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Google Home Gets 'Beauty & The Beast' Promo But Google Says It's Not an Ad (marketingland.com)

Danny Sullivan, reporting for MarketingLand: Ask Google Home what your day is like today, and it will remind you that Disney's Beauty and the Beast is opening today. Google says this isn't an ad. But it's definitely an out-of-the-ordinary cooperation with a Google Home "partner." The promotion was spotted by Bryson Meunier, whose child was definitely excited to hear the news delivered by Google Home. "This isn't an ad; the beauty in the Assistant is that it invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales," a spokesperson said. The company doesn't list Disney as one of its partners on Google Home website, the report adds.

124 comments

  1. An ad by any other name... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Is still an annoying piece of shit.

  2. Welp, that makes my decision. by gweilo8888 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I was considering buying one of these for my kitchen. I'm not any more. I have no interest in adding more unsolicited advertising to my life.

    1. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, I have an Echo and I havnt been too fond of it. It is essentially a $150 App that comes with a BT speaker. One flipping mention of Transforms 8 and its going in the trash.

    2. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Only a fool would put one of these eavesdropping devices in their homes on purpose. Don't let the feminine names fool you. They're no friend of yours.

    3. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by ctilsie242 · · Score: 2

      I have no need for one of these things. My smartphone can do voice stuff, why do I need another appliance that always listens and always uploads what is around it? If I want another device to watch what I do, I'll just buy another microwave.

    4. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by lgw · · Score: 1

      I was considering buying one of these for my kitchen. I'm not any more. I have no interest in adding more unsolicited advertising to my life.

      Is it in any way surprising that a home appliance sold by an advertising company starts ... advertising? I mean, really, who didn't see this coming.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    5. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by lgw · · Score: 2

      f I want another device to watch what I do, I'll just buy another microwave.

      No, no, you need a Nest thermostat in every room to watch you have sex, and some "smart" device in the bathroom to watch you poop. Can't we have some more enthusiasm around here for the internet of things that watch you poop?

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    6. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by MightyYar · · Score: 1

      You don't leave it on all the time - you bring it out for parties. The drunker your friends are, the more fun.

      --
      W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
    7. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I believe you mean this, Sir.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJklHwoYgBQ

    8. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If so many devices are interested in watching people poop, is there some latent corpophilia that some decision-makers have in various companies?

    9. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You don't leave it on all the time - you bring it out for parties. The drunker your friends are, the more fun.

      I can't wait to come over to your house. I love creamed corn.

    10. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That sounds like an incredibly lame party.

    11. Re: Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's a stepping stone while they work out how to get the tentacles in there.

    12. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I mean, really, who didn't see this coming?

      Not Danny Sullivan. He is a Founding Editor of Marketing Land and a widely cited authority on search engines and search marketing issues who has covered the space since 1996. Danny also serves as Chief Content Officer for Third Door Media, which publishes Marketing Land and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo conference series. He has a personal blog called Daggle (and keeps his disclosures page there). He can be found on Facebook, Google + and microblogs on Twitter as @dannysullivan.

      This is not an ad for Danny Sullivan.

    13. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's only fun for the drunkards. Trust me, I've lived it as one of the sober fellas.

    14. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *coprophilia

      "corpophilia" would presumably be attraction to corporations

    15. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As opposed the ease dropping gps device you carry around with you almost everywhere you go? Not to mention the same that is probably in your car, assuming it is newer than 5 years old?

    16. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

      You want to listen in on my cell phone? You'll get a ring side auditory view of my back pocket. Only for the very desperate.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    17. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have an Echo and I havnt been too fond of it. It is essentially a $150 App

      In my day we called them "bugs," they showed up for free and we hired people to keep them out of our homes and offices. My, how the times have changed.

    18. Re: Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right? I can have sex in every room by myself thank you.

    19. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Slashdot+Junky · · Score: 1

      ease dropping gps device

      GPS and location services are disabled on my phone, and I am one of the few that isn't on the add-on Apps bandwagon. So, it is just my carrier and the NSA that are tracking me and must do so only via the cell towers. I have accepted this as a necessary trade off.

      --
      .
      Landfill Mining Co.
      Managing the (Un)natural Resources of Tomorrow
    20. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by MightyYar · · Score: 1

      Exactly what I'm talking about...

      --
      W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
    21. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      GPS and location services are disabled on my phone

      You sound pretty sure about that.

  3. Umm, yes, it is an ad. by davecotter · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "This isn't an ad" Umm, yes, it is. This is doublespeak.

    1. Re:Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Like how NPR doesn't have ads, they have 30 second messages from "contributors".

    2. Re:Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "This isn't an ad"
      Umm, yes, it is. This is doublespeak.

      Or, for those who haven't read Orwell, let's use an accurate word that everyone will understand: it's a lie.

    3. Re:Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Everyone should re-read 1984 periodically. It's a good reminder. (This has been an official message from the Ministry of Truth.)

    4. Re: Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Aug, yes. It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of truth. Doubleplusgood :)))

    5. Re:Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's not an ad, just like Microsoft shoving Edge and OneDrive in your face on Windows 10 totally isn't advertising! At least, that's what the Windows 10 fanboys keep telling me.

    6. Re:Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Like how NPR doesn't have ads, they have 30 second messages from "contributors".

      that's a legal thing because of funding that blocks any advertising. I remember in the 90s they would just read the sponsor's name, maybe a musical jingle if it's GE, and then the phone number for more info. Over time, that because the web site URL and then now short messages.

      it's still an ad

    7. Re:Umm, yes, it is an ad. by nmb3000 · · Score: 1

      Like how NPR doesn't have ads, they have 30 second messages from "contributors".

      I used to tolerate NPR's ads because they were short, all read by the same woman (with a nice soft radio voice), and infrequent. However I'd swear that in the last year they've increased the frequency and duration of them by at least 50% and changed voices to an unpleasant man's voice. I now mute the audio or switch stations when they come on.

      I abhor advertising and refuse to partake in it, so I usually pay for services. However if something like NPR is going to run ads anyway, why should I continue to donate to them? If Google is going to shove ads at us, why should I pay for their Home device?

      It used to be "free" or "ad-supported". Now companies want to double dip and make you pay to hear ads. Fuck that noise.

      --
      "What do you despise? By this are you truly known." --Princess Irulan, Manual of Muad'Dib
      /)
    8. Re: Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why not? That's exactly the way it went with cable TV. You paid for it, and in return, you didn't have to watch commercials. Then they stuck in commercials too.

  4. No, not an ad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Have you heard about One Drive for all your web storage needs?

    1. Re:No, not an ad by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

      Three Drives for the King Bezos under Seattle's damp and dismal sky,
      Seven for the Mountain View Lords in their halls of glass.,
      Nine Drives for the poor AC trying to create a RAID array that is doomed to die,
      One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
      In the Land of Bellvue where the Shadows* lie.
      One Drive to rule them all, One Drive to find them (well, Bing, anyway)
      One Drive to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
      In the Land of Bellvue where the Shadows lie.

      * Basically like Seattle weather

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  5. No one does ads like Gaston by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Google is pretty close though.

  6. What's Google Home? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So Google has come out with yet another beta service. Would it hurt for the first sentence to define it?

  7. So now Google took a swing at it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not an ad? #AlternateFacts

  8. Don't be Evil by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just like google isn't an Ad company and Don't be Evil. Google is a master of doublespeak.

  9. Renumeration by nightfire-unique · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Did Google receive any renumeration in exchange for inserting the message? If yes, then it is an ad. Full stop.

    --
    A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
    1. Re:Renumeration by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      It doesn't matter if Google got paid for it. It's an ad either way.

    2. Re:Renumeration by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 1

      I would contend that Google being paid for it is sufficient to make it an ad. Whether that's necessary, I don't know. If Google wasn't paid, it just noticed you buy midnight showing tickets to every Disney Princess movie, does that make this an ad or an assistant?

      --
      Your ad here. Ask me how!
    3. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And if they did NOT receive any remuneration? Also an ad. Full stop.

    4. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's an ad, but not for Disney. It's an ad for Google Home. They did it so potential advertisers can see how "naturally" it can slip ads into people's lives in a new way.

    5. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think you mean "remuneration." Unless somebody is counting them?

    6. Re:Renumeration by akita · · Score: 1

      Mod this up ^^^

    7. Re:Renumeration by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      If Google wasn't paid, it just noticed you buy midnight showing tickets to every Disney Princess movie, does that make this an ad or an assistant?

      It would still be an ad, it would just be a solicited one rather than unsolicited.

      That may very well be what happened here, but I have my doubts because the person reporting it seemed to consider it surprising (which he wouldn't do if it was clearly the result of past behavior), and because Google didn't raise that as a defense.

    8. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Was it an ad that NPR news had 7 minute sessions about B&tB today? I saw those as ads masquerading as stories even if NPR did not get paid a cent.
      http://www.npr.org/2017/03/16/...

    9. Re:Renumeration by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      Yes. Or, if the definition of "ad" is getting too loose, then it's certainly "marketing".

    10. Re:Renumeration by dv82 · · Score: 1

      *Remuneration*. It doesn't matter if Google was numbered again.

    11. Re:Renumeration by newslash.formatblows · · Score: 1

      Yes. They will now be known as 5.

    12. Re:Renumeration by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 1

      It would still be an ad, it would just be a solicited one rather than unsolicited.

      If Google or Disney were saying "tell people who would like Disney Princess movies about this movie", I would totally agree with you. But what if* Google's algorithms think this is just news you would like, that X is happening (even if it costs money). I mean, how is that different from being told "those build the wall/impeach trump stickers you put a watch on are back in stock" or "they just released studies that eating a pound of bacon a day leads to immortality."

      *Obviously, in this case, it was a push ad. You can tell by the phrasing and other cues. I'm just picking at what the definition of an ad is.

      --
      Your ad here. Ask me how!
    13. Re:Renumeration by PatientZero · · Score: 1

      Is it any different from Netflix showing you recommendations based on your past viewings and ratings?

      • * Google learned about the movie and that is targeted at kids. This is probably the subtle Disney ad ("be our guest") mentioning letting partners provide data, but they could also just have scanned movie listings like everyone else.
      • * They probably sussed out that you have kids.
      • * They recommended it based on these facts.

      It sure would be nice if you could turn these recommendations off, though. It's more bothersome because it's audible, delays the content you really want, and can't be easily ignored like an image off in the corner of a browser.

      --
      Freedom to fear. Freedom from thought. Freedom to kill.
      I guess the War on Terror really is about freedom!
    14. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I mean, if I were someone who likes Disney Princess movies, I wouldn't think it'd be out of place for my actual human assistant to remind me about the movie opening. So I don't think it'd count as an ad if it wasn't paid for.

      On the other hand, I'm very doubtful that they didn't get paid for it, so the point is moot anyway.

    15. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      reMUNeration
      n the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses
      https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/remuneration

      reNUMeration
      "The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary."
      https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suggestions/renumeration
      sounds like "counting again...."

    16. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is an ad either way because something was advertised.

    17. Re:Renumeration by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      "they just released studies that eating a pound of bacon a day leads to immortality."

      You cruel bastard, just for a split second you gave me hope.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    18. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Netflix recommends things -on- their service.

      It's an ad. End of story.

  10. Just wondering -- by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not working in the corporate world, if these ppl. actually talk like this to each other? Like, for real?

    the beauty in the Assistant is that it invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales," a spokesperson said.

    1. Re:Just wondering -- by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only if it's based on a manageable and saleable cloud-based enterprise synergistic Java hypervisor.

    2. Re:Just wondering -- by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      A sentence like that just makes me want to grab my shotgun and but them out of my misery.

      --
      Time to offend someone
    3. Re:Just wondering -- by nitehawk214 · · Score: 1

      Yes, I have heard people talk like this in meetings. Marketing/Management speak = Doublespeak.

      --
      I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
    4. Re:Just wondering -- by guppysap13 · · Score: 1

      ...you guys haven't ever watched Beauty and the Beast, have you? There's a song in it titled "Be Our Guest" (I haven't watched it recently enough to know about 'share our tales'). The Google rep is just referencing the movie, and yes, that makes it sound exactly like an advertisement.

  11. "Define advertisement" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    OK Google, define advertisement.

    noun.
    a notice or announcement in a public medium promoting a product, service, or event or publicizing a job vacancy.

    I guess Google is contradicting itself then?

  12. Playing with fire by nightfire-unique · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Google is playing with fire here...

    I was quite literally just about to buy a Google Home speaker, but will hold off for now to see how this plays out. I don't do ads, and many millions of others also don't do ads.

    Greed may kill this product yet.

    --
    A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
    1. Re:Playing with fire by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I was quite literally just about to buy a voice activated advertising device from the world's biggest advertising company, but this slashvertisement about how an advertisement once heard on said device is not really an advertisement has really changed my mind!

    2. Re:Playing with fire by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you don't like ads but you considered buying a google product? Wow, you win the Internet today!

    3. Re:Playing with fire by nightfire-unique · · Score: 1

      ?

      Until today, it appeared that there were no ads associated with the device in question.

      --
      A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
    4. Re:Playing with fire by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Coming out of said device perhaps. The device is part of google so it is certainly already used to target ads.

    5. Re:Playing with fire by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      I don't do ads

      You are aware that Google is basically an advertising company?

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  13. Spam de Spammity Spam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This spam is not an ad, it's a subtract!

  14. Just like Google Now... by Zargg · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm guessing those people have searched Beauty and the Beast while signed in to Chrome at some point. And just like Google Now cards, it's an update to a product that showed interest in, so it is brought up with the question of what's happening today. One part Ad yes, but I don't think they would do it specifically for Beauty and the Beast, it may very well be a new regular response with others like: "That console you've been researching is released today" "That TV you price checked is on sale today", "That show you like has a new episode today", etc.

    1. Re:Just like Google Now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Although you're very smart to connect the two, as it is common for browsers to 'offer suggestions & ads' based on browsing history: It does not matter. Such a question was not asked of the device.

      When one buys a home assistant, and it begins 'volunteering' unsolicited happenings around the community to you, those are ads.

      If you ASK it to tell you the latest happenings around the community that's different.

      The is literally The Truman Show in real life:
      http://www.imdb.com/title/tt01...

      Where the characters in the show would push, promote, sell, and pose with items while talking to Truman. Is really out of place with regular life & at odds with trustworthy conversation if there's always an agenda per conversation.

    2. Re:Just like Google Now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "One part Ad yes, but I don't think they would do it specifically for Beauty and the Beast, it may very well be a new regular response with others like: "That console you've been researching is released today" "That TV you price checked is on sale today", "That show you like has a new episode today", etc."

      All I need is for Google Home to audibly announce, to my entire household, that the double-pronged, self-lubricating dildo I've been researching is on sale.

    3. Re:Just like Google Now... by jareth-0205 · · Score: 2

      I'm guessing those people have searched Beauty and the Beast while signed in to Chrome at some point. And just like Google Now cards, it's an update to a product that showed interest in, so it is brought up with the question of what's happening today. One part Ad yes, but I don't think they would do it specifically for Beauty and the Beast, it may very well be a new regular response with others like: "That console you've been researching is released today" "That TV you price checked is on sale today", "That show you like has a new episode today", etc.

      That is some backflipping you're doing there to excuse this. I'm usually reticent to jump on the bash-Google bandwagon, but this is pretty clearly a blatant advert. Listen to the wording and the music, it's not a 'helpful' message like the examples you give. In a reddit post author says "I don't believe I've done any searching for the film either, so I think it's not due to perceived interest."

    4. Re:Just like Google Now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Damn it Jim, now I'm going to have to go watch The Truman Show again.

    5. Re:Just like Google Now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But I guarantee either the author or someone on the author's home network has searched for things typically bought for young children. There are many targeted ads they can show you related to things you've searched for or looked at.

    6. Re:Just like Google Now... by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      Probably, but then that makes it the very worst sort of ad: the targeted ad.

    7. Re:Just like Google Now... by el_chupanegre · · Score: 1

      I'm guessing those people have searched Beauty and the Beast while signed in to Chrome at some point. And just like Google Now cards, it's an update to a product that showed interest in, so it is brought up with the question of what's happening today. One part Ad yes, but I don't think they would do it specifically for Beauty and the Beast, it may very well be a new regular response with others like: "That console you've been researching is released today" "That TV you price checked is on sale today", "That show you like has a new episode today", etc.

      You'd think that, but I very recently got a Google Now card right at the top of the list (ahead of weather etc. whereas that's normally the very top) which told me Nicki Minaj had a new album out. I've never listened to, searched for, bought or in any way shown an interest in that, and I've never been alerted to any band that I do actually listen to/search for having a new album out.

      It was immediately obvious that was 'sponsored content' and probably pushed out to millions of people, right on their home screen and right at the top where they can't miss it. If that's the kind of shit they want to start pulling, I'll stop using Google Now. It'd be a real shame as well because it actually finds things I genuinely am interested in every day

  15. I, for one.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    .. will not be sharing my tail.

  16. Damn, Google by JohnFen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    At least have enough respect for people to be honest. Don't lie straight to our faces with that "it's not an ad" bullshit.

  17. It's not an ad, it's a mindfuck by presidenteloco · · Score: 1

    of course it's an advertisement.

    Google define: advertisement
    a notice or announcement in a public medium promoting a product, service, or event

    a ... thing regarded as a means of recommending something.

    --

    Where are we going and why are we in a handbasket?
  18. Advertising... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Advertising company uses advertising and world is shocked. Film at 11.

  19. These devices should be free by yobtah · · Score: 1

    I keep thinking the Amazon Echo and Google Home should be free because Amazon and Google are getting far more benefit from the devices than the purchasing consumers are. As it is, they're building Trojan horse devices for our living rooms *and* they're getting consumers to pay for them. If the devices were free, however, I suspect fewer people would want them because they would have less perceived value. By charging a substantial price for them, Amazon and Google make consumers think they're getting something valuable while also making more money. Making them free would effectively be admitting what they really are.

    1. Re:These devices should be free by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I keep thinking the Amazon Echo and Google Home should be free because Amazon and Google are getting far more benefit from the devices than the purchasing consumers are. As it is, they're building Trojan horse devices for our living rooms *and* they're getting consumers to pay for them.

      If the devices were free, however, I suspect fewer people would want them because they would have less perceived value. By charging a substantial price for them, Amazon and Google make consumers think they're getting something valuable while also making more money. Making them free would effectively be admitting what they really are.

      So, by your logic, Amazon and Google shouldn't make them free. It would be contrary to their goals.

  20. Just...wow by spire3661 · · Score: 3, Funny

    “By the way, Disney’s live action Beauty and The Beast opens today. In this version of the story, Belle is the inventor instead of Maurice. That rings truer if you ask me. For some more movie fun, ask me something about Belle.”

    If this is 'Assistant' speaking, why is it giving OPINIONS on gender? If you read this as marketing copy, its easier to stomach, marketdroids are used to feeding you an opinion. However, if you take it as YOUR Assistant, the message is MUCH creepier. Its like hiring a secretary and them constantly saying 'brought to you by Carls Jr.'

    Either Assistant is a servant, or a salesperson, it cannot be both.

    --
    Good-bye
    1. Re:Just...wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh so machines aren't allowed to have opinions? BIGOT.

  21. Let me get this straight... by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 1

    You bought a device from a company that makes most of it's money from ads and you're surprised when it said device suddenly has ads... I'm not shocked about this and I'm surprised it took this long...

    I'm just surprised it wasn't like "Hey, I've checked your schedule and you've got a couple free hours tonight, based on your movie preferences you'll like Beauty and the Beast! It's showing at a theater that's 1.5 miles away from you! Would you like to purchase advanced tickets?"

    --
    Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
    1. Re:Let me get this straight... by Sebby · · Score: 1

      I'm just surprised it wasn't like "Hey, I've checked your schedule and you've got a couple free hours tonight, based on your movie preferences you'll like Beauty and the Beast! It's showing at a theater that's 1.5 miles away from you! Your tickets have been ordered and are ready for pickup."

      There, FTFY.

      --

      AC comments get piped to /dev/null
  22. geeze Frye! by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    You didn't have advertising in the 20th century?

    Well sure, but not in our virtual assistants. Only on TV and radio, and in magazines, and movies, and at ball games... and on buses and milk cartons and t-shirts, and bananas and written on the sky. But not in our virtual assistants, no siree.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  23. Marketing Exec by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    It's not an AD it's SYNERGY (Jazz Hands)

  24. Disney Magic by Dareth · · Score: 1

    Google said, "it invites our partners to be our guest" be our guest, put our magic "it isn't an ad" to the test!

    --

    I only look human.
    My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
    1. Re:Disney Magic by Wiggin · · Score: 1

      Tie this noose 'round your neck, cherie and we'll provide the rest...

      --

      "I don't need a compass to tell me which way the wind shines." - Mr. Furious, Mystery Men
  25. Meta-Advertising by grasshoppa · · Score: 1

    "This isn't an ad; the beauty in the Assistant is that it invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales," a spokesperson said.

    You really have to hand it to Google, when they sell out, they go all the way.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
  26. Advertisements are like pornography... by yobtah · · Score: 1

    Difficult to define, but you generally know it when you see it. If this looks like an ad, it probably is.

  27. Truer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    True is a boolean value. To say that one thing is "truer" than another is just a nice way of saying the first thing is wrong. But then, they're apparently going all out for that Truthiness factor with the "not an ad" statement too.

    That aside, it's a goddamned fairytale. None of it is true. You could say that making Belle the inventor is "nice" or "appropriate". It certainly is neither true nor false.

    1. Re:Truer by Stormy+Dragon · · Score: 1

      "It's wrong to say a tomato is a vegetable. It's wronger to say it's a suspension bridge."

  28. Insightful by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    Sorry I don't have any mod points as that is the most insightful post I've seen in a while.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:Insightful by galenanorth · · Score: 1

      Grandparent post is +10 insightful

  29. Makes my decision easy... never going to buy one! by felixrising · · Score: 1

    Far out, and they have the gaul to pretend it isn't an advertisement! This makes the decision very clear.... I *HATE* ads... like with a vengeance. Doing something like this is a breach of trust (yes, I know Google is an advertising company, but when I *pay* for a device I expect it not to also have ads. This is also the reason I have been holding off on buying a new laptop that runs Windows 10, I've seen the advertising M$ is doing in the interface ("Try Edge!", "Use OneDrive!", etc) and can't bring myself to jump ship from MacOS....

  30. I worked @ Disney by nastyphil · · Score: 1

    Believe me, this is not an ad in the same way that Clinton did not have sex with that woman.

    --
    Dialectician. Archology.
    1. Re:I worked @ Disney by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      She lost! Get over it!

    2. Re:I worked @ Disney by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh look, a butthurt millenial, completely unaware of context as usual.

    3. Re:I worked @ Disney by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Speaking of context, it was pretty clearly a joke. Key word there, "she". Punch yourself until you regret your mistake.

  31. weasel words by mr.dreadful · · Score: 2

    " invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales.." Ah, so this is a free showing?

  32. Re:Something funny happened by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Another day at Tata Consulting.

  33. You are the product: All the time by VikingNation · · Score: 1

    There is no escaping companies using every means necessary to inject themselves into the hearts and minds of members of society.

  34. Gross by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Gross. I was always a little curious about this and Alexa, but this settles it.

    1. Re:Gross by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Same here. I don't think I would have, but now I know.

  35. Go see Beauty and the Beast by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bring your sons to see Gaston and his gay BFF. You WANT your son to be like the gay BFF. Google knows best, it is the progressive thing to do.
    At Google we don't have an agenda, we just don't be evil.

  36. The Military Industrial Complex by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If anyone ever wonders what the connection is between major american corporations.

  37. Sweet! Can I share some tales? by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't mind getting millions of dollars in free advertising. I mean, it wasn't an 'ad' so Disney didn't pay anything for it, right?

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
  38. I want my assistant to inform me of events by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Maybe some of my friends are going to Ghost In The Shell movie, maybe it knows I like Sci-Fi so it would remind me that this movie is now playing next Thursday. Maybe Scarlett Johansson is making an appearance on a talk show and asks if it should DVR it (or better yet automatically does it if I'm not at home).

    This will be the tricky part of the next generation of electronic intelligence that is coming. I want it to deal with the boring scheduling and research into upcoming events around me. I want it to be able to talk to me and know what I have scheduled. And if there is some "ads" or hidden product placement suggestions, then that might just be the cost of using this to improve productivity and quality of life.

    1. Re:I want my assistant to inform me of events by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      And if there is some "ads" or hidden product placement suggestions, then that might just be the cost of using this to improve productivity and quality of life.

      I thought the cost was allowing Google to spy on you. That's already too high of a price for me, but putting ads on top of that makes it outrageously expensive.

  39. Code by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Google thinks by blurring the line between "relevant information" and "advertising", we will become more palatable more advertising. That is cutely naive.

    1. Re:Code by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      Google, like all ad companies, probably really believes that advertising is itself relevant content that people want.

  40. it's a fucking ad by cas2000 · · Score: 1

    google can claim it's not an ad but that's exactly what it is.

    spammers also always say "my spam is not spam, it's important information that you need to know". they're fucking lying too.

    advertising in all its forms is a crime against humanity. manipulation, lies, deception, propaganda, psychic assault, normalisation - even reification - of consumption, and all the other varieties of bullshit.

    1. Re:it's a fucking ad by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      google can claim it's not an ad but that's exactly what it is.

      spammers also always say "my spam is not spam, it's important information that you need to know". they're fucking lying too.

      advertising in all its forms is a crime against humanity. manipulation, lies, deception, propaganda, psychic assault, normalisation - even reification - of consumption, and all the other varieties of bullshit.

      OK, but could you please let us know what you REALLY think about advertising?

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    2. Re:it's a fucking ad by cas2000 · · Score: 1

      what do i really think?

      the problem might start getting solved if we hang a few thousand marketing people and advertising execs for their crimes. provide some disincentive.

      or, for poetic justice, drown them slowly in pits full of shit.

  41. In my area... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They don't even have an NPR spokeperson doing the ads anymore, they actually play select clips from the advertisers^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H'contributors' now. I still appreciate some of their programs, but public radio seems to be becoming too commercialized nowadays. PBS is even worse, since the majority of shows are outright commercial, including things like Mr Roger's Neighborhood, and the original run of Reading Rainbow, and Sesame Street, all of which are tied up in copyright and available only in carefully curated selections, rather than as an end to end series of DVDs. Just going off the few times I've had access to PBS in the past 10 years, they almost never played episodes from my childhood era, and don't provide any way to purchase or view old/rare episodes.)

    For all the hippyness you hear from conservatives regarding Public Radio/TV the truth is that shit is locked up just as tight as the 'commercial' media industry, but even harder to get selections of the copyrighted works on media from. Makes me kind of sad I will not be able to share some of the educational highlights of my childhood with my kids.

  42. Re:Makes my decision easy... never going to buy on by Gavagai80 · · Score: 1

    when I *pay* for a device I expect it not to also have ads.

    Unfortunately things have never worked that way -- even going back to the early days of newspapers, you'd pay for a paper and still get ads in it.

    --
    This space intentionally left blank
  43. What wonderful tales our guests will share! by jensend · · Score: 1

    the beauty in the Assistant is that it invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales

    I, too, have partnered with Google, am your guest, and will share my tale.

    Once upon a time, in the far-off land of Nigeria, there lived a prince.

    This prince had inherited a fortune of FIFTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS...

  44. Re: Makes my decision easy... never going to buy o by felixrising · · Score: 1

    You're right! Even the damn cinema that we pay like AU$22 to go to has 15-30 minutes of proper advertising before the feature starts!