Domain Names, Not Apps, Rule on the iPad
Monday, May 17th, 2010
Is the iPad changing how we consume web content?
In January I wrote a post about the iPad and how it could be bad for domainers. Devices such as the iPad seek to replace traditional web browsing with apps, thereby rendering the URL useless for accessing content.
Domain Name Wire reader Gavin sent over an interesting view from Jason Fry writing for Nieman Journalism Lab. After using the iPad for a couple weeks, Fry says that web browsing still rules on the iPad; it offers a better experience than apps:
After about a week of using the iPad, I started deleting apps, because the websites themselves were perfectly adequate. This is the reverse experience of the iPhone. On the iPhone, the browser was used only in emergencies, and apps ruled. On the iPad, at least for now, the opposite is true — the browser is superb, and renders many apps superfluous.
Granted, Fry’s reliance on the browser has a lot to do with the early state of most iPad apps. Over time app creators will figure it out, potentially making apps better than web browsing. But it begs the question: if I have a nice, 10″ screen for web browsing, why would I need an individual app for each news site?
Further Reading:
- iPad is No Domain Name Killer, Nor a Kindle Killer
- How the iPad Will Further Fragment the Web — and Learning from .Mobi
- The iPad 2 and The Multi-Screen Household
Tags: ipad
I always though of apps as glorified bookmarks of sites you visit often; plus games of course. Sure Weather app will take some traffic away from weather websites and CNN app will take some traffic away from news websites. But apps seem to be worthless for anything you search for infrequently.
And from most brands point of view apps are way too much extra hussle to bother with. Say you are brands like Snapple or Levis. You need people to look for you in apps store, then people have to download your apps; makes no sense. Why would anyone download Snapple or Levis apps if they only need them for 5 minutes max. Way easier to just say Snapple.com or Levis.com and stick to websites.
And if you are a brand smaller than Snapple or Levis, you have zero chances of people even looking for you in apps store.
I agree. I purchased a 3G iPad last week and after my initial facination with apps I find myself using my browser’s search engine and typing domains directly into the browser… just as I do with my desktop. I also agree that this is the case because of the larger screen and typing ease in comparison to an iphone or other smart phone or hand held device.
BTW, so far I am really enjoying my ipad because of its size, ease of use, touch screen operation, practicality and future potential for personal and business use.
My ipad will never replace my laptop (fujitsu), which I also use as my desktop but instead has become a very welcome mobile computer!
Great post. Good to see some domainer clarification of the issue. Even thought I havent used either of the products i doubted that these devices would pose any real threat to the web as we know and love it now.
Application arent convenient for any laptop or ipad that has limited ram,cpu and battery resources available. We cant base everything on applocations because it costs too much.
The wen, domains and cloud related services will rule our ipads and similar devices.
My iPhone is filled with 5 pages of apps, all of which I use on a regular basis. The web browser, even when used with Wi-Fi, is mediocre at best. There are some things I use the web for on my phone, but only in a situation where I do not have easy access to a computer. Hopefully as you claim, the web runs much more smoothly on the iPad as I hope to acquire one for myself in the near future. Thank you for this great article.
Yes, it does. Before, I use my phone to use WiFi but when iPad came, I don’t want to ever use my phone again when browsing.
I have to agree about the usability of apps being of less importance for the ipad. However i think the conclusion that apps are usless is a little short sighted. Does anyone remember the first iphone apps – they sucked! big time. Let’s give devolpers a chance to get working on some neat ideas for the ipad before we throw the baby out with the bath water. There are plenty of app ideas out there that would easily beat website usage on the ipad. But we are still waiting for them.
At a Google event in Paris earlier this week, the search giant broke the news that they would soon be offering iPad users the chance to view and edit Google Docs from within the browser. They’ve also been hard at work on collaborative editing of Microsoft Office documents via Google Docs too.