51Degrees brings device detection to Node.js

March 17, 2015 - A collaboration between the Open source developer community and 51Degrees has led to device detection becoming available in Node.js. Ad tech companies requiring fast, accurate and easy to administer detection have emerged as one of the key groups of early adopters.

Reading, UK Based on a freemium model, the company's open source ethos enabled a developer based in China, Yorkie Liu, to implement the increasingly popular Javascript-based Node.js into its official API (Application Program Interface) set.

Yorkie Liu approached 51Degrees to collaborate after developing an extension for a local client who required 51Degrees' reliable and accurate device detection using the Node.js programming language. The co-operation between 51Degrees and Yorkie Liu highlights the collaborative scope of 51Degrees' open source software and how innovation can thrive across international boundaries. Early adopters of the official API include AdTech companies who participated in the performance and user testing process.

With improved website performance features and use of similar code for both web server and browser, Node.js is gaining popularity with high volume websites and web developers. 51Degrees provides a simple to install device detection package for Node.js which even the most inexperienced developer can utilise. The performance enhancing features of device detection are highly relevant to websites built on Node.js.

Essential to delivering an optimised web experience, 51Degrees device detection services quickly identifies what device is being used to access a web page– whether a smartphone, feature phone, tablet, laptop, PC or SmartTV – facilitating a fast, optimised web experience for all. Knowledge of device capabilities can be fed to analytics packages such as Google Analytics to improve insights such as physical screen size or whether the device has a touch screen. Device detection effectively monetises websites, with those using 51Degrees' device detection products having seen an increase in advertising revenues of up to 40%.

Yorkie Liu, developer, comments: "The original Node.js implementation was developed for a client in China who agreed to release it as open source on GitHub. 51Degrees were quick to support me with changes and integrate into their official API set."

James Rosewell, CEO of 51Degrees says: "The Node.js implementation of 51Degrees is a really good example of how an open source project supported with a freemium business model can work. Some of the largest web properties in the world use Node.js and they now have access to the most accurate and fastest device detection solution deployed by millions."

For more information on 51Degrees' products and services please visit www.51degrees.com