Arbitron's Portable People Meter bags FCC approval
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 9th 2006 6:55PM
posted Oct 9th 2006 6:55PM
We first caught wind of Arbitron's catchily and somewhat scarily-named Portable People Meter way back in April of last year, but it looks like it's now finally getting closer to reality, recently snagging that all-important FCC certification. The wearable/pocketable device, for those not up to speed, will supposedly monitor an individual's daily media diet, sending all the juicy details back to Arbitiron at the end of the day so they can crunch the numbers. It can't pick up every bit of content you consume, of course, just that from cooperating radio and TV stations, who are required to encode special signals into their programming -- but if it works as claimed, you can bet that more broadcasters will be quick to sign up. In addition to picking up listening/viewing information on the go, the Portable People Meter will also work in conjunction with docks/chargers that can be placed throughout the house, relaying information though the AC wiring and contacting Arbitron through your plain-old landline. And since few will understandably be willing to participate just for the fun of it, Arbirtron looks to be offering several incentives, including a basic rate of $5 per month just for participating, a one-time $100 bonus after 90 days, another $100 annual gift, and additional bonuses depending on how much you media you consume. Just don't plan on quitting your day job for some round-the-clock TV viewing -- it looks like the most you can earn for your excessive couch potatoing is an extra $2.50 per month.[Thanks, David]
No eyed, no horned, moving porto-people-meter.
I guess this sample completely is absent of the growing number of people who have ditched the landline.
Bryant,
Actually the sample for People Meter data does include cell phone only households. Our company has done a lot research on this topic, but I certainly didn't expect this story to show up on Engadget.
if the meter reports data through a landline, how does it work?
If you are really interested in the Personal People Meter topic... check out www.ppmnews.com
how could i appy (if i can) for this ...i wouldnt mind carrying this around
Not sure why this is on Engadget, but my "household" has been using this device for almost a year now. This isn't anything new, the only thing new is the company seems to be marketing it so anyone can sign up. We are a Nielsen household, and this is how they track shows and such in many households rather than using a diary or box hooked up to your TV.
If a household doesn't have a landline, Arbitron will pay to have one installed in the metered household. Sounds like kind of a pain, but they have to do it in order to keep the sample representative of the market. www.ppmnews.com has a lot of good info on the topic.
maybe more people would consider it if it came with free DSL (which the people meter can use to send its stats back to the mothership)
definately not new. I used one of these for a year about 3 years ago.
Friend of mine works at the company that does this via a free cell phone instead.