In a nutshell…

Host websites directly from your mobile, letting visitors leave messages, see through your phone’s camera or browse your media library from afar.

Judgement time…

Previous versions of Mobile Web Server have been complicated. Really complicated. Installing server protocols and programming languages to your phone was a multi-step process, and setting up even the most basic site was almost impossible for everyone but uber-geeks.

Luckily, the latest version of Nokia’s app takes all the strain out of setting up your phone as a lean mean web-hosting machine.

Installing this version is as simple as downloading any other app. Installing takes around 15 minutes, but is completely painless.

While it’s installing, you need to hop online and create an account, and once Mobile Web Server is installed, you log in with those details. It’s as simple as that. Really.

When it’s running you can create accounts for your friends, so they can log in through their web browser. They’ll be able to see your contacts, media library and calendar, as well as snap pictures using your phone’s camera. It’s all fiendishly clever.

You can create your own HTML code to be hosted too, and it’s all piped online through your Wi-Fi or mobile network connection.

But, the question has to be asked, is it useful?

For most, the answer will undoubtedly be ‘no’ as there’re no obvious benefits to hosting this sort of site. Yes, it’s slightly cheaper than paying for normal hosting services, but the connection to your phone will be slow and unreliable, and while the Web Server app will show an apologetic message if your mobile dips out of signal, that’s no good to visitors seeking information.

As a technical show of strength however, Mobile Web Server is one of the most advanced applications we’ve seen for Nokia’s handsets. It’s also one of the most simple to set up, considering its technical might, but for those seeking a useful addition to their handset, or a reliable hosting solution, you’re better off looking elsewhere. This one’s strictly for the geeks and code enthusiasts.