Posted on 07/08/2010 9:12:29 PM PDT by dayglored
Microsoft is positioning its upcoming Windows Phone 7 smartphone OS, planned for release this October, as an "ad-serving machine."
That's how Microsoft exec Kostas Mallios described the OS...
Microsoft's smartphone OS will provide advertisers with three levels of ad-serving "opportunities" in addition to standard browser-based ads, and in a radical departure from the tacks taken by either Apple's app-based iAds, or Google's browser-centric world, two of Windows Phone 7's ad-delivery systems will enable ads to be sent outside of either apps or the browser.
The first level of ad-serving is app-based. No surprise there... The next two ad-serving schemes, however, break new ground — although some may argue that it's ground that might better be left un-tilled.
One is based on Windows Phone 7's concept of "tiles",... "That tile," Mallios told his crowd, "is actually a dynamic tile that you're now able to push information to as an advertiser, and stay in touch with your customer. It's a dynamic relationship that's created. It provides for an ongoing dialogue with a consumer."
"We have a third concept called 'toast'," Mallios said... Toast allows advertisers to push ads onto your Windows Phone 7 smartphone whether you have an associated app running or not. The advertiser sends your phone an ad, your phone receives and displays it, you view it, and presumably you tap 'n' buy whatever the advertiser is promoting.
Mallios adds: "A customer can opt out of all of this, or they can opt in — it depends on how creative we are in gathering their attention and wanting to keep them engaged."
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
Television has been doing that for 60 years. Nothing particularly new.
But what do you say we stop pretending that these mobile advertising platforms are "phones" at all?
I think Microsoft is correct, and should be applauded for coming out and saying what Apple and Google have been reluctant to admit -- that their fancy high-tech products are simply another fancy way to sell soap.
An "AD SERVING MACHINE". Yep, that's what it is.
BTW, this article is a week old, but I didn't see it posted previously, and it's still relevant, I think.
So why should I PAY for a phone when they are going to make all this money from me? MSFT has enough cash ... they should just give the phones away for free.
Well..at least they were honest about it.
Yes, of course, that was intended to be intentionally provocative. Of course I know smartphones do all sorts of useful things.
Point is, what the hell are the ads doing there??? They're going to take over....
Frankly, it was a breath of fresh air. Shockingly so. :)
People who speak this way should be beaten with sticks until they stop.
... So why should I PAY ...
Because MS developed the technology, MS is marketing the technology, and MS is BIG.
Unless a competitor markets a phone more to your liking, that’s what you are stuck with if you want to use their technology.
It’s a buy/no buy choice on your part, being one of the millions of buyers who can register market pressure.
ROFLOL! Yes, exactly!!
Microsoft’s marketing regularly displays a depth of failure which is next to impossible to fathom.
Very well put.
The only thing that can put a stop to an ever-increasing deluge of annoying advertisements will be customer rejection of the phones the ads are delivered on.
How so? They're exactly accurate here, I think.
Granted, they have the world's record for lousy marketing. But in this case, I suspect they know what they're doing...
You’re exactly right. MS has just come out and said exactly what everyone else is actually doing; Google and Apple are looking at their phones as ad streams, but have been very coy about it claiming the real reason. MS just states it.
MS is hated/feared, so they can be blunt and honest, don’t have to tip-toe around the truth.
At least it can be turned off!
I have a negative gut reaction to this.
> MS is hated/feared, so they can be blunt and honest, don’t have to tip-toe around the truth.
Well, in this instance that's certainly true, and I grant that it's true in general.
Then again, one suspects that they are never going to own up to their role in the never-ending zombie psycho-drama called "SCO" :)
A phone that serves up a steady stream of telespam. Then they can sell you apps that filter the ads.
No that wasn't intended as a thread hijack, just a snarky comment on the fly... :)
"SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! ..."
"But I don't LIKE SPAM!!!"
"Aww, dear, don't make a fuss... just buy this little app and it'll send all your spam into the spam-bucket!"
You and me both.
I have one of those bumper stickers that says "KILL YOUR TELEVISION". Does this mean I have to get one that says:
"KILL YOUR SMARTPHONE"
...too??
Wait.... did MircoSoft just say that #3 is basically a POP UP AD on your Phone?
WHO?
WHO in there right mind would EVER want that?
Oh please MicroSoft, I loved all the pop ups on IE in the 90s... can you make it all blinky and flashy too like a cheap GIF that gives me seizures?
Sometimes... I am just shocked.... SHOCKED that this company is still in business... more money than brains!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.