Google Adding AdSense to mobile apps

Android and iPhone developers looking for an extra source of revenue will soon have an advertising option, sponsored by Google.

Google's AdSense program--in which it sells and distributes ads to third-party publishers--is coming to mobile devices as a beta program, the company announced Wednesday. A small group of developers have been testing this program but now anyone can apply, said Susan Wojcicki, vice president of product management, in a blog post.

Mobile apps are one of the hottest topics in software development these days, as Apple's App Store continues to grow and other developers roll out their own app stores in response. Plenty of money is being made simply on the sales of the applications themselves, but additional revenue streams are starting to emerge, such as Apple's addition of in-app purchases with the release of iPhone OS 3.0.

Google, naturally, would like to get in on the action. There are other companies offering this kind of service, such as AdMob's strong presence in iPhone apps, but Google is an advertising freight train.

Still, AdSense growth has slowed this year amid a plunge in advertising spending around the world, and moving into mobile provides additional room for the company to grow. Last year Google offered AdSense for games, another step outside its usual comfort zone.

There are a few catches if you want to participate in the beta. Your application must generate 100,000 page views a day, and it must be free.

Google is taking applications here.

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Quicken attracts MS Money Users

Looking to capitalize on Microsoft Money customers now adrift in the financial-software abyss, Quicken announced Tuesday that it will offer discounts up to $50 on Quicken products through July 31.

Microsoft announced last week that its 17-year-old Money product will not be available for purchase after June 30. Quicken has been working with Microsoft to help existing Money customers transfer their financial information to Quicken, a spokeswoman said.

Discounts include:

• $20 off on Quicken Deluxe, now $39.99
• $30 off on Quicken Premier, now $59.99
• $30 off on Home & Business, now $69.99
• $50 off on Rental Property Manager, now $99.99

"Before you make the jump, figure out which Quicken product will best fit your money management style," Quicken's Scott Gulbransen wrote in a blog post. "If you're looking to spend zilch, and have pretty basic personal finance needs, try out our free personal finance and online money management product, Quicken Online."

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Microsoft Shutting Down Microsoft Money

After announcing last summer that it would no longer update Microsoft Money, Microsoft has announced that the 17-year-old product will not be available for purchase after June 30, 2009.

According to the corporate Web site, "With banks, brokerage firms and Web sites now providing a range of options for managing personal finances, the consumer need for Microsoft Money Plus has changed."

Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment.

Products affected include Microsoft Money Essentials, Microsoft Money Plus Deluxe, Microsoft Money Plus Premium, and Microsoft Money Plus Home & Business.

Though many of Money's features can be used indefinitely, the Microsoft Web site explains that online services (stock quotes and online banking and bill-pay) will eventually expire. At that point, Money Plus Essentials will no longer be usable.

For Money Plus Deluxe, Premium, and Home & Business customers, online services expire two years after initial activation or Jan. 31, 2011, whichever is earlier; for Money Plus Essentials it is one year after activation or Jan. 31, 2011, whichever is earlier, says the site. Epay and Apay services will no longer be available from within the Money product after online services expire. Stock quotes and tax rates can be manually updated.

Support will be available through Jan. 31, 2011, Microsoft's site said.

Microsoft has also posted a FAQ on the Money shutdown.

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You Can Make Money On YouTube

A few years ago Michael Buckley was just a guy with a job. In his spare time he hosted a show on the local cable TV public access channel. Like most public access shows the audience was less than massive and the pay--well, there was no pay. And then, in one of those lucky chances, his cousin decided to post some bits from his shows on YouTube.

Michael Buckley doesn't go to the office any more. He's quit that job. Nowadays he's a big YouTube star and making pretty good money doing it! The New York Times places his yearly YouTube take north of $100,000. All this for an enterprise broadcast from his second bedroom in front of a piece of green cloth. Impressive.

What the Buck is the most popular entertainment show on YouTube with over 430,000 subscribers, 150 million views. He occasionally covers sports and politics but would much rather talk about what happened on The Hills.

So, does Michael Buckley know how to make the secret sauce and can he give the recipe to you? YouTube and Michael seem to think so because they've had him create "The Secrets to Michael Buckley's Success," a 27 minute lecture on how he did it. It's pretty good and he's very entertaining. He answers the top-10 questions sent by other YouTube users.

I suspect, just as Ryan Howard couldn't teach me to hit home runs, Michael's advice isn't very useful if you don't have his naturally over-the-top charisma and camera presence. Though there are techniques in gaining and maintaining an audience you first need an enjoyable show.

Unlike the real estate infomercial hawkers on late night TV this "Make Money At Home" how-to comes free with no-strings-attached. Break a leg.