FTC Approves of Google's AdMob Acquisition, Noting Competition From iAd

Google's attempt to buy AdMob out from under Apple was looking like a victory, as the Federal Trade Commission approval of the deal hung in the balance based on concerns that Google would control far too much of the online advertising market. It's ironic then, that Apple's acquisition of Quattro Wireless and the introduction of the iAd platform in iPhone OS 4 is what convinced the federal agency to allow Google to complete its acquisition. The FTC says that Apple's entry into the market will provide significant competition to AdMob, regardless of whether or not it's owned by Google. That means Google's free to pursue all the ad-based initiatives in Froyo it announced yesterday at I/O, and it means that we should see more heated competition between Google and Apple.