Disqus
You know how it goes with most free apps – developers get their money by showing some ads at the top or bottom of the screen. StartApp thinks there’s a better way to help developers get some cash, while at the same time bringing a better end-user experience.
Their trick is to bundle a small search app in every application within their network and provide users with another search option. Once installed, StartApp-enabled application will create a new icon on your homescreen for searching and once you use it, they’ll show you some ads. The good thing is that you DON’T have to start this new search app at all, but StartApp says it’s pretty good anyways.
Under this scheme, developers are either paid per application downloads ($50 per 1,000 U.S. and $10 per 1,000 international downloads) or can share the revenue from the new search application.
The new StartApp platform, in beta form, has already been integrated into over 50 apps and has achieved close to 1,000,000 downloads. I haven’t tried out any of those apps and can’t judge how it works. However, I’m glad companies are looking to add new spin on the whole ad-based app area…
About The Author
Dusan Belic
Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.
