Comments on: Prediction: Good iPhone Apps Will Be Free and Apple Will Develop Ad Network

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:08:33 +0000

Here you go:

http://gigaom.com/2008/09/08/is-iphone-the-next-ad-frontier/

By: joecab

joecab — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:12:45 +0000

I don’t agree. Apple knows consumers hate intrusions like ads in things they’ve already paid for, so I don’t see it happening. There’s a reason that when you buy a MacBook it doesn’t have a single sticker anywhere on it (and Intel would pay them a pretty penny to do that, believe you me).

By: Scottybe

Scottybe — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:09:55 +0000

I disagree, but just hope I’m right.

Two reasons:
1) Apple wants to distinguish itself from Microsoft and Google as a “premium” brand. Ads are and look cheap.

2) Ad revenue is historically unpredictable. As soon as there’s a downward trend, the company stock will suffer. Just look at companies like Yahoo! for an example. I don’t think Apple leadership will want to be subject to that, if even in a small way.

By: Thorbjørn Kühl

Thorbjørn Kühl — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:20:19 +0000

Don’t you think Apple is already displaying ads in AppStore? What about those “featured Apps”? do you think they get that placement because they are so great?

More likely they’re already letting both paid and free App developers buy featured position for x amount of time or views.

And Keyan: http://crastinate.com/feed/

By: Keyan

Keyan — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:01:45 +0000

By the way, great blog. And how about letting a little RSS in your life?

By: Keyan

Keyan — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 04:57:09 +0000

Well, I’m one of those people thinking you’re crazy. Apple will never take responsibility for stealing screen real estate.

While I understand your reasoning — Apple, eventually, doesn’t get added revenue for AppStore maintenance — it’s more likely they increase, or change, models for developer fees. Apple post-realization: “Apps that advertise will be charged X amount, X amount monthly, X percentage to develop for the iPhone, etc.” They might even siphon the cost into the handset.

However, Apple will never diminish a product’s performance and, simultaneously, take the money in plain sight. Like any heavily brand-driven company, Apple will only profit if appearing above the fray.