I know a lot of you are going to hate this, but I don't.
In future cars equipped with telematics (NAV, etc.), expect to see advertising pop up on your center dashboard screens. It's either that or you end up paying more (and higher) monthly subscriptions in order to access the many new features that will be available. Heck, we have ads on the Internet every time we log on, and we seem to live with that okay...
If we didn't have those ads our subscription rates would be much higher.
As for me, I hate the idea of having additional monthly bills to pay. So I see these ads as merely being the lesser of the two evils.
Full story here.
Here's Alternate Route's take: May 26, 2008 - A Word From Our Sponsor
As for me, I hate the idea of having additional monthly bills to pay. So I see these ads as merely being the lesser of the two evils.
Full story here.
Here's Alternate Route's take: May 26, 2008 - A Word From Our Sponsor
cruiserhead1 says:
11:38 AM, 05/26/08
Sad. The "McConsumerism" is just insane. Is this really the norm where constant advertising is acceptable?
Really, it is imposing on the way you live and encouraging and making mainstream some pretty awful habits.
I can see both sides of the argument but why are we automatically forced to choose one or the other? Because it's imposed on the consumer by the same advertisers that are selling the product. A vicious cycle that just placates the "gimmie" generation.
Many municipalities have made video billboards illegal b/c of motorist distraction. Isn't a billboard in your NAV screen more of a safety issue? Isn't this the whole reason watching TV from the drivers seat is illegal in the USA??
Ok, enough of my rant.
orangutan says:
12:06 PM, 05/26/08
Funny, I don't have ads on my internets. In fact, the only time I see an advertisement is when I choose to visit a site I know contains them. I guess I'm just strange like that. And capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. I mean, hey, if I'm only shelling out $3,000 for a navigation system it's only fair for the companies to keep charging me over and over and over again in the name of...what again? Oh, right, profit and consumer idiocy.
estreka says:
12:22 PM, 05/26/08
This has already taken place on cellphones. The safety concerned mentioned above are quite valid, though.
santiagofdz says:
01:12 PM, 05/26/08
I was a bit confused about this post, so I went and read the article, and I can now understand why you, Bob, wouldn't mind hearing an ocassional ad. Like you state, we already live with that on the internet, and the other forms of media are exactly the same. These are innovative services, that right now will cost some money to get running, like any new tech.
But like all technology that matures, the cost diminishes in time, and I'd fear that after a long enough while, there will be greedy business men insisting on selling ads or a "premium ad free service" when the cost no longer justifies the need. And there is that pesky bit of personal info/privacy.
I agree completely with Paul Smith, "If it's managed right, it's a big opportunity," (source ) Time will tell, but still, I'm shure I can manage without all those features in my car.
benson2175 says:
05:01 PM, 05/26/08
Ads in cars: gross.
stovt001 says:
06:46 PM, 05/26/08
This is why I'll take my car with as few outside communication systems (including nav) as possible. I already all but refuse to listen to satellite radio stations with ads. I'm paying $12 a month for the privilege of not hearing ads every few seconds on the radio.
opfreak says:
05:54 AM, 05/27/08
please no.
esspically if that nav unit carries that 2000 dollar price tag.
ateixeira says:
12:33 PM, 05/29/08
We now own 3 GPS systems and I don't think I'd tolerate ads popping up on those. GPS service is free, you only pay for map updates. So there are no service costs to be offset in the first place.
Would I agree to watching ads if I got free updates? Big maybe. Depends on how they showed up.
What about for added features, such as traffic updates? Again, maybe, depends on how they showed up.
Gas prices, too. They could even tie up sponsorship, "Gas prices brought to you by Exxon", but if Shell prices are lower will that really make a difference?