Apple to ban geo location adverts on iPhone and iPad

Although it's only on the fringes of augmented reality, delivering content based on a user's geographical location is something that iPhone developers have shown a great interest in - particular those involved in mobile advertising.

But Apple has posted a surprising notice on its Dev Center News and Announcement Blog informing developers that geo locational adverts won't be allowed on iPhone much longer (and won't be allowed on iPad at all).

"If you build your application with features based on a user's location, make sure these features provide beneficial information," the notice reads.

"If your app uses location-based information primarily to enable mobile advertisers to deliver targeted ads based on a user's location, your app will be returned to you by the App Store Review Team for modification before it can be posted to the App Store."

While avoiding being bombarded by location-based adverts sounds appealing to iPhone and iPad users, there's a quiet concern among cynics that Apple isn't so much looking to protect the user experience, as reserve GPS targeted data for itself.

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