Google Home Now Testing Audio Ads

Katyanna Quach, writing for The Register:

In a car-crash video, uploaded to Twitter by Bryson Meunier, a Google Home is asked: “Okay Google, what’s my day like?” The chatbot answers the question by telling him the time, the weather and what his commute is like. So far, so good.

But then, it sneakily adds: “By the way, Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast opens today.” Soft piano music is played, and the ad continues running.

“For some more movie fun, ask me something about Belle. Have a good one,” it cheekily concludes, referring to the movie’s character. Now, we’re aware of the irony of complaining about ads spouted by a device, only to then offer to play the ad to you, but it’s honestly so creepy and stupid, it’ll make you reconsider the myth that Google hires only the smartest people on the planet.

Google’s initial response is laughable:

This isn’t an ad; the beauty in the Assistant is that it invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales.

★ Thursday, 16 March 2017