Free Phone Calls... If Advertisers Can Eavesdrop

Dekortage writes "Today, Pudding Media is introducing an Internet phone service similar to Skype's online service, but without any toll charges. The catch: they are eavesdropping on phone calls with voice recognition software to monitor calls, then push conversation-relevant the ads to the subscriber's computer screen. Interestingly, during tests, "conversations [were] actually changing based on what was on the screen," said the president. "Our ability to influence the conversation was remarkable.""

If I get this service...

[Stanistani]

I should discuss my grandma's sweet 'n' sour chicken breast recipe more often...

Fascinating

[zsouthboy]

I can't wait to see ads for hookers and blow on my computer screen.

I mean - more ads for hookers and blow.

Test Conversation

[eldavojohn]

"Our ability to influence the conversation was remarkable."

Phil: Hey Bob I just got into the beta for a new Internet phone service and I'm calling you right now on it.
Bob: Oh yeah? Oh, is that the free phone calls with conversation-relevant ads showing up on your screen?
Phil: That's right, it's completely free!
Bob: Heh, monkey sex.
Phil: Uh, what?
Bob: Monkey sex!
Phil: Ew, gross, stop that.
Bob: Beastiality.
Phil: Oh yuck, these flash based ads are ...
Bob: Goatse.
Phil: Ahhhhhhhhh! *click*

This is how it works...

[AccUser]

So adverts shown on screen changed what the callers were talking about?

Me: Hi boss, I was thinking about a raise...
Boss: Hi. Er, did you know you can get herbal viagra?

hmm

[joe 155]

I'd easily consider taking this on (although it seems to suggest that it's only north american numbers, and they probably don't have a linux client...). Still, whilst it is possible (though unlikely) that a human could listen to what you're saying I have to question whether they would actually want to listen to what I'm saying - or if I would care if they are. Granted I'm not going to use this for telephone banking, and probably not even for calling my girlfriend, I really don't care if they listen to my mum talking for half an hour about her dog or hear me arrange a party... or shout down the phone whilst drunk at people about the importance of egalitarianism (but that's another story...)

Re:How do I tag?

[QuickFox]

That's just for getting a widget that gives you the illusion that you're tagging the article. For your tag to really show up in the list of tags, something else is needed — some very secret voodoo it seems.

Why are all my ads about...

[Spy der Mann]

funny. I just made a call yesterday using this system and suddenly I'm getting ads about weapons, espionage, government contractors...

wait a sec. Some men in black are knocking on my window. brb.

What is this madness?????

[Rooked_One]

"Didn't you have ads in the twentieth century?"

"Well, sure, but not in our dreams. Only on TV and radio... and in magazines... and movies, and at ballgames, and on buses, and milk cartons, and T-shirts, and bananas, and written in the sky. But not in dreams, no sirree."

Odd combination

[deniable]

It's like Echelon got drunk and woke up next to a spam-bot. Man, that's an ugly child.

Re:If I get this service...

[Culture20]

Just make certain the other person's grandma doesn't make the world's best sausage.

My god what's next??

[popo]

I'm not letting anyone profit off *my* communications.

What's next? Free comment-sections on websites? ... as long as I log in?

How could anyone subject themselves to such a sacrifice of personal liberties.

Re:Please stop the ads

[saterdaies]

The parent post is brought to you by: Gradma's old-fashioned posts. Remember a time when discussions weren't threaded? Gradma does.

That was close...

[dontspitconfetti]

It's a real relief that the ads won't change based on what you're thinking...

Re:Please stop the ads

[QuickFox]

I suppose I'm dating myself,

Come to think of it, of course I'm dating myself, who else would a slashdotter date?

Re:How do I tag?

[fbjon]

"This most persuasive ad brought to you by Heckler & Koch."

Re:If I get this service...

[fbjon]

Let's hope it doesn't call for goat cheese.

Re:What happens...

[fbjon]

You get a virus.

Free calls for everyone!

[sunderland56]

So, if someone listens in on your phone calls, then they pay for them?

So why aren't all of our calls paid for by the US Government, then?

Re:How do I tag?

[Hijacked Public]

That is hilarious. A sheeple tag gets added based on suggestion.

"The tags on the article were actually chaning based on what the first post recommended.", said one editor, "it was amazing how much he was able to influence the tagging." Or the like.

Re:If I get this service...

[Alsee]

Hi Jack.

I rack my brain and all I can think is that
the president of this company is an insane,
i.e. deluded. The plan and the company will
bomb. Can you picture the all the national
explosive television news when a bunch of
senators get called and find THEY got recorded.
Gee, had they thought of that? The story isn't a
sleeper, sell newspapers is what it will do.

Oh cool, I just got this sweet offer for a complete box set of Friends DVDs.

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