They either try to make the site ‘fit seemlessly’ into their design/branding concept and waste time (downloading, scrolling) thus irritating the user, or they try to go so simple, it has little to no practical use (obvious exceptions aside – if you’re looking for flight times, it’s a small simple form).

In either case, it seems it’s very rare for sites to make a version for smaller devices, and when they do, it’s more of a side project they hand off to the new guy – who’s got a hot date with the receptionist in 3 hours.

It’s not that hard to design a site for a mobile device, nor hard to get a website to check their browser.

I believe it really boils down to lack of effort – implying a perceived lack of market – regardless of what the talking head CEOs and Marketing folk say in zines. The effort is not being spent on this – by the content providers.