Apple to Acquire Mobile-Ad Network Quattro Wireless

Apparently, Apple Computer is jumping on the mobile-advertising bandwagon and will acquire mobile ad network Quattro Wireless in a deal valued between $250 million to $275 million. Joining the advertising fray is a striking departure for a company that has honed its reputation on creating a superior and seamless user experience, first by the PC and now the smartphone. Yet, given Apple's success with the iPhone App Store -- a repository of more than 100,000 free and paid mobile applications -- it's logical that the company would want to extend its mobile efforts by providing a seamless path for its app developers to cash in on the ad dollars while helping itself to a share of that revenue. Google said Apple's move reveals a competitive market for mobile search. Google said during its presentation of the Nexus One that search queries increased by five times over the last year. The search engine wants to be able to extend its dominance in search advertising on desktop Internet use to wireless phones. It's also acquired AdMobs, which is being reviewed by the FTC, to grab advertising dollars from display ads as well.