.mobi was a flop from the start. New extensions are almost like a pump and dump scam you get everyone excited about it so that they register 100 domains at $20 each and then it doesnt go anywhere
Lets analyze the facts to determine if dotMobi is a flop...
1.)
When was dotMobi introduced to the public?
.mobi was introduced in September 2006
.tv in 1996 (11 years old)
.info in 2001 (6 years old)
.net in 1985 (22 years old)
.org in 1985 (22 years old)
.com in 1985 (22 years old)
2.)
.mobi sales
Here is a domain sales analysis snippet by Rick Schwartz:
"Global contenders. Their range for the year is $15,000 to $300k. Here is the BIG answer. Of the
top 100 there are
28 .mobi's occupying those spots.
.net = 43
.mobi = 28
.org = 16
.info = 9
Lastly the country codes. With the exception of two 6 figure sales, the range was $10-$85k. That also included .cc, .tv IDN and some 335 individual country codes competing for this spots. So if you just sit there and study Ron's page and FOLLOW THE MONEY, it is pretty easy to pick the finalists. You pick them from REALITY by sales not wishful thinking by me or you or anyone.
Here are the extensions in the order of what the MARKET says by actual real world reported sales.
.com
.net
.org
.mobi
.info
Then .co.uk, .de, .tv, .us, idn
http://www.dnjournal.com/ytd-sales-charts.htm
Follow the money, look at the numbers, gauge the market, don't listen to rumors. The newest extension on the list is outperforming extensions out for many years. THAT is the reality.
3.)
Edelman Agency
Edelman Agency is a prestigious international Advertising/PR powerhouse.
Edelman's clients include: GE, Orange, MySpace, UPS, xBOX, Vivendi, Johnson & Johnson, The Recording Academy, AXE, Pfizer, Dove, Motorola, Oracle and plenty more.
dotMobi is an Edelman client. Edelman is advancing and promoting the dotMobi namespace around the world. Consequently, because of Edelman's efforts, several endusers are adopting the .mobi extension.
You are welcome to learn more about Edelman here:
http://www.edelman.com/
(Click on the dotMobi icon at this homepage)
Question: Which posh Madison Avenue Ad agencies are advancing the .info, .biz, .net,.us, .org, etc. namespaces? NONE. NOBODY.
Question: Who is meeting with CEOs lobbying for the .info, .org, .us, etc. extensions to use within their respective company branding? NONE. NOBODY
4.)
Which Fortune 1000 companies built & market .mobi sites for their Mobile Web initiatives?:
Banking
BofA.mobi (Bank of America)
Deutsche-Bank.mobi
Wachovia.mobi
Barclays.mobi
UnicreditGroup.mobi
Insurance
Ing.mobi
StateFarm.mobi
AXA.mobi
Allstate.mobi
Hotels
Marriott.mobi
Hilton.mobi
Car Manufacturers
Ferrari.mobi
BMW.mobi
Rolls-Royce.mobi
FordCA.mobi (Ford Canada)
HSM2.mobi (Disney's Highschool Musical series)
Transportation
Amtrak.mobi
AAA.mobi (American Automobile Association)
Sports
ESPN.mobi
NBA.mobi
WNBA.mobi
Magazines
Time.mobi (Time Magazine)
BusinessWeek.mobi
CNNMoney.mobi
Alcohol
Smirnoff.mobi
Internet
MSN.mobi
GoDaddy.mobi / TDNAM.mobi
Netsol.mobi (Network Solutions)
Technology
Cisco.mobi
News
FoxNews.mobi
ABCNews.mobi
TBS.mobi
AlJazeera.mobi
Newspapers
TheSun.mobi
Guides
Zagat.mobi
Mobile Operators
T-Mobile.mobi
Three.mobi
Vodafone.mobi
TIM.mobi
Orange.mobi
3Next.mobi
Mobile Manufacturers
Nokia.mobi
SonyEricsson.mobi
Telecommunications
Ericsson.mobi
3Skype.mobi
Weather
Weather.mobi (The Weather Channel)
Cities
Helsinki.mobi
Airlines
SAS.mobi
Spanair.mobi
Clothing
Polo.mobi
Quikstore.mobi (Quiksilver)
BenettonPress.mobi (United Colors of Benetton)
Airports
Schiphol.mobi (Amsterdam)
5.)
2007 .mobi Sales:
2007 Poker.mobi $150,000
2007 Ringtones.mobi $145,000
2007 SportsBook.mobi $ 129,800
2007 News.mobi $110,000
2007 Hosting.mobi $ 101,000
2007 RealEstate.mobi $ 85,000
2007 Stocks.mobi $ 70,000
2007 Casinos.mobi $ 52,000
2007 Bank.mobi $51,501
2007 Download.mobi $ 51,500
2007 Email.mobi $50,000
2007 Girls.mobi $ 49,000
2007 Currency.mobi $ 47,000
2007 Insurance.mobi $ 42,005
2007 Chat.mobi $ 42,000
2007 Singles.mobi $ 41,000
2007 Traffic.mobi $ 36,008
2007 Books.mobi $ 33,510
2007 Scores.mobi $33,000
2007 Gamble.mobi $ 33,000
2007 Buy.mobi $32,500
2007 Free.mobi $ 31,500
2007 PhoneNumbers.mobi $ 28,000
2007 Podcast.mobi $25,000
2007 Mortgages.mobi $ 25,000
2007 Pussy.mobi $ 23,098
2007 Pics.mobi $ 23,000
2007 Invest.mobi $ 22,500
2007 Pizza.mobi $ 21,000
2007 Directions.mobi $ 19,000
2007 Cab.mobi - $17,500
2007 MusicVideos.mobi $ 16,500
2007 B2B.mobi $ 13,829
2007 BetOnline.mobi $ 13,500
2007 Cash.mobi - $12,500
Most of the aforementioned 2007 .mobi sales transacted via TRAFFIC and SEDO sponsored Auctions have content/developement requirements -- no blank pages, no parking pages. Consequently, this will ensure that companies will develop rich content via the Mobile Web utilizing the dotMobi brand consistently across all major industries.
dotMobi is only 13 months old. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither was Mobi. However, day by day, the MOBI brand continues to be built across the globe by talented developers (i.e. dotmobiz.mobi) & endusers (i.e. ESPN.mobi) and therefore, as the years unfold MOBI will become increasingly ubiquitous.
dotMobi is not a flop. dotMobi is the most accomplished domain extension to emerge since the inception of .com in 1985.
I wish everyone well in all their dotMobi pursuits.
Michael