Apple to offer developers simple tools for monetizing iPhone apps

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
Apple's push into the mobile advertising space could include tools to allow developers to simply integrate advertisements into App Store software for the iPhone and iPad in the same manner that they add other graphical or interface elements to their apps.



Apple recently posted a new job listing seeking a "Senior Interactive Web Developer" for a position located in Boston. The job description provides some insight into Apple's future plans in the advertising business, stating that the iPhone maker seeks to "redefine" ads on mobile devices.



The position will have the person develop a front-end Web user interface for "Development of compelling, interactive digital advertising experiences." The Senior Interactive Developer will "be involved in client discussions, proof-of-concept coding, working with and adding to the existing framework, production deliverables and more."



"Strong web technology fundamentals are a must, but you have more," Apple added. "You?ve worked with code libraries and frameworks and have extended them to suit your needs, sometimes creating your own."



The description may be enough to suggest that Apple, by designing a proprietary mobile advertising framework to be included as part of future versions of the iPhone Software Developers Kit, could make it as trivial for developers to add advertisement placements to their applications as it currently is to add buttons or interface controls.



This would free developers to focus on improving the functionality and quality of their applications without worrying about monetization techniques, which would instead be handled by Apple and made accessible via simple function calls. Once implemented, it's also likely that Apple will offer developers -- or the software publishers they work for -- flexibility in customizing and filtering advertisements through an addition to the iTunes Connect web interface.



The details should come as no surprise following Apple's acquisition of mobile advertising company Quattro Wireless early this year. Andy Miller, former CEO of Quattro Wireless, was named vice president of mobile advertising with Apple.



Last month, Apple also hired two experienced mobile advertising employees for high-profile positions in Europe. In Apple's quarterly earnings conference call in January, Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said the purchase of Quattro Wireless was a step in allowing developers a "seamless way to make more money on their apps, especially free apps."



While Apple is new to the ad business, its App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad includes a wealth of free applications available that are often supported by advertising. And with the huge success of the App Store, now with more than 140,000 options and counting, Apple sees advertising as an important revenue opportunity in the company's future.



Prior to the Quattro purchase, Apple allegedly had discussions with competing mobile ad agency AdMob. That firm was eventually acquired by Google for $750 million, and the deal is pending approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 26
    finetunesfinetunes Posts: 2,065member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    Apple's push into the mobile advertising space could include tools to allow developers to simply integrate advertisements into App Store software for the iPhone and iPad.



    Apple recently posted a new job listing seeking a "Senior Interactive Web Developer" for a position located in Boston. The job description provides some insight into Apple's future plans in the advertising business, stating that the iPhone maker seeks to "redefine" ads on mobile devices.



    The position will have the person develop a front-end Web user interface for "Development of compelling, interactive digital advertising experiences." The Senior Interactive Developer will "be involved in client discussions, proof-of-concept coding, working with and adding to the existing framework, production deliverables and more."



    The details should come as no surprise following Apple's acquisition of mobile advertising company Quattro Wireless early this year. Andy Miller, former CEO of Quattro Wireless, was named vice president of mobile advertising with Apple.



    Last month, Apple also hired two experienced mobile advertising employees for high-profile positions in Europe. In Apple's quarterly earnings conference call in January, Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said the purchase of Quattro Wireless was a step in allowing developers a "seamless way to make more money on their apps, especially free apps."



    While Apple is new to the ad business, its App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad includes a wealth of free applications available that are often supported by advertising. And with the huge success of the App Store, now with more than 140,000 options and counting, Apple sees advertising as an important revenue opportunity in the company's future.



    Prior to the Quattro purchase, Apple allegedly had discussions with competing mobile ad agency AdMob. That firm was eventually acquired by Google for $750 million, and the deal is pending approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.



    I guess there's no escape from ads and junk mail.
  • Reply 2 of 26
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    Apple's push into the mobile advertising space could include tools to allow developers to simply integrate advertisements into App Store software for the iPhone and iPad. Apple recently posted a new job listing seeking a "Senior Interactive Web Developer" for a position located in Boston. The job description provides some insight into Apple's future plans in the advertising business, stating that the iPhone maker seeks to "redefine" ads on mobile devices..



    Could also provide an easy way to send ads for future ePub builders particularly future eZines which might want another revenue channel / option for their product (blogs=adsense / magazines=ads).
  • Reply 3 of 26
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,531member
    The article suggests that Apple is getting into advertising to profit from ad revenue, but I suspect that might not be quite right. I suspect Apple is only doing this to help out developers and to make sure that their costs of distributing free apps through the apps store are covered (perhaps they'll do the standard 30/70 split on ad revenue like they do on app prices).



    I seriously doubt that Apple is attempting to turn advertising into a major profit center. I bet the app store continues to be a break-even business for apple, and that they make most of their money by selling devices.
  • Reply 4 of 26
    gin_tonicgin_tonic Posts: 163member
    As iPhone developer, I took an interest in the title of the news and what I found in the article? Nothing. No word about these tools, no word why they are simple, no word what' the difference between Apple tools and current Quattro Wireless ad integration. Only blah, blah, blah...
  • Reply 5 of 26
    kasperkasper Posts: 941member, administrator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by gin_tonic View Post


    As iPhone developer, I took an interest in the title of the news and what I found in the article? Nothing. No word about these tools, no word why they are simple, no word what' the difference between Apple tools and current Quattro Wireless ad integration. Only blah, blah, blah...



    It's been updated. Looks like they're developing a set of Ad APIs or a whole framework that will make it as easy to place ads in apps as it is to place iPhone interface buttons, etc.



    K
  • Reply 6 of 26
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member
    I suppose this could be good for some developers, but I don't want this to distract developers hoping to make an extra buck away from In App Purchases, which actually deliver new content to users, compared to ads, which don't.
  • Reply 7 of 26
    desuserigndesuserign Posts: 1,316member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pmz View Post


    I suppose this could be good for some developers, but I don't want this to distract developers hoping to make an extra buck away from In App Purchases, which actually deliver new content to users, compared to ads, which don't.



    Except, of course, those are two different things, not the same thing, as you seem to imply.



    I know I will not be paying for any software that spams me with ads, but I would try out a free piece of software with ads knowing that I can choose to purchase it and end the ads.



    Apple and iPhone developers probably know this too.
  • Reply 8 of 26
    cnocbuicnocbui Posts: 3,613member
    So an iPhone user could end up paying for an app and still have advertising forced on them.



    I like the idea of the iPhone user paying for the data charges involved in throwing the adds at them.



    That is just so cool, way to go Apple, simply brilliant, but you are not looking at the big picture. Just build in a back door to allow access to online banking logins. That could really be a big profit centre. Nobody will mind, it will just be accepted as a natural part of the iPhone ownership experience.
  • Reply 9 of 26
    daharderdaharder Posts: 1,580member
    [CENTER]Thankfully...



    At least MS/ZUNE has the decency to only display ads during app start-up, as opposed to having an advertisement taking up valuable screen space while using the app.



    We'll See How This All Works Out...[/CENTER]
  • Reply 10 of 26
    tawilsontawilson Posts: 484member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kasper View Post


    It's been updated. Looks like they're developing a set of Ad APIs or a whole framework that will make it as easy to place ads in apps as it is to place iPhone interface buttons, etc.



    K



    Awesome! I've seen this as Apple's end game since purchasing the advertising company. The only thing putting me off using AdMob previously is the fact that it's another contract and a separate scheme for paying out.



    Anything such as this could make it easier for the lesser developer to get their payouts from Apple. Excellent move it is too!
  • Reply 11 of 26
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    The position will have the person develop a front-end Web user interface for "Development of compelling, interactive digital advertising experiences."



    doesn't sound like XCode to me.

    It sounds like creating a website for ADVERTISERS to create ads using a web interface instead of Flash.
  • Reply 12 of 26
    tawilsontawilson Posts: 484member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella View Post


    doesn't sound like XCode to me.

    It sounds like creating a website for ADVERTISERS to create ads using a web interface instead of Flash.



    Well that sounds like an even better idea
  • Reply 13 of 26
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DESuserIGN View Post


    Except, of course, those are two different things, not the same thing, as you seem to imply.



    I know I will not be paying for any software that spams me with ads, but I would try out a free piece of software with ads knowing that I can choose to purchase it and end the ads.



    Apple and iPhone developers probably know this too.



    So developers can make Free apps with ads, users can then opt to use the app with ads or make an in-app purchase to stop the ads.

    This way developers don't need to make two seperate versions of every app.
  • Reply 14 of 26
    tawilsontawilson Posts: 484member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaHarder View Post


    [CENTER]Thankfully...



    At least MS/ZUNE has the decency to only display ads during app start-up, as opposed to having an advertisement taking up valuable screen space while using the app.



    We'll See How This All Works Out...[/CENTER]



    The ad space consumption is down solely to the developer, has nothing to do with Apple or Microsoft or a specific platform.
  • Reply 15 of 26
    daharderdaharder Posts: 1,580member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by tawilson View Post


    The ad space consumption is down solely to the developer, has nothing to do with Apple or Microsoft or a specific platform.



    [CENTER]Nothing... Really?



    \

    [/CENTER]
  • Reply 16 of 26
    cmf2cmf2 Posts: 1,427member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaHarder View Post


    [CENTER]Thankfully...



    At least MS/ZUNE has the decency to only display ads during app start-up, as opposed to having an advertisement taking up valuable screen space while using the app.



    We'll See How This All Works Out...[/CENTER]



    I didn't know apps taking so long to start up that you could display an advertisement was an advantage.
  • Reply 17 of 26
    daharderdaharder Posts: 1,580member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cmf2 View Post


    I didn't know apps taking so long to start up that you could display an advertisement was an advantage.



    [CENTER]Good Point...

    Depending on one's preference for being pestered once at the onset, or constantly.[/CENTER]
  • Reply 18 of 26
    tawilsontawilson Posts: 484member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaHarder View Post


    [CENTER]Nothing... Really?



    \

    [/CENTER]



    Yes, nothing really. You could argue that Apple sort of is by the resolution of the device, but that's just being pedantic and the developer still has the ability to exceed those dimensions.



    Stop being an arse!
  • Reply 19 of 26
    hirohiro Posts: 2,663member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaHarder View Post


    [CENTER]Thankfully...



    At least MS/ZUNE has the decency to only display ads during app start-up, as opposed to having an advertisement taking up valuable screen space while using the app.



    We'll See How This All Works Out...[/CENTER]



    That wasted space is nothing like the wasted eye movement driven by center justifying everything.
  • Reply 20 of 26
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Hiro View Post


    That wasted space is nothing like the wasted eye movement driven by center justifying everything.



    Maybe someone could convince the mods that this annoying behavior is breaking the AI TOS agreement.
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