How does the AAA panel feel about the possibility Gameloft may be using Airpush?

[G+_Bryce Bolling]

How does the AAA panel feel about the possibility Gameloft may be using Airpush?

 

I, and others, started getting notifications yesterday in our notification tray from the Gameloft game Asphalt 7.

 

I emailed Gameloft customer support and they replied with a link to the Airpush opt-out page. Why would they send me to the Airpush opt-out page if they aren't using Airpush?

 

How do you feel about the intrusiveness of ads served to your notification tray by Airpush? Am I being overly sensitive, or is this a good topic for an episode of AAA?

[G+_Wojtek T]

I used to play asphalt a lot. I didn't know gameloft added airpush ads. Good to know. I won't install it again. Launching NSF Most Wanted right now :-)

[G+_Michael Schmidt]

I think it's a new thing. Some of the messages popping up looked like tests. In fact a couple of them actually said "test".

 

I've asked for a refund. Not holding my breath, however.

[G+_Jerry Ham]

I'm not familiar with the game or the company - but anyone pushing ads outside of their own program (and in this case into the notifications area) deserves a boycott. This is similar to the old "pop under" or "pop up" ads that web browsers have (mostly) blocked.

 

I've never had Airpush installed - however, can you block the notifications from it in Jelly Bean like you can from other apps (by toggling off the "show notifications" check box)?

[G+_Michael Schmidt]

Airpush itself is not an app. No one installs Airpush.

 

Airpush is a company that sells the Airpush system to Devs. Devs incorporate Airpush into their apps to serve ads to the notification tray.

 

It is possible to turn off notifications for an app in the general android system settings (Apps > "app x" > Check to block notifications.

 

This solution has at least three problems, however, 1. It's only in 4.1 and up; 2.most people don't know about this setting; and 3. it would stop ALL notifications from an app, including the ones you might actually want.

 

You can read more about Airpush here:

 

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/452862-list-apps-using-airpush.html

 

http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/328149-airpush-do-you-want-ads-in-your-notification-tray.html

 

http://androidforums.com/application-development/328152-airpush-note-devs.html

[G+_Johan Appelgren]

I generally give such apps/games a 1-star rating and uninstall. Same with apps that require unnecessary or intrusive permissions. Doubt it matters though since most users seem to not care about such things. :\

[G+_Michael Schmidt]

I also gave it a 1star review and made it clear in my review that it maybe uses Airpush based on the reply I received from the Gameloft CSR.

 

Johan Appelgren I would agree that most people don't care about the permissions some apps ask for, but when it comes to Airpush I believe people care a lot as evidenced by all the posts I see from new users on Android forums asking why they are suddenly getting ads in their notification tray. It often seems to be because of Airpush.

[G+_Johan Appelgren]

Michael Schmidt Yeah, more people probably care about notification spam. Unfortunately not enough to make developers stop using services like Airpush. 

[G+_Chace Walters]

I deleted the Uno game (which I loved playing) because of notification ads.  Let me pay for the game, then leave me alone.

[G+_Michael Schmidt]

UPDATE: I sent this tip to the Phandroid blog, and apparently Gameloft or Airpush are now challenging the story. I've sent the emails I received from the Gameloft support person to Phandroid to show to the rep questioning the article. In fairness to Gameloft, I've edited my language a bit above to reflect that they may be using Airpush (given the response I received from their customer support) but I'm giving them a chance to explain.

[G+_Johan Appelgren]

Chris Jackson Won't stop the game/app from trying to load ads in the backgriund draining the battery and reducing device perfornance when you're not using the game/app.