We got a tip from Anthony Avolio yesterday, who pointed out that Google was showing ads on Maps on the iPhone. Until then I hadn’t noticed it. This is another way in which Google seems to be aligning the mobile experience with that on the PC.
I asked earlier on my blog “Who Owns Maps on the iPhone?” because the Google Maps app is like quasi-”public property” given that it is used by so many other apps and is the “official” mapping tool for the device. Yet the ads are pretty unobtrusive:
One person suggested to me that Apple might be sharing in the click revenue generated through the app. However I would be quite skeptical of that. I also wonder whether Apple has an opinion about it or is indifferent to Google doing this.
There are a number of people who believe that it’s now just a matter of time before Apple introduces its own substitute maps for the iPhone, but that very much remains to be seen.
Related Topics: Google: Maps & Local | Google: Mobile
Knowing a little bit about iPhone programming, I would guess that Apple had to add special support for the sponsored results (i.e. special coloring in the list, special icon on the map) (I could be mistaken though)
When did the “21″ Club start selling Sushi?
Greg –
Whats your take on Apples Acquisition of placebase.com and pushpin.com? Seems like it could be related to Apple distancing itself from the GOOG map?
Walt
Premium member since 01/2009
Yes, that’s a clear possibility. But it’s a broader play than simply the map widget/app.