Google AdSense Optimizes Ad Units for "High-End Phones" (aka Android & iPhone)

Billed as "AdSense High-End", Google is now letting advertisers create ads specifically for "high-end" phones like the iPhone and Android-capable devices. While that is a natural evolution of the AdSense platform, Google's explanation as to why is quite interesting:

With the growth in popularity of high-end mobile phones with full (HTML) Internet browsers, like the iPhone and phones running Android, advertisers are increasingly extending their campaigns to mobile devices. Because these devices offer a rich content experience similar to desktop, advertising on them is a natural extension for many advertisers.

... In other words, the mobile web is really the traditional web. Experiences and applications are becoming richer - and will continue to do so as devices and HTML / HTML5 allows for it. And therefore, the advertising experience will also become richer and more effective.

August Mobile Data: iPhone OS now 40% Marketshare, Android Growing Quickly

The AdMob Mobile Metrics Report for August shows continuing domination of Apple (both with the iPhone and the iPod Touch) and the growth of Android (thanks in large part to the increase in available devices):

* Worldwide iPhone OS marketshare has increased from 33 to 40 percent in the last 6 months, with substantial share in all regions except for Asia and Africa. Please see our June report for more information on the geographic distribution of our iPhone users.

* Android is growing rapidly in North America and Western Europe. The HTC Magic (my Touch) is a Top 10 smartphone in both North America and Western Europe. Worldwide requests from Android increased 17% month over month.

Other interesting takeaways from the US data:

- The top 20 handset models only had two new entrants: Palm Pre and Sony PSP - The iPhone represents 19.7% of all ad requests and the iPod Touch is 2nd at 13.3%. No other device represents more than 6% (the Samsung R450) - The iPhone itself is almost as big as the #2 manufacturer: Samsung: 19.7% vs. 21% respectively. Motorola is #3 at 10.7% - Apple represents over 60% of AT&T's ad requests. HTC is the equivalent on T-Mobile with ~50%

Comcast Rolls Out In-Commercial Ad Units (Think "Become a Fan" on Facebook")

It's not so-much an advertisement inside of an advertisement - rather, the right way to think of it is like the new Facebook formats: an advertisement that allows viewers to engage directly within the unit.

While watching ESPN this morning, a commercial aired for a new show on the Golf Channel. The unique part was that the 'footer' of the screen had a large option for viewers to 'opt-in' to automatically record the show via the DVR.

This is the television equivalent to "becoming a fan" on Facebook: by opting in, I effectively begin a relationship with the Golf Channel, who is willing to pay a steep premium for that sort of engagement and data to Comcast. Rather than buying demographic based eyeballs, the Golf Channel will understand true conversions, viewership funnels and all within a data-driven / predictable model.

... And as a consumer, I loved it. Anytime the advertiser, consumer and middle layer all win, it's a success.

Facebook Newsfeed: Now Just One Image (Rather than Three)

I have recently written several posts on the importance of promotion within Facebook's newsfeed and the growing trend of larger (and more annoying) imagery. Facebook has clearly noticed because, according to InsideFacebook, they have issued a new platform policy requiring publishers to use one in-stream image.... meaning, users shouldn't see three-image mosaics for applications like Farmville and Zygna:

Foursquare Mayor Local Offers in the Wild

About a month ago, TechCrunch reported of local offers being issued through Foursquare specifically to mayors. It is a powerful example of in-application monetization that both enhances the experience (users are motivated to become mayors) and the advertiser experience (local businesses are able to connect directly with influential users).

Well, this week, I spotted my first local offers in the Foursquare mobile app. Because I am mayor of a nearby location, I was offered $2.00 off at The Marsh for a show that evening. And if I am mayor of The Marsh, drinks would also be free.

The offer is compelling for a couple reasons: - it is contextual based on location and neighborhood - there is an offer specifically for me... and users always love coupons / deals - the UI is excellent. Within the normal application experience, I get a clever alert both in the header and the footer. Eye-catching and well-explained

Interesting to see if similar experiences and local offers make their way into other social & local applications like Yelp.

Golfshot iPhone App: a Major Advancement in Golf Technology

Golfers have two consistent pains: - determining the distance to the pin and measuring the length of your last shot - capturing data to analyze and improve your game

Golfers solved these needs respectively by purchasing expensive equipment and scratching / compiling notes on the scorecard. Enter the iPhone, which you already carry in your cart and is already equipped with GPS. And enter Golfshot, an application that costs $29.99 and has data about 15,000+ golf courses across the US.

Golfshot is as simple or complex as you want it to be - which is appropriate for golf: for instance, golfers can measure the distance to the pin or track the distance of every shot (even storing that data by club). The more data you enter (and it's easy to do - simple a swipe or button press), the more advanced the application's charting and measurement system becomes.

The charting system effectively becomes Google Analytics for your round and your season. Collect data on putts, greens in regulation, driving accuracy, distances, etc both in the app or online. The charts are presented in good-looking layers and can be sorted / diced in the same way that your marketing dashboard can be.

The simplest and most useful feature is the online scorecard. It syncs directly with your address book and then automatically delivers the digital scorecard to each golfer. Those scorecards are accessible online and you can annotate them at any point (during or after the round).

The app costs $29.99 - which is far cheaper than the $250-$500 golf GPS systems that only measure distances. Golfshot is now the #11 grossing iPhone App according to iTunes (ahead and behind the games Scrabble and Uno):

Until We Have Facebook Connect for iTunes & iPhone Apps...

... we have First & 20 - a collection of iPhone home screens and favorite applications from interesting developers, designers and tech bloggers. So while I wait to see what applications my friends have installed and use (a regular discussion point at dinners and coffees) - First & 20 gives a glimpse into popular apps and how people organize their iPhones. For instance, the top five applications across the highlighted users are:

- Tweetie - Birdfeed - Things - Instapper - Facebook

Most of the homescreens also have at least one of these apps in the dock unit. It is also interesting to see that many of the homescreens have iTunes & the App Store prominently included (suggesting that these users regularly download content) and a significant portion of the apps are premium / paid for.

Facebook Mobile developer Joe Hewitt (whose screen is shown above) had a great quote highlighting the increasing importance of mobile web content / experiences in a world of applications. While he is talking specifically about Google Reader, this is becoming an important trend and, for the content-owners, a major benefit because the it is platform / hardware agnostic:

80% of my iPhone usage is Google Reader. I’ve tried every Google Reader app there is and I keep coming back to the web version. Somebody, please make a Google Reader app that isn’t slow as molasses running downhill!

The remaining 20% of my usage is mostly spent checking Mail, Facebook, Twitter and the score of the Yankees game. Oh, and the Camera. I own a Canon 5D Mark II but I still take 99% of my photos with my iPhone.

Starbucks iPhone Apps: Mobile Payments, Shared Drinks & More

Hats off to Starbucks once more. Starbucks released two iPhone Apps yesterday that are again best-in-class, innovative and compelling from a customer standpoint. The 'Starbucks' app allows users to find stores, create custom concoctions, access nutritional information and - most importantly - share the experience with friends (your favorite drinks, location, Starbucks meeting times, etc). The UI is terrific and consistent with the Starbucks brand and environment. The second app, Mobile Card, allows users to manage their Starbucks Card (balances, settings, etc). Most importantly, the application allows users to pay with their mobile device - currently being tested in sixteen locations across Seattle and Silicon Valley. That's interesting and powerful... and unique.

And combined with Starbucks' massive presence on Facebook and other networks, it is essentially now possible to find a nearby Starbucks, schedule a coffee via mobile, share it with friends through Facebook mobile, and pay with your iPhone... and you can bet that Starbucks is thinking about the next move: layering contextual, location-aware push notifications for coupons and events.

LBS: Find the nearest Starbucks (and share your location)

Create and share your favorite Starbucks drink (like an iced coffee with 8 shots of espresso). Then read about the nutritional contents.

Access and manage your card balance.

Make in-store payments with the 'swipe' of your iPhone

Access store information and make it a social outing

A video of the Mobile Payments trial:

Microsoft Courier: My Apple Tablet Fascination is in Trouble...

My fascination with the Apple Tablet is less around Apple and more around the convergence of several devices which either currently or will play a key role in my day-to-day habits: web, video, applications, etc. Furthermore, it represents the convergence of devices of all formats and sizes: the computer, mobile phone, Kindle, and netbook.

But Gizmodo has a video and several screenshots of Microsoft's "Courier" - a late-stage prototype that reimagines the way a 'tablet' looks and behaves. Its both netbook and Nintendo DS - and as much Amazon Kindle as it is the iPod Touch... all overlayed with Microsoft's touch interface.

Conceptually, I love it. I love it as much for it's innovativeness and multi-touch system as I do for pressuring Apple to release and rethink the Tablet.

A couple Microsoft Courier screenshots from Gizmodo: