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Mid-Air Messages To Your Mobile

Posted by timothy on from the where-are-you dept.

wilfie writes "Mid-air messages are content for delivery to handheld devices which is relevant to the user's current location. A serious trial of a system for delivering mid-air messages is to be financed by the UK government in the City of Bristol, according to an article on the BBC website. The article refers to the Annotate Space project doing something similar in New York. The Bristol scheme looks like being a guide for tourists, but what other kinds of content would we welcome, and what would we not? Would we even be willing to pay for it?"

7 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. What wouldn't be welcome by Drakonian · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is a bombardment of advertisements as you pass by McDonalds, Walmart, etc. I seem to recall reading about bilboard signs that beam you more advertisement related information such as the contact numbers/address/directions of the place being advertised.

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    Random is the New Order.
    1. Re:What wouldn't be welcome by mr.+methane · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "You've got spam!"

      Having this happen on foot would be annoying. Having it happen when driving would be simply dangerous.

      This sounds like perhaps the best reason to be a luddite since the pop-up ad.

  2. What I don't want.. by Neck_of_the_Woods · · Score: 2, Insightful


    Is a bunch of dogooders putting anti-smoking bubbles near stores, anti-meat bubbles near markets, anti-fur near malls, add to infinity.

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    Neck_of_the_Woods
    #/usr/local/surf/glassy/overhead
  3. Road Conditions by oneiros27 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I've actually been talking about this sort of thing with friends for years --

    some radar detectors claim they can alert you to 'emergency' vehicles (trains crossing, ambulances, some even claim school buses). I have yet to see one work, but I would love if they did, especially with today's cars, if you have your windows up, you can barely hear a siren...and if your stereo's on, there's no chance in hell.

    It'd also be great for alerting that there's construction ahead, or an exit's closed, etc.

    I would prefer that this band be liscensed for specific services, or that everyone be required to send some sort of a signature that we could block on, or even a 'type' so we could single out restaurants, tourism, etc.

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    Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
    1. Re:Road Conditions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      >> with today's cars, if you have your windows up, you can barely hear a siren...and if your stereo's on, there's no chance in hell.

      It's your responsibility to PAY ATTENTION.

      If you dont hear it, thats your fault. If you dont SEE it, you should have your license pulled.

      I cant stand people who dont pay attention to whats going on around them while they drive.

      Oh yeah, put the fucking cell phone away while you're at it. The last thing drivers need is more electronical bullshit to distract them.

  4. Like stepping in dog shit... by YetAnotherName · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...you'll have to be careful where you walk and when you leave your phone on.

    I just know a whole cadre of people out there will mine the world with mid-air goatse.cx pictures.

  5. Great for taggers... by imnoteddy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    they won't need a spray can to tag a wall.

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    No electrons were harmed creating this post, though some may have been subjected to electrical and/or magnetic fields.