A few .mobi questions

[sashas]

http://www.dnforum.com/f4/newbie-lots-domais-help-thread-235844.html

Doc, go over that thread. The first names I registered on Jun 22, 2007.
I had no clue about domains at that time, let alone .mobi.

So no, its not my personal prejudice speaking here. I've done my research before forming an opinion. I'm not one of those domainers who got into this thing when the dot com bubble burst, nor one of those who've made their money by being rich already. I know where my shit comes from. It comes from exploiting every damn opportunity.

I started domaining on a $60 budget. And trust me, Doc, you don't make high xx,xxx in 8 months from $60 by being unoriginal.

In between the threads you've read here and at NP, there was a time lag, and thats when I was trying to gather information about .mobi.

And now you talking about this being an business forum and you don't want to reveal anything. What pure hogwash and bullshit.

Doc, you know rhetoric?

Talk about something original like philosophy, art, or literature? That would be a massive waste of your time. Granted, you more than likely know more about Indian art, literature, and hinduism, but I am not sure you want to get out of your area of comfort.

Doc, ain't it great to reduce a person to a stereotype?

I came to the US of A an year back to read English literature, unlike the other thousand of Indians you may have come across. And I'm quitting college after an year on just some plain whim, unlike the other thousands of Indians you may have come across.
And I'll accept: I don't really know too much about Indian philosophy, art or Hinduism, so don't assume that from a stereotype.

So don't reduce me to a stereotype. You know nothing about me on a personal level. I've done a lot of crazy things in my years on this planet than you would care to know.

Mobile devices are outselling PC's 4:1. Half of the world's population are mobile phone subscribers. That is 3.3 billion people. 30% of them have used a mobile device to surf the internet.

Doc, I doubt people walk up to buy a phone with the thought that they'll use it as their primary means of accessing the internet. Mobile phones outsell PCs, but you do understand that most mobile phones are bought with the intention of actually making phone calls?

Tell me Doc, wouldn't anyone with the money to buy a phone with internet surfing capabilities also have the money to buy an entry level computer? I know for one that you can get a PC for $200 in India, around the same as a decent phone...

So before stating facts, take them into context. Mobiles outsell PCs. But mobiles are bought for an entirely different reason than PCs. Period.

 

[Gerry]

So before stating facts, take them into context. Mobiles outsell PCs. But mobiles are bought for an entirely different reason than PCs. Period.

Right, just want to talk...

No one wants to text, watch vids, find directions, download ringtones.

They
just
buy
them
to
talk.

That's why Google and Yahoo are battling it out to determine who will win the browser wars on every major phone company on the planet...just so people can talk.

That's why the iPhone came out.

Yes, that is what Steve Jobs promoted.

We have a talking machine.

That is what made 4 million people give up their phone to buy an iphone...they just wanted to talk...for a steeper price.

Japanese computer manufactures like Sony and Toshiba are not even promoting PC's and Laptops in Japan anymore.

Seems like the Japanese culture have focused on smartphones for I would imagine that same reason...they just want to talk.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aUL65amUXSlg&refer=india
Bharti added a record 6.28 million wireless customers during the quarter, 49 percent more than Vodafone Essar Ltd., to end with 55.2 million, or a market share of about 24 percent.

 

[sashas]

Doc, you're missing the woods for the trees.

the BASIC reason you buy a phone is to talk. Ringtones, videos, etc. are ADDED attractions. When phones stop being used for talking, then your point would be valid...

 

[Gerry]

Doc, you're missing the woods for the trees.

the BASIC reason you buy a phone is to talk. Ringtones, videos, etc. are ADDED attractions. When phones stop being used for talking, then your point would be valid...

My god, open your eyes and look around. Basic phones and basic plans are soon to be a thing of the past.

when phones stop being used for talking...do you read what you write/type?

 

[sashas]

essentially that. Again, it was rhetoric...Phones will always serve ONE basic purpose, and thats talking. So thats never going out of fashion.

I hit the post button before I could elucidate the previous point (I was on the phone, heh heh).

I bought a new laptop the other day. Its got good gaming capabilities, and I bought it for precisely that: so that I could play something on it if I'm bored at the airport.

I'm not a gamer, but I also have an Xbox 360. So I bought two different machines which can allow me to play games. Why? Because the XBox 360 plays games better, while the laptop, while it can play games, does a lot other things much better.

And thats essentially my point. A large portion of the 3.3 billion people who have mobile phones don't really own the latest models with cameras, mp3 ringtones, video, internet, etc. To them, its an instrument to talk first, the videos, ringtones, etc. are an added attraction. They might surf the internet on it, but they'll need to buy a PC for the whole functionality.

Do you do your spreadsheets on your mobile Doc? Or do you do your programming on it? PCs will continue to be used for such things.


And Doc, one huge suggestion...try and travel to a developing country. I come from one. And let me tell you, of the several million mobile phone subscribers there, very few have phones that have even color screens, let alone internet.

If the 3.3 billion stats you just posted also gave an idea of the mobile models sold, you would've got a much more clear picture. The developing world forms a huge portion of the mobile market, and trust me from personal experience, this market uses the oldest nokia phones which you discarded 3 years back.

 

[Gerry]

And Doc, one huge suggestion...try and travel to a developing country. I come from one. And let me tell you, of the several million mobile phone subscribers there, very few have phones that have even color screens, let alone internet.

That is what makes the whole concept so attractive on a global scale. Who can afford a computer in those developing countries you speak of? How can internet access be accorded to those millions and billions.

Look up all the industry tech sheets you want and it all points in one direction.

Emerging countries? Like parts of Mexico, Central America? And I am not talking the Yucatan and Mayan Riviera. How about Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam?

And the African countries I have been to that I am not even sure what the names are now? Chad, Republic of Congo, Liberia, and others.

No, I've never gotten off my *** and from behind this screen long enough to experience anything outside this forum. I swear there are parts of rural Appalachia that would be considered emerging cultures.

I have not made it to India but I will try to get there in all my other worldly travels.

 

[Vision]

Doc, Sashas personifies ignorance.

The kid is just an unaware college student flaunting his inexperience.

Well, Sashas digest this.... India: MobileTv 101

Aint this a kick in the pants...Indians are indeed glued to their 2inch by 4inch mobile screens, the mobile phone is not "just for talking"....read and learn why....

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/50698

Mobile TV in India
Jennie Gandhi
By Jennie Gandhi
January 30, 2008

"Mobile TV" is an upcoming technology that will enable consumers and users to watch television on mobiles or cellphones. Mobile TV also assures to open improved opportunities for governments to provide enhanced services such as education, healthcare, safety and security to all citizens.

This advanced technology is soon to debut in India and everyone in the country is eager to new opportunities and benefits provided by this service. Today, mobiles or cell phones have become a ubiquitous device in India. People are looking for everything on their mobile phones, from organizing their work, keeping reminders to hearing music and playing games. That´s the reason the desire and eagerness of Mobile TV came into picture.

Unveiling of mobile TV in India is natural evolution in technological innovation. This entertaining medium will definitely bring a revolution in media, wireless and broadcast industries. It will empower business users to get the latest stock information, teenager to enjoy their favorite shows and housewives to catch their favorite household items, all on the go.

Mobile TV is not a completely new concept in terms of technology as it simply blends the existing technologies of television and mobile phones. The convergence of these two technologies pioneer new forms of interactivity, facilitating delivery of persuasive content and services for a rich, high class, immersive consumer experience.

In many countries worldwide, Mobile TV has already launched and in India it is expected to launch this year. The country is expected to announce the 3G policy, a vital requirement for introducing this innovative technology.

GPRS edge or 3G, based on Java application, is the fundamental or basic requirement for launching mobile TV. Through this consumers can access all the channels provided by the subscribers. Other technology standards required for launching and introducing Mobile TV are FLO (Forward Link Only), DMB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting — Terrestrial), DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting — Handheld) and ISDB-T (Integrated Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial).

Ericsson and BPL mobile manufacturers are keen on establishing the Mobile TV platform for telecom patrons in India. It is believed that BPL is signing a partnership with China´s ZTE to make the innovative technology of Mobile TV possible on GSM platform. It is expected to provide real time news channels such as NDTV, CNBC, Aajtak and Headlines Today.

Nokia, the world´s largest mobile phones manufacturer, is planning to establish manufacturing hubs in India and China for manufacturing N-Series-Mobile TV Phones. Reliance Infocom is no exception, rather it´s ahead of all. Reliance has already started offering news channels through video streaming on its CDMA network.

Mobile TV is as simple and convenient as you watch TV shows online . Online television was also a result of innovative technology and now mobile television is entering the market with lucrative business opportunities and convenient source of fun and entertainment, all your way.

So, just wait and watch to enjoy the benefits of Mobile TV in India.

For more resources on Mobile TV in India visit http://www.indianews.in .

 

[hugegrowth]

The marketing is not working. Non-domainers never heard of .mobi. mobi tld is marketing keyword names to suckers. That's the only marketing going on.

Not true, a local company here has built two mobile travel websites for regional cities and attractions. They are not domainers, just people who wanted to build mobile travel websites, and they chose a .mobi domain for each one. One of their websites won a national award.

When I see the small outfits using .mobi, not just the big companies, it tells me .mobi is gaining momentum. The public using all these .mobi sites will start to equate .mobi = mobile (just like how everyone got used to .com because it was the first).

accent, mobile internet will be huge, but I don't think for a single moment it'll displace PC internet, or even bite into its share of traffic.

I'm not so sure about that, you can keep a mobile device on you 24 hrs a day, I could see mobile web use being equal to or passing PC use because of that. Plus the sheer number of mobile devices must be, or will be, greater than PC's.

.mobi aside, I'm surprised to read you think mobile internet will not be big, that people want mobile devices mostly for phone calls. All indications are that mobile internet is about to explode, and is the new growth frontier for companies like Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. This past holiday my brother in law had a mobile device with him, didn't make many phonecalls, but checked emails, played games, watched movie trailers, found directions to places, checked stock prices, etc. - think about what a teenager would do with that technology. And it's still early days for mobile web.

 

[katherine]

That is what makes the whole concept so attractive on a global scale. Who can afford a computer in those developing countries you speak of? How can internet access be accorded to those millions and billions.

I had not thought about that type of digital divide. Large flatscreens for us and crappy 2.5' lcd screens for third world citizens

 

[accent]

I had not thought about that type of digital divide. Large flatscreens for us and crappy 2.5' lcd screens for third world citizens

If you only knew.

That's barely the start of it.

And yet, speaking concerning Nepal, which I am most familar with, those people have vital understanding which we, in many cases, lack.

 

[sashas]

Doc, Vision,

What you're quoting to me is theory. What I'm quoting to you is 20 years of personal experience living in a country.

Vision, dude, before calling me an 'ignorant college kid', why don't you come down to India for some time? You can stay at my place and I show you around.

You read a few articles and you think you know the Indian market. How ****ing dumb and ignorant is that?
I live in Jaipur - a large city that pretty much signifies the "new India" which so many would like you to believe. And you're trying to tell me that you know more about the Indian market because of some ****ing article you read in the American Chronicle? I've been around. I know what people in India use and what they don't use. I know what sells here, what doesn't. The largest selling phone models are the cheapest.

But you wouldn't believe that, of course, because you read an article saying otherwise.

****ing amazing.

Come over here and walk around on the roads. Talk to random guys on the road. Ask them what mobiles they use. Go to Jaipur, Gwalior, Bhopal...cities where a large chunk of the Indian population lives. And then quote me your article.


And hey Doc. Why don't you do one thing. Go to HindustanTimes.com, then go to their ePaper section. Get the Delhi edition, and then look at the classifieds section.


Or better, I'll do the research for you:

1. Largest selling mobile phone in UK, Nokia 6300, retails in India for Rs. 8319
http://www.gadgetsguru.in/nokia-6300-price-specification-buy-india-2775.aspx

2. HP Compaq sells business PCs in India starting at Rs. 8643
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/in/e...9402.html?jumpid=ex_inenpsgsem_google/desktop


Yeah, there is a market for Nokia 6300, but its for the classes, not the masses. The masses don't have the money to buy either a Rs. 8300 phone, nor a Rs. 8600 computer. So before you quote some dumbass article aimed at the classes, read up your shit.

And Doc, Vision, wanna know the largest selling mobile phone in the world?
Nokia 1100. Over 200 million sold. It has a black and white screen, no nonsense features. And it sells like shit.


There's a world beyond American, Europe and Japan. You know nothing about it. Just because you read two articles doesn't make you any smart.
I know the Indian market better than you do. So shut up and know who you're arguing with before you post bullshit.


Btw, Vision. I just quit college, and I'm moving back to India. So you can drop that "ignorant college kid" phrase.

mobi aside, I'm surprised to read you think mobile internet will not be big,

Did you actually READ my first line? I said that mobile internet will be huge. What other ways do I need to spell it out?
And yes, until you can find a way to do spreadsheets, write 10,000 word articles, use photoshop on a mobile, PCs will continue to be used, and so will PC internet.

 

[Gerry]

And yes, until you can find a way to do spreadsheets, write 10,000 word articles, use photoshop on a mobile, PCs will continue to be used, and so will PC internet.

Thanks, I need a geography lesson and internet history lesson from you.

I was lost until I joined the forums.

There is no theory in raw data and statistics.

You quote the number on selling phone stats in the world. Nokia has the largest market share. The age of that phone is not revealed.

Do you have any idea how many cell phones that I have in the house not in use. The motorolas, ericcsons, the LG's that I have purchased over the years?

They all count as sales and are recorded as such. I still have the one that contained the battery pack that you plugged into the car lighter adapter.

Prior to the advent of the "smartphone" and the use of better technology, it is no wonder at all to me the number one selling phone in the world would be a black and white screen.

There are countless sites that report monthly and quarterly (some even weekly) stats for usage and sales of mobile phones.

India is kicking ***. There is room for expansion there vs. the saturated market of the UK, US, Japan, and Korea.

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6701289/Mobile-users-of-India-start.html
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Youngsters_drive_dotmobi_craze_in_India/articleshow/2020408.cms
http://eindia.mobi/dir/index.php?c=Guides_and_Directories
http://www.visitindia.tv/2007_05_01_archive.html

Rather than carry you laptop everywhere, use you mobile and get the news:

http://hindustan.mobi/

It's not going to stop or slow down or go away because you want it to.

It is not a U.S. thing. It is global.

Learn to live with it.

 

[Vision]

Btw, Vision. I just quit college, and I'm moving back to India. So you can drop that "ignorant college kid" phrase.

Sashas ok, pardon me, so you are a directionless, college dropout...congrats!

Well, I based my opine with respect to the Indian marketplace from an erudite Jaipurian resident, Lord Brar.

Here was an exchange that you and Lord Brar (a resident of your Indian hometown) had last month...

To be honest, things in India aren't quite as rosy as they're made out to be. There is a huge media push towards presenting a particular "image" to the rest of the world (just as its in China, though I'm unaware of the realities there) that India is progressing very rapidly. Truth is, a very small number of elites are the ones who're actually benefiting. The average guy is no better off than he was 10 years ago.

The focus in India (as well as in China) has been put entirely on the big cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore in India, Beijing, Shanghai in China. While most other cities have seen lots of growth, the infrastructure has just not caught up.

I totally and whole-heartedly disagree. Though now I live in Jaipur but I was born and brought up in a small village in Punjab -- and we still maintain our farmland there. The changes which have come up are HUGE and people have never been better off.

I have a question for you -- Do you actually live in India? How many time have you visited Indian Villages? Have you "yourself" seen that there is no progress overall?.

As I mentioned, I've lived all but one year of my life in India, and will be moving back in a couple of years.

I lived in Jaipur for about 4 years before moving to the States last year. Before Jaipur, I lived in pretty small places: Alwar, Bharatpur, etc.

I think the difference here is one of perspective: I see the elite moving upwards at a much faster rate than the middle class.

There is an old saying - Money Makes Money. SO it is no doubt that the elite class will move upwards faster (btw - how do you define 'elite' class).

But things are not as gloomy for middle class or lower class as you are trying to make them out. As a matter of fact, they are not gloomy at all.

 

[Fearless]

Who sucked you in? Your own need or greed?

I explained this quite clearly. Since you guys don't like to say your beloved mobis get no traffic, I had to find out for myself. I've concluded .mobis get no traffic. It's time to dump my one .mobi. What do you think I can get?

 

[sashas]

Doc, who the hell is even denying mobile internet's growth? This is about .mobi, not the mobile internet, which I've said should be huge. Period.

When you quote figures of mobile sales vs. PC sales, you forget one very important aspect: a mobile phone is a personal device, whereas one single PC can serve a family of 6. And right there the numbers get skewed.

I could go on and on about .mobi and India etc. But there's no point.

Sashas ok, pardon me, so you are a directionless, college dropout...congrats!

Well, I based my opine with respect to the Indian marketplace from an erudite Jaipurian resident, Lord Brar.

Here was an exchange that you and Lord Brar (a resident of your Indian hometown) had last month...

Yeah, we do disagree on that. I disagree with a lot of people when it comes to being bullish about India. I see half a billion poor people with no food, or clothes, or shelter. A lot of others see the 100 million in the middle class with increased earning potential. There's the difference in our perspective.

And yeah, I'm a directionless college dropout who makes a very healthy living. I can live with that :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Gerry]

I explained this quite clearly. Since you guys don't like to say your beloved mobis get no traffic, I had to find out for myself. I've concluded .mobis get no traffic. It's time to dump my one .mobi. What do you think I can get?

I already made an offer to you for this.

I could go on and on about .mobi and India etc. But there's no point.

There is no point. You're right. I feel like I am trying to make a point to a 10 year old.

I provide stats of mobile sales, articles regarding the new and upcoming Indian market, and the embracing of mobi. This is all about .mobi and how it fits into the mobile web space.

What you see in India is actually no different in this country. Less than 2 miles where I am currently sitting I can take you to communities that most likely don't have a computer, internet access, or even indoor plumbing...still using the outhouse.

They will not have these things either by choice or the bigger possibility is they simply can not afford it. We might as well go to a national healthcare plan and give medical care away because we are certainly doing it here.

India is greater in population so their issues are also greater in number and scope. Not matter where you go, there are the haves and have nots.

You can choose to ignore the .mobi and the mobile internet. That is your choice. Just like the choices made in your own personal life and education endeavors. Those you can control. This other topic...out of our hands.

Can't be stopped.

 

[Fearless]

I already made an offer to you for this.

You lowballed me. This is a very valuable .mobey. :yes:

 

[Gerry]

Since you guys don't like to say your beloved mobis get no traffic, I had to find out for myself.

I also expressed early on my doubts that this was a good traffic name in .mobi. Go figure...who would be looking for iphones.mobi.

Okay, here are some stats from my own, parked and live sites.

I park .mobi at Namedrive for a number of reasons:

Language
10 ads vs. 5 at Sedo
Specific searchword/keyword results.

goju.mobi -
GOJU.MOBI 92 22 % 23.91

It is a very common karate term but obviously I optimized it improperly.

Here is what people are actually searching for:

Asia

User Searches
Hits

Free Games
4
Freegames
1
Download Zensis Photorite For N73
4
Gp
2
Naruto
2
Free Game
2
Game
2
Sarah Azari
2
Splinter Cell:chaos Teory
1
Free Softwares For N73
1
Free Download
1
Wining Eleven
3
Metal Slug
3
Game Soccer


From AdMob account: Site SDCA (dot) mobi:

Summary of activity : 2008-01-02 to 2008-02-01
Available Inventory:
CPC Impressions:
513

CTR
11.54%

pending earnings: $ 8.94

Imagine a young fledgling domain name extension making this with minimal advertising and promotion?

Summary of activity : 2007-07-01 to 2008-02-01
CPC Impressions:
9,780 9,720

People are using it.

No, I do not consider any of this earth shattering. But you wanted some stats. Those are some of mine.

But this is an indication that people are using .mobi sites and ads are being clicked.

Considering in all of 2007, my .eu domains may have made 40 cents. If that.

You lowballed me. This is a very valuable .mobey. :yes:

All opinions, just like these threads.

I offered half of what you paid, as that was a risk you took.

I am willing to take that risk.

Who knows, I might (might) go more. It will be tough to optimize (as you know) and I am slightly concerned about crossing the TM issues.

Lowball?

At least I didn't make you an offer of $100.00 for wifi.com.

 

[Fearless]

pending earnings: $ 8.94

Imagine a young fledgling domain name extension making this with minimal advertising and promotion?

$8.94 pending earnings with minimal advertising and promotion.

What is minimal advertising and promotion? $12 :lol:

 

[Gerry]

$8.94 pending earnings with minimal advertising and promotion.

What is minimal advertising and promotion? $12 :lol:

There are members on this forum who will not reveal their dealings with .com. Mobi would be no different.

I assure you there are members, lurking around here, who are knocking down 4 figures per month with their .mobi sites.

I do not want you to take my word. I know you won't.

Minimal advertising and promotion would be my signature on the "other" forum. It has gotten around by WOM and basically that is it. From what I understand it is becoming a hit with surfers in San Diego area.

This has been confirmed to me in several emails from folks using it and even some members on this forum.

Gregrrrrr...it is not going away. It is here to stay. It has the momentum.

And it has you.