... Apple Taking Advantage

I think this is the most ridiculous way to block users from using their computer in the way they want.


Apple have put in a patent application for a computer operating system that has advertising embedded throughout it. It would mean that users would have to interact with ads before being able to use certain applications on their computer, locking the system if they don’t reply! And it’s not just computers they are aiming for; ipods and mobile phones could fall foul to this form of coercion.


There is even talk of getting users to fill out questionnaires on interests etc to allow targeting. What I wonder, is would people buying these products have to sign up to a contract of some form, stating the terms of use of their new computer or whatever? Surely if your operating system locks when you try and access an application you are going to get a bit pissed off and want to complain; but will they let you? Or will it be written somewhere in small print that you have to submit to this ad interaction if you want to use your computer the way you want? Interesting….


Apparently there could be user benefits wrapped up in this, including free upgrades for accepting the adverts, but is it really worth it if? I guess if they are selling this computer operating system for really cheap, that is, if you are willing to put up with ads, then fair enough… then hopefully after enough ad interactions you could upgrade to an ad-free system, though I don’t think they would let you escape that easily.

But when will we ever escape eh? People go on their computers for work or pleasure; in work you don’t want to waste time clicking on ads so you can access your word processor, and during your down-time you want to browse facebook, blog and game at your pleasure, without being pestered by annoying ads. I think it’s a bit of an invasion of privacy! And surely by integrating ads into the computer system itself, this will only serve as a massive irritation to user, pushing them away from Apple, towards ad-free systems? Will be interesting to see if their patent goes through, but I might buy my new ipod touch kinda soonish to avoid falling foul to these sneaky, money grabbing ways…!