app monetization

To app users, they're a necessary evil at best. For developers, they may be one of the few sure-fire paths to monetization. Marketers, on the other hand, are unlikely to show major interest unless they can be assured their money will be well spent, which is why in-app advertising is about to come under a lot more scrutiny.

Almost exactly one year ago KDDI introduced au Smart Pass, a service whereby its smartphone customers can get unlimited access to approximately 500 Android apps for around $4.90 per month. This includes both free and premium apps such as games from Gameloft, the messaging app Line and the mobile-only Dolphin browser.

Android developers may be starting to catch up with their iOS counterparts in winning over customers, based on a global survey of app store activity over the last four months of 2012.

Rovio's Angry Birds are everywhere, in almost every form factor you could imagine, and there is no doubt in my mind that somewhere along the line someone is buying a piece of Angry Birds merchandise without having a clue that it has anything to do with a mobile app. That's when you know you've got a brand with legs.