Google might be preparing for the launch of the Android powered G1, but they are still very interested in the iPhone and a user base that will top 10 million by year's end. Being the default search engine for mobile Safari has a potential to be a money maker for Google and now comes word they are going to start offering options for advertisers to target iPhone owners directly.
Google has met with a number of ad agencies and shortly, they will be offering a new option to show an iPhone specific ads as part of a companies search campaign. While the iPhone has the capability to show the full Internet, the ads would be mobile specific. For example, and American Airlines ad could have a click to action that would call to book a flight.
For a limited time, Dava Consulting is offering their voice recording app iDicto (App Store link) for free. simple If you are in the market for an easy-to-use, powerful sound and voice recorder, then head on over to the App Store.
The British Technology Awards have named the iPhone "Gadget of the Year" for 2008. The iPhone also won Best Mobile Technology, Most Stylish Technology, and Technological Innovation. Apple's iTunes won "Best Music Technology".
It appears that Apple is on track to meet their goal of 10 million iPhones sold by the end of 2008 and might have already eclipsed that number. As more and more consumers move to smartphones and in particular the iPhone, ad companies like AdMob are looking to capitalize on the success of the iPhone by finding new advertising opportunities. The trojan horse to insert relevant ads into your mobile experience appears to be free applications.
According to Apple, more than 100 million apps have been downloaded since the store launched in July. Twenty percent of these apps are free, but they account for 90% of downloads. People love free stuff and software is no different. Add to the fact that some free apps are well written apps that high in demand. Social networking apps, games and location based apps account for a larger percentage of these apps. Advertising companies are finding unique opportunities to deliver relevant ads based upon your location and some developers are looking at ad revenue as an alertnative to paid apps. Larger developers such as Loopt see the ad-subsidized model as method to keep Loopt "free across the board". Pandora Radio now features ads from Best Buy and Beck.
Rumors abound regarding the new "brick" process and the announcement of new notebooks from Apple. Those rumors proved true as Apple has sent invites to attend a Town Hall event in Cupertino next Tuesday. Still no word on whether these will be MacBooks, MacBook Pros or perhaps a new low-cost $800 notebook. We do know it's next Tuesday at 10AM PST, so stay tuned.
PhunkWare expects their app "Shaker" (iTunes link) to be pulled from the App Store tonight after The Tetris Company contacted Apple claiming the game was "too close to Tetris". Shaker was a paid game, but has gone free for it's last few hours on the App Store.
Developers working with the iPhone firmware 2.2 beta that was released a short time ago have uncovered a few new features. These will be a welcome addition to the iPhone’s features, and one in particular should help to increase the iPhone’s appeal in Japan.
Developers uncovered the existence of emoji, small graphic images used often by the Japanese in text messaging, hidden in the iPhone’s firmware. 461 (!) of these were found, and they appear to include a number of smiley face emoticons that texters in the U.S. and other countries have been used to on other phones.
Posted by: Lincoln Wolfe in financial, apple, 3g on
Oct 6, 2008
Some members of The Mac Observer's Apple Finance Board have made an effort to determine how many iPhones Apple has sold, and it was revealed that the company may have already reached it's goal of selling 10 million units in 2008.
For a limited time, Glu Mobile is offering up Space Monkey (iTunes link) for free. Space Monkey normally retails for $9.99 and has received great reviews from IGN and PocketGamer. Glu Mobile calls this a "very limited time offer", so head on over to iTunes and grab it.
fring has been released for the iPhone and is now available for free at the iPhone App Store (iTunes link). fring is a mobile internet service and community that enables you to access and interact with your social networks on the go. It includes free calls, live chat and seeing your contacts online presence with all your fring, Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo! and AIM.
