Wikimedia Mobile engineering/Language support

See also the mobile localization roadmap.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Language support in mobile platforms requires special attention since it defines the potential scope of the Wikimedia content and participation.

The meaning of Language Support
"Language support" is actually a vague term that may include different elements:


 * Fonts supported in browser.
 * Text input supported.
 * Text prediction supported.
 * Dictionaries supported.

The table could highlight the platforms / vendors / models that are expandable, inviting the respective Wikimedia communities to find their software development counterparts in order to collaborate in new language support packs. Commercial parties might be interested in getting involved as well.

Note that the data might get complicated. Some languages might be supported in a device purchased in Country X but then not available and not installable in the same model purchased in Country Y. The same platform might have devices that are expandable and models that are not - this may even xhanges for a same model from country to country, from operator to operator. Third parties may offer their own input methods, text prediction and dictionaries with a different set of languages supported. Still it's worth to start mapping the defaults, and we will see how to deal with the exceptions.