Imagine a world where you simply need to type in '.lol' at the end of the web address bar whenever you're in the mood for a laugh.
Search giant Google has revealed that it is bidding for a large number of new top-level domains, in an attempt to revolutionise the web addressing system.
This implies that instead of the usual '.com', '.net' and '.co.in', one might have to type in new entries, such as '.google', '.youtube' and '.docs' in order to reach their respective sites. But out of all these, the most fascinating one would undoubtedly be the '.lol' domain. 'LoL is a common abbreviation for 'laugh out loud', this term shall be attributed to sites which involve humour.
Google has already made more than 50 applications to global coordinator ICANN, for the creation of these new domain names. However, the cost of sending each application is $185,000, in addition to $25,000 annual fee. At a combined cost of more than $9,250,000 one can only imagine that Google might just inadvertently be drawing the line on its ever-rising bar of success.
The decision by ICANN to allow hundreds of new top-level domains has drawn heavy criticism from elsewhere. Trademark experts have warned it could lead to a rash of disputes, and could even appear confusing for users, while at the same time, appealing for cyber criminals.
In addition, many large firms have also applied for top-level domains based on their brand names, in order to promote them further. The full list of around 2,000 applications shall be published on the June 13.
Meanwhile, Google is certain that an expanding address system, by creating shorter and less complicated signposts in cyberspace, would make it easier for people to find things online. In particular, the '.lol' suffix, according to them, has "interesting and creative potential".
Now we can only wait and see whether Google ends up having the last laugh.