Why .mobi makes sense
The fresh .mobi domain extension will add value to the web.
.mobi was officially opened to the public for registration today.
Not everyone thinks this fresh TLD adds value to the web. Vmunet has an article titled “‘Pointless’ .mobi landrush launched”. The article quotes Rachel Lashford, senior analyst and research manager at Canalys saying “Having another top level domain is a completely pointless exercise.”
Most of the time fresh TLDs are a pointless exercise. This isn’t just my opinion. In the 2006 Reglike Survey, 45% of respondents stated they didn’t want to see any fresh TLDs introduced. Fresh TLDs are usually just a way for registries, registrars, and speculators to make money.
But .mobi is different. It clarifies the mobile web, making browsing easier. Right now there are a number of different protocols for accessing the web through a mobile device. For example:
wap.domain.com
domain.com/wap
mobile.domain.com
domain.com/mobile
Some web sites automatically recognize visits from mobile devices, others don’t. If you’ve ever used your mobile device to visit a web site then you certainly understand the frustration.
.mobi will clarify all of this. Soon, you’ll be able to go to google.mobi, espn.mobi, and yahoo.mobi. Your mobile device will automatically use this extension, so you’ll just be able to type in “espn” or “google” and automatically land at the correct site.
Rachel, I have to disagree with you on this one. .mobi has a point.
