Ads are Everywhere!

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Where the consumers are, ads will certainly follow.  Next Up:  Mobile Devices.

Apple has recently revealed its plunge into mobile advertising, the not-so-creatively-named iAd, that will focus on in-app advertising.  For example, you open your iPhone to check your Chicago Cubs application and BOOM, HTML 5-based ad.  The ads will be closely tied to the category of app you are using.  The Chicago Cubs app would likely draw ads from professional sports leagues or other sports-related companies.  The most convenient aspect of the apps are that they will not redirect you from your app.  When you’re done looking or interacting with the ad you can simply x-out and return to your app.

Apple's New Mobile Ad Venture: iAd

One aspect of iAd that advertisers will love, and consumers will probably not, is the GPS information Apple will be able to provide.  This will allow shops or stores to advertise directly to consumers that are walking past, or inside, their stores.  For example, if you were walking down M Street in Georgetown, J. Crew, Urban Outfitters, J.Paul’s or any other of the shops or restaurants could have ads popping up on your phone.  I feel like this practice would begin to annoy consumers rather quickly, but there is a practical aspect of it that may be appealing to serious consumers who are out looking to shop.

Apple’s iAd is only a small step into mobile advertising for the technology giant, but it will move the market along rather nicely.  In the process of developing iAd, Apple acquired Quattro Wireless and has set up a pretty nice shop.  This acquisition could have some influence on Google, who is currently trying to acquire AdMob, another mobile advertising firm.  While the mobile advertising market is relatively small, it’ll be interesting to see how the market shapes up once these two pieces are in place.

What are your thoughts on the GPS-based advertising?  Outside of Google and Apple, what other companies do you think will enter the mobile advertising market?

Microsoft’s Answer to the iPad

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

I have previously blogged about how Apple’s approach to its tablet device, the iPad, and questioned whether or not its design was practical, what the market was, and if it was truly innovative.  I do not have the same skepticism regarding Microsoft’s new device.

The Microsoft Courier - not bad, right?

The Courier, Microsoft’s digital journal that’s currently in the works, emphasizes portability and practicality, and will likely reap the benefits of these characteristics.  The Courier weighs about a pound, is less than an inch thick, and is about the size of a 5″x7″ photo when closed, compared to the iPad’s nearly 10″ size.  This makes it much more portable, and closer to a happy medium size between a laptop and Smartphone.

The functional aspects of the Courier include a pen-based interface, combined with a camera and strong chance it will act as Microsoft’s e-book reader.  The pen base will allow consumers to write, draw, and use the Courier as an actual journal, only the contents will be accessible through a corresponding website.

The price and release dates for the Courier haven’t been released, but as long as the price is close to the iPad, I believe the Courier will be wildly successful.  The folding, smaller size will not just make it easier to use, but much easier to carry around, and the ability to write (not type) will make using the device much easier.  It’ll be interesting to see what develops regarding the Courier, but FaceTime will be sure to keep you posted.

The iPad – who wanted one?

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

The temptation was too much.  I really did not want to write about the iPad.

With every piece of information I read about the iPad, the HD-quality video or web-browsing, email, music/iTunes, photo albums, videos and eBooks, I can’t help but think, doesn’t Apple already have an iSomething for that?  Outside of the eBook, it appears that Apple tinkered around then injected steroids into the iTouch.  Apple has been right in the past when they created the iPod, when the mp3 player market was almost non-existent, but this has to be a bit of a stretch.  Right?  I’m not saying the iPad isn’t “cool”, and playing around on one at the Apple store wouldn’t be fun to do for a while, I’m just questioning whether or not it’s practical.  To do so, I have a couple quick questions. (more…)