September 28, 2006 | In Business, Technology | 1 Comment
Open registrations have now begun for the .MOBI top level domain name, a web extension designed specifically for sites that cater to a mobile audience.
Supporters of the new TLD; including Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson, T-Mobile, and Vodafone; have created a number of design standards that all .MOBI developers are expected to follow. By customizing this “new internet” specifically for mobile browsers, the companies involved are hoping to make it easier for customers to access information (and buy products) on the handheld devices.
“In the past, using the internet on a mobile device presented huge obstacles for the consumer,” says dotMobi CEO, Neil Edwards. “We’re creating a link between mobile operators, internet content providers, and the millions of mobile users seeking a consistent, reliable, and enjoyable internet experience.”
Despite criticism from some analysts, the public release is .MOBI domain names is expected to trigger a “land rush” for valuable, keyword-rich domains. These largely unproven domains are still a risky investment, to be sure, but if the mobile web catches on, they could be a goldmine of untapped potential.
September 25, 2006 | In Business, Technology | No Comments
As the internet advertising industry continues to grow at record rates, new media is being embraced more than ever by cable companies, TV networks, newspapers, and magazines alike.
Traditional media companies throughout North America and the world are expanding their web presence and making an increasing volume of content available online, so as to cash in on the growing markets surrounding interactive media and online advertising.
Newcomers to the interactive online content business, namely broadcasters and cable providers, are reaping the lion’s share of new growth, according to Mediaweek, with their new media ad revenue expected to grow by 34.1% in 2006. Magazines, many of which have been available online for years, are also expected to see continued success, with web revenues reaching $1 billion by 2010.
Although we can expect a fair amount of volatility in the innovative and fast-moving new media marketplace, the principles behind these predictions do appear to be sound. All in all, it appears that nothing will prevent the internet from becoming an even more dominant force in the global media landscape over the coming years.
September 17, 2006 | In Business, Technology | No Comments
Many internet enthusiasts would have you believe that the web-based information industry is killing off traditional media outlets, such as newspapers and magazines, but statistics seem to suggest that quite the opposite is true.
In fact, web surfers now account for a significant percentage of all newspaper readers. Some newspapers now reach as much as 15% of their total audience over the internet, with millions of people using the web to access newspaper articles from all over the world.
The New York Times alone reaches 8% of its readers solely over the net, while a further 22% read the paper both in print and online.
These statistics just go to show that by blending their traditional media roots with an online component, the fourth estate can reach a larger audience than ever before.
September 7, 2006 | In Technology, Politics | 1 Comment
Internet search giant, Google Inc., has taken a dangerous step away from its all-important user privacy principles.
Earlier this week, the search engine agreed to divulge a “small and narrow” selection of personal user data to the government of Brazil, after being threatened with daily fines and a possible shut-down of its offices in the country.
Brazillian authorities claimed that Orkut, a social networking service owned by Google, was being abused for the purposes of illegal pornography, racism, and hate crimes.
Google now says that Brazil’s request isn’t comparable to that of the U.S. goverment earlier this year, since the Brazillian authorities are only asking for a small amount of personal data.
This feeble compromise on user privacy, however, could open up a lot of unpleasant issues for Google in the future. Regardless of how much user information is revealed, giving personally identifiable details to government authorities is a highly dangerous move.
There’s no clear boundry between right and wrong when it comes to divulging private details, meaning that there comes a time when internet content providers need to fight for the right to stay neutral and uninvolved.
Google was right to fight on this issue, and they at least took this opportunity to voice some very valid objections. Caving in to Brazil’s government, however, served to invalidate the point in the end, and could easily come back to haunt the search giant in future privacy battles.
