Re: Here comes the cell phone ad disaster!

At 17 Jun 2008 18:57:33 -0700 4phun wrote:


> > Or can it snarf cell tower polling or incoming calls from the airwaves
> > and your phone responding?
> 
>
http://news.cnet.com/Advertising-seeps-into-the-cell-phone---page-2/2100-
1039_3-6115617-2.html
> 
> 
> A couple of years ago CNet observed, "For example, advertisers could
> use location information to send SMS (Short Message Service) text
> messages to cell phone subscribers traveling to a new city. The
> messages could tout nearby restaurants or could include coupons to be
> used at certain locations. " How do they get such data? The business
> uses a programmed robot to monitor  the exchange of passing cell phone
> handshakes to a nearby cell tower. They can then automatically
> initiate a SMS to your passing phone.

No, they don't!  The scenarios mentioned in that article and elsewhere all
involve the cooperation of the carrier- NO advertisers are capturing
numbers from your cellphone.

The idea of location-based ads is that the advertiser strikes a deal with
the carrier who would then serve up the ad based on your location.

The scenario you're trying to describe isn't happening, period.