Struggling to find the best iPhone apps? Mobui offers an answer |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
- Mobile payments: Tech titans move in, but consumers still trust banks
- Seattle ranks No. 1 in tech sector job growth
- Comcast follows Google and Intel, takes a hit on Clearwire deal
- Clearwire's stock tanks as Nokia exec calls WiMax a 'niche play'
- Handbag rental service Avelle cuts staff
- ITC sides with Microsoft in Motorola patent infringement case
Mass High Tech
Struggling to find the best iPhone apps? Mobui offers an answer
With more than 27,000 applications in Apple's iPhone store, it can be tough to keep up with all of the cool stuff. After all, about 100 new applications have been added every day since the store was unveiled in July.
But never fear. Redmond's Mobui thinks it has figured out an effective way to help people discover new apps. It's called AppsWeLike, and it's launching today in a private beta at the CTIA Wireless show in Las Vegas. The idea is pretty simple really. It allows iPhone application developers to insert recommendation lists of other apps within their app.
But here's the interesting twist. It also allows those application developers to earn affiliate revenue if their recommendation -- say a mobile game or music app -- results in a sale.
The company explains how it works:
Developers and publishers who join the AppsWeLike network will have the opportunity to earn iTunes affiliate program commissions on applications purchased through their referral lists. Mobui is offering the AppsWeLike network free of charge to developers and publishers in exchange for a portion of the iTunes affiliate referral commissions.
Mobui is offering the service for free during the beta period, though it may take a 30 percent cut of the iTunes affiliate revenue. Of course, many apps already have a low price point of 99 cents or so. And once Apple takes its cut of 30 percent cut, there's not a heck of a lot leftover.
But with so much clutter in the app store, it is becoming harder and harder to find the good apps without a personal recommendation. I bet we'll see more solutions like this in the future.
In fact, AdMob is working on a similar concept. TechCrunch reported two weeks ago that the mobile advertising company is looking to launch a mobile app exchange where developers could devote a portion of their ad space to promoting other apps.
Mobui's Anne Baker says there are differences, with AdMob's developers donating banner ad space for the promotion.
"Mobui, on the other hand, is letting developers insert these recommendations as lists within their application so they don't have to sacrifice valuable ad space to do it," said Baker.
Eventually, she said Mobui could turn its offering into a mobile advertising program where developers could post both recommendations and sponsored app lists.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
Follow, like, and connect to a broader audience for your company!
The Puget Sound Business Journal announces Social Madness: A Corporate Social Media Challenge, presented by Capital One Spark Business. This a local and national challenge that will spotlight the best social media programs of companies in 43 cities. The local challenge begins (following the nomination period) on June 1, 2012. The promotion will culminate in a national bracket challenge that will crown Social Madness champions in 3 categories based on company size. To see the official rules, visit http://www.socialmadness.com/rules.
For more information on how your company can participate, visit the nomination page here. Nominations are due May 15th.
BizDev Seminar Series - Leadership: Rallying People to a Brighter Future
Join us for this one-of-a-kind seminar series where you hear directly from the experts about hot topics to grow your business.
The skills to be effective as a leader can be learned. What are the skills and attributes needed to be effective top leaders? How do you tell what level your people are at, and what development skills each person needs? Workshop attendees will learn the answers to these questions and more.
Tuesday, May 17, 2012
8:30am - 10:30am
The Harbor Club, Seattle
Register here.
