice.

This hack will detect when a mobile device connects to your site and allow you to override the default style/skin with one you specify.

Just install the product-file and set which style is your mobile device style via the AdminCP. Has been tested with several 3.6.x versions up to 3.6.8

I am also releasing a skin I wrote (it is based on vbmechanics Alabama skin, so updated or modified would be a more accurate description) for my own needs - it could probably be tidied up a lot more, but it works for me - take it as it is, I may offer limited support for this skin if I get time (no promises), and feel free to offer suggestions. Mobi - My super light skin is probably the one to go for, it has much greater functionailty.

=Install Instructions=
Go to Plugin System, Manage Products in your AdminCP and click Add/Import Product link at the end of the page
Browse for the product-mobile_enabled36-x.x.x.xml product file and click 'import'
Refresh your admincp page and in VBulletin Options, select the settings for 'Mobile Device Detection'
Change the styleid of your mobile skin in "Mobile Device Style" to the StyleID number of your mobile device skin
Change the styleid of your PDA skin in "PDA Device Style" to the StyleID number of your PDA device skin
Your mobile/pda skin must be user selectable (although you can disbale the ability for users to change styles in vBulletin Options)
Thats it!

=Upgrade Instructions=
Go to Plugin System, Manage Products in your AdminCP and click Add/Import Product link at the end of the page
Browse for the product-mobile_enabled36-x.x.x.xml product file
Choose to overwrite
Click 'import'
Re-configure Styleid of mobile/pda skin if required

VERSION 1.0.7a
Based on initial release - supports assigning one alternative style to ALL detected mobile devices

VERSION 2.1.2
Now allows the addition of exceptions and also specifying a skin for Pocket PCs (Windows CE devices) and a skin for all otehr detected mobile devices.
I've also released a very light skin HERE which is great for cell/Mobile phones

LAST UPDATE 22-October 2007
VERSION 2.1.3 - removed, small bug
VERSION 2.1.3a

• Added ability to assign different styles to IPods/iPhones (In addiotn to Windows CE devices and other detected mobile devices
• Added ability to assign specific style to a user defined device (based on user agent string).
  
  You will need to know the useragent string, or a unique fragment of the user agent string to do this. One exmple of how this can be used would be to assign a specific style to say Firefox users, perhaps a different style for Blackberry users, or you could assign a specific style to search engines (beware when doing this - google apprently doesn't like people displying different content to search engines)
  

To upgrade, simply overwrite product - your existing settings should be preserved.

I've left the previous version available for download - to get the new version, download and install the attached XML

**BACKUP YOUR DB BEFORE INSTALLING**

Other Mobile / Lite Skins:

Mobile - My super light skin
iPhone / iPod Touch Optimised Style
Alabama
VBLite
WAP Plugin - this is a similar product and skin which I didn't find till after I'd made this one - it seems to be more directed at WAP devices as opposed to all Mobile Devices, and appears to no longer be supported, but worth having a look at.


Remember to click install and give a rating :up:

keywords: Mobile, PDA, Autodetect, Autoselect, WAP, Skin, portal, cell, phone, iphone

3.7 Version Here

[dartho]

Yes and No - it really depends on the modification installed.

Some do automatic template edits which will hopefully NOT work for your mobile style due to the fact that the templates in the mobile style are so different to the default style (and other full featured vBulletin styles).

There are some modifications that need their plugins edited so they don;t affect your mobile style - this is a case by case basis.

It is always best to test on a not live site before implementing on your live site so you can work out if you have any conflicts.

[GetGamer.com]

dartho, thanks for all your help. It's working properly now. I had to be sure to check the boxes allowing the mobile style to be user-selectable. Even though I've configured vBulletin to not show the style chooser, if the mobile style isn't checked in the style manager, the mobile style won't show up unless the user is logged in.

[Pirat3]

Does this detect a iPhone? Is there any cellular/iphone friendly themes out there?

[dartho]

Yep - supports iPhone. There are a few suitable styles out there, see the list at the end of teh first post on this page, one of which I wrote and support as best I can. There may be others also...

[MoMan]

Is there any way I can prevent all users but mobile users from seeing/using the mobile skin? I don't want regular members using PCs to access the mobile style because they might know how to switch back.

[Jase2]

Hi Dartho,

Will you start on the release for 3.7 when it goes GOLD. Since they aren't adding any more features to 3.7, maybe it's a good time to start now?

Also, are you able to make a skin which is like the default vB style? I'll pay you if needed.

Regards Jason

[RedGTiVR6]

I'd be interested in the 3.7 release as well.

[dartho]

Originally Posted by MoMan

Is there any way I can prevent all users but mobile users from seeing/using the mobile skin? I don't want regular members using PCs to access the mobile style because they might know how to switch back.

If you allow users to change skins, they will be able to select your mobile skin. If you Only allow users to use a specific skin, then they can not change unless they are on a mobile device and you have tis add-on installed, at which poin they will be forced to your mobile skin.

[mariocaz]

Wow since some time ago I wanted to install this great mod, today I installed it and it is awesome!!

Now I can enter to my forum in my mobile device.

Thank you very much dartho!

[mariocaz]

My friend only I see that the disable for the iPods is not working.

And thank you a lot for the fix for the VbAdvanced Portal. :up: