.tv HandTop.TV

[GoPC]

I was pretty much done with buying TV domains at this point but something caught my eye when going back over my core niche interest and that is Mobile Computing technologies and devices (thus, GoPC) and found a whole lot of references to the newer "hand top" convergence devices, pcs and entertainment.

It all ties into the new "mobile internet" and the continual push to make communications and entertainment devices smaller and smaller.

The advent of the UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computer) this past spring has created a stronger call for even smaller devices, now dubbed "Hand Top" devices to distinguish themselves from Palm and Palmtops.

I was surprised to find that HandTop.TV wasn't registered because along with the puch to smaller computing... portable TV and DVD movie players are heading the same directing and in fact, already exist.

So, having laid out my reasons for registering HandTop.TV... What are your thoughs?

GoPC

 

[lambda]

Nice catch!

In the last months, do you see an increase in the use of the word "handtop"?
Or will it remain a second choice for UMPC?

 

[GoPC]

I don't think that handtops are really in the same catagory as the (I hate the name) UMPC devices....

UMPCs are still very bulky, arguably overpriced and under perform. It's still in the "entry level" stage of its development but at best, the UMPC can be described as a "two fisted" device... not a handtop.

Conversely, the "Flip Start", Paul Allen's entry into the small, portable pc market, is being called a "Hand Top" because it truly CAN be placed and operated in one hand.

As Smartphones and the next generation of PDA's continue to evolve, I have been seeing, reading, hearing the term "handtop pc" more and more.

There is speculation on whether or not the UMPC will survive, but there is no disagreement that portable computers that fit in your hand or you wear on your wrist even, is the future of portables.

Google results for "Handtop" in the past 6 months have gone from just over 11,000 optimized pages to over 124,000 optimized pages. A pretty good indicator that advertisers are hearing the phrase more. Note also that the UMPC market is trying to align themselves closely with the keyword "handtop"... could this be a hint to the marketing endeavors of the future?

It's all speculation.

I still say that if this entire market niche would quit beating around the bush and just call itself "GoPC" then it would unify the marketplace and remove all doubt as to what these devices are to do.... be PCs that GO.



GoPC

 

[lambda]

I don't think that handtops are really in the same catagory as the (I hate the name) UMPC devices....

UMPCs are still very bulky, arguably overpriced and under perform. It's still in the "entry level" stage of its development but at best, the UMPC can be described as a "two fisted" device... not a handtop.

Conversely, the "Flip Start", Paul Allen's entry into the small, portable pc market, is being called a "Hand Top" because it truly CAN be placed and operated in one hand.

As Smartphones and the next generation of PDA's continue to evolve, I have been seeing, reading, hearing the term "handtop pc" more and more.

There is speculation on whether or not the UMPC will survive, but there is no disagreement that portable computers that fit in your hand or you wear on your wrist even, is the future of portables.

Google results for "Handtop" in the past 6 months have gone from just over 11,000 optimized pages to over 124,000 optimized pages. A pretty good indicator that advertisers are hearing the phrase more. Note also that the UMPC market is trying to align themselves closely with the keyword "handtop"... could this be a hint to the marketing endeavors of the future?

It's all speculation.

I still say that if this entire market niche would quit beating around the bush and just call itself "GoPC" then it would unify the marketplace and remove all doubt as to what these devices are to do.... be PCs that GO.



GoPC

Your point of view is very interesting. Thank you for that!
So you're telling me I should hold handtops.info

 

[GoPC]

I would. Obviously, don't pass up a good offer.

Like I said, domains are about speculation and I think the portable/mobile pc market is heading for an apex in the next few years.

Even thought they are getting smaller, Cell phones are getting "smarter" and the advent of .mobi shows that the leading manufacturers of the phones, providers of the services, software and content providers and the senior investors of the extension all believe in the concept and development of the Mobile Internet.

At the same time, some of the SAME companies, MS for example, are developing computing hardware that is getting closer and closer to Cell Phone applications and size.

At that apex, you will have hand held computers that do pretty much everything in both markets. PALM owned the PDA branding and competitors aren't likely to accept or take kindly to being part of the "Palm Top" market, so the "Hand Top" market should (and already is) become the likely catagorical landing place for these producs and companies.

I could be 100% wrong... But looking over the past 50 plus years, we can see that what STAR TREK predicted is pretty much coming true and most of that fearless crew were carrying cell phones and handtop PCs of one sort or another.

Seriously, you can see the trends and where they are going.

GoPC