I’ve been thinking about this awhile. Google CEO Eric Schmidt say on Apple’s Board of Directors for years, obviously privy to Apple’s plans for the iPhone, iPad, and other business opportunities. One of them may have included Apple’s intent to build advertising into iPhone and iPad apps. What does Google do before Schmidt is thrown off the bus? They release Android for smart phones and tablet devices. What was Schmidt afraid of? Mack McKelvey on Millenial Media’s advertising tracking:
Apple’s OS remains the leading OS on the network with 70 percent of U.S. Smartphone impressions; Apple’s OS has maintained the leading OS position since Millennial began reporting the network’s OS mix in August 2009. RIM remained the second largest U.S. OS for the eighth consecutive month with a 14% share of impressions; and four devices in the Top 20 Mobile Phones list.
Google wants a slice of that advertising pie, too.