Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tatertot]

Hello everybody,

I think that maybe some web developers can help me out here. I have a question regarding the detection of a mobile device and the subsequent serving of a mobile web page:

Is there any way other than the User Agent string for a web server to detect the kind of device which is requesting a page?

I ask because I am having problems using the free wifi at Starbucks with my mobile devices. When I try to connect to the free Starbucks wifi with my Galaxy S, I am redirected to a different logon page ("olleh WiFi zone"). When I try to access from my iPad, I am redirected to the same page. However, when I try to access from a laptop, I am not redirected and I can log in. I tried downloading different browsers on my phone which allowed changing the User Agent string and this same behavior persisted after I (supposedly) changed the User Agent to that of desktop firefox.

Now, it isn't a life-or-death situation, but I am curious how the server is detecting that I am trying to connect with a mobile device.

Also, if anybody else has experienced this problem and knows how to solve it, I would be grateful to hear the answer.

Thanks,
tatertot

[computermichael]

I would try enabling or disabling javascript and seeing what happens. If you're being redirected, as opposed to a different page entirely being loaded, then it's probably detecting your crap through javascript and not on the server. It still might not work, but if something changes, you're closer to knowing how they're doing it.

Also, if they're really determined to stop mobile users from using their wifi, they could make it so that their site detects your capabilities instead of the user agent string. There's probably not much you can do about it if that's the case.

It could be some bug rather than an effort to block mobile users.

[cj1976]

I was looking at the exact same problem today and found a workaround or two for Galaxy S. Most simple solution is to use a 3rd party browser like Dolphin or Xscope and change the user agent in the settings menu. On stock browser, type 'about:useragent' into the url bar and choose which useragent you want.

[tatertot]

In case anybody else is having this problem, I may have found a solution for the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch devices. I say may because there is a program on Cydia that allows you to change your User Agent String, but I haven't tested if that will stop the Starbucks redirect.

If you want to do this, and you have a jailbroken device, then you can download a program from Cydia called "User Agent Faker" written by Conrad Kramer. There are a couple of Applications that show up when you do a search, so make sure to choose the one with a picture of an electric drill. Anyway, install via Cydia, then open the Settings app. From there, select the "User Agent Faker" tab under "Extensions" and set the "Enabled" switch to on. Set the "User Agent" choice to whatever your choice is, then click the "Applications" button. From there, set the Safari switch to on. Now you have a faked desktop User Agent String and should be able to view non-mobile sites.

[archmagos]

[tatertot]