Despite the fact that Apple has allowed third-party ad networks to embed ads in applications for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, section 3.3.9 of the recently-announced new developers’ agreement will apparently eclipse non-Apple advertising networks.

While Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told Wired. com that the company allows developers and other ad firms “to serve ads within their apps;” All Things Digital quoted a statement in the agreement that reads thus: “The use of third-party software in Your Application to collect and send Device Data to a third party for processing or analysis is expressly prohibited.”

As such, though ads can be embedded ad within an iPhone OS app by a third-party ad network; Section 3.3.9 implies that the advertiser should not be concerned about factors like - who sees the ad; duration for which the ad is looked at; and other detailed metrics that are of immense significance to interactive marketers.

Clearly, the across-the-board change made to the developers’ agreement is quite similar to the modified terms for the iPhone, whereby Apple allows the app to be written only in the programming languages approved by the company.

Hence, the only profitable way in which app developers will be able to advertise on Apple’s iPhone OS devices will probably be to join Apple’s iAd platform and relinquish 40 percent of revenue generated to the company.