Interesting thread.
A scenario where Afternic 2.0 emerges assumes that Godaddy could execute an innovation agenda. In recent memory, no compelling evidence of this concept. This is why I predicted that GD will go buy it.
See here:
https://www.namepros.com/threads/happy-new-years-what-is-your-2020-forecast.1170533
This is largely a DNA issue. You can go hire that talent but it takes 2-3 years to get an innovation program firing on all cylinders, let alone for an organization with massive legacy data and likely outdated systems.
As near as I can tell, the internal innovation got cost-saved under the prior regime of beancounters. Either that, or the engineers were too busy putting out fires to line up an innovation agenda.
So, yes, it is a nice theory that Afternic 2.0 will emerge from an internal skunkworks project, but knowing the enabling requirements, I put low odds of a substantial Afternic 2.0 appearing in 2020.
A propos the comment from Reza about open access, Epik is on the Afternic MLS. That said, our request for the Godaddy auction API was formally declined. I was not entirely shocked, but still disappointed.
All indications are that Godaddy is a late-stage aspiring monopolist, milking the cow. And yet, they are nice people on the front line. Also, NamesCon, controlled by Godaddy, have been great to work with.
All that said, let's see what Aman Bhutani has to say at NamesCon in his keynote. Perhaps he will bring the beef. After all, he used to lead engineers. One man can make a difference so let's see what Aman brings.
The good news is that there is plenty of upside to go around.