C/Net reports that it all starts innocuously enough: upgraded navigation systems with live, local updates. Next, Mircosoft will offer "points of interest" navigation to local businesses and attractions featuring fresh information on products, prices etc. And then… in-car advertising. We're talking pop-up ads on your navigation, free mp3 downloads when you stop at a Starbucks, and anything else Bill Gates' boffins can think of to suck the cash out of your wallet. While web-based ads are unlikely to inspire immediate action (i.e. significant click-through revenue), the head of MS' Automotive Unit says in-car advertising's worth will be "measured in dollars." Martin Thall reckons that's because the driver is out of the house and more likely to follow through on the ad's suggestions. Because after all, you're just driving. You've got plenty of attention to spare. Especially when it means 35 cents off your next Frappuccino.
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I can hear Philip K. Dick moaning from here.
As a big proponent of Sync, I’m horrified. As a Microsoft shareholder, I’m thrilled.
Oh, the inner turmoil…
Oh for fuck’s sake this is complete bullshit. Sorry for the strong words but I do not want advertising IN my car. It’s bad enough with the billboards already and the on-radio adverts, but this? Christ.
BlueBrat:
Just wait until your car starts arguing with you — it’s coming.
Elvis : TV playing Robert Goulet :: NICKNICK : Sync w/Ads
SCENE: Interior of a Ford Focus, being driven down a residential street by a man. A woman is in the passenger seat.
DRIVER: (touching a button on the steering wheel) Play – artist – The Strokes.
CAR: I’m afraid I can’t do that, Dave.
DRIVER: (irritated) Play! – artist! – The Strokes!
CAR: I’m not going to do that, Dave. I can’t allow you to jeopardize the mission.
PASSENGER: Honey, let me. (To car.) Gort! Klaatu barada nictoe!
(The car shudders to a halt, engine stopped, electrical system shut down.)
With Microsoft’s horrifying track record of huge security holes, this should prove interesting when hackers can manipulate/crash your nav system and/or have access to your bluetooth phone (and other devices) through the Sync system. This sounds like a similar scheme that Microsoft built into Windows Messenger to enable them to run pop-up ads on your computer desktop which gave nearly every hacker out there free access to your pc…a security disaster.
What’s next? A gas cap that won’t open unless you’re at a Shell station or something?
“I’m sorry Dave. I’m afraid I don’t like Sunoco.”
You know how some new PCs are pre-loaded with all sort of demo products and other crap? (Looking at you HP). Then you have to spend 2 days trying to clean it up so you have a system you can work with? Perhaps the future of new cars is not far behind? Think about it… the trunk comes pre-packed with all sorts of product demos. The Nav system is packed with ads. You have to listen to a 30 second ad on the radio before the motor will start. Etc, Etc.
Here’s what I’m looking forward to:
1- The lawsuits. Oh sweet Jesus will there be some lawsuits over this when someone mows down the patio section of a Starbucks while trying to load their free Paul McCartney mp3.
2- The 2001: Space Odyssey scenarios suggested earlier… specifically killing a fugly new Focus while it pathetically sings “A Bicycle Built For Two.”
3- Searching for special offers from wrecking yards. “Can’t let you do that Dave,” etc.
4- When they decide to project advertisements directly onto you windshield. Further carnage/lawsuits ensue.
You know, I was just thinking the other day, “I need more exposure to advertising. And the interior of my car could really use a little sprucing up with the occasional pop-up ad.” Thanks Microsoft, and thank you, too Ford!
I’m not so sure people will accept this. The browser pop-up died a few years back because of consumer revolt. I’m more concerned with the inevitable security risks. Will Microsoft run the software on the same network that controls my cruise control? Talk about one hell of a virus.
lewissalem wrote:
I’m not so sure people will accept this. The browser pop-up died a few years back because of consumer revolt. I’m more concerned with the inevitable security risks. Will Microsoft run the software on the same network that controls my cruise control? Talk about one hell of a virus.
Now that I think about it, it would be pretty useful to write a virus that would allow me to control other drivers’ cars. Definitely would be handy for those left-lane speed enforcers.
I, for one, can’t wait for my car to guide me to my nearest penis enhancement resource.
LOL! guyincognito wins.
This is absolutely disgusting.
We find advertising everywhere. On the street, in our movies, in our children’s books! Now we get to find them in the car? Will it ever go away? Where are the ethics involved in this? The morale?
And second. This only makes the navigation system more distracting. Don’t get wrong, I think that this is a great feature and the convenience is excellent. But throwing advertising in there is only going to cause us to watch it more, while we will be even less focused on the road.
Microsoft. Stop trying to take over the world.
I can’t believe this crap! Advertising in the car? I thought the issue was less distractions in the car not more. OMG. If a new owner is already paying for the feature when buying the car isn’t that enough?!
NickNick: Perfect analogy. I saw the TV at Graceland that Elvis blew out when Goulet was singing, priceless!
I am beginning to miss the one speaker AM radio days and paper folding maps
DUAL BOOT. LINUX. MOZILLA. ADBLOCKER.
What next, a Window Genuine Advantage scan before the car starts? Ford is shooting itself in the foot marrying up with Microsoft.
I’ve spent a lot of time getting Billy Boy’s stuff out of the house, only to have it end up in the car? Not happening. I would never, ever buy a car with that sort of crud in it. I’ll stick with the analog input to the radio to connect my iPod and my Garmin if I need directions somewhere.
I’d like to see the agreement Ford signed with MS to allow this. I can’t believe Ford got into this knowingly or was so careless to sign on for something that allows it. A big screwup either way.
OK, I admit I happen to be susceptible to advertising for innovative new beef- and cheese-based fast food products. I’m the victim here. If this in-car advertising happens, it’ll not only be annoying but I’ll soon weigh 400 lbs.
Good grief! I troubleshoot Microsoft products for a living. Keep the stuff outta my car – if you put it in there, I don’t want it. It will bring a whole new meaning to “drive-by exploit”.
If you actually read the article, the imagined ads are in lieu of paying a subscription fee for services such as traffic updates/navigation/Internet access. So for free connectivity, you would see ads on the nav screen – pay and they go away.
And it’s all quite vaporware, as this imaginary scenario is for a car capable of connecting to some OTA network, which does not exist, and this version of Sync is not capable of connecting to even if said network did exist.
Our current version of Sync still offers tremendous function and value for a very low price, and is not in danger of being a conduit for advertisement.
After Ford PR provided new information, we have removed the word “Ford” from this story. We’ve changed the headline from:
Microsoft To Launch Sync-based In-Car Advertising
to:
Microsoft To Launch In-Car Advertising
and the first sentence from:
C/Net reports that it all starts innocuously enough: upgraded Sync-based navigation systems with live, local updates.
to:
C/Net reports that it all starts innocuously enough: upgraded navigation systems with live, local updates.
For a full explanation, please see our correction here.