Apple Spoils Mobile Ads for Google
For some reason, mobile companies have fallen to advertising battles, despite the industry’s similarities to the early growth of the web. Instead of learning from past lessons, it appears that Apple is looking to recreate the system–in its favor. The company’s proposed terms revision for its mobile advertising platform keep ad analytics under lock and key, unless
“provided to an independent advertising service provider whose primary business is serving mobile ads…For example, an advertising service provider owned by or affiliated with a developer or distributor of mobile devices, mobile operating systems or development environments other than Apple would not qualify as independent.”
What this really means is Google’s recently acquired mobile advertising platform is banned, and Apple keeps more of the spoils. Apple had already positioned itself for retaining a higher percentage of ad sales with announcements made around its iAds program at the WWDC this week. Combine that with Safari 5 ad-blocking and a distaste for Adobe Flash, and it appears as though Apple doesn’t want anyone making money through ads, except Apple.
The latest terms proposal from Apple is already gaining the wrong kind of attention, from the feds as well as AdMob founder Omar Hamoui. He writes on AdMob’s blog,
“Let’s be clear. This change is not in the best interests of users or developers. In the history of technology and innovation, it’s clear that competition delivers the best outcome. Artificial barriers to competition hurt users and developers and, in the long run, stall technological progress.”
Even as Apple further bullies its way into controlling the revenue-generation around its devices and accessibility to consumers, Google’s Android platform continues to attract developers seeking monetization opportunities. Mobile payments platform Fortumo launched in-app payments for Android today. The new in-app payments feature one-click options and appeal to the developer community, following the similar releases from Zong and Boku last week.
Since you’re here …
… We’d like to tell you about our mission and how you can help us fulfill it. SiliconANGLE Media Inc.’s business model is based on the intrinsic value of the content, not advertising. Unlike many online publications, we don’t have a paywall or run banner advertising, because we want to keep our journalism open, without influence or the need to chase traffic.The journalism, reporting and commentary on SiliconANGLE — along with live, unscripted video from our Silicon Valley studio and globe-trotting video teams at theCUBE — take a lot of hard work, time and money. Keeping the quality high requires the support of sponsors who are aligned with our vision of ad-free journalism content.
If you like the reporting, video interviews and other ad-free content here, please take a moment to check out a sample of the video content supported by our sponsors, tweet your support, and keep coming back to SiliconANGLE.
