Comments on: Can Users View Your Tours From Mobile Devices?

By: Daniel Silver

Daniel Silver — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:43:48 +0000

Almost every smartphone based cellphone is capable of viewing Flash, the issue is browser support. That being said, one of the best browser’s to hit the smartphone industry is Skyfire which allows you to practically view everything, from javascript to all web based 2.0 coding and even flash 10.

http://www.skyfire.com/

Smartphones will continue to grow and multimedia focused models will continue to come out due to huge consumer demand. Everyone is mobile these day’s, and as such, yes, it would be a good idea to provide the ability to view slideshows and tours that are optimised for mobile devices, the problem is… is it worth it in terms of bandwidth? Can the average consumer AFFORD, want to view pictures and/or a tour that is upwards of 500 kb? That’s a whol lotta bandwidth for a mobile device that costs a whole lotta $$$…

By: eric chase

eric chase — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:31:47 +0000

OMG! – I don’t believe what you are saying Scott, you’ve been a hero of mine int eh world of real estate photography but if you’re serious about your last comment above I’m going to have to rethink…..

Please, tell me your being sarcastic!

By: Scott Hargis

Scott Hargis — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:36:46 +0000

“Anonymous” is right — this whole internets thing is just a fad…

By: larry

larry — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:40:15 +0000

Anon- You can choose to ignore the facts if you wish. The stats are accurate.

I’m not a techno-savvy 20-30 year old. I have two sons that are both over 35 and I buy property. I currently have three properties and will be buying a 4th by the end of the year. I use an iPhone to view listings from the street almost daily via the Zillow iPhone app and the iPhone browser.

I could not live without my iPhone… spend $99 and find out what you are missing out on man!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:53:47 +0000

This thinking, and the stats, are seriously flawed.
Business people use these mobile device predominantly for short emails.

Mr & Mrs Average Consumer will not make a decision to inspect properties by looking at tiny inferior screen.
They will research at home using a “normal” computer.
Agents may use them as an on-the-go reminder of what their inventory is, but that’s it.

The techno-savvy 20-30 year olds might use a novelty like this, and that’s all it is, a novelty.
But, they are not the demographic buying property.

By: Scott Hargis

Scott Hargis — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:07:02 +0000

“Do you really think that people reviewing real estate offerings are going to sit down at their dinky screen iPhones to select the properties they are going to visit?”

Yep.

By: Ian Haseltine - Virtual tour provider

Ian Haseltine - Virtual tour provider — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:43:09 +0000

I agree with several people here that it is a great tool for someone who spots a sign while driving. It is also impressive for a real estate agent to say it is a service they offer. The more tools we can give to agents, the more valuable we become!

By: Vladimir Sterkin

Vladimir Sterkin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:07:03 +0000

Absolutely. This is huge! The next generation will find their new homes with their smart phones, not tomorrow, but next week!

Don’t worry, either Apple will get on board eventually, or the new export version of Flash (CS5) will resolve the virtual tour on phone issues. For now a video capture of a virtual tour will do.

While iPhone is huge (and I would have one in a second, but I refuse to use AT&T. and have a G1 instead) dont assume a massive market share isnt coming within the next couple of years, especially with a huge push from Google and their Android OS.

By: Fred Light

Fred Light — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:02:21 +0000

I absolutely can see people driving up to a house, looking up the listing on their iPhone and looking at photos or videos as they sit in front of the house. In fact, you can already do this with applications such as http://smarteragent.com which I am encouraging my clients to subscribe to.

Why would people do such a thing?

BECAUSE THEY CAN.

It’s as simple as that!

By: Thomas Doggett

Thomas Doggett — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:45:06 +0000

As a Real Estate Broker I can attest to the power of having the web in the palm of your hand. Clients as well as agents use Iphones and the such to assist in their searches and to ignor this would not be prudent. In fact I am reading this blog and writing on my I-phone now.