Posted on Friday 7 March 2008
For many the daily commute is one of the last refuges of peace and solitude, one of the last places where we control our environment almost absolutely. We choose the music (or roar of the engine), we choose the temperature, we choose the view outside our windows by choosing our route. But Microsoft envisions a future where sat-nav and DVD display screens pop up ads to support services such as traffic and local information - while you’re driving.
Sure, there are billboards hawking everything from mattresses to legal services along most populated routes in many countries. But we’ve grown accustomed to them, and at the very least they don’t invade our personal space. The in-car ads, on the other hand, are expected to function much like ads on the internet or on ad-supported software.
Worse - or better, depending on your point of view - the system could feature targeted ads, meaning you’ll get ads for places on your current route, or free MP3s could be downloaded to your Sync-equipped car while you wait in line at a Starbucks drive through, reports CNet. How long until the first Microsoft car-virus gets spread this way?
The proposal is a practical one, however. Supplying such detailed and time-sensitive information as traffic and weather to local customers is expensive. Absent some sort of subscription service, the only alternative - and the only one likely to gain mass appeal - is the ad-supported model. And there’s something to be said for on-demand traffic, weather and route information. The question is whether it’s worth your peace and quiet.
Whatever your stance on the subject, we’ll have several years to prepare - this is a longer-term goal. It’s not expected to reach any sort of tangible reality until at least 2012 or 2013.
another reason to hate microsoft…
Let’s just hope the infamous Blue Screen of Death doesn’t actually become literal. I can imagine that if a car’s computer freezes or contracts a virus on a freeway at 65 mph, problems could ensue.
bc; i drive a 2008 focus with the sync system and let me tell you it has changed my life, and not in the slightest. it sounds retarded but not having to reach into my pocket to get my cell phone out when some one is calling is a big thing. specially when im wearing jeans. and with the amount of travel i do for work, i can have phone conferences while im driving to some other place for another project. dont be the kind of person who hates microsoft because their products are ubiquitous. theyre ubiquitous for a reason.
roy; i very much doubt that the entertainment/carputer will ever be tied into the actual ECU or any other mechanicals of the car. wost thing that will ever happen if you get a “virus” is you wont have radio. or nav. OH NOES.
i can definitely see adds coming into play. and it makes sense. i think i would rather have commercials on my sirius radio than pay 14$ a month for it. cause trust me, when my free 6 months is up i will not be renewing the subscription. but i do like the fact that there is a huge aray of crystal clear audio at my finger tips. i can definitely see where if all cars one day will have nav systems, you will either be able to subscribe to ad free alerts, advertising backed alerts, or if you dont want it at all, then you dont have to have it.
something tells me they wont force you to pay a subscription fee or be forced with adds poping up. some company (like scion or something) will make themselves famous by NOT offering junk like that.
I LOVE YOU SYNC. YOU’VE CHANGED MY LIFE!!
I would rather pay and not have the ads. Maybe that will be an option as well.
I’ll accept the ads in radio mode but Microsoft must provide free Lcd, sat nav, free air TV and rear view camera for all sync customers for free if it comes with those ads. We will talk about the Internet later. The higher ranges ones can be free to the ads. Ads will only be available in tv mode and radio mode but not during sat nav mode or off and stand by. There must also be an alternative version with no ads and strings attached.
Overall I believe that it is still not ready unless we get free lcds in front and properly backseats as well. This will change the feelings in being in a car but I don’t think the ads will pay off for the LCDs yet but if you are willing to try this then I and like most consumers will be happy to try.
thanks.
wow really sad so now everytime ur drivin there’s gonna be a target commercial on
its pathetic! it might be microsoft’s strategy to become an advertising company in the future but coming in like this makes me wonder… is microsoft running after every ad dollar that is out there?