Centro Ranks Well in Latest AdMob Report

Mobile Advertising firm AdMob recently released its latest monthly Mobile Metrics Report. In the September 2008 edition the Palm Centro ranked in the top 10 of all US mobile phones at number 6. If you take the feature phones out of the picture, the Centro was nearly at the top of the list and even managed to edge out the iPhone during the same month which placed seventh.

The report also reveals some other interesting statistics. In total worldwide requests Palm came in at 1.8% (4.5% US), while its two major competitors RIM and Apple, came in at 3.5% and 2.5% respectively. In terms of requests by smartphone OS, in the United States RIM had a lead with 31%, Windows Mobile 29% and the Palm OS came in third with a 17% share again just slightly edging out the iPhone with 16%. Worldwide the percentage was much lower at 6%, reaffirming Palm's current weak international sales.

Centro Ranks Well in Latest AdMob Report

In the US alone, AdMob saw a total of just under 2 billion requests, a 2.7x increase over the same month last year. The report is based on statistics from the total number of devices that are served ads from its 3,500+ mobile publishing partners. (The PalmInfocenter Mobile site includes AdMob advertising).

Article Comments

 (23 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Start a new Comment Down

Just imagine...

hkklife @ 10/28/2008 9:57:26 AM # Q
Just imagine what the nunmbers would look like if:

-Palm had more than ONE SINGLE remaining Palm OS smartphone?

-It was possible to somehow support 3G speeds in a Palm OS GSM device (more bandwidth=more browsing=more possibilities to be served ads)

-POS had a "real" browser available for the platform. If the rumors are true that Palm repeatedly turned down offers from Opera to make a browser for Garnet and instead stuck with the ancient Blazer...wow. Heads should really roll for that one.

-Palm had something to offer than small square screens of increasingly shrinking size (more pixels/screen space=more room for ads)


Well, in 2-3 weeks the BB Storm should be available for VZW and I'm fully intent on having a huge fondle session with that one. It'll be the first serious thought I've given to going back to a conveged device since the 700p disaster. It'll also be the first realistic possibility I've had of leaving the Palm platform for greener pastures.

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

Reply to this comment

too bad

Gekko @ 10/28/2008 10:13:31 AM # Q

it's too bad that palm loses money on every sale. that's some business model.

RE: too bad
hkklife @ 10/28/2008 10:25:55 AM # Q
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com/2008/10/27/why-palm-is-the-weakest-link/


A list of very, very good (and true) reasons why you don't want to put any $ into Palm in any way, shape or form right now (including, IMO, buying a Centro on a 2yr contract!)


Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

RE: too bad
Gekko @ 10/28/2008 10:43:41 AM # Q

wow, tam hanna is a hater now?

why is buying a Centro on a 2yr contract dangerous?

RE: too bad
gtbaum @ 10/28/2008 11:09:47 AM # Q
>why is buying a Centro on a 2yr contract dangerous?

I'd like to know why as well, since my wife just got one. Should we cancel?

RE: too bad
hkklife @ 10/28/2008 12:31:10 PM # Q
It's not "dangerous" per se, it's just that being tethered for the next 2 years to a rapidly fading OS on a device with ho-hum specs is (in my oh-so-humble opinoin) not the best course of action for anyone whose needs might outgrow the Centro's capabilities. Remember, the Centro's specs are essentially identical to the 2.5 year old Treo 700p and not that much better than the Troe 650 of 2004.

If Palm tanks or pares the company down to a shell of its former self, it might be kinda hard to find stuff like spare batteries, cases & Athena Multiconnector accessories for the Centro in 2 years' time. But the software support would be my main concern. Dataviz and similar companies have essentially said they have plans for no new future Palm OS versions of their apps (just refinements of the existing versions).

On Palm's side, the lack of improvements to Blazer are very worring as well: if Blazer 4.x begins having issues with some mobile-optimized sites, then that will effectively hinder a huge aspect of the Centro's viability. Like it or not, the web browser has become the de facto killer app for handheld devices. That Palm has paid so little attention to the two pillars of the modern smartphone experience (e-mail & web) and instead flushed money down the toilet on the MyPalm portal, the Fooleo, silly contests with B-list celebrities, multi-colored Centros, "designer" cases, a FaceBook app etc etc. indicates to me that the company doesn't take its users, its devices or its long-term future seriously.

While the Centro is a fine basic smartphone platform at the moment, I cannot help but think that most people are either buying it because of price (cheap) or size (small).Then there's the handful of legacy users who are buying it by default simply for an utter lack of alternate Palm OS devices on the market and who understand the inherent limitations of the platform. But I would imagine that there might be plenty of first-time smartphone owners who have bought a Centro in the past year and would consider upgrading to something else from Palm within the next 6-12 months IF Palm had something to upgrade to...and a 128mb RAM Centro in a new color doesn't count.

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

RE: too bad
Gekko @ 10/28/2008 12:51:55 PM # Q

tethered? like any other smartphone, you just continue to use the device until it breaks, wears out, or doesn't fit your needs anymore. then you simply buy another device. with the centro at $99 or less, it's not a big investment. and most carriers have prorated ETFs so even that risk is mitigated. when my centro no longer works/fits, i'll simply buy another device.

regardless, i'll stick with sprint because that $99 unlimited everything plan is a beautiful thing. i refuse to let vzw or att f**k me every month. i've had all three, and sprint has been the best so far.

RE: too bad
Gekko @ 10/28/2008 8:00:19 PM # Q

i left a couple of comments for tam. i wasn't totally happy with his centro vs. 680 camera review.

RE: too bad
hkklife @ 10/28/2008 8:19:23 PM # Q
Gekko;

Since when did YOU care about such trivial/nerdy matters like Centro vs. Treo camera comparisons??

LOL! Go easy on Tam-he's a good guy and is just sour like the rest us the Palm OS faithful that the good ol' platform has been left to circle the drain while Palm sits around doing nothing ad infinitum...



Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

RE: too bad
Gekko @ 10/28/2008 8:37:33 PM # Q

all in good fun. it's 4am now in Europa - he'll have a nice surprise laugh tomorrow.

RE: too bad
hkklife @ 10/28/2008 9:02:04 PM # Q
Heck, I just had a good laugh here at midnight EST after actually reading your comments! Good one!

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p
RE: too bad
twrock @ 10/29/2008 7:09:10 AM # Q
Careful Gekko, he might be "sensitive" like Mike and ban you from commenting on his site. (But then again, any mention of "hookers" on Mike's site might just get you "guest contributor" status.)


"twrock is infamous around these parts"
(from my profile over at Brighthand due to my negative 62 rep points rating)
Reply to this comment

Gee - a slightly-better feature phone ranks high on =mobile= webs

SeldomVisitor @ 10/28/2008 10:28:14 AM # Q
Isn't that a surprise.

I would bet that phones like the iPhone rarely visit mobile web sites, instead surfing over to full-blown non-mobile websites.

How about you?

RE: Gee - a slightly-better feature phone ranks high on =mobile= webs
Gekko @ 10/28/2008 12:54:11 PM # Q

good point. and i love the #4 and #6 rankings. 4/6 and 6/10 aint nothing to brag about.

Reply to this comment

Centro

Mike00018 @ 10/28/2008 6:45:07 PM # Q
It all depends on what you want out of your phone/PDA IMO. While it would be great to have a bigger screen, faster speed, wifi, more RAM etc. I don't need any of that for my daily business use. I find the Centro works just fine for what it was designed for. Okay phone, great PDA, MP3, email, syncing with my Outlook, financial calculator and a whole lot lighter and sleeker than my past Treos 600 and 700p. Also, 1,000s of Palm OS applications, acceptable ebook reader and photo viewer are a plus. It is frustrating that Palm takes so long to release new models, but I was happy to replace the 700p with the Centro that will serve my needs for a long time. And, if my Centro fails then I will replace it for <$100 with another Palm or make the switch.



RE: Centro
hkklife @ 10/28/2008 7:49:36 PM # Q
Using the capabilities of my 700p, I'd honestly really, REALLY like to have at least the first four of the following:


1. 3.5mm headphone jack w/o having to use an adapter

2. 100 % reliable support for SDHC cards >4GB

3. Less lag/snappier performance (hopefully addressed to some extent in the 128MB Centro)

4. A 320x480 screen

5.(at minimum) Google Maps location capabilities, if not full GPS integration

6. 100% reliable A2DP supported natively by the OS BT stack

7. 1500mAh battery standard w/ option for a Seidio-style extended OEM size battery (1800mAh+)

8. MicroUSB connector so I can standardize on chargers/cables

I can live without A2DP, wi-fi, GSM 3G etc. for the time being. The saddest part is that without too much $ or effort (but more than Palm is willing to expend!) at least half of the above *could* be incorporated into a Centro 2 running Garnet.


Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

RE: Centro
palmit @ 10/29/2008 6:37:19 AM # Q
Centro refresh needs a flat/flush screen!

Reply to this comment

WRONG Analysis

Tamog @ 10/29/2008 6:52:21 AM # Q
Hello,
Centro share FELL compared to August 2008; 755p and 700p FELL out of top 20. and you call this ranks well?

Get the unbiased scoop at the only news service endorsed by a lawsuit from Palm's legal department:
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com/2008/10/25/admob-mobile-metrics-the-analysis/

All the best
Tam Hanna

http://www.palmfilefind.com - find files on your memory card

Find out more about the Palm OS in my blog:
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com

RE: WRONG Analysis
SeldomVisitor @ 10/29/2008 6:58:20 AM # Q
> ...the only news service endorsed by a lawsuit from Palm's legal department...

Giggle.


RE: WRONG Analysis
Ryan @ 10/29/2008 7:11:29 AM # Q
Tam, care to clarify that statement?

I don't see much analysis there at that link and I think your biased remark is completely unwarranted.

RE: WRONG Analysis
SeldomVisitor @ 10/29/2008 7:19:41 AM # Q
More importantly, IMHO and as noted up above in a different comment thread, Admob measures ==ONLY== mobile web site traffic and ==ONLY== THAT traffic that uses their ad servers - so you're talking a small subset of a small subset of all sites visited by those who use phones and a small subset of a REALLY small subset when you're talking about larger-screen phones like the iPhone where folks probably don't even VISIT mobile web sites with any frequency at all.

That is to say, the "statistics" are pretty meaningless regardless whether they're "going up" or "going down".


RE: WRONG Analysis
Tamog @ 10/29/2008 7:20:24 AM # Q
Hi Ryan,
to be honest: I have forgot to process AdMob Aug 2008 when it came out - and thus had them both open at the same time.

I have compiled two images showing how thew Treo 700 and 755 fell out of the top 20 in the US - believe it or not, as both boxen still where in there in August.

This is all I wanted to say

Tam Hanna

http://www.palmfilefind.com - find files on your memory card

Find out more about the Palm OS in my blog:
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com

RE: WRONG Analysis
Tamog @ 10/29/2008 7:21:04 AM # Q
P.S. Used the wrong word there - please get unbiased with full replace!

http://www.palmfilefind.com - find files on your memory card

Find out more about the Palm OS in my blog:
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com

Reply to this comment
Start a New Comment Thread Top

Account

Register Register | Login Log in
user:
pass: