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Television Media Hardware

TiVo Lets You Respond to Ads 316

Posted by CmdrTaco from the step-in-the-right-direction dept.
WalletBoy writes "TiVo is implementing a new feature in their Series 2 recorders where viewers can choose to have their personal-contact information sent to advertisers when certain commercials air using just their remote control." This is actually exactly how I think advertising should work. If I want more information, I can press thumbs up and have my email address sent to the advertiser. It's opt-in. I'm sure it will work because they use the same concept for letting you record a show by pressing thumbs up when a commercial for it is airing. If only every commercial supported these functions. Now if only MTV would use the same thing to email me song info for videos I like instead of covering the screen in tacky text.
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TiVo Lets You Respond to Ads More

TiVo Lets You Respond to Ads

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  • I'd like another button.. (Score:5, Funny)

    by TractorBarry ( 788340 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:09AM (#13102526) Homepage
    And for the vast majority of iniane advertisering wouldn't it be nice to have another button that lets me tell them to "fuck off" :)

  • Respond to THIS (Score:3, Interesting)

    by violet16 ( 700870 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:09AM (#13102533)
    I assume, of course, there will be a thumbs-down button so I can indicate I have no intention of ever purchasing the product featured in a particular ad, and will be never shown it again.

    • Re:Respond to THIS (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Ieshan ( 409693 )
      Probably not. A good portion of advertising isn't there so that you have an immediate desire to go out and buy something. When Dunkin Donuts runs ads for their new random beverage, they don't figure that the thousands of people watching the game will go run out and buy a drink *that instant*.

      But if you've got to choose between Dunkin Donuts and some place you've never heard of before, being familiar with the "variety" and "quality" of Dunkin Donuts products from their commercials, even if you're not a regu

      • Re:Respond to THIS (Score:5, Funny)

        by saider ( 177166 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:25AM (#13102652)
        [on that note, yeah, it is excessive for tampon commercials to be piped into a house with 3 20-something guys as the only residents.]

        What shows are you watching? I never see those unless my wife is watching "Lifetime" or daytime TV.

        Really, you can get an idea for the target audience for a show by watching the ads. Watch late night TV? You must need psychic help so you can decide which work-at-home scheme you want to invest in. At home during the day? You must be an unemployed laborer who was injured on the job and got screwed by the insurance company or you're a homemaker that needs a lot of feminine hygene and cleaning products.

        I watch the History channel at night so I am a elderly toothless man, who likes pickup trucks. At least they got the gender right.

        • Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)

          by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:49AM (#13102825)
          Comment removed based on user account deletion
          • You can tell within 6-8 minutes if you're in the target market for a show, that doesn't mean it's worth your time, and it doesn't mean other shows aren't worth your time.

            It's an interesting aspect to weigh, but I'd hate for you to pass up one of the rare good shows on tv (if you're going to watch tv) just because the ads don't match you. Isn't that why you have the Tivo anyway... you don't honestly imagine that in 5-10 years many people will no longer skip commercials because they'll be so enthralled.
          • Wow, you're old. Don't buy an SUV, her reaction times are not good enough to handle an extra heavy vehicle - especially not if it took 15 years to react to the change in MTV. 15 years. Shit, I guess I'm old too...

            I've gotta comment that the Focus has been a top seller in Europe for years, and that I see more old people driving them now than young people. You probably were thinking of "Scion".
        • They appear on TNT and USA and the like during shows like Law and Order. Although, you're right in that almost any time I do see something like that, I'm watching with my girlfriend.

          But I think my original point still holds up - rarely are ads targetted towards impulse buyers (with the exception of things like: 19.95 for 50 western movies! act now!).

        • Re:Respond to THIS (Score:3, Interesting)

          by pegr ( 46683 )
          Really, you can get an idea for the target audience for a show by watching the ads. Watch late night TV? You must need psychic help so you can decide which work-at-home scheme you want to invest in. At home during the day? You must be an unemployed laborer who was injured on the job and got screwed by the insurance company or you're a homemaker that needs a lot of feminine hygene and cleaning products.

          Would this be a good time to bring up the "My TiVo Thinks I'm Gay!" [slashdot.org] story?

        • Re:Respond to THIS (Score:3, Informative)

          by Blakey Rat ( 99501 )
          Some networks, like Cartoon Network, are terrible at targeting ads. They show, for instance, ads for the digidraw toy during their bloody, violence, definately adult Adult Swim broadcasting, and mop commercials during their kids programming in the day.

      • Re:Respond to THIS (Score:4, Insightful)

        by i.r.id10t ( 595143 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:39AM (#13102761)
        Until you get that phone call from the wife/girlfriend - "Oh, honey, on your way [home|over] would you be a dear and stop by and pick up some tampons for me..."

        At which point you will probably grab whatever has a brand name on it you recognize and get the heck out of hte store as quick as you can.

        • Re:Respond to THIS (Score:5, Funny)

          by Fred_A ( 10934 ) <fred@NOspam.fredshome.org> on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:48AM (#13102819) Homepage
          At which point you will probably grab whatever has a brand name on it you recognize and get the heck out of hte store as quick as you can.


          Probably not.
          Because you can be sure she'll specify exactly what brand, model and version she wants.

          And that's what you'd better get her if you know what's good for you.
          • Could be worse, too. I was given some money and a boxtop, and told to bike down to the store to get it. Oh, and you can rent a movie too.

            Look at it this way. It tends to indicate that you're at least getting some.
          • Because you can be sure she'll specify exactly what brand, model and version she wants.

            Nope.

            She'll specify just enough info that you can't grab a random brand, but not enough info to know which of half a dozen minor variations, so you stand there staring at these things like a dork...
        • "Until you get that phone call from the wife/girlfriend - "Oh, honey, on your way [home|over] would you be a dear and stop by and pick up some tampons for me..."

          To which I'd reply..."What the hell are you calling me for? I'm in a bar with the guys...and won't be home till late. Better get them yourself...

          :-)

      • "[on that note, yeah, it is excessive for tampon commercials to be piped into a house with 3 20-something guys as the only residents.]"

        Indeed, until that fateful day when your girlfriend's bedridden and needs you to dash out to the supermarket and buy her a giant multipack of tampons. Trust me, you grab the first packet you recognise and high-tail it out of there...

        Advertising mission accomplished.
      • Actually, the tampon ads are probably the most effective in that household. If your gf tells you to pick some up for her, what are you going to choose? The generic store-brand kind, or the ultimate Tampax with lubricated pearls and extra absorbant filler? Dude, you are going for the name brand with all the bells and whistles. The simple fact is: you know what goes on down there ... you don't want to talk about what goes on down there ... so give her whatever the hell she wants to deal with it. Now, which na

    • Re:Respond to THIS (Score:3, Insightful)

      by garcia ( 6573 ) *
      I respond to everything that Tivo has been doing that's pro-advertising and anti-customer by calling them and speaking to a supervisor.

      Yeah, the CSRs and their supervisors probably don't care (and in fact, the last time I called to complain about them putting ads in when I fast foward was met with "tough, it's not of question of if, it's a matter of when.") but I still call to let them know.

      Luckily, I was recently blessed with a free DirecTivo and a year of free receiver payments because DirecTV's new scr

  • Ha, yeah right... (Score:2, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    ...and when I click the "unsubcribe" button they'll stop sending me spam.

  • What I'd rather have is... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by clintp ( 5169 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:09AM (#13102537)
    What I'd rather have is the "Thumbs Up/Down" buttons act as direct feedback to the advertizers:

    I like/Don't like this ad. You missed/hit your target audience. This ad was funny/offensive. That's cool/inane. More/no more Purple Pill commercials. That movie looks interesting/boring. Etc...

    But of course, I miss most of the ads anyway with TiVo. :)

    • Re:What I'd rather have is... (Score:5, Interesting)

      by erlenic ( 95003 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:12AM (#13102558) Journal
      If they implemented this, I'd occasionally sit through commercials just so I can do this. If advertisers could make better commercials, maybe I wouldn't be so inclined to skip them, or at least not be as annoyed when watching live TV.

    • Re:What I'd rather have is... (Score:5, Insightful)

      by BoneFlower ( 107640 ) <anniethebruce@ g m a i l . c om> on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:50AM (#13102826) Journal
      You miss the point.

      Advertisers don't care if their ads are good. They just want their products name in your head when you need something of that class of item. All else being equal, you'll probably buy the brand thats in your head when you go out to buy that class of item.
      • Yes, but if you're rating the ad for goodness, you're also paying some attention to it, thus getting their product's name further embedded in your head.

        It's a nifty idea -- by making ad-watching more interactive, they increase the number of people who will do it voluntarily.
        • And if you're rating the ad for badness, you're also paying attention to it. So all they care about is a button that says "I paid attention to this advertisement". Which is basically the fast-forward button, which Tivo records.

          In terms of innovation in interactivity... they've had years to try interactive ads on the web, and apparently the best way to get the user involved in their ad is to ask you to Punch the Monkey. (no thanks)

      • Uh yeah, generally a good ad is an ad that gets the product name in your head, and a bad ad is an ad that doesn't get the product name in your head.
      • If you're associated an ad with a feeling of annoyance or disgust, how effective is it?

        I've found plenty of ads that annoy me, and whenever I pas by the store I think "annoying f***ers, ain't gonna see me in your store" and hit the competitors if they are any better.
    • I'm so tired of the menstration commercials. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see anything about deodorant, mucous, or anthing else that's natural yet somewhat unpleasant to watch WHILE YOU'RE EATING.

      To (mis)quote the Royal Canadian Air Farce: I feel so free! Now I can go polevaulting!

      I mean, come on. Girls, if you don't know what a tampon is, you'll find out damned quickly.

  • Potential for abuse... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:10AM (#13102541)
    Don't like it. Too much potential for abuse.

    Just imagine someone getting ahold of your remote and the 'fun' they could have with this feature at your expense.

  • How long till spammers take advantage (Score:4, Funny)

    by skidz7 ( 821427 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:11AM (#13102549)
    "This is not unsolicited e-mail, you clicked thumbs up on Tivo to learn more about V1aGrA"
  • Does it mean that my kid can order toys from the Shop-TV ?

    No thanks.
    • Uh, no. No it doesn't. It does mean that your kids can give them your personal info, though. Of course, that's only if it stores your personal data, and doesn't protect it in any way; I can't imagine that in this day and age any company would be so willfully negligent of security, however.

  • Left the TiVo on over night, rolled over the ctrlr (Score:4, Funny)

    by talaphid ( 702911 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:12AM (#13102555) Journal
    I would be afraid of the "spam" I had "voluntarily" opted-in to due to a fitful session of rolling over the remote in my sleep, except I already get it all now.

  • This also just in. (Score:5, Funny)

    by Tackhead ( 54550 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:13AM (#13102560)
    > If I want more information, I can press thumbs up and have my email address sent to the advertiser.

    I, along with the article submitter, am all in favor of opt-in. I opt to provide the following feedback:

    1) Unscrew back of remote.
    2) Use X-Acto knife to cut the metal traces on the circuit board (or shave off the conductive traces on the plastic membrane) corresponding to the thumbs-up key.
    3) Replace the "thumbs up" key with a picture of my middle finger.

    > Now if only MTV would use the same thing to email me song info for videos I like instead of covering the screen in tacky text.

    That'd be a cool idea, and might actually return something of useful information to the viewer in exchange for his/her expression of interest in the content. Unfortunately for the poster, MTV last showed a "video" in 1997.

  • mtv plays music? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by tomstdenis ( 446163 ) <tomstdenis@gma[ ]com ['il.' in gap]> on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:14AM (#13102565) Homepage
    That's news to me.

    When I was resting up before flying back home from LSM I was at a hotel [Kyriad rocks btw] with MTV.de and I'd say most of the daytime shows were "pimp my ride" and "newly weds" [genre].

    They played some music here and there and showed constantly repetitive SMS ads [e.g. order this ring tone, get this logo, etc].

    It's like they forgot that the M stands for Music ...

    Also if I was a parent I'd buy my kids music on the condition they didn't watch that brainwashing bullshit that is "kids oriented television".

    Frankly I'd rather a kid watched a porno then the "chocobot powerhour" that is kids programming...

    Tom
  • It would allow people to search on google, and click on contexual VIDEO ads that download to the PVR.

    BBC has an open source video codec availible.

    Google could decide the design(much like microsoft makes hardware people adhere) and just let hardware makers use the design for free. Google would just cash in on the ad flow(ad peoples bandwidth), and it would launch podcasting/videocasting to a new level.

  • Strange efforts for the advertising sector (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Jerle0 ( 899471 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:17AM (#13102581) Homepage
    I don't use TiVo, but I wonder how many ad companies would really want something like this. Right now, it usually takes the effort of a phone call or going to an internet site or something to learn more about the featured product, which means those who take the effort, generally have a bit of interest. With it being made so easy now, I bet a lot of people would think 'Hey, thats might be interesting', hit the button, and then not think about it until the ad mail comes unexpectedly. This would probably be not as good for advertisers...fewer quality results, even if they reach a much broader audience. I certainly wouldn't want to use this method if I was marketing something.
    • I disagree; I think advertizers will love this feature. Not only do you get immediate feedback on whether your ad was effective, but you get to send targeted email to users who've already expressed interest. I delete tons and tons of spam every day.. but that's because I'm not in the market for blue pills and free PPV. If I could be guaranteed that only messages I'd asked for showed up in my inbox, I'd pay a lot more attention to them.

      I think for some people there might be a learning curve on a product

  • Nielsen Ratings (Score:3, Interesting)

    by RamboIII ( 899894 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:19AM (#13102595)
    Wouldn't it be a good idea to give the people the option to rate everything, not just the commercials?

    I've never heard anyone say, "Oh wait! Don't turn the channel. This is my favorite commercial."

    • Capture (Score:3, Interesting)

      by HTH NE1 ( 675604 )
      Actually, I will occasionally analog-capture a commercial from the TiVo to my computer if it is particularly good. Or laughably bad. The last one I did was the GE "green/seafoam shirt".

      But from my past experience, these interactive features throw a graphic up on the screen. You can clear it (at times only temporarily) from the screen with the Clear button, but the capture is already marred by then. But so far ads that have done this haven't been worth keeping.

  • All the more reason why micropayments are good (Score:5, Interesting)

    by ShatteredDream ( 636520 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:19AM (#13102602) Homepage
    If the content cartels would invest in a real micropayment system, Tivo would be awesome for them. In fact, I bet it'd be more profitable than anything they've had before. Instead of watching ads, I'd pay $2/episode for something like Battlestar Galactica or Stargate SG1. After the series is over, people who have paid for half ofthe series should get a 25-30% discount on the boxed set for the season and people who paid for the entire thing should get about 60-70% off. If I've paid $40-$60 for the entire season already, that's real, guaranteed money in their hands. Then, if they play their cards right, as a loyal fan I can buy the entire series on DVD for $25 including S&H since I already paid $40-$60 for the series.

    The cost of making DVDs is really low now. If they pay only $1/DVD to make and it costs them $2 to make the box and shrink wrap it, a 5 DVD set like Stargate SG1 would cost $7 to make. They could realistically go to $15 before S&H if they were really gung ho about getting a paying fanbase going. Just think, right after you watch the last episode in the series, the TV channel popups up a message saying "Thanks for supporting this series with your micropayments, if you would like to own this series, because of your generous support we'll give you a 70% discount on the boxed set." They'd make a killing doing that for many series.

    The problem though, is that regular TV sitcom bullshit would probably be hit hard initially by that. Imagine people having to pay for an episode of Friends or Seinfeld? At any rate, if the Cartoon Network, Comedy Central and Sci Fi Channel offered this, knowing their audiences, it'd work like a charm.

    • Right (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Safety Cap ( 253500 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:37AM (#13102748) Homepage Journal
      After the series is over, people who have paid for half ofthe series should get a 25-30% discount on the boxed set ~.
      There's this thing that businesses do, called "make a profit." I think you're confusing "make a profit" with "be my friend" or "give me some cool stuff for free/at a discount."

      Please explain why you won't buy the season on DVD at full price. You're a loyal fan, are you not?

      Then, if they play their cards right, as a loyal fan I can buy the entire series on DVD for $25 including S&H since I already paid $40-$60 for the series.
      You don't think the "loyal fan[boys]" aren't already ready to give up their 85 bones for the season set? Sadly, they are, so your scheme to get your copy at a cheaper price won't hold water from a balance sheet standpoint.

      Let me ask you something: why not go in with two friends and swap the disks around your group? That way, you get 69% "off" and you get the use of the whole set.

      • There's this thing that businesses do, called "make a profit." I think you're confusing "make a profit" with "be my friend" or "give me some cool stuff for free/at a discount."

        Please explain why you won't buy the season on DVD at full price. You're a loyal fan, are you not?

        Nope, I'm not a loyal fan. Maybe I'm not doing my duty, but I never signed a contract, so screw'em. I like many shows, but I don't feel any obligation to fill their coffers with my hard earned cash unless the cost falls within my targ
      • Maybe because, "make-a-profit" goes right with "have a gimmick that attracts more sales" or "keep people happy/interested and continue to sell more to them in the future"

        The mentioned method isn't all that bad, as the company then has a projected amount of sales before releasing a box-set. From that they could calculate how many units the need to produce and probably save money there...
    • This would involve creativity and progressive thought on the part of TV execs, all of which has been really lacking for the last few years. Remember, these are the folks that think the only thing anyone wants to watch is "reality TV".
    • Even better, have the following options for the micropayment system:
      • $0.00 - Watch episode with forced advertising throughout
      • $0.50 - Watch episode with ads before and after only
      • $2.00 - Watch episode once only with no advertising
      • $4.00 - Watch ad-free episode and record for future replaying
  • There is no way I'm logging into my DVR when I watch TV, but not sure how they would work the demographics without 'switching' roles. What my bride, child, and I watch are quite different. That said, can't think why I would ever actually watch a commercial just to rate it. Bad enough I can only 'fast forward' rather than jump ahead on my DirectTV DVR.

  • now.. (Score:2, Insightful)

    by thegoogler ( 792786 )
    who's to say this wont be like clicking unsubscribe links in spam?

    you give the thumbs up to one marketer, and they just sell your information to tons of other ones?

    what guarantee do they provide that this is safe?

  • We all want to see ads for products which appeal to us and the advertising industry spends billions each year trying to create ads for products which appeal to us. Yet, for some reason, the majority of ads just annoy us. Even ignoring those aimed at a different target, that's still a pretty hit-and-miss affair for something which should be an exact science by now.

    I'm all for anything which would improve the system and more direct feedback seems like a good idea.


    Advertising: The necessary, but evil gr

  • great idea (Score:5, Interesting)

    by mfloy ( 899187 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:29AM (#13102681) Homepage
    I like this idea, and I think it could be used in other areas. What if users could use their remotes to review shows, much like how slashdot users moderate posts. For example, if you were watching an Episode of The Simpsons, and it wasn't as funny as usual, you could press a button to e-mail the creators "BELOW STANDARDS"...or if it was good "VERY FUNNY".

    • Re:great idea (Score:2, Interesting)

      by KD5YPT ( 714783 )
      Hm... I think that would be a good idea. A better way to rate shows then the Nielson ratings (if they're still using that). That way, good shows won't be smacked.

      Of course, this could be open to abuse by a certain group [parentstv.org].
      • Oh definately, but they would of course have systems in place to deter abuse. They could actually use something similar to how Google checks to see if Adsense clicks aren't being inflated. Another market Google can conquer.

  • My only question is... can you turn the Telescreen^WTiVo Screen volume all the way off? Or can you just turn it down?

    • No, but you can still hide in other rooms and talk quietly.

      Tom
    • The volume and mute buttons on a TiVo remote interface with the TV directly. So yes, if your TV has mute, so does your TiVo. Was there a joke in your post I missed? I thought that someone on slashdot of all places would know that TiVo is a set top box that can be turned off and muted.

      • "Was there a joke in your post I missed? I thought that someone on slashdot of all places would know that TiVo is a set top box that can be turned off and muted."

        Yes, you missed the joke [wikipedia.org].

        The Telescreen in George Orwell's "1984" was a two-way flatpanel device that was installed in every home, used to broadcast propaganda for the current party in power, as well as watch every citizen, through the use of a two-way video camera. You could turn the sound down, but you could never turn it all the way off

    • That would depend on your role in the Party.

  • DirecTV had this, and then got rid of it. (Score:3, Insightful)

    by eberry ( 84517 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:34AM (#13102718)
    When I got DirecTV some 4 or 5 years ago, it had this same function. When watching a commercial an graphic "I" would appear to mean that it's interactive. If you pressed the "I" button on the remote it would ask if you wanted more information mailed to you.

    Not every commercial had this mind you. In fact only one I know of, some SUV commercial did this.

    DirecTV has since got rid of it. They had a number of interactive features they since gotten rid of. I used to be able to enter a zip code and get weather. It would also store my favorite cities. One channel, Bloomberg maybe, let me store stock tickers, and it would display the current stock price. So much for interactive TV.

    What I really want is a way to vote on commercials. If I give it a thumbs down I don't want to see it again. Or better yet, let me subscribe to a show, for a small fee, and let me watch it commercial free. Stop rehashing the same bad ideas please.
  • Surely it would be good if you could opt out of adverts entirely by paying more. Since the only reason TV companies use advertising is to boost revenue.

  • The kids will click on the button whenever they see a new toy advertised and the smartass babysitter will send your personal information to all the adult diaper commercials on late night television.

    I'll stick with MythTV, thanks, and have all my commercials clipped out.

  • I understand the TV part...
  • Just watch. In their next iteration, it'll send your consumer information to the advertiser automatically! You won't even have to press a button. How convenient will that be?

    Seriously, folks. Those of you who think this is a good idea aren't thinking about how badly this whole system can be abused.

  • This isn't new (Score:4, Informative)

    by Otto ( 17870 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @09:55AM (#13102880) Homepage Journal
    Despite what TFA says, Tivo has had this for ages, it's not new. What the article is talking about is "enhanced showcases", and it's where you can see a "Press Thumbs Up For More" icon during an advertisement.

    Pressing thumbs up pauses the material and takes you to a special showcase where they can have an extended video segment or pages of text or, yes, a "Please send me more info" screen where you can have them send more info.

    Chevy did a big promotion a while back using this, and most of the Chevy commercials you saw on the screen took you to this showcase. There was a video of various cars doing speedway tests or something, and selecting the more info thing got them to mail you a packet of material. You could even request to have a dealer call you, which I did not try.

    Some of the showcase material is quite cool, other times it's not as cool. Regardless, you don't have to see the ad to see the material, these extended showcases are shown on the normal "Showcases" screen as well. There's usually one or two available at any given time.
  • "Now if only MTV would use the same thing to email me song info for videos I like instead of covering the screen in tacky text. "

    MTV? Play videos? Surely you jest?
  • Will it deliver an electric shock to the commercial director who somehow managed to distill the essence of the concept of "annoying" and reform it into the shape of a television advert?

  • Starship Troopers, anyone? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Altanar ( 56809 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @10:22AM (#13103143)
    Anyone else immediately think of those Starship Trooper commercials? "Would you like to know more?"
  • Now if only MTV would use the same thing to email me song info for videos I like instead of covering the screen in tacky text.

    Now if only MTV played videos...

  • Wink! (now "OpenTV") has been doing this for years on cable and satellite. I worked as a customer service loon for Wink! from 2000-2002. You would click on Wink!-enabled ads and get free stuff or coupons in the mail, etc. They even had contests for who could click on the most Wink!-enabled ads in a month.

    http://www.business.com/directory/media_and_enter t ainment/television/digital_tv/interactive/wink_com munications/profile/ [business.com]

    http://www.wink.com/ [wink.com]

    As an aside, we had one old lady constantly calling us

  • Entertaining for a moment the fiction that, in some parallel universe, I might actually want TV advertisers to have my contact details, I can still see some major problems with this.

    The Yahoo! article speaks about sending your 'contact details' to an advertiser: the Slashdot poster interprets this as meaning 'email address'. The question is, "which email address?". I currently only use tagged disposable addresses (of the kind supported by SneakEmail [sneakemail.com], for instance) for communication with companies. This al

  • I figured since I'm the fifty billionth person in this thread to independently come up with the witty observation that they don't show videos on MTV, I should come up with an even wittier subject line.

    But my observation is actually not about MTV, because they actually do show videos on MTV2.

    On top of these videos, though, they plaster the following:
    • A gigantic number in the upper left corner indicating what rank the video is in whatever countdown they're currently doing.
    • A gigantic scrolling logo in the
  • When dealing with advertisers, never forget this one thing:

    To advertisers, you are not a customer, a potential customer, or even a person: you are a consumer.

    To an advertiser, a consumer is not a person: a consumer is a pair of eyeballs and ears to hear ads, a gullet to consume product, and an anus that craps cash.

    You may notice the absence of a brain, taste, or discernment in that description.

    You are not the customer for the media companies. You never were. You don't pay them squat. You may think

  • How come we can talk about this feature in TiVo, but we don't even have it in Firefox? Why do I have to type my personal/financial/postal info into every vendor/subscription/membership form? Why can't I store a few standard "profile" sets once in my desktop, which can be autopopulated into a form requesting that info by name, if I press the button that says so? It could be a security risk, but not so much if the population is executed as IPC with a separate program that requires its button actually pushed.

  • Now for the open source version (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Animats ( 122034 ) on Tuesday July 19, 2005 @11:27AM (#13103781) Homepage
    Now we need an open source, peer to peer replacement for Tivo. When you see a commercial, you push the "commercial" button to skip it. This uploads the info that the current content is a commercial. In a few seconds, there's a consensus that there's a commercial on, that info is both sent out and stored, and the commercial is skipped on everyone's system, now and forever.

    "Thumbs up" and "Thumbs down" info can also be aggregated, to provide ratings others can use. This drives a blog system, so you can go on and discuss what's good and what sucked. That's also useful as a way to make consensus corrections to the TV schedule, since the free sources of that info can be a little off.

    The fastest and most accurate commercial-button pushers get listed on a web site as high scorers.

  • I don't really look at it as a bad thing. It's really part of the next step/evolution for TiVo to be an interactive platform. Think amazon.com meets sitcom.

    I have a series 2 tivo currently in the rotation and will see if I was one of the "lucky" ones.

    There's previously had this functionality where you'd give the thumbs up during certain commercials and then it would take you to another screen where you could request additional information. Unfortunately the turn around time was pretty pathetic... 6 months

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