From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .mobi
.mobi
mobi dotMobi engaged with the W3C Mobile Web Initiative
(MWI) to help formulate the MWI Best Practices for mo-
bile content. The practices outlined a number of ways to
achieve good user experiences on mobile Web-enabled
devices, and recognized several methods of implement-
Introduced 2005 ing these practices.
TLD type Sponsored top-level domain mTLD has released a free testing tool called
Ready.mobi (see mobiForge) to analyze the mobile readi-
Status Approved
ness of websites. It does a free page analysis and gives
Registry Afilias a .mobi Ready score from 1 to 5. This report tests the
mobile-readiness of the site using dotMobi’s recom-
Sponsor Nokia / Vodafone / Microsoft / Afilias
mended best practices.
Intended Sites intended for mobile device use dotMobi does not itself mandate any particular tech-
use nology, but does require that .mobi sites produce user ex-
Actual use Began to be available for use in 2006 periences consistent with their guidelines and specifical-
ly optimized for mobile phones.
Registration Adherence to mobile-compatibility style The domain has been the target of criticism due to
restrictions guidelines can be enforced by challenge
process
allegedly breaking the principles of device indepen-
dence.[5] Providing content tailored to particular devices
Structure Direct second-level registrations are can be done by other means than a specific TLD, such as
allowed; selected generic second level
using hostnames within an existing domain, HTTP con-
domains, such as weather and music, are
reserved for distribution in an equitable tent negotiation, cascading style sheets, or other forms of
manner which may include auction adaptation.
Documents ICANN New sTLD RFP Application; ICANN
sponsorship agreement Similar services
Dispute UDRP There are technical solutions that provide similar bene-
policies fits as mobi: compressing/downsampling proxy servers
Website MTLD and microbrowsers, like Opera Mobile, which can tailor
any website to small display (using Small Screen Ren-
The domain name mobi is a top-level domain (TLD) in dering technique). However, these browsers must still
the Domain Name System of the Internet. Its name is de- download an entire page (with graphics and other relat-
rived from the adjective mobile, indicating its use by mo- ed files) which, if not optimized for mobile phones, can
bile devices for accessing Internet resources via the Mo- be time-consuming and expensive to download. To im-
bile Web. prove the latter issue, the two adaptation techniques can
The domain was approved by ICANN on 11 July 2005, be used together. This is the idea behind proxy-based
and is managed by the mTLD global registry. It was orig- microbrowsers like Opera Mini that download the op-
inally financially backed and sponsored by Google, Mi- timized and compressed version of web pages through
crosoft, Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson, Vodafone, T-Mobile, dedicated proxy servers. However, web pages viewed on
Telefónica Móviles, Telecom Italia Mobile, Orascom Tele- a mobile via a proxy-based microbrowser are rarely
com, GSM Association , Hutchison Whampoa, Syniverse specifically designed for a mobile phone, so it is left up
Technologies, and Visa, with an executive from each to the proxy server and browser to decide what to com-
company serving on mTLD’s board of directors.[1][2][3] press, what to display, and how to display it, which, un-
In February 2010, Afilias acquired mTLD Top-Level like the .mobi version of the site, may not necessarily be
Domain Ltd. (known publicly as "dotMobi").[4] how the web page owner intends for the mobile audi-
ence.
There are also specialized content adaptation solu-
Operation tions, that typically operate on a server, where they em-
DotMobi domain names have been available for registra- ploy specialized adaptation techniques to provide opti-
tion by the public since 26 September 2006. mized representations of Web sites to mobile devices re-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .mobi
gardless of what browser they use. However, .mobi re- or ten keystrokes in many common setups, compared to
places the intermediary step with the specific adaptation seven for "com", or what could have only been three if
of content for viewing on a mobile phone. "wap" was used. There is a possibility that mobile phone
The W3C is also developing new authoring languages, manufacturers may in the future default their mobile in-
such as DIAL (the Device Independent Authoring Lan- ternet browsers to .mobi or that predictive-text input
guage), which aid authors in creating Web sites that can features will reduce this to one keystroke, either of which
be used on the huge variety of mobile devices available would effectively eliminate this issue.
today. Some adaptation solutions already support the use
of DIAL and similar languages in creating sites that can be
used with .mobi domain names. Other open source initia-
Sponsors
tives include WURFL which addresses the problem with a dotMobi is backed by mobile network operators, mobile
large database of browser identification strings. phone and infrastructure vendors , and Internet search
and content providers.
Reception
All mobi sites must be optimized for viewing on a mobile
Allocation of premium names
phone, providing the major advantage of the domain, mTLD has compiled a list of approximately 5,700 com-
from the users’ perspective, of compatible content. Web- monly used words and phrases that have been set aside
sites may be optimized for the special capabilities and re- for equitable allocation other than in the traditional
strictions of mobile devices, such as smaller screens, de- first-come, first-served system. This was designed to 1)
vice form/size, device input/output options, existence of create a more level playing field in the allocation of these
embedded sensors (acceleration, location, touch, etc.), as names, 2) increase the likelihood that these domain
well as human factors such as expectations of immedi- names will more promptly provide the mobile commu-
acy of results, context awareness under a shortened at- nity with new features and services, and 3) preserve the
tention span (compared to non-mobile device use of the stability and security of registry operations.[9] mTLD will
Internet). Although other top-level domains can techni- be allocating these premium names via auction and Re-
cally employ the same optimizations for mobile phones, quest for Proposal (RFP) processes on a quarterly basis
in practice, only a fraction of them do, thus necessitating through 2008. The process was approved by ICANN with
content adaptation solutions. These retrofit the content input from mTLD’s Policy Advisory Board and WIPO. Dis-
to target devices independent from the original process putes that arise over .mobi domain names can be filed
of creating the site.[6] On the other hand, dotMobi pro- and administered by the National Arbitration Forum. Dis-
motes creating two separate device-dependent World putes are decided by one of 147 experts on the National
Wide Webs, one desktop-based and the other mobile- Arbitration Forum’s intellectual property panel.
based, and thus risks producing redundant content.[7] On 13 September 2007, dotMobi[10] announced the
From a content provider perspective, having to maintain auction of 100 premium .mobi domains via Sedo to com-
two separate website also represents more work. memorate their 1 year anniversary since public launch.
Tim Berners-Lee of the World Wide Web Consortium, dotMobi has sold hundreds of domain names through
claims that dotMobi breaks the device independence of the auction process, but it has not been without con-
the web:[7] troversy. In one auction, a dotMobi website[11] sold for
$616,000. The auction was voided due to technical prob-
It is fundamentally useful to be able to quote lems at Sedo. Also, none of the top 25 most expensive
the URI for some information and then look domains sold at the first auction met their compliance
up that URI in an entirely different context. deadlines to have active web sites.
For example, I may want to look up a restau-
rant on my laptop, bookmark it, and then,
when I only have my phone, check the book-
Reserved names
mark to have a look at the evening menu. Or, In connection with the roll-out of the .mobi top level do-
my travel agent may send me a pointer to my main, dotMobi has reserved names as per its contract
itinerary for a business trip. I may view the with ICANN.[12] These terms include dotMobi terms, oth-
itinerary from my office on a large screen and er TLDs, emergency numbers and geographic names. The
want to see the map, or I may view it at the first geographic .mobi domain to be released was Helsin-
airport from my phone when all I want is the ki.mobi.[13]
gate number.
Critics pointed out that "mobi" is an unfortunate choice
for mobile phone text entry interfaces, requiring nine
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .mobi
Involvement of dotMobi backers[8]
Google "Google is pleased to support mTLD in setting the standards that will define the future of mobile content, and most
importantly, improve the experience of our users. Creating one mobile domain encourages content that is designed
and optimized specifically to help users navigate the unique environment of the mobile world."
Microsoft "Ultimately, dotmobi will enable users to find predictable content and services from the businesses that provide
them. This will have a major and significant impact on both the mobile and internet industries."
Nokia "Establishing dotmobi is an important milestone. Forming the joint venture company has helped to formalize the
work that has been put into the initiative, and we look forward to seeing dotmobi domains benefit all mobile users."
Samsung "Samsung believes that mTLD will enhance the mobile users’ internet experience by providing a mobile friendly do-
main .mobi. We fully support and want to deliver beneficial products/service to the consumers in the mobile indus-
try. By being a part of mTLD, Samsung believes that these goals can be achieved."
Ericsson "A mobile top-level domain will bridge the gap between the internet and the mobile users, making content more mo-
bile user friendly. The .mobi domain will simplify the Internet experience using mobile devices. By working across
industries, dotmobi will cater for a continuous growth in mobile data and help bringing enriched services to mobile
users."
Vodafone "Vodafone has been a keen supporter of the dotmobi initiative from the very beginning. This new sponsored top lev-
el domain will greatly increase the use and discoverability of mobile Internet content and dotmobi sites will guaran-
tee a high quality experience when accessing the Internet from mobile devices. The dotmobi domain will further fuel
the growth of the mobile Internet, with more content and service offerings available around the world. This is a
great step forward for the mobile Internet and will significantly enhance the consumers’ mobile experience overall."
T-Mobile "T-Mobile is pleased to see the mobile Top Level Domain significantly gain support across mobile and media indus-
tries and to take an active role in developing and shaping best practices for using the Internet on the move. As we
are continuously committed to deliver simple and reliable products to best serve our customers, we encourage the
adoption of the .mobi namespace in the mobile environment to leverage a compelling mobile experience. We are go-
ing to leverage .mobi within our Web’N’Walk and Office in Your Pocket strategy."
Telefónica "Telefónica Móviles has joined mTLD to promote the mobile domain dotmobi and the actions that from mTLD will be
Móviles carried out to support internet community to enter in the mobile world. We strongly bet for .mobi as an efficient way
to stimulate the creation and the use of internet services from the mobile."
Telecom "There are one billion internet users and almost two billion mobile users. Dotmobi will revolutionize the use of Inter-
Italia Mo- net via mobile devices, it will be the first choice destination for mobile internet. It is a great opportunity."
bile
Hutchison "Hutchison believes that the development of .mobi represents an important stepping stone to tailoring mobile
Whampoa friendly internet content and services to customers needs. We believe that .mobi will play an important part in im-
proving the customer experience and drive mobile data and content use."
Domain aftermarket [3]
[4]
Board of Directors | dotMobi
"Afilias Limited acquires .mobi domain registry and
Several domain name sales in the mobi TLD have fetched expands market leadership". dotMobi. 11 Feb 2010.
prices in the hundred-thousand-dollar range, including http://mtld.mobi/node/1744.
Flowers.mobi,[14] Sportsbook.mobi,[15] and Fun.mobi.[16] [5] W3C Device Independence Working Group: "The
".mobi" Proposal is Inconsistent with Device
See also Independence Principles", retrieved 8 September
2008
• Mobile web [6] All About the .mobi Extension, Domain Masters
• Wireless Application Protocol Radio Show, interview with Rick Fant, Director of
• Mobiforge "Internet’s Discovery" in Vodafone
[7] ^ Tim Berners Lee. "New Top Level Domains .mobi
and .xxx Considered Harmful".
References http://www.w3.org/DesignIssues/TLD.
[8] dotMobi Investors | dotMobi
[1] About us | dotMobi [9] Premium Names | dotMobi
[2] http://mtld.mobi/mobilenet/release_032807.html [10] mtld.mobi/node/806
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .mobi
[11] http://domainnamewire.com/2007/12/18/hold- [16] HotelDeals.com Has Penthouse Suite on New DN
the-records-mobi-auctions-voided Journal Top 20 After Six-Figure Sale at SnapNames
[12] http://mtld.mobi/system/files/
Reserved_Names_minus_city_names.pdf
[13] Helsinki.mobi - First Reserved .mobi domain online
External links
[14] Courts.com and Completed Live Auction Sales • dotMobi
Produce Bumper Crop of Six-Figure Domain Deals • IANA Whois record for .mobi
[15] Second Highest .Mobi Sale To Date Heads New DN
Journal Top 20 Chart
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=.mobi&oldid=464361197"
Categories:
• Sponsored top-level domains
• 2005 introductions
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