Detect phone / tablet / desktop : Media queries or Server side detection ?

[Loudness]

Is there a way to detect if a user is using a tablet, a phone or a desktop ?

I know I can use media queries, but here's the problem : some phone now have the same resolution as tablet, but only have half the screen size. (more pixel density). I want a particular notification bar to be shown on the right side on desktop & tablet, but this same bar should be at the bottom on phone since it would take too much space on the side on a phone.

What would be the best ? Server side detection ? A plugin such as WP Mobile Detect ? I saw a couple article stating media queries were better than server side detection (not sure why), but then I have the problem stated above.... : Some device have the same resolution, but different screen size.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

[Brad Dalton]

You can use mobile conditional tags from a plugin like Mobble or write your own. http://clicknathan.com/web-design/wordpress-mobile-conditional-statement/

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Tutorials for StudioPress Themes.

[Loudness]

is it possible to load a plugin conditionally using the above plugin ? (or Wp mobile detect) ?

So this way I could install 2 different plugin : 1 for the pull out notification for desktop + tablet & another plugin for the notification bar at the bottom & just load the one required by the user based on the device they use ?

[Brad Dalton]

I would ask the plugin Developers this question as they are the best people to ask.

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Tutorials for StudioPress Themes.

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