Apple's Next Big Thing - Mobile AdvertisingApple's Next Big Thing - Mobile Advertising

Less than a week after the iPad was launched, Apple is ready to announce its next product. Consumer's won't buy it, but just about everyone with an Apple device will be exposed to it and make use of it. Get ready for a whole new advertising campaign on your iPhone or iPad.In January Apple purchased Quattro Wireless which is a company that specializes in mobile advertising. The Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital is reporting that Apple will announce their new mobile ad platform on Thursday. There is speculation that it will be called iAd, but iHopeNot. That name is going a bit too far.

If this is deeply plugged in to the device, the mobile advertising framework would be able to know your general location, and perhaps your exact location. This could allow for very specific advertising based on the retailers around you.

What is interesting here is that Google is likely thrilled that Apple is doing this. If Google can show the FTC that it has legitimate and serious competition, they will be more likely to get approval for their proposed buy of AdMob, another mobile advertising company.

Will this kind of advertising be a benefit to consumers or just another irritating revenue source for advertisers? I'm sure we'll know soon enough. With both Apple and Google pursuing it, you are more likely than not to encounter it on your mobile device's screen in the near future.