 |
French Billboards Call Your Cellphone
In the next few weeks, cellphone users in Paris will receive some unusual phone calls. Once these consumers have opted in to this special trial, billboards will call them with additional information and opportunities via their location-enabled cellphones.
The technology was developed by the government-run French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control, known by its French initials Inria. The small transmission boxes were originally developed to provide information and assistance to disabled people.
According to Albert Asseraf, director of strategy, research and marketing at JCDecaux, the outdoor-advertising company behind the project:
According to Jean-Paul Edwards, the London-based head of media futures for Manning Gottlieb OMD, the most important aspect of the project is to be sure to get appropriate permission from consumers. The software used for the project allows consumers to specify where they receive messages, as well as the product types they are interested in.
Major problems could arise in an area like a train station or mall where there might be many advertising posters. "You can imagine a nightmare scenario where someone's mobile phone fills up with half a dozen advertising messages each day as they walk across Waterloo Station," said Edwards.
"With this project, we are really starting to create the personalized digital city... We eventually will see a rich dialogue running between mobile phones and what are now uncommunicative objects."
(Tom Cruise gets way too many messages)
This very scenario was enacted in the 2002 movie Minority Report, directed by Stephen Spielberg. In the film, John Anderton (played by Tom Cruise) is trying to unobtrusively walk through a mall, only to be constantly identified and called by wall-mounted advertisements and store windows.
"...Lexus. The road you're on, John Anderton, is the one less traveled""John Anderton! You could use a Guiness right about now."
"Get away, John Anderton... Forget your troubles..."
(Read more about personalized graphic ads from Minority Report)
Here's a similar story about billboards in Belgium sending SMS messages to passers-by. Read more about cellphone calls from billboards at this article from the International Herald.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/8/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )
Related News Stories - (" Media ")
Computational Journalism The Homeostatic Newspaper
Philip K. Dick has already plumbed the depths of what computers can do for us in creating (and peddling) the news.
Robot Journalist Provides Autonomic News Coverage
Philip K. Dick, your autonomic interviewer is just about ready.
Targeted Audio Ads On Your Cell Phone
Your cell phone is a radio, after all.
Nexus One Not Ballardian Free Ad Phone
J.G. Ballard gave us a very good idea what this would be like in 1963.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Self-Healing Concrete Uses Bacteria For Healing
Building, heal thyself.
Exmobaby Biosensor Pajamas For Baby
Hush little baby, don't say a word.
Apple Live Streaming Fail
'Industry-leading' my foot.
Re Google: William Gibson, Read More SF
Especially the old stuff.
Nike's Air Kicks Back To The Future Power Laces
Marty McFly, your shoes are almost ready.
EggTorte Mini Micromouse
'Something small, metallic, glittering had shot through one of the rat holes.'
Yale Aerial Manipulator Flying Robotic Hand
Did you say helicopter hands.
M-Dress Has Phone, SIM Card And Antenna Embedded
LBD Phone.
RG3 Robotic Greens Mower Is Sensor-Equipped
Suddenly the mower stopped and clicked excitedly.
Aimec Child Robot Built By Childless Couple
Supertoys last all summer long.
Touch Sensor For Sensitive Robots
Gently stroke, pinch and twist.
Labor-Saving Centrifuge
'I made sure my left foot was positioned for the gravistat control and watched her belly.'
Murdoch To Create Digital News-Paper
Truly, a prophet of the future.
Robotic Wheelchair Autonomously Follows Walking Companion
Follow that guy!
Yurina Care Robot Cure For Nurses' Strained Backs
Nurses! No more strained backs!
Ignition Interlock Required For NY Drunk Drivers
'When he tried to drive home he had a terrible argument with his car.'
