What is a hyperlink?

What devices support the "tel:" hyperlink (RFC 3966) and how can you detect those devices with javascript?

• On iPhones and other mobile devices you can use "tel:" instead of "http://" or "mailto:" in hyperlinks. This allows the phone to call the number in the hyperlink. On desktops and some other devices this "tel:" hyperlink isn't recognized and gives an error. For example, Mobile Safari supports "tel:" but desktop Safari does not. Neither do Firefox or Chrome? What devices/browsers understand the "tel:" hyperlink reference? Is there a javascript library that allows me to detect those that do and do not support it so I can decide whether or not to display the phone number as a hyperlink? ref: http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3966.txt

• Answer:

  The tel: URL scheme works perfectly with Desktop Safari. You just need to: Install and configure a software for placing phone calls. Telephone.app (http://www.tlphn.com/) and a proper SIP account does the trick. If tel: URL scheme is not assigned to your phone app, use RCDefaultApp preference pane (http://www.rubicode.com/Software/RCDefaultApp/) to configure this. Point your Desktop Safari to a webpage sporting a tel: hyperlink and it'll place your calls. Details in RFC3966.