Apple Reportedly Looking to Revolutionize Mobile Advertising

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/15/apple-reportedly-looking-to-revolutionize-mobile-advertising/)

As part of its cover story (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_04/b4164028483414.htm) this week on the Apple-Google rivalry, BusinessWeek reports that Apple is seriously looking at ways to revolutionize mobile advertising, leveraging its recent acquisition (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/05/apples-purchase-of-quattro-wireless-confirmed/) of Quattro Wireless to go head-to-head to with the Google/AdMob conglomeration (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/09/google-to-acquire-mobile-advertising-firm-admob/).According to a source familiar with his thinking, Jobs has recognized that "mobile ads suck" and that improving that situation will make Apple even harder to beat.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, particularly when it offends his aesthetic sensibilities, Jobs and his lieutenants have discussed ways to overhaul mobile advertising in the same way they had revolutionized music players and phones, say two sources close to the company. The sources did not reveal specific plans at Apple but say there are several possible ad approaches.As examples, the report points to the possibility of Apple using geo-location and user data to enhance the relevancy of mobile ads, as well as the creative use of features built into the iPhone to engage users, concepts the company has explored (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/15/apple-explores-delivering-location-based-content-to-iphone-users/) in several patent applications (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/14/apple-considering-adding-contacts-to-iphone-home-screen/).

Also noted is Apple's vast quantities of user data generated by its closed ecosystem, which could offer Apple a distinct leg up on other competitors as it looks to take on Google.Apple has a vault of valuable data that can help drive an ad business. It knows precisely which apps, podcasts, videos, and songs people download from iTunes; in many cases it has detailed customer information such as credit-card numbers and home addresses. That gives Apple a chance to blend advertising and e-commerce in new ways, particularly after the acquisition of Quattro. The startup already works with advertisers, including Ford (F), Netflix (NFLX), and Procter & Gamble (PG), to help them figure out when and where to place ads on the sites of publishers, such as Sports Illustrated and CBS News. By tying Quattro's ad-serving technology into its own, Apple would be able to tell advertisers how often and under what circumstances a person clicked on particular ads. "Apple is one of the few brands that could actually go head to head with Google," says Kevin Lee, chief executive of search marketing firm Didit.One other item of interest included in the cover story is speculation may look to dump Google as the default search engine provider for the iPhone in the future, perhaps striking a deal with historical competitor Microsoft for Bing or developing its own search engine. The move would serve to cut Google off from a significant chunk of Apple's iPhone user data as the rivalry between the two companies continues to grow, limiting Google's ability to use Apple's data to improve its own offerings.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Looking to Revolutionize Mobile Advertising (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/15/apple-reportedly-looking-to-revolutionize-mobile-advertising/)

[jav6454]

Obviously mobile data of users is becoming valuable with so many web surfing phones now a days. This would certainly put Apple in an advantageous position. Specially now with the iPhone.

[jo0]

Also noted is Apple's vast quantities of user data generated by its closed ecosystem, which could offer Apple a distinct leg up on other competitors as it looks to take on Google.

I've never really considered the fact that Apple has been datamining our iPhone warped brains since the beginning...

[ShiftyPig]

And so it begins: all that data that Apple collects via iTunes is about to be used against us. You bought the last Black Eyed Peas album, you can be damn sure you'll be seeing ads for the next one.

[striatedglutes]

One other item of interest included in the cover story is speculation may look to dump Google as the default search engine provider for the iPhone in the future, perhaps striking a deal with historical competitor Microsoft for Bing or developing its own search engine.

Please God no.

[Stella]

Hmm.. advertising on your iphone ( or any phone ).

No thanks! Never.

"One other item of interest included in the cover story is speculation may look to dump Google as the default search engine provider for the iPhone in the future, "

Why not give the user a choice of any search engine? Why only Google or Yahoo at the moment?

[nikhsub1]

I think it will be a very cold day in hell before Apple uses Bing as the default search on one of their products. Bing is awful for the most part.

[Surely]

And so it begins: all that data that Apple collects via iTunes is about to be used against us. You bought the last Black Eyed Peas album, you can be damn sure you'll be seeing ads for the next one.

Serves you right if you bought a Black Eyed Peas album.


If Apple can find a way to makes ads less annoying, then I'm all for it.

If the ads become more visible and annoying, I won't be very happy.

[cmaier]

Bing. Right.

[martint84]

I'm actually all for this. We have to face the reality that services like google and bing operate off of their ad revenue. If I'm going to see adds anyway, might as well make them something I'm actually interested in. How many times have you seen an ad on one of your iPhone apps that is totally worthless? I think it's a win win as long as we don't start seeing ads in places that used to be ad-free.

[gibbz]

Well, I suppose it make sense based on this patent application (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/10/22/apple-exploring-ad-supported-operating-systems/).

While the application mainly focuses on Mac OS X, it does say that the ads could be viewed on cell phones, PDA, etc. It would seem this story further illustrates Apple's look into advertising.

[XxEjGxX]

good for apple http://imagehoster911.co.cc/imgs/signature_BasicSmile.jpg bad for apple users

[nickXedge]

I seriously doubt Apple would team up with Microsoft and use Bing in order to get back at Google. They would sooner create their own search engine. The article makes it sound like the old rivalry between Apple and Microsoft is over and done with and Google is the new Microsoft... which is as ridiculous as it sounds.

I'm actually all for this. We have to face the reality that services like google and bing operate off of their ad revenue. If I'm going to see adds anyway, might as well make them something I'm actually interested in. How many times have you seen an ad on one of your iPhone apps that is totally worthless? I think it's a win win as long as we don't start seeing ads in places that used to be ad-free.

Very interesting point of view. I didn't think of this at all. I agree. There will always be ads, might as well use what you already know about me to make them relevant. However, as far as ads being where they once weren't; you can count on it. How many apps put ads up after however long of being ad-free? I understand the position of the people who profit off of these ads, but it will always be annoying to find new ads in spots they didn't used to be in.

[nagromme]

“Revolutionizing” advertising may be profitable, smart, even something we users end up appreciating, but it’s never going to be comparable at all to what Apple did with music. People LIKE and WANT music. At best, they tolerate ads. Occasionally even need them—if it pays for content they would not otherwise get—but never want them. So whatever Apple does with advertising, the best we can hope for is that it bothers us less than other advertising. We’re never going to like it.

And nothing about this suggests we’ll be getting more ads for

(But I AM a fan of ad-supported content. Sometimes I want to buy, other times I’m happy to consume for free. I like having ad-supported content be among my many options. You can’t make quality content for free. I don’t even mind ads targeted to me—they may even be LESS annoying. And my privacy concerns about that information are the same no matter whether the ad is there or not.)

good for apple http://imagehoster911.co.cc/imgs/signature_BasicSmile.jpg bad for apple users

How so? We can’t be sure that Apple’s ad-delivery methods will be worse than the ones we have now. And looking at Apple’s user-experience strength, I’d be surprised if this turned out to be bad for Apple users. It may not affect us much at all—it may affect advertisers more.

[ELScorcho9]

Serves you right if you bought a Black Eyed Peas album.


If Apple can find a way to makes ads less annoying, then I'm all for it.

If the ads become more visible and annoying, I won't be very happy.

Haha, I was thinking the same thing.


Well if Apple is able to make ads more interactive or fancy WITHOUT being intrusive or just plain annoying, then I don't see a problem with it. It's just hard for me to imagine having ads on a phone not be annoying . . .

[BRLawyer]

Please God no.

Same here, buster...Bing, that craptastic search engine? NOT A ****ING CHANCE.

APPLE IS DEAD. OR IS IT?

[macduke]

Haha, if any of this complete and total BS somehow managed to materialize, you can bet that I'd jump ship.

I still think that Apple and Google are playing it up. They really love each other, but since the Feds don't like it, it's a forbidden love!

And what in the bloody what is up with the Bing remark? That site is still online?

[blackbookboard]

.....or developing its own search engine.

I imagine this will be the next big leap for Apple.

As an 'information is King' society, there is no doubt they will go down the path to be the 'King of information'.

I think we'll probably see them develop their own proprietary SE within the next 5 years. I bet they're already working on it.

Hmmm, I wonder if they have any datacenters available???????

[Sky Blue]

So no Google tun by turn for the iPhone :(

[Mattie Num Nums]

How long before Ads are integrated into OSX?

[spillproof]

I'm actually all for this. We have to face the reality that services like google and bing operate off of their ad revenue. If I'm going to see adds anyway, might as well make them something I'm actually interested in. How many times have you seen an ad on one of your iPhone apps that is totally worthless? I think it's a win win as long as we don't start seeing ads in places that used to be ad-free.

Thats a bit on how I was thinking.

But i would be highly disappointed if Apple removed Google from the mobile Safari's search engine choice.

[TheSlush]

I suppose I trust Apple to approach any problem in an innovative way... but this is starting to get pretty far away from their "core competencies".

[oldwatery]

I wish Apple would get back to just making great computers.

[Teddman]

That almost sounds like Jobs is trying to make mobile ads cool.

Sounds impossible to me, but there is not much he layed hands on in the last ten years that didn´t turn out well for him.

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Wow. The implcations if this, if true, is just.. Wow.

Apple taking on Google in GoogleLand... Wow. But given Apples history of making everything half-perfect, they will loose badly.

[dbwie]

I almost never do a Google search, or any other internet based search, from my iPhone. There are specialized applications on the iPhone that are designed to grab specific types of information from the internet in a form that is friendly to the size of the iPhone screen. Thus, traditional search services on the iPhone are irrelevant for me. However, if a tablet comes out which has a browser that feels more like a desktop experience, then these search issues (Bing vs. Google vs. Apple alternative) are more relevant for such a device.

[christall109]

Mhmmmmmm.

As a fanboy of Apple and Google. I would hate to see the companies going head to head. I think Apple realizes that Google does search and does it very well and won't change that in their devices. I love habit my google services on my iPhone. I don't see apple changing the default search or their maps application for that matter. Google navigator is coming to the iPhone in 4.0.

[sbrhwkp3]

An effective way to display an ad is in a way that doesn't piss a user off.

I think Steve Jobs realizes that and will be changing mobile advertising for the better.

[cmaier]

Wow. The implcations if this, if true, is just.. Wow.

Apple taking on Google in GoogleLand... Wow. But given Apples history of making everything half-perfect, they will loose badly.

As opposed to Google's reputation of perfection?

[Liquorpuki]

Hmm.. advertising on your iphone ( or any phone ).

No thanks! Never.

Never? It already exists

If you've ever done a search on Safari or downloaded Paper Toss, you've had ads on your iPhone

[martint84]

I'm willing to be that Apple comes up with a super-easy way to integrate ads into iPhone apps that utilizes all of the data the article talks about. Then they can start getting a piece of all of those "free" ad-supported apps in the app store that Apple currently provides the hosting for free.

[Speedy2]

Apple should not try to compete against Google on their turf. Instead they should cooperate with them as much as possible. Advertising is a huge market, but it is so far away from Apple's core strengths that it is highly questionable if they would succeed in winning market share from Google. Microsoft lost billions in their online / ad business for a good reason. And Apple really has NO IDEA about the online ad business.

Something like developing their own search engine would be plain stupid. And cooperating with MS instead would only endanger other areas where a cooperation with Google is highly useful (Google Maps, the new navigation app that might come to the iPhone etc). Apple would not win anything, only lose.

If Google wants to take Apple head on (Nexus etc), let them try. They won't hurt Apple very much. Don't take the fight onto the other team's homeland unless you're completely sure that you have the strength to defeat them.

[newdeal]

what they need to do is make a version of youtube that doesnt have commercials before the videos and after the commercial is over a pop-up ad that you have to close so it doesn't take up 1/4 of the screen. Come up with that and youtube is dead overnight

[gibbz]

Mhmmmmmm.

As a fanboy of Apple and Google. I would hate to see the companies going head to head. I think Apple realizes that Google does search and does it very well and won't change that in their devices. I love habit my google services on my iPhone. I don't see apple changing the default search or their maps application for that matter. Google navigator is coming to the iPhone in 4.0.

Google realizing that Apple does hardware sales and does it well didn't stop Google from releasing the Nexus One. Apple and Google competing is probably one of the best things for consumers since it will drive innovation.

[swarmster]

And so it begins: all that data that Apple collects via iTunes is about to be used against us. You bought the last Black Eyed Peas album, you can be damn sure you'll be seeing ads for the next one.

What do you mean by "used against us"? I don't really get the knee-jerk reaction everyone seems to have toward companies when they actually look at the data you've given them.

Even in your example, it's not always easy to keep track of when your favorite bands' albums are coming out, and if they want to show me ads based on what I've shown interest in, that would actually be useful. A hell of a lot more useful than typical ads, at least.

[Porchland]

I'm actually all for this. We have to face the reality that services like google and bing operate off of their ad revenue. If I'm going to see adds anyway, might as well make them something I'm actually interested in. How many times have you seen an ad on one of your iPhone apps that is totally worthless? I think it's a win win as long as we don't start seeing ads in places that used to be ad-free.

Agreed. Apple is not going to tacky up their brand by putting banner ads on your iPhone.

I think this more about the tablet. One of Apple's big sells to publishers for subscription-based newspapers and magazines would be the ability to target advertising to specific subscribers by location and demographics, and Apple would get a cut of the revenue.

[Iam9376]

I wouldn't mind having Apple compete with Google on the search engine front, given Googles questionable privacy policies.

[martint84]

what they need to do is make a version of youtube that doesnt have commercials before the videos and after the commercial is over a pop-up ad that you have to close so it doesn't take up 1/4 of the screen. Come up with that and youtube is dead overnight

http://quietube.com/

[TraceyS/FL]

Never? It already exists

If you've ever done a search on Safari or downloaded Paper Toss, you've had ads on your iPhone

Paper Toss.... the reason i don't do a "get all updates". No ads for me! :D (on that one, but overall, i run paid apps to avoid them)

[jbennardo]

I just hope it pays developers better than AdMob - what a joke they are. :rolleyes:

[martint84]

I think this [is] more about the tablet. One of Apple's big sells to publishers for subscription-based newspapers and magazines would be the ability to target advertising to specific subscribers by location and demographics, and Apple would get a cut of the revenue.

Very good point. Could also "revolutionize" the TV subscription service from Apple.

[pmz]

So no Google tun by turn for the iPhone :(

Just the opposite, Apple is about to announce Google Maps' total exit from the iPhone on the 27th. You'll see iGuide in it's place, the new under the hood feature set of the Maps application, using Apple owned maps.

[Surely]

Just the opposite, Apple is about to announce Google Maps' total exit from the iPhone on the 27th. You'll see iGuide in it's place, the new under the hood feature set of the Maps application, using Apple owned maps.

That's not really 'the opposite'.....

Oh, and source?

None of the other iPhone apps are called 'i' anything. They're all 'Maps' or 'Mail' or 'Phone' or 'Stocks' or 'Weather'. Why would they call a new maps app iGuide?

[jaison13]

apple has so much money why not buy a lesser search company, brand it, and grow it into a giant. they did it with safari. they did it with itunes, why not with say ask?

[Lone Deranger]

I hope Steve Jobs uses his flair for streamlining and minimalism and "revolutionizes" mobile advertising the way he did with FireWire in the MBP.

By getting rid of it entirely. :cool:

[boncellis]

I'm really surprised by the "Apple should not compete with Google" sentiment I've seen so far.

Competition is a good thing for the end user.

[ChazUK]

Why are people saying that that Apple doing mobile ads will be better than the current solutions?

Isn't the point of advertising to get people to look at the thing? (Unless they were going to ram that ad interaction patent down our throats and in that case it would be far worse than what we have now)

I can't say I've ever seen an annoying ad on any mobile platform or app.

[Stella]

Never? It already exists

If you've ever done a search on Safari or downloaded Paper Toss, you've had ads on your iPhone

I don't have an iPhone, so no paper toss for me! :-)

Ads on integrated to the phone - i.e., when the phone is ringing, you'll get an advert from Best Buy about , say, a telephone directory. Yes, that is an very extreme example!

[mdntcallr]

Wow, just what i want. advertisers to know what music i have, what movies i watch... all for the ability to know where i am at all times... so they can send me advertisements.

****!

[KingYaba]

How long before Ads are integrated into OSX?

OS 11 free download version.

[baryon]

What do they mean by "Mobile Advertising"? Is it those little banners that appear in certain free apps that you get from the App Store? Is that really subject to discussion? There is a solution: get the paid version of the app, and no more adverts! There is nothing to revolutionise!

Oh and about this quote:

"Apple has a vault of valuable data that can help drive an ad business. It knows precisely which apps, podcasts, videos, and songs people download from iTunes; in many cases it has detailed customer information such as credit-card numbers and home addresses."

I'm sure if Apple were to use that information in any way, that would be illegal. So no, I'm pretty sure they can't use that to help drive an ad business. Debit card information doesn't say anything about what products I like anyway. It's just a series of digits that has been assigned to me, and it's confidential.

[Stella]

Just the opposite, Apple is about to announce Google Maps' total exit from the iPhone on the 27th. You'll see iGuide in it's place, the new under the hood feature set of the Maps application, using Apple owned maps.

I could imagine - available for the u.s from today, the rest of the world some time in the future!

[currentinterest]

Advertisers wouldn't know one's data, Apple will use the data they have to customize and provide targeted ads when one is looking for something specific. An Italian restaurant search would generate some local ads relevant to the type of restaurant, places chosen, distances traveled in the past, day of the week, holiday proximity (e.g., Valentine's day). They would be tastefully presented and provide useful information for making a decision. Sounds good to me.

[noxtos]

I'm actually all for this. We have to face the reality that services like google and bing operate off of their ad revenue. If I'm going to see adds anyway, might as well make them something I'm actually interested in. How many times have you seen an ad on one of your iPhone apps that is totally worthless? I think it's a win win as long as we don't start seeing ads in places that used to be ad-free.

If I help those companies streamlining their advertisement channels by contributing my personal data, I want to get paid for it.

My second argument against personalized advertisement is that it simply never works. Best example is Amazon and their recommendation system. I once ordered a CD from a French underground singer, now they won't stop tormenting me with Céline Dion advertisements, which I find even more annoying than being presented random ads.

[hacurio]

Hmm.. advertising on your iphone ( or any phone ).

No thanks! Never.

"One other item of interest included in the cover story is speculation may look to dump Google as the default search engine provider for the iPhone in the future, "

Why not give the user a choice of any search engine? Why only Google or Yahoo at the moment?

Actually, this has the potential of being benign advertising (let me explain). Up until this point, consumers have been growing skeptical, tired, and very much immune to traditional advertising because: A) we are exposed to it all day, everyday B) Most of the time the content or product offered is not relevant to us, and B) For the most part, I see ads when I am not buying anything at the particular time, or am not interested. And this is where mobile platforms can make a huge difference. How many times has it happened to you, that for example, you need a certain product or service, and at that particular time, you actually have to dig for information instead of being reached right then and there by informative and relevant advertising?

Imagine the following scenario. You are with your Girlfriend on a date because you usually go out Friday nights. You both like Italian food, and usually never drive further than 30 miles away from your home. Based on the music you listen, one can pretty much know the kind of ambiance you like and perhaps a little of your personality and what a fun evening represents to you.

Now with that in mind, instead of having to look up and new Italian restaurants on Friday before you go out with your GF, how would you like to be exposed to ads that pertain to new Italian restaurants in your area that match certain criteria for you? Instead of being unsolicited information if you saw that same ad on Tuesday morning (in which case you would probably just miss it all together), that ad at the right time, about the right product/service and at the right place, might actually be useful. Call it smart ads (If implemented right).

[nicholasfukuoka]

What if ads were pushed as something that would actually be attractive to the user? I mean, that is the point of advertisement anyway, is it not?

Picture iNews, an out of the way app that feeds you up-to-date news regarding things that directly relate to you (album release dates, new film info from your favorite director, new products from your favorite electronic device company, bands coming to town) which you can then add to your calendar, or ignore. You can manually input things you are interested in (further improving Apple's information database) or it can pull information from your purchases.

Another app can for be recommending you new artists, films or products based on your purchases, time spent on certain apps or even based on an advanced genius (from iTunes) system that analyzes your data compared to the data of other users to make educated guesses on things you may be interested in, learning by your input and continued use.

Another app can be for finding sales. You enter the app, type in what you're looking for, and it can give you a full list of stores in the area currently carrying the product, proximity, and price. There can be Apple-exclusive coupons where all you have to do is show the coupon on your iPhone/iSlate, or even send an infrared signal to activate the coupon or any points you may have saved up by using the iSlate for shopping, buying apps, or even getting to a certain place in a game app. This could be the app that would attract shoppers to buy an iSlate - Make back the cost of purchase through savings.

All these apps are valid forms of advertisement, could be out of the way and easy to deactivate, and most of all would be attractive to the user rather than annoying.

[Westside guy]

As examples, the report points to the possibility of Apple using geo-location and user data to enhance the relevancy of mobile ads

Woo hoo! Minority Report, here we come!

[mjtomlin]

Seems to be a lot of paranoid people on here. If Apple wanted to stick ads everywhere, they already would've done so.

All that is being suggested here is enhancing ads WHERE THEY ALREADY EXIST, by presenting consumers with more context/location sensitive advertisements. This is extremely attractive to both publishers and clients as the possibility of click through is much greater.

Apple already does this to some degree in iTunes... the Genius Recommendations are based off the song you're currently playing.

Apple is well aware that certain people would rather pay for a service than be inundated with ads. However I also feel they understand there are those who prefer not to pay, so they will work out a system for ad supported services. Specifically I see this happening with MobileMe. By the end of this year there will be a free ad-supported version of MobileMe to compete with Google's services.

[Vmaatta]

...perhaps striking a deal with historical competitor Microsoft for Bing ..

**** no :mad:

:D

[Maserati7200]

And so it begins: all that data that Apple collects via iTunes is about to be used against us. You bought the last Black Eyed Peas album, you can be damn sure you'll be seeing ads for the next one.
I agree with some other users here, wouldn't you want to see ads that are relevant to your tastes than random ads? I know when I see an ad that actually interests me (which happens very rarely) I'd check it out.
APPLE IS DEAD. OR IS IT?
Wow, I never thought you would say that...
What do you mean by "used against us"? I don't really get the knee-jerk reaction everyone seems to have toward companies when they actually look at the data you've given them.

Even in your example, it's not always easy to keep track of when your favorite bands' albums are coming out, and if they want to show me ads based on what I've shown interest in, that would actually be useful. A hell of a lot more useful than typical ads, at least.
Agreed.
That's not really 'the opposite'.....

Oh, and source?

None of the other iPhone apps are called 'i' anything. They're all 'Maps' or 'Mail' or 'Phone' or 'Stocks' or 'Weather'. Why would they call a new maps app iGuide?
Good point, they will surely not use an 'i' prefix
I could imagine - available for the u.s from today, the rest of the world some time in the future!
Well, the rest of the world has tethering on their iPhone, and had MMS at launch, we didn't...

[roocka]

Have you guys seen what Netlist does? They have the most mindblowing scalability in Cloud computing. I think they could severely screw Cisco in the near future. I bet the value Apple could derive from them would be huge in mobile advertising and also in Enterprise solutions.

It would put Apple in a new game.

Apple
Operating Systems
Computers
Television
Music
Telephones
Gaming
Enterprise
Cloud
(SERVERS/MEMORY/VIRTUALIZATION)

[wobudong]

But wait, there's less (maybe).
What if Apple gave you a free iPhone in return for accepting targetted ads?
:cool:

[Stella]

But wait, there's less (maybe).
What if Apple gave you a free iPhone in return for accepting targetted ads?
:cool:

Sounds good... then instantly jail break it, and get no ads :D

[Queso]

This is dumb. Google's ad income was the main thing that prevented Microsoft freezing Mac users off the Internet. Google made it possible for tens of millions to use non-Windows OSs. Apple have benefited from that more than any other company, and now they want to kill it?

[charliehustle]

wow, how stupid of apple to try to even compete with google when it comes to adds. Can't wait to see how hard they flop.

[distortedloop]

Why not give the user a choice of any search engine? Why only Google or Yahoo at the moment?

This is a Verizon-like answer, but nothing's keeping you from using any search engine you want in Mobile Safari; just bookmark the homepage of the site in Safari. You could even have it as an icon on your screen to autoload it.

That said, I agree it would be nice to be able to configure the search bar with whatever engine you want. But honestly, which would you use instead of Google or Yahoo?

Wow. The implcations if this, if true, is just.. Wow.

Apple taking on Google in GoogleLand... Wow. But given Apples history of making everything half-perfect, they will loose badly.

I think you meant "Google's history of making everything half-perfect"...no, that wouldn't be correct either, since other than search and ad-words, just about every product Google offers, while free (which is good) is still BETA, butt-ugly to look at, has a bad UI, and no consistent interface across apps. Apple, on the other hand, while they've had a turkey or two, tends to come out with products that have a consistent look and feel across them, behave well, look good, and function well.

Google would be nothing if its apps weren't free, and the only reason its apps are free is because of the insane amount of money that AdWords generates...

[kdarling]

I'm sure if Apple were to use (iTunes info) in any way, that would be illegal. So no, I'm pretty sure they can't use that to help drive an ad business.

Hopefully. Here are the related documents:

iTunes Store Terms and Conditions (http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html) (points to the privacy policy below)

Apple Privacy Policy (http://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/) (includes the ability to use your information to keep you posted on special offers, etc)

iPhone/Touch software license (http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iphone.pdf) (includes the ability to use your location information)

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

As opposed to Google's reputation of perfection?
Well, IMHO they are better at it than Apple.

[pooryou]

Sorry Steve, you have got it wrong this time. It's not that 'mobile ads suck' it's that 'ads suck'. You got an extra useless word in there my dear boy.

I pay $100 a month for this phone and if I see any ads or find out any of my info is being shared for this reason my iPhone will be history. Don't bite the hand that feeds.

If this turns out to be true it may well be time to sell all my shares AAPL as well.

Well, IMHO they are better at it than Apple.

Google has done almost nothing right...ever. They have an ok search engine that was developed a long time ago and is only good because the competition is so poor. They haven't really improved it...if anything it has gotten worse. Their attempts to get into other areas have been laughable.

[scroto]

I think it will be a very cold day in hell before Apple uses Bing as the default search on one of their products. Bing is awful for the most part.

In reality it's pretty good actually but I still prefer Google.

[MacFly123]

Apple, I don't want Bing! And I don't want ads invading my OS and software!

Looks like "Genius" just got a new job lol! :rolleyes:

I'm sure they will update the end user agreement now on iTunes etc. But even thought that would be legal, it feels kinda like a slap in the face since we never anticipated our data being used in these ways.

[MacFly123]

But wait, there's less (maybe).
What if Apple gave you a free iPhone in return for accepting targetted ads?
:cool:

This logic and business model goes against EVERYTHING Apple has put into place with its products, ecosystem, and content PERIOD! IF, and big IF, they ever did that, it would be a HUGE change in their business philosophy. I don't really care for it. Google is all about it, but there are always trade offs like them collecting tons of data about you, and annoying you with ads. I want ad free premium content, which Apple have PROVEN people are VERY WILLING to pay for. THAT is Apple's entire business view. You get what you pay for! I don't want crap all over my devices and software, thanks! :rolleyes:

Sorry, double post. Please combine mod, thanks!

[lifeinhd]

None of the other iPhone apps are called 'i' anything. They're all 'Maps' or 'Mail' or 'Phone' or 'Stocks' or 'Weather'. Why would they call a new maps app iGuide?

Because it's not an Apple app. It's from a third party called iGuide.

[Maserati7200]

Because it's not an Apple app. It's from a third party called iGuide.
I think the mapping service is from a 3rd party... not the app. Google Maps is the service for the iPhone's application called 'Maps'. The application isn't called google maps, it's called 'Maps' (although, people do tend to call it google maps).

[gate]

Apple should buy InfoSpace (dogpile.com, metacrawler.com, webcrawler.com, webfetch.com and more than 100 affiliates) and jump into metasearch which is way better than using a single search engine. And from there, Apple should build its own search engine. InfoSpace is valued now at about 400 million which is not a lot of money for a company like Apple. They get easily get the control of that company for 500 million.

[lightpeak]

The 46 who rated this story a positive really have "sheeple" issues, or are Apple stock holders or those employed by the mobile ad game. There ARE no winners for iPhone users in this. Ads? Pfft.

The fact you'd be RIPPING Google apart for doing the same for their Droid is proof of your delusional state.

Man, this is going to be new tool to counter your fanyboys. lol
http://i46.tinypic.com/5n8zfo.jpg

[xIGmanIx]

how about they just refresh their hardware with specs we have seen in windows boxes for years? enough with foolish chest pounding with google

[swagi]

...sheesh...

I guess I'd rather live without a mobile phone than have ads on it.

And I don't really see the point. Maybe it's my personal perception, but IMHO I feel the ad crowd is getting out of control.

The current wave of banderole ads, maybe combined with annoying soundclips - that is really pissing me off.

And just to let you know: Give Little Snitch a try, and see how often Mac OS X is calling home ;)

I feel rather happy not to be an iPhone user with the current direction, Apple is heading. And WWDC this year will be the day of the final decision:

10.7 better WOW me or I'm building a Linux Box.

<EDIT>
Well, I should add, that as an Apple stock options holder, I find this thing rather interesting. I'm currently heading to buying more stock options. If Apple will head forward with data mining and generating revenue from a monopolistic advertisement system using iTunes as their Trojan I'm all for it.

I won't use an Apple box again. But as you sheep will defend an buy nevertheless, it's time to let Apple roll across the 400$/share line. ;)

</EDIT>

[sinsin07]

The 46 who rated this story a positive really have "sheeple" issues, or are Apple stock holders or those employed by the mobile ad game. There ARE no winners for iPhone users in this. Ads? Pfft.

The fact you'd be RIPPING Google apart for doing the same for their Droid is proof of your delusional state.

Man, this is going to be new tool to counter your fanyboys. lol


It's called applescuse. Excuse any and everything in the name of Apple. Sort of an applesauce only for the loyal.

[lightpeak]

It's called applescuse. Excuse any and everything in the name of Apple. Sort of an applesauce only for the loyal.

lol I love that one. :D

[Becordial]

So given that adverts seem to often rely upon flash, does this mean we'll now see Flash in OS4.0?

[DigiMktgWorks]

My recent post focuses how to market an app given the proliferation of apps in Apples App Store. Click here to read and share - http://bit.ly/bfvhAh I also provided a link to this forum at the end of the post.

[charliehustle]

after the giant ipod touch fiasco, I don't believe apple when they use the word "revolutionize"