Like many Google products, this one is from the very strange, potentially brilliant, and a little creepy department.
Here’s an interesting look into something Google may be plotting for the future:
Google is developing a system that uses a microphone on your PC to listen to what you are watching on a TV, so long as it’s in the same room. Based upon what it hears, this system will figure out what you’re watching in order to deliver more highly targeted advertising content.
The system could keep up with users while they channel surf, presenting them with a real-time forum about a live political debate one minute and an ad-hoc chat room for a sporting event in the next. And, all of this would be done without users ever having to type or to even know the name of the program or channel being viewed.
Frankly, why do we trust ANYTHING put out by any manufacturer? If the green light on your iSight isn’t on how do you know it still isn’t recording? Do some of these free web toolbars record keystrokes and audio and transmit it back to somewhere? I have a TCP/IP sniffer that alerts me to any traffic that flows over my network to make sure my programs stay honest. However, how long will the public be complacent and companies such as Google could sneak technology onto your PC’s?
All I know is there there is some electric tape going over my iSight in my MacBook. This of course is very controversial based upon what other people are saying, so what do you think?
A little paranoid perhaps. I think this is interesting, but utterly useless technology. But then again, it’s Google, so it will probably be a huge hit. Now I am off to disable my PC mic drivers.
Michael Castellon 