The registry secured top 330 verb.me combinations and let the folk grab and develop the rest.

With Facebook, WordPress and other joining in, the TLD stands good chances.

Let us keep watching it indeed.

In less than two years, the agency received bids for more than 100 domain names and is actively developing many of them, those that have a meaning in English and read as slogans [2].

Hundreds of “me” brands as well as the astonishing pace the .me is progressing are discussed on the blog [3]. You are welcome to have a look and have your say too.

[1] http://Brands-and-Jingles.com/white-papers/2009%20-%20Brands-and-Jingles%20-%20one%20year%20of%20dot%20me%20-%20for%20marketeers.pdf
[2] http://Dot-Me.Of-Cour.se/2009/02/08/verb-me-vs-noun-me-etc/
[3] http://Dot-Me.Of-Cour.se/

I think those reserved domains were just mistakes by the registry.

If you or I did there reserved list we certainly wouldn’t have put some of the domains you pointed out on the reserved list, yet they let other really good domains release during the landrush, domain much better than these.

There a registry not run by domainers.

They make mistake like the rest of us.

Stupid domains that were reserved like great domains that were released in my book are just mistakes not a reflection of any greater purpose or motive

Sure some of them “could” work well as a brandable type name (you obviously bought the cream of the crop (at a hefty price) with Date.me, Marry.me) but the .me registry calling loads of those reserved names “premium” and then selling them directly to domainers through auctions is pretty la.me hype IMHO.

fertilizer.me ??? cancunhotels.me ??? etc

If that ain’t hype I don’t know what is!

I guess this is going to happen alot more when all these NEW “best thing since sliced bread”. extensions hit the market thanks to ICANN

Is it going to be top-tier domainers becoming registrars so they can sell over hyped new domain extensions straight back to domainers through “premium auctions” ?

….sounds wonderful

Some of the domains you mentioned have already been auctioned off by the registry such as:

Contact.me for $10K

http://www.thedomains.com/2009/01/29/domainfest-live-auction-nets-only-665k/

and drive.me

http://www.thedomains.com/2009/09/16/namejet-com-to-hold-call-to-action-me-auction/

eg:

“Due to popularity, a list of Premium Names (link below) have been held back by the Registry and are not currently available for registration. The Registry will release these premium domain names through various channels and processes in the future.”

Because .ME is about YOU! .ME has incredible potential for Internet users world-wide. Think about it. With a .ME domain, the Internet will, quite simply, be all about YOU.

For the first time in Internet history, domain names are essentially personal.

“.ME domains, with their universal appeal, are expected to be in high demand.

So some “premium” names – including verb-oriented domains, such as “Contact.ME,” “Drive.ME” or “Fly.ME,” – will be held back for auction after Open Registration. We will have more information available on premium auctions in the months to come”

http://www.domen.me/cms/site_files/dotME_Premium_Names.txt

Can’t wait for these “premium names” to hit the auction block!

fishingpole.me ….eeek, that sounds way too personal to .me !

informationtechnology.me

laundromats.me

machinetools.me

petsupplies.me

scooters.me

searchengine.me

alternativeenergy.me

automobileparts.me

campgrounds.me

cancunhotels.me …hmmm, could it be because the .com solf for $120,000 ??

addictedgames.me (…hmmm, could it be because the .c0m sold for $135,350)

caribbeanvacations.me

discountperfumes.me

europeanvacations.me

fertilitydoctors.me

eyedoctor.me

..last but not least is the premium pick of the day

fertilizer.me !!

So who is running the .me registry? – it has to be a domainer by the look of their reserved list.

…Halvarez…is that you buddy ???