We said that Apple was going to dominate this year’s Consumer Electronics Show — despite not being there in person — and here’s another example of why that’s true.
Although the Apple Watch isn’t out yet, mobile-marketing firm TapSense is taking advantage of CES mania to unveil its plans to release an Apple Watch ad-buying service, aimed at developers. This service will let businesses create ads targeted at individual users of Apple’s upcoming wearables device.
These ads would use “push notifications” to alert customers of specific deals they may be interested in, although only inside apps that have already been opened.
In an example given by TapSense chief executive Ash Kumar, a customer using an Apple Watch transit app to keep an eye on possible travel delays could be shown a marketing offer for a ride-sharing car service, or else an ad for a nearby coffee shop. It’s an interesting concept that could be useful — depending on how unobtrusive it is and how well-selected the ads are.
However, Apple will also need to be careful to ensure that similar ad-based services don’t negatively impact on the experience of using an Apple Watch.
We’ve already noted previously how badly-implemented iBeacon ads risk turning your iPhone into a “seamless spam machine.” Seeing as Tim Cook has previously criticized ad-based business models like that employed by Google, Apple will want to tread carefully when it comes to technology like TapSense’s.
We’ll keep you updated.
Source: Reuters
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
4 responses to “Don’t expect your Apple Watch to be free from ads”
“…although only inside apps that have already been opened.”
Uninstall the app… problem solved.
Agreed, this is one place where it might be beneficial to use only non-ad supported or paid apps.
There is no way that Apple is going to allow this on the watch. Technically it is against App Store rules on iOS devices.
So far, no ads on Android Wear either.