The move will enable Android developers to embed advertising within their applications and games, providing a valuable additional revenue stream.
Dr. KF Lai, CEO of BuzzCity, said: “Android is well positioned to power a large number and variety of connected devices in the near future. It is the only non-proprietary operating system that allows both developers and handset manufacturers to rapidly develop the user interface for new applications, and we believe that this gives it a greater chance of wider commercial adoption.”
Currently, billing for Android applications is limited to certain countries. The new BuzzCity SDK means that Android developers can achieve global distribution of their games and applications, but still earn revenue beyond these countries.
Gavin Patterson, chief markets analyst at research firm, mobileSQUARED, said hitting Android is a good move for Buzz City: “This is interesting because Android has a much larger eyeball print than BlackBerry, with the latest figures showing there were 250,000 activations on Android devices each day.
“Add that up overt a month, and there are a hell of a lot of Android users worldwide, which is why this is a good move for Buzz City.”
Data from BuzzCity’s global advertising network shows that of the top handsets used by consumers (Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson) the latter two manufacturers have at least 11 Android-based handsets.
Lai concluded: “At BuzzCity we recognise that applications are inventory, and so have developed this SDK to facilitate in-game and in-app advertising – ultimately to attract more ‘eyeballs’ across another platform.”
A cornerstone of BuzzCity’s business model is to generate revenue by auctioning off mobile inventory to advertisers. BuzzCity supports inventory generation by creating its own proprietary mobile media.