Less than a week after the iPad's debut, Apple continues to shakeup the technology world. (Nearly all of the top stories on the Techmeme tech news aggregation site right now are about Apple). Earlier today, we noted how Apple plans to bring "multitasking" for third party apps to the iPhone and iPod touch as part of the upgrade in the company's mobile operating system. But that's not the only news coming out from the Cupertino, Calif. computer giant (whose market value of $217 billion is fast approaching Microsoft's $262 billion).

Apple today also introduced iAd (Yes, yet another offering which uses the letter "I.") The mobile ad platform was expected in part because of Apple's recent purchase of Quattro Wireless. As part of the offering Apple -- which will sell and serve ads -- plans to give app developers 60 percent of the mobile advertising revenue.

That's a standard rate in the mobile ad business, Apple says.

TechCrunch has been reporting on the news, quoting Apple CEO Steve Jobs who says the mobile ad campaigns are easy enough to create in "an afternoon." Meanwhile, Apple Insider notes that the new iAd platform will allow for new rich-media advertisements, keeping the consumer within the app experience.

"Developers [who create free apps] need to find a way to start making their money," Jobs reportedly said today at the launch. "A lot of developers turn to advertising - and we think these current advertisements really suck."

Apple's move into the mobile ad business also could have an indirect benefit on Google, which is trying to acquire the competing mobile ad platform AdMob. That potential $750 million buyout has run into regulatory hurdles with the FTC.

"Certainly Apple getting into the mobile ad space should take some of the wind out of the FTC's case for blocking Google from acquiring AdMob," said David Adams of Mobile Research.

The new iAd platform could also have big implications for some of Seattle's leading iPhone developers such as Urbanspoon and Zillow.com, allowing them to place more interactive marketing campaigns directly into their apps.