Will Ads Be Key to Free iPhone Apps?

Would mobile users pay for a new generation of mobile applications? That question was answered in spades by millions of iPhone users who've paid for software via Apple's App Store for the iPhone.

But the majority of the over 500 million downloads at the App Store since its debut last year were for free applications. That creates something of a dilemma for commercial developers, whose programming efforts aren't just a labor of love; can they charge money and be successful competing in a largely free marketplace?

It's a question content providers have faced on the Internet for years and the same outcome could be taking shape on the iPhone; namely the rise of ad-supported alternatives to paid apps.

One such effort is the recently launched iVdopia, an ad network from Vdopia designed for iPhone developers. The idea is that developers publish lower cost or free applications and still realize revenue from ads. But this is tricky on a mobile device where extra screen real estate is virtually non-existent and attention span tends to be much shorter, particularly if the user is on the go.

Read the whole article @ Internet News

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Official tethering option for iPhone on the way?

It seems Apple and AT&T are in talks regarding adding a tethering option to the iPhone. One user emailed Apple to complain about the lack of this feature, especially considering it is offered on most other smartphones for $30/month.

Supposedly, Steve Jobs replied and said:

We agree, and are discussing it with ATT.

Steve

Interesting. AT&T actually does offer a tethering option for their other smartphones for, you guessed it, $30 a month. But the iPhone has been excluded from this. For those who don’t know, tethering is a feature that allows a user to connect to the Internet through their cell phone. In effect, turning their phone into an Internet connection for a laptop. As you may remember, Nullriver’s Netshare was pulled from the App Store recently because it offered this very feature.

Read the whole article @ Top iPhone News

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Apple Reverses on Third-Party iPhone Apps

Apple is making an abrupt about-face on its policy regarding iPhone applications, announcing yesterday that it will release a software developer's kit for the device early next year.

The SDK, which will also support the iPod Touch, will allow third-party software developers to develop and deploy their own applications for the devices.

"Let me just say it: We want native third-party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers' hands in February," Jobs said in a statement on Apple's Web site. "We are excited about creating a vibrant third-party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users."

An Apple spokesperson said that the company was sharing no further details of the plans for the SDK at this time. But even the limited news was welcomed by application developers, whose access to the iPhone platform thus far has been limited to developing browser-based applications.

Read the whole article @ Internet News

Get a Free iPhone! Yes, that is correct! Stay away from the hassles of earning enough to pay for it for you can get it the simple way .... straight to your doorstep! Free! Interested? Then find out how to get a Free iPhone!