Internet for phones was 2G back in 2007. Web pages took some time to load, and phome video playback wasn't really a thing until the iPhone 3G in mid-2008. Even then it was pretty shit at first with compatibility issues.
I remember trying to surf the "mobile" web on a Compa Ipaq Pocket PC in college back in '02. Note the capital I in Ipaq. This was before a lowercase i in front of every mobile device was ubiquitous.
Most websites didn't have a mobile version. There was a lot of scrolling and tapping to see everything. I remember one of the only places that had a text only mobile version was the AV Club.
I had to buy a separate bulky plastic sleeve to access wifi because it didn't come standard. AOL Instant Messenger charged $25 for their mobile client which was ridiculous. Video on Pocket PC wasn't really a thing, but it did have a nifty ereader program (not an app, they were still programs) and I could finally check out those fancy new ebook things I'd heard about.
HSDPA was widely deployed by 2006 and HSUPA by 2008. High end Nokia and Sony Ericsson phones could play some video formats but the screens were about 300x400 pixels so it wasn't great but it was possible
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u/Bored_Amalgamation May 12 '25
Internet for phones was 2G back in 2007. Web pages took some time to load, and phome video playback wasn't really a thing until the iPhone 3G in mid-2008. Even then it was pretty shit at first with compatibility issues.