As if last year’s launch of the dot-xxx top-level domain wasn’t enough to keep brands on their toes, defending against malicious and trademark-violating domain buys, the launch of hundreds of new top-level domains is now only two months away, and with that launch, another pricey set of domain buys for major brands. The ICANN has set up a clearing house to allow trademark holders to preemptively purchase quantities of new domains. Set to launch are extensions like dop-app, dot-music, dot-sucks, dot-world, dot-docs, and potentially some brand-specific ones like dot-cocacola or dot-youtube, heralding in a new age of web organization and more immersive online branding experiences. The dot-com age won’t go away immediately, as custom top level domains are prohibitively expensive, but for some high-end brands, they may be just the ticket to stand out once again on the web.
Tag: internet
Fujitsu Boasts Internet Speed Increase
Fujitsu engineers have developed a software-based file transfer protocol that makes transfer speeds over 30 times faster and is claimed to reduce virtual desktop operating latency to less than 1/6 of previous levels. This new technology distinguishes data packets that are still in transit versus those which have been lost, and ensures that only an optimal amount of data is being sent at any given time. They hope to commercialize the technology in 2013.
Google Has Big Plans For Google Fiber
Google Fiber has mostly been Google’s pet project, but recent news from suggests the internet giant has big plans for their broadband initiative. Google’s Chariman Eric Schmidt recently announced that Fiber will no longer be just an experiment and that they will be expanding their footprint beyond their Kansas City trial. With many calling it the highest speed internet available, those outside of tornado alley can rejoice.
The Internet gets married, has kids, settles down
The Internet is on its way to settling down. Don’t misunderstand me, as far as the interwebs are concerned, 401 still means unauthorized access and has nothing to do with retirement (yes, that’s a geek joke). Instead, it means that the Internet is giving up on the chaos of its youth and settling into a respectable and tactful adulthood. At the root of the issue lies the concept of online identity.
For the past decade, our collective online experiences have been modeled after a Matrix-esque experience. We select usernames, which become our residual self-image. Behind these fairly anonymous handles humanity as a whole has been able to momentarily devolve into caustic, self-righteous, judgmental twelve-year-olds (not me, of course). Not that this was necessarily a bad thing, it just was. But the status quo is changing. So what’s the agent of change? Continue reading “The Internet gets married, has kids, settles down”
Online Hispanics are a lucrative target
A recent comScore report on the Hispanic Internet market found that the online Hispanic population reached a record 20.3 million visitors in February 2009 – representing 11% of the total U.S. online market. Furthermore, among online activities, Hispanics ranked highest on Community (Teens); Gaming; Entertainment (Radio and Multimedia); Discussion/Chat, IM; and Music.
These findings should be of keen interest to US marketers, and (as all research findings), raise a couple of questions.
Why does the Hispanic market spend so much time online?
The answer to that question is two-fold. Hispanics, by nature, are an interdependent-interconnected culture – which is why we see them over-index on connected media (e.g. cell phone usage, social networking, blogging, etc.). Any technology that facilitates connecting is high-value for the Hispanic consumer. Continue reading “Online Hispanics are a lucrative target”
