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The Next Phase of Intelligent TVs Will Observe You

Posted by samzenpus on from the unseen-mechanized-eye dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Japan based NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories (STRL) is testing an interface which observes TV viewers, determines their interest and provides information related to the TV program in accordance with the way they are watching it. UTAN (user technology assisted navigation) TV viewing interface, as it is called, has a camera mounted on the TV which photographs the viewer and estimates the viewer's degrees of interest, concentration, etc. The information is processed by a tablet PC and recommended information is shown to the viewer. It is possible to show individual interests as well, in case there are multiple viewers."

4 of 294 comments (clear)

  1. Nice, however.. by Anrego · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Would be brilliant if there was anything interesting on!

    Seriously.. all TV related technology is kind of meh these days because ultimately you are choosing between 50 different reality TV shows, maybe one or two token sitcoms/dramas and re-runs of real shows you’ve already seen and probably already own the DVD.

    It’s not like music where there is enough variety that you can be taken aback by some band you didn’t even know existed. There is a limited amount of TV programming, and if you had any interest in it, you’ve probably already seen it or are at least aware of it.

  2. 1984 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No thanks.

    1. Re:1984 by cforciea · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Realistically, if the data gets sent upstream, then no one would ever buy this. If it is only used locally, then there will likely be quite a lot of buyers.

      Realistically, they will use this the same way they do any other tracking: they will tell you about the benefits and just not bother mentioning that they are storing your data "anonymously" someplace when it retrieves information for you. Then people will buy it without even thinking about the privacy connotations.

      Why would any data have to be sent upstream?

      "Have to be" and "will be" are not the same thing.

  3. Electrical Tape by chazchaz101 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I see you've covered the camera with electrical tape. Would you be interested in these other privacy related products?