In tech circles the big thing right now is mobile, mobile and more mobile for all smartphone platforms – and this includes the introduction of advertisements with the most-known being Apples “iAd” platform. (iAd by the way is the most ridiculous title for Apple’s advertising platform because you as the consumer are not advertising anything.)
Is Apple the first to delve into advertising mobile-style? No. The first I remember seeing in recent history was on a Garmin nüvi automotive GPS device. While the nüvi isn’t a smartphone, it is technically a mobile platform. If you elect to use free traffic (as in road traffic) updates, they are ad-supported and you will see small ads for things like restaurants and hotels directly on the screen; this has been in existence since 2008. I understand that the free traffic update service has to be paid for with these ads, but because of them I don’t use the traffic update service. I get enough ads already from billboards, buses and signs plastered all over the place and don’t need to see more on my GPS screen, thank you very much.
At the end of it all, ads on mobile are here and will most likely stay because it’s believed mobile advertising is a viable moneymaker.
The question most people have when it comes to ads on a smartphone is this: Where will I see these ads? You’ll see them integrated directly into downloaded applications. This is different than before, because previously apps would redirect you to the phone’s browser but now they will be direct-integrated into the app itself.
It’s going to be an interesting next couple of years for smartphones and apps because mobile advertising in this fashion is very, very new. Many will be watching the reactions of smartphone users and the developers themselves to see what they have to say about it.
What’s your take on mobile platform ads?
Do you believe in its potential to be profitable? Can you deal with having ads shoved at you for apps you download on your smartphone? Will it influence your decision on what mobile platform to go with?
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the only way I would want to use ads on my phone would be if it makes the phone free as in free cell service not the phone, but it's apple were talking about so were probly have to buy the phone and still pay a service agreement. If they do that I see this hurting Apple not helping.
The emphasis on Apple is a little off, IMO. Android is huge on ads as well. It is Google, after all. They make all their money with ads.
Developers have the option whether to use iAd or not. It isn't as if Apple is shoving it at anybody. Devs has the option to use it as a revenue generator so that they can make the apps free. If you don't want ads, you pay for the app.
Will the model work? Absolutely.
I've have had ads on my phone for years. Nothing new.
Agred with Joshp1 free calls in exchange for more ads on phone is a good idea, otheriwise more ads with no free benefit is not. Good post.
If this ad thing comes to pass, they will have to pay me for wasting my time or I will have to find a phone that does not support this feature. If neither of these are an option, then I will have to start writing ad free apps. Who knows, maybe I could make a business from this.