Google helps WP7 developers by releasing an Admob SDK

ADVERTISING BROKER Google has brought its mobile advertising software, Admob, to Windows Phone 7 (WP7) devices.

Last year Google bought the mobile advertising giant Admob, which has significant presence in the Android and IOS app stores and now it has release a beta Admob software development kit (SDK) for WP7. This might give a shot in the arm to WP7 developers who want to make some cash from their WP7 applications.

Google says that its Admob WP7 SDK has been customised to better suit the look and feel of WP7. The SDK allows developers to control where adverts appear, what types of adverts are shown and what happens after users click on one of them, including the ability to open a website or link directly to the WP7 Marketplace.

Aside from launching an SDK for WP7, Google has updated its Admob SDKs for Android and IOS, too. The updates include improved HTML5 support and the firm claims that developers can now create "more engaging, richer ads". It has also added support for full screen interstitial formats for Android and IOS tablets.

Although not all users will appreciate in-application adverts, Google's decision to launch Admob for WP7 is likely to help Microsoft attract more developers to its operating system. After all, the ability to generate cash through applications is what full-time developers are looking for, if they are going to spend valuable time developing for a particular operating system.

Recently Microsoft announced that it had passed 10,000 applications on the WP7 Marketplace and, perhaps ironically, Google's action might help Microsoft increase its WP7 software library. µ