2 and The Multi-Screen Household — The iPad

The increase in internet-connected screens is good for web site publishers.

Ahead of the original iPad was released I opined that it could be bad for domain name investors. The world seemed to be (slowly) shifting from web sites to Apps.

But then I discovered that may not be the case.

With all the hoopla around the iPad 2 I now realize that more internet connected devices can only be a good thing for web publishers (and thereby the importance of domain names).

As I look around my house I see 10 internet connected screens: iPad, two iPod touches, TV in the living room (connected via Roku and Boxee Box), two Android phones, Kindle, two laptops, and a desktop computer.

Just a couple years ago the only internet connected screens we had in our house were connected to computers. That’s no longer the case.

The iPad 2 only reinforces this. Like many newer smartphones, the iPad 2 can be connected to a full size HD TV. This means more and more people will have internet-connected TVs. (Indeed, the iPad 2 could make a sizable dent in Roku’s market.)

Incidentally, we got rid of our cable TV. That time I used to spend on the controlled cable TV environment is now spent connected to the internet to access similar content.

While some of these devices are certainly connecting to apps instead of domain names, it is increasing the overall time people are online. When I sit down with my iPad I might spend some time in apps, but I also surf the web.

True, content owners try to control the experience through apps. But the improving technology of internet-connected screens means more people will use the internet more often than ever.

And that means domain names and traditional web sites are as notable as ever.