Google Would Like To Listen In
Brian Ward writes about a Google Research prototype that would listen to whatever is on your TV in order to provide better targeted advertising. According to TechCrunch, the ambient sound would be used to provide ads based on what you see on the screen (like clothes worn by an actor), chat rooms about the show, real-time TV ratings and bookmarks based on what is on your screen.
Naturally, there are huge privacy concerns. The idea of opening up your computer microphone to Google, letting it possibly listen in on your conversations (even if they claim that will never happen) is a scary concept. I wouldn’t like my conversations with my wife (just one day till the wedding!) being listened to in order to advertise to me. Sure, if she says she likes some earrings, and I start seeing ads for earrings, that is great targeting, but it is so intrusive as to be downright creepy.
Naturally, Google will try to get you to install this as it has recently with other products: by providing a free service alongside it. My guess is free DVR software, Google TV search, or through deals to provide exclusive online content linked to TV programs. Unlike other attempts, like Web Accelerator, this will succeed if the incentive is high enough. Without enough incentive, no one will even consider letting Google listen in.
(Found on Findory)
Keep in mind, this is merely a research paper. It is possible you’ll never even get the chance to yell at Google about this one.
I can’t think of an incentive high enough to reel me in. I mean think of the pain of having to have your computer near your TV but essentially not be able to use it because it’s listening to your TV and delivering ads. They’d have to pay you money to turn it on and even that might not work.
now, if they gave you said computer and provided you with cable and an internet connection…
Comment by Nicholas | June 13, 2006
[…] TechCrunch, among others, is reacting to this post at Google’s research blog on a paper [PDF] about “Real-Time Ambient-Audio Identification.” The proposed technology would enable your computer to listen to the ambient sounds emitted from your TV, automatically determine what is being watched, and deliver “relevant content” (read: advertising) to your web browser. […]
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