02-15-2004, 01:00 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Aura Takes Consumer Info To Next Level, Or Just More Advertising?
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1527149,00.asp
Aura is a new technology at Microsoft Research that initially will include a Pocket PC, a bar code scanner and WiFi or some other wireless technology that will allow you to scan barcodes and be whisked to online sites with facts, user reviews, blogs, etc. about that product. In theory it sounds cool. Think about being in Best Buy looking for a flat screen TV. Once in a while you'll run across an informed sales person on the floor, but when making that kind of purchase, I jot down as much info as possible then complete my research online. However, there is the specter of advertising and privacy. Would not such a product have the potential to be the bleeding edge of spyware and adware, with WiFi signals telling the store, or worse - a DoubleClick database :devilboy: - what you are looking at and where you are?
"But there's another, darker reason for Microsoft's Aura fantasy. And that's advertising. You know as soon as you enter the store, a little "helper" app will wake up on your scanning computer. And instead of getting Phred's opinion, you'll get Charmin's�thinly veiled as Charmaine from Sheboygan, probably. And the last thing I need is some nasty spyware bot discovering that, in fact, I prefer Cottonelle."
The client will require Pocket PC 2002 or later and should be available here when it is ready.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 02:12 PM
|
|
Neophyte
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1
|
|
Didn't someone try this with a thing called the QCat.
It pluged into your USB port. You could scan bar codes and it would take you to web sites. I think I still have one collecting dust somewhere.
It lasted six months I think.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 02:22 PM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 50
|
|
The author says that the unit will *not work* since you need to carry a barcode scanner with you. Not "everbody" will carry a scanner with
them. Even in SDIO form.
Why do you need a barcode scanner?
I would like to see this - but using the built in or SDIO digital camera. You take a digital picture of the barcode and software on the PocketPC will convert this into UPC numbers.
Even if the PocketPC processor cannot handle the Picture->UPC conversion you could do that on a remote server. (Like the HP sign translator service).
So - throw away the scanner part and if I can use the camera on my PocketPC to find out information, MSRP, ratings, website etc from just a picture of the UPC codes I would be first in line.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 03:25 PM
|
|
Neophyte
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 7
|
|
The bar code part leaves me cold; but, a store with wifi access to a private network providing product, warranty, rebate & etc. would attract my business.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 05:52 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 19
|
|
Re: Aura Takes Consumer Info To Next Level, Or Just More Advertising?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1527149,00.asp
Aura is a *NEW* technology at Microsoft Research that should be available here when it is ready. |
It must be new for MS, because a similar product but using the camera that comes built-in in most of so called smartphones has been available for over 1 year.
Lev
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 05:56 PM
|
|
Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 267
|
|
The potential privacy issues are huge, but so are the benefits. Assuming you need to register to use the software/scanner, imagine looking at an HDTV, getting info via this service, but deciding to look around some more. If the service is tied into the retailer's POS system, they will know that you did not make a purchase (unless you are the one in a million who still pays cash for big-ticket items). When you get home, your inbox could be filled with offers from HDTV manufacturers and from the retailer.
At the same time, if the service is open, allowing me to look up any information I want on the HDTV, I could go to CNET, Consumer Reports, Home Theater Magazine, Sound and Vision Magazine, etc. and look up ratings, which might encourage me to make a purchase. Perhaps I could do a price check of neighboring retailers. Chances are that, even if another retailer has a lower price, the one I was at would price match. This would be great for me. Before I make any significant purchase, I pour over my Consumer Reports, check the web for reviews, etc. I make a list of possibilities and then go shopping. Inevitably, I see a brand or model I did not look at in the reviews. This usually requires me to go home and do more research. If I could look it up while shopping, I'd be much more likely to purchase on the spot.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 07:41 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 37
|
|
It does sound an awful lot like Qcat. I remembering getting one of those for free with my accounting book my freshmen year. This just seems like a portable version of that to me, which I guess would make it a little more appealing. It would be interesting to see how retailers would react if customers could get competitors prices on the spot in their own store.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 08:05 PM
|
|
Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 74
|
|
Great for Collectors
I'm not sure if it would work this way, but this would be great for people who collect things like comic books. I've always wanted an easy way to catalog my comic book collection so that I could keep track of my portfolio's value. :mrgreen:
So, if I could scan the bar code on each comic book and have it populate a spreadsheet with the title, writer, artist, value, etc., then that would be useful. I wouldn't use it for buying new stuff, but it seems cool for doing an inventory of things I already own. This would also be nice for people who want to catalog the items in their homes for insurance purposes (although you would have to keep the orginal box since that's where the bar code is displayed).
__________________
Sprint PPC-67001 GB Mini-SD Card, Pocket Bible, GSPlayer, The Core Media Player, VITO Audio Notes, SlingPlayer Mobile
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 08:38 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 115
|
|
I also had a QCat.... the little infrared barcode scanner that was a neat idea that didn't seem to take off.
I tried scanning some items with mine.... like a simple can of Campbell's soup...and boom...I go to their website. It was pretty neat..... EXCEPT... only about 1 in 4 products was in the database.
Most of the time, it went to a QCat site asking you for info about the bar code so that they could get it input into their database.
I liked the idea....and still like it - but it didn't take off...and I don't see why this one would take off any better over that very similar idea.
Heck, they even GAVE AWAY FREE the QCat scanners just for the asking and it still didn't fly!
|
| |
|
|
|
02-15-2004, 09:35 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 735
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by jgrnt1
The potential privacy issues are huge, but so are the benefits. Assuming you need to register to use the software/scanner, imagine looking at an HDTV, getting info via this service, but deciding to look around some more. If the service is tied into the retailer's POS system, they will know that you did not make a purchase (unless you are the one in a million who still pays cash for big-ticket items). When you get home, your inbox could be filled with offers from HDTV manufacturers and from the retailer.
At the same time, if the service is open, allowing me to look up any information I want on the HDTV, I could go to CNET, Consumer Reports, Home Theater Magazine, Sound and Vision Magazine, etc. and look up ratings, which might encourage me to make a purchase. Perhaps I could do a price check of neighboring retailers. Chances are that, even if another retailer has a lower price, the one I was at would price match. This would be great for me. Before I make any significant purchase, I pour over my Consumer Reports, check the web for reviews, etc. I make a list of possibilities and then go shopping. Inevitably, I see a brand or model I did not look at in the reviews. This usually requires me to go home and do more research. If I could look it up while shopping, I'd be much more likely to purchase on the spot.
|
Sure, that all sounds good until the offers won't stop come in until you make a purchase, and even if you do, the offers may still come in because some manufactuers' databases were not updated. Not to mention those offers may come in via email, mail, IM etic.
And after you make the purchase, your data is sold to the content providers so that even if you are happy with your service or know what service you want, you are still being bombarded with offers. Or if you get HBO, you are constantly asked why you are not subscribing to Starz. Or if you purchased a Playboy movie once, just when you are having a dinner party, a notice will pop up saying "Don't you want to watch <<title censored>>"!
8O
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
