Amusing to think that Apple was criticized as being a "vertically integrated advertising agency" and Google really is one.
Of course they want to increase eyeball traffic and ad impressions. It is also very clear to me that Android will be the most widely used mobile OS at the bottom end of the price structure, and therefor in the direct-revenue-per-subscriber numbers. So it makes sense that the apps that will do best there will be ad supported.
The experience of the Angry Birds developers bear this out already.
Of course they want to increase eyeball traffic and ad impressions. It is also very clear to me that Android will be the most widely used mobile OS at the bottom end of the price structure, and therefor in the direct-revenue-per-subscriber numbers. So it makes sense that the apps that will do best there will be ad supported.
The experience of the Angry Birds developers bear this out already.