Mobile Site Detection Server Side Vs Client Side

Can anyone recommend the best way to detect mobile device accessing a site - we want to re-direct to a mobile version rather than restyle the existing page due to CMS restrictions.

Solution 1:

take a look at this URL: http://detectmobilebrowsers.com/

they have code for both server side and client side (jQuery/JavaScript).

Solution 2:

If by directing to a mobile version you mean just a design change specific to mobile and not functionality changes for mobile users, then look into Responsive design which dynamically changes your design based on resolution of the current users view using media queries.

Media Queries Spec W3C

Responsive Design Guidelines

This approach should not be limited by any kind of CMS as it is straight CSS use.

Solution 3:

See below link i have answered here it might help you. same question as you asked Dear Paul.

Auto Mobile Site Redirect

Snippets for below are present on above link.

• Detecting Smartphones Using JavaScript
• Detecting Mobile Devices Using PHP
• iPhone & iPod Detection Using JavaScript
• Detect mobile.js and github etc.

Solution 4:

As pritaes suggested, I'd recommend WURFL. The new cloud-based detection service is now available with free accounts and new capabilities like "jqm_grade", which tells you the jQuery Mobile Grade (support level), so you know what type of content to serve before sending it to an unsupported device.

Solution 5:

Personally, for server side detection I like WURFL. It has a .NET API available.