Android now making more money than iPhone on ad network
updated 08:00 am EDT, Tue October 19, 2010
Millenial says Android has more revenue vs. iPhone
Android became more profitable for at least one ad network than then iPhone today as Millenial Media today reported that Google's platform was generating more revenue than the iPhone. A 26 percent boost to calls for ads, along with a slight jump to 29 percent in traffic, pushed it past the iPhone in September. The gain was helped by Motorola, whose original Droid and combined effect pushed it past Samsung to become the second-most popular phone maker on the network at 15.3 percent, behind Apple's 30.22 percent.
The platform didn't overtake iOS for revenue as a whole, since the iPad and iPod touch combined still outweighed what Android could manage. Apple's tablet saw a rapid rise over the summer, growing 63 percent just in raw traffic from month to month but more than tripling revenue with a 316 percent boost.
RIM had five of the top 20 smartphones in the roster, but its combined effort only got it 12.6 percent of share on Millenial's network. Sony Ericsson was notable, as while it was still a bit player with just 1.6 percent had enough share to reach eighth place in device share: the Xperia X10 has been in the top 20 for two months.
The share doesn't represent a recreation of market share but does suggest that Android has been continuing to make gains in share and has become a successful enough app platform that developers can expect significant ad revenue. Android Market has often had a heavy bias towards free apps over paid but has also been a relatively poor ad market due to a lack of exposure. The rise of the platform has led to more significant advertisers and more professional-quality apps.




Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
Caveat emptor
Ad-supported free apps notwithstanding, I'm from the camp that MORE advertising doesn't necessarily equate to a BETTER user experience.