In development: Theme optimized for Mobile Devices

[Santscho]

I am currently developing a theme based on jquery mobile framework to give our customers a comfortable way to buy our products with their mobile devices. I just started and figured out, that it is not so difficult to do such a theme and it looks promising. I need to solve 2 major problems I am facing right now. I know, I could just buy iPrestashop, but I don't like the design and I don't want to pay for something I don't like.

 

1. Need two versions of the shop with shared database

I know how to code a mobile detection script which redirects automatically to an url for the mobile device once a mobile device is detected. I can also configure this script that customer can switch to the regular site if they don't want to use the mobile version. A cookie will be set on the devices browser to remember the setting. But I don't know how to handle the workflow of prestashop to run parallel on two platforms (desktop and mobile).

 

How can I create an aditional Prestashop installation (for example in a subdomain or subfolder) which has a separate mobile template activated but is using the same database as the desktop version (for customer, products, vouchers, shipping, carriers....)?

 

2. I don't want to change the core files

I consider everything outside my theme folder as core files which I don't want to change. When an update for prestashop is available, I only want to update the theme and not the core files. In my first developing progress, I had already to change a file from the core (prestashop/modules/blockcurrencies/blockcurrencies.tpl). I really don't want to do that.

 

How can I tell my mobile theme to use the core module but with the customised template from the mobile theme folder. I can see in the default prestashop template folder (themes/prestashop), that there are many .tpl files located. Can be templates (like blockcurrencies.tpl) also be hosted in the theme folder?

 

Help will be rewarded

I am not going to sell this mobile template. I am very thankful for your help and will provide you the mobile template code for your own unlimited usage and modification. With no restrictions. You can also send me a PM and I will provide you my template code at any development stage.

 

Here from you soon?

Cheers

 

Ralph

[puecher]

Hi Santscho,

 

maybe I will do the same ;-)

 

1. I have to check the PrestaShop core code, I will update you

 

2. You should use the override dir extending classes (controllers), so you don´t have to change the core files. Put your templates in the themes/yourtheme/youmodule/ dir.

 

Cheers,

Patrick

[Santscho]

Thanks Patrick

 

2. This works. You must know... It is the first time I do an own theme.

 

1. I have an idea. Not sure if this would work. Just brainstorming....

• Two prestashop installations: 1 desktop [www.myshop.com], 1 mobile [www.myshop.com/mobile]
  
• Both using same database.
  
• The mobile installation uses the file library (downloads, product photos...) of the desktop installation.
  
• The desktop installation uses the default theme 'prestashop'.
  
• Because of the entry in the database, the mobile installation uses the default theme 'prestashop' too.
  
• Now, the theme 'prestashop' in the mobile installation needs to be replaced with the mobile theme. Kind of trojan horse. Only the name is 'prestashop'. The templates/functions/contents are not.
  
• The deskop installation will get a mobile-detection and -redirection function.
  
• The mobile installation will get a 'use desktop' function to let the user decide which platform to use.
  

[puecher]

2. You are welcome ;-)

 

1. I wouldn´t clone the hole shop, one approach would be to extend the output controller, there should be the possibility to override the $_current_theme var or getCurrentTheme() function. Just some idea...