Home Wikipedia’s Big Mobile Plans Have Begun

Wikipedia’s Big Mobile Plans Have Begun

Wikipedia pushed a new mobile interface live today and though end-users probably won’t be able to tell the difference (except the new Beta label) – it’s the start of something big. The new mobile front end framework that’s been pushed live, called MobileFrontend, replaces an older less agile front end for the mobile site and aims to enable a host of new developments.

First, the new mobile front end will be deployed across all the Wikipedia sister sites and projects, right now it’s just Wikipedia that has a specially formatted mobile interface. Next, this new front end will support forthcoming mobile developments like mobile editing, image uploading from mobile devices and offline support for Wikipedia on your phone. Those sound like great directions for Wikipedia mobile to go. Mobile has long felt like a second class citizen, but perhaps that will change soon.

Looking at the revamped mobile platform, together with yesterday’s announcement of a Wikipedia/Ushahidi partnership to build an experimental real-time news reading and curation app for Wikipedia editors, really makes it clear that things are moving and shaking at the world’s largest encyclopedia.

A Wikipedia that supports mobile editing and image uploading will be a much more inclusive and real-time Wikipedia in the future.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.