Android News
Do Android apps with ads bother you?
March 26, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka
Uncategorized
Reading that Android commands 5% of mobile web browsing market share didn’t surprise me. But browsing the website of AdMob, the advertising company that released that information, made me wonder: would people rather pay for apps or get them free with advertisements displayed?
Placing ads within Android apps can be a clever way for developers to release free apps and still be compensated for their time/innovation. But it may not go over so well with some users. Even though advertising is a vital part of subsidizing “free” industries like television and news websites, people still fast-forward through commercials with TiVo. That makes me wonder how people respond to ads displayed within certain free Android apps.
Personally, I don’t mind unobtrusive ads. I barely notice the AdMob banner at the bottom of Plusmo’s College Basketball app. I wouldn’t pay money for College Basketball because similar apps/websites could fill the void, but I’ll put up with a reasonable ad if that will keep the app free.
However, if Cinema or Video Player adds a commercial or banner at the beginning of every video I watch like Hulu.com, I’d rather have the option of just paying a buck to be left alone.
How about you? Would you prefer free apps with ads or paid apps without?
It depends heavily on how intrusive the ads are. The ads in aTrackDog or Icenta’s Sudoku app are no big deal. As long as it’s not soaking up screen real estate that needed to be spent on something else or forcing me to wait, I’d rather save my money. Ideally, you should have options for ad-supported or for-pay versions of major apps. I’d choose the ad version nine times out of ten, but that way nobody gets to bitch.
something interesting to add: I just read that Charmin is sponsoring an iPhone app that locates clean restrooms. there’s a small Charmin banner slightly above the bottom navigation bar. it’s a targeted ad that makes sense even though the premise is a little ridiculous. this is something I could tolerate in an Android app (even though I have no use for that particular app).
Doesd any one knows if ads in apps costs us money, even if we have unlimited data plan???? Please I need a response! Thank You.
Personally it bothers me more when ads are embedded in blog text pretending to be links to related information.
I personally cannot stand it, as I don’t have an unlimited data plan hand run on pay as you go airtime. I don’t want to pay exorbitant amounts just to use an app, if I can rather pay a small fee at the beginning and never pay again.