AdMob debuts ad unit for Android apps
January 28, 2009
Android operating system on mobile phone
Mobile advertising network AdMob has launched its first advertising unit for Android applications, enabling developers to monetize their applications on the device platform.
The first developers to use AdMob's new Android ad unit in their applications include AccuWeather, Jirbo and TapJoy. AdMob's new Android ad unit will allow brand and performance advertisers reach the rapidly growing base of consumers engaging with applications on their Android devices.
"The first android device just launched a few months ago and we are already seeing strong interest from consumers and developers in this new platform," said Nicole Leverich, director of corporate communications for AdMob, San Mateo, CA.
"In December 2008 AdMob received more than 27 million ad requests from mobile Web sites on the Android platform and with the Android Market starting to gain traction we expect that to increase," she said.
Android is Google's mobile operating system.
The operating system comes pre-installed with a set of core applications including an email client, SMS program, calendar, maps, browser and contacts.
All applications are written using the Java programming language. Developers have full access to the same framework APIs used by the core applications.
The application architecture is designed to simplify the reuse of components. Any application can publish its capabilities and any other application may then make use of those capabilities.
AdMob claims it has seen great success with the iPhone. In fact, the iPhone is already the No. 1 device on the AdMob network and continues to experience strong growth.
The company believes that that Android will start to experience strong growth this year as more device manufacturers launch new phones running this new operating system.
"We excited to get ahead of the curve and take the lead in helping developers monetize their applications on this fast-growing device platform," Ms. Leverich said.
AccuWeather has partnered with AdMob to monetize its mobile services for several years now and has extended this relationship to start monetizing its new Android application.
As a result of this news, AccuWeather and other advertisers are going to be able to work with AdMob to reach the high-quality audience of consumers they care about that are engaging with applications on their Android devices.
"The iPhone clearly demonstrated to advertisers the opportunity mobile presents to reach the consumers they care about in unique and engaging ways," Ms. Leverich said. "We are already seeing similarly strong interest in Android-based devices from developers and advertisers.
"The launch of this initial ad unit for Android is just the first step in helping developers monetize their applications on this fast-growing device platform," she said.