Google Envisions A Future Of Smart Devices Serving Ads

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Google, by way of the WSJ:

We expect the definition of “mobile” to continue to evolve as more and more “smart” devices gain traction in the market. For example, a few years from now, we and other companies could be serving ads and other content on refrigerators, car dashboards, thermostats, glasses, and watches, to name just a few possibilities.

6 thoughts on “Google Envisions A Future Of Smart Devices Serving Ads”

  1. did you see the update to the WSJ article with the response from the Google spokesman

    “We are in contact with the SEC to clarify the language in this 2013 filing, which does not reflect Google’s product roadmap. Nest, which we acquired after this filing was made, does not have an ads-based model and has never had any such plans.”

    Lets put away the torches and pitchforks. This was a ‘for example’ not a product roadmap.

  2. And that is why everyone is going to stick to those old mercury switch Honeywell thermostats. Who the hell wants ads pumped to them when they change the temperature of their home or get something from the fridge, or put clothes in the washer, or start the car. Google is an amazing company with two irritating flaws: 1) They never finishing anything. All their crap is always beta quality and never successfully productized, with the exception of the search engine. 2) They assume everyone will want the crap they like. But people rarely do. Google+ is a flop that nobody wants. Google Glass will be a flop that nobody wants. Google TV was a huge flop. And when they put ads on NEST, it will flop. The exceptions here are the search engine and Android. You could say Google’s advertising and their stock also, since that’s where they make their cash.

  3. Let’s hope some sanity prevails on this subject. We, as consumers, should have the ability to opt out of ads if we wish. I spent ~$200 for a Nest. I know the graphic was for emphasis; however, continuing it as an example, any product that I purchase should be free from advertisements. If a company wants unfitted access they need to earn that right. Give me a fridge for free and you can show me any ad you want on a screen. Free TV? Start every program with a commercial of your choosing. But if I am paying thousands for a fridge or TV, stay out of my house! (Less the commercial programming for “free” broadcast television of course)

  4. Here’s an interesting twist… LG updated their Smart TV TOS for deployed units, two years after the fact, and by disagreeing to new data mining certain smart TV functions get disabled:

    http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140511/17430627199/lg-will-take-smart-out-your-smart-tv-if-you-dont-agree-to-share-your-viewing-search-data-with-third-parties.shtml

    (For comparison, I turned off WiFi on my Panasonic due to an ad infestation and fear of more. So I don’t use any smart features – just wanted a great panel.)

  5. I can see this becoming a lawsuit. It is like a bait and switch. “Buy this product, with all these features” then later, after you have it home remove those features if you don’t agree to an updated TOS. Why would we put up with this? What is next? Your car stops getting good gas mileage if you choose to get your oil changed at the dealership? Or maybe the radio stops working because you don’t agree with the dealership using your information in marketing. What this tells me is that you never really own something when you purchase it. Some folks may have a problem with that.

  6. Well, I was a beta-tester of Apple’s “Smart Home” platform. And when I cancelled to free myself from the NDA, Apple repossessed my home.

    The lesson: always fully read the EULA.

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