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Microsoft's iLoo Project A Hoax

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the taken-in dept.

minesweeper writes "It appears that the 'iLoo,' a portable toilet with Internet access designed by Microsoft, was actually just a hoax issued by its MSN division in the United Kingdom. In addition to receiving press here on Slashdot, the fake release was also covered by The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and Reuters. See a diagram of the iLoo here."

3 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. Also on CNN by TheMidget · · Score: 4, Informative

    click here (don't be afraid, it's not one of those links that are on-topic to this story in their own special way...)

  2. This was not a hoax! by Black+Perl · · Score: 5, Informative

    This time, SFgate is wrong. It's not a hoax. Read the article. It's a legitimate experiment to build a prototype for the Glastonbury festival. It's just that it got so much attention that an embarrassed Microsoft had to say that it wasn't officially sanctioned communication. This does not mean it's a hoax. The SFgate chose a poor headline, especially after the reporter verified that the project was true.

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    bp
  3. Re:Absolutely not a hoax, just a major screwup! by truthsearch · · Score: 3, Informative

    If that is the case, aren't there regulations against such things?

    In the US there are regulations against false advertising, but AFAIK press releases don't count. Press releases are released to the press (for those who couldn't figure that out) and not published by purchasing ad space. So it's my understanding a company can announce whatever they want and the press can report it. What they can't do is buy a billboard and post a picture of the iLoo on it saying "Contact your local plumber!"

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