.Tel domains are here and just a few short months after the launch, hundreds of thousands of them have already been registered by ambitious individuals and business owners.  It is important to know that this particular TLD differs greatly from other extensions in the way it is utilized and managed.   This is mainly because unlike .com and .net, it does not permit pointing to an A record.  What this essentially means is that you cannot integrate it with a website.  A major disadvantage perhaps?  Not exactly.  The TLD registry and ICANN want this one to function more like a digital directory wherein the objective of the DNS zone is to store contact information that may or may not be made available to the public.  Therefore, the .tel domain is more like your internet-based address book.

Although it might seem as if the .tel extension leaves you restricted, this TLD offers a number of advantages and many things can be done with.  Below are just a few of many noteworthy benefits:

.Tel for Your BlackBerry

The .tel TLD has been optimized for a wide range of mobile devices and this includes the popular BlackBerry.  This extension allows you to seek out other .tel domains to send notifications and updates to associates or save their profiles in your own directory.  You can also manage the domain via your BlackBerry and use it to integrate your synchronized data with the registry.

.Tel for Your iPhone

It is no surprise that mobile technology giant Apple has already found a way to leverage the .tel domain for is global community of apps users.  From the AppleStore, you can now download My .tel, an open-source application by Telnic that lets you manage your domain so it can find you using the GPS feature built into your iPhone.  You can also use the device to select keywords for your domain and publish or hide information you do or do not want to be available to your contacts.  With the My .tel app, you can manage virtually all of the privacy settings and options associated with your domain.

.Tel for Outlook

If Microsoft Outlook happens to be your preferred mail client, you can utilize the Telnic plugin that allows you to search through your .tel contact data, manage those records, add them to the registry and select the level of privacy you desire.  This feature has grown popular very quickly and you can now find many guides on the web explaining how to integrate your .tel domain with the Outlook client.

.Tel for Your Website

Although .tel can’t exactly be used as your web address, you can integrate with your website in other ways.  For example, you can add it to your existing site in the form of a contact page, which will be automatically updated whenever you change information form your BlackBerry or iPhone for example.  You can also customize your navigation in order to compliment the look and feel of your website.  This extension is certainly different, but such distinct benefits may pique the interests of many.

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