Google developing “Brillo” Internet of Things OS based on Android

Google dives into smart homes with an OS for all your low-power gadgets.

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[Ianal]

franksands[/url]":31xf33l6]

UnnDunn[/url]":31xf33l6]Great. So now Google will know what all of your IoT things are doing, and be able to target ads at you based on that.

Refrigerator nearly empty? You get tons of ads for grocery stores. Using your "smart" blowdrier? Hello shampoo ads.

Why is this a bad thing? Gmail, Google Maps and etc are free because of those targeted ads. If the ads are non-intrusive and provide good options, I'm all for it. I already bought some very good books because Amazon recommended them.

The key word there is 'intrusive' but even the quietest, least obtrusive style of ad gets exceedingly obtrusive in volume, or if you can't get ever get away from the damn things. Ad supported apps have also created (in my opinion) an internet race to the bottom - and the bottom is 'free but we mine the hell out of your personal data' which a) sucks and b) has a stifling effect on other business models (because you can't compete with free.)

 

[Ianal]

P.Nilsson[/url]":6n0vk67a]

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franksands[/url]":6n0vk67a]

UnnDunn[/url]":6n0vk67a]Great. So now Google will know what all of your IoT things are doing, and be able to target ads at you based on that.

Refrigerator nearly empty? You get tons of ads for grocery stores. Using your "smart" blowdrier? Hello shampoo ads.

Why is this a bad thing? Gmail, Google Maps and etc are free because of those targeted ads. If the ads are non-intrusive and provide good options, I'm all for it. I already bought some very good books because Amazon recommended them.

Because it's just more and more of your privacy being eroded away. Just wait until the IoT swarm detects that your ex is no longer living there.

Privacy is the new virginity.

Yeah - one cock-up and its gone.