Microsoft envisions invasive approach to targeted advertising

Not that getting all up in our proverbial grills in order to provide specialized advertising is a new concept or anything, but Microsoft in particular has been on the warpath of late in this very realm. On the heels of a similar ad-based patent application comes documentation that reveals plans to use "biometric sensors, cameras, remote controls, or other accessories" to detect and identify an individual before doling out targeted plugs. Yes, this certainly does insinuate that your television would be watching you just as often as you viewed it, but unless it becomes lawful to stuff monitoring devices into our homes for the benefit of marketers, we'll consider ourselves safe -- for the time being.

[Via TechDirt]

[nacho_alex @ Jul 31st 2007 1:04PM]

george orwell, nineteen eighty four ?

[Evan @ Jul 31st 2007 6:13PM]

That was my first thought but now I am starting to think that all of these companies are just starting to file patents for any ideas that come to their heads so when someone unknowningly also comes up with the idea.... *blamo* lawsuit at your front porch. It's not just Microsoft, it seems like everyone is doing this these days.

[Elliot J @ Jul 31st 2007 1:14PM]

Sounds like something straight out of Minority Report.

[Boynamedsue @ Jul 31st 2007 1:17PM]

LEELA: Didn't you have ads in the twentieth century?
FRY: Well, sure, but not in our dreams. Only on TV and radio... and in magazines... and movies, and at ballgames, and on buses, and milk cartons, and T-shirts, and bananas, and written in the sky. But not in dreams, no sirree.

[Evan @ Jul 31st 2007 6:14PM]

you my friend, are a genius

[Tinu @ Jul 31st 2007 1:17PM]

They put those MSN Messenger logos even in patent applications....
Shameless plug I'd say.

[peshue @ Jul 31st 2007 1:26PM]

I've already implemented a solution to this problem in my life, don't watch tv. Just buy or rent the dvds when they come out and watch it at your leisure.

[Danny @ Jul 31st 2007 1:35PM]

Wow, Microsoft is getting downright creepy these last few months. Pulling stunts like this and the document-probing scam in real products seems like a sure-fire way to lose their dominance in the OS market as well as whatever tentative grasp they might have on other markets.

[michael @ Jul 31st 2007 2:35PM]

I agree, in a way.

Microsoft should focus on something other than the ad market. Ads are the least favorable.

But letting Google dominate isn't any better. Especially them indexing our data for the sake of ads. As far as I know, no other ad company does that.

And this by the way, is a patent application. And most patent application don't get through. If it was finalized, then that's something to talk about.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 31st 2007 1:38PM]

Figure 110- Bill Gates' flying cloud fortress.(insert evil laughter here)

[Ellianth @ Jul 31st 2007 2:15PM]

It's actually The Authority's flying cloud fortress.

See His Dark Materials 2 and 3.

[Microsoft @ Jul 31st 2007 1:55PM]

We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your home electronics. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.

[Josef F @ Jul 31st 2007 2:03PM]

I don't want Clippy popping up on the inside of a men's room door. "Hey! It looks like your trying to masturbate to a Victoria Secret flyer in a public restroom! Can I help?"

[ed @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:15AM]

You know... that is not such a bad idea. Although I can think of different characters other then "Clippy". I would love to have a Jessica Alba character ask me if I need some help..........

[WhackMushroom @ Jul 31st 2007 2:04PM]

and MS being invasive is news?

[Mecharine @ Jul 31st 2007 4:47PM]

Only a few steps away from the Precrime division arresting you for trying to cut your wifes hair while she's asleep.