Apple’s Secret Plan For Mobile Marketing

Computer giant Apple has made some moves in the past several months which involves a well-kept secret interest in mobile advertising. Apple filed a patent application a few months ago that came to the attention of the public. The contents of that patent application indicate a likely change in the manner that Apple could cash in on its products-both hardware and software. The details of the patent describe what Apple called ‘enforcement routine’ software which means that the company will incorporate advertising into its hardware and software that consumers simply can not skip over.

The patent also states the fact that users would need to prove that they have either viewed or listened to an ad before being able to access the functionality features of the hardware. For example, a user could not use their iPod until they have watched the advertisement and then punched in a code to prove that the ads have been watched in their entirety.

The array of hardware that Apple that is developing this application for ranges from the iPhone to the set top box television, Apple TV, to a notebook, the iPod touch and more. The catch is that consumers will have to endure a very savvy advertising scheme that ensure they are paying attention. If not, the system can simply block the user from using the devices until compliance is met. The fact that Steve Jobs himself is noted in the Apple credits for the patent tells us that this program is not just the fantasy of an Apple engineer. The ramifications of this type of bold marketing move could very well rock the industry.

Consumers could be rewarded for allowing the ads to run on their systems by receiving a free operating system (OS), an OS upgrade or even free hardware. The type of hardware that could be given to consumers by Apple include iPods, portable desktop computers, gaming devices, personal digital assistants, televisions and email devices.

If Apple does introduce integrated advertising into their iPhone and make the ads compulsory and verifiable, it could possibly offer a very affordable priced alternative to the iPhone or even a completely free iPhone. Apple could possibly earn recurring money from every user through the on-going advertisements that would add up to much more money than the actual price of the device that they sell.

Of course, Apple is surely aware of the fact that not everyone will enbrace this bold marketing strategy, especially those consumers who despise having ads forced down their throats. But for the mass market, this is surely the start of a whole new marketing strategy that is sure to shake up the entire industry.