Author Topic: This is why you disable GPS on your phone. (Read 3634 times)

Manedwolf · « **on:** February 05, 2008, 07:36:42 AM »

This is what I've been saying. The marketers are drooling at the chance to use this.

Quote

John Byrne, an analyst at Technology Business Research Inc., said that even though mobile advertising is small today, it will grow exponentially in 10 years, especially with GPS and other location-based technologies.

"Imagine, a retailer will be able to know where somebody is, and their proximity to their stores, so it's very valuable," he said. A Microsoft-Yahoo deal would provide an opportunity "to really seize an advantage over Google."

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9061023&intsrc=news_ts_head

Screw that.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2008, 07:41:06 AM »

From reading the article, it sounds like the plan is for folks to opt-in if they want to use such a service. It could be useful. As long as the opt-in model is retained, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Chris

Manedwolf · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2008, 07:43:51 AM »

I would expect the opt-in model to last only until they realize that most people don't bother to read contracts and will sign without reading the small print, and that it's more lucrative for the phone to come with "MyLocal Offers and Opportunities" (i.e. marketing tracking) enabled instead of disabled as a default setting. The more actives they can point to, the more ad dollars they'll get. They want ad dollars.

That, or it helpfully resets to "on" every time you update the phone software, or every time you turn the phone off, then on again, much like "I would like to install toolbar/receive email/etc" checkboxes mysteriously recheck themselves on a software install options screen.

Balog · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:11:23 PM »

Quote from: Manedwolf on February 05, 2008, 06:43:51 AM

I would expect the opt-in model to last only until they realize that most people don't bother to read contracts and will sign without reading the small print, and that it's more lucrative for the phone to come with "MyLocal Offers and Opportunities" (i.e. marketing tracking) enabled instead of disabled as a default setting. The more actives they can point to, the more ad dollars they'll get. They want ad dollars.

That, or it helpfully resets to "on" every time you update the phone software, or every time you turn the phone off, then on again, much like "I would like to install toolbar/receive email/etc" checkboxes mysteriously recheck themselves on a software install options screen.

Yep. It's disturbing to think Orwell's vision could be fulfilled by companies that want or money before .gov's that want our freedom.

WeedWhacker · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:43:50 PM »

I can't even get a simple MP3 transferred to my stupid phone; what makes anyone thing the GPS "feature" will even have an off switch (short of ripping out components)?

E-911 didn't have an off switch, as far as I know...

seeker_two · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2008, 05:08:56 PM »

Remember the advertising screens in Minority Report?.....

They'll know just what you "want" and what you "need".......

(...imagining following Riley around to see the Viagra with Condroitin ads..... laugh

)

Tecumseh · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2008, 07:38:05 PM »

Imagine how much extra waste that will cause? More junkmail, more advertising text messages, more everything, and all because we allowed it to happen.

Paddy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2008, 07:40:44 PM »

Yeah, well, call me on my cellphone and I'll give you an ear full of profanity that will last you until next week.

S. Williamson · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2008, 10:53:04 PM »

They won't need to. They'll send you a text message (which YOU pay for) from a non-returnable source.

Read: It's already happened. I get 'em about twice a week.

Declaration Day · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:13:51 AM »

I'm amazed we don't already have ads flashing on our cell phone screens.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2008, 03:45:55 AM »

Quote

They won't need to. They'll send you a text message (which YOU pay for) from a non-returnable source.

Read: It's already happened. I get 'em about twice a week.

And the only thing you can do about that is to get the text messaging turned off completley- Verizon claims that they do not have the capability to block specific numbers. I don't know about any of the other carriers.

Ben · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2008, 04:40:24 AM »

Quote

Yeah, well, call me on my cellphone and I'll give you an ear full of profanity that will last you until next week.

Can you post your number? I haven't received my profanity allotment for the week yet. Tongue

S. Williamson · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:15:37 AM »

Virgin Mobile can block individual numbers, so any company can. Saying they can't is a lie.

However, they won't block the number if it's them sending you yet another text-ad.

RevDisk · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2008, 05:30:09 PM »

If it makes you feel better, eventually all phones must have a GPS chip built in, per FCC regs. It's a few years from now, so buy a couple cheapee phones and toss them in a closet. Some phones with GPS allow you to turn it off to save juice, but it can be remotely reactived. Part of the Enhanced 911 system. For your safety, of course.

S. Williamson · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2008, 07:35:20 PM »

Got another text-ad today. This |...| closed to going to someone else. Not hard, since it's a pay-as-you-go.

Manedwolf · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2008, 07:53:31 PM »

Quote from: RevDisk on February 06, 2008, 04:30:09 PM

If it makes you feel better, eventually all phones must have a GPS chip built in, per FCC regs. It's a few years from now, so buy a couple cheapee phones and toss them in a closet. Some phones with GPS allow you to turn it off to save juice, but it can be remotely reactived. Part of the Enhanced 911 system. For your safety, of course.

Unless you have BitPim and can figure out what you're doing with deleting parts of the phone's firmware.

WeedWhacker · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2008, 03:08:02 PM »

Quote from: Manedwolf on February 06, 2008, 06:53:31 PM

Quote from: RevDisk on February 06, 2008, 04:30:09 PM

If it makes you feel better, eventually all phones must have a GPS chip built in, per FCC regs. It's a few years from now, so buy a couple cheapee phones and toss them in a closet. Some phones with GPS allow you to turn it off to save juice, but it can be remotely reactived. Part of the Enhanced 911 system. For your safety, of course.

Unless you have BitPim and can figure out what you're doing with deleting parts of the phone's firmware.

Personally, I'd much rather have the associated hardware physically removed as well. Forcing software updates remotely is now old hat.

Phyphor · « **Reply #17 on:** February 07, 2008, 05:45:50 PM »

Quote from: RileyMc on February 05, 2008, 06:40:44 PM

Yeah, well, call me on my cellphone and I'll give you an ear full of profanity that will last you until next week.

Well, ok, gimme the number, I need some new and exciting ways to combine profanity.

Seriously, I do agree. Pushed advertising is complete bullshit.

Phyphor · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2008, 05:48:24 PM »

Quote from: WeedWhacker on February 07, 2008, 02:08:02 PM

Quote from: Manedwolf on February 06, 2008, 06:53:31 PM

Quote from: RevDisk on February 06, 2008, 04:30:09 PM

If it makes you feel better, eventually all phones must have a GPS chip built in, per FCC regs. It's a few years from now, so buy a couple cheapee phones and toss them in a closet. Some phones with GPS allow you to turn it off to save juice, but it can be remotely reactived. Part of the Enhanced 911 system. For your safety, of course.

Unless you have BitPim and can figure out what you're doing with deleting parts of the phone's firmware.

Personally, I'd much rather have the associated hardware physically removed as well. Forcing software updates remotely is now old hat.

Yea. Just ask any Satellite TV subscribers.....

News:

Author Topic: This is why you disable GPS on your phone. (Read 3634 times)

Paddy