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Oh no! They're going to ruin it for everyone! |
gelfen
Joined: Nov 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne, Australia
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I was extremely digusted when I saw this news item. I suppose it was only a matter of time really 
'Bluejacking' seen as marketing opportunity
By Matthew Broersma, ZDNet UK
05 December 2003
The popularity of Bluejacking is leading companies to investigate Bluetooth as a marketing tool - but could also mean location-based spam.
A survey carried out by a London public-relations firm suggests that Bluetooth-equipped mobile phones could become the next battleground for spam, with substantial interest in using the technology for location-based services, alongside an even more substantial opposition to Bluetooth spam.
The survey found that 82 percent of respondents would find unsolicited commercial messages sent to their mobile phones unacceptable, as might be expected given public concern about junk emails and junk text messages. But 68 percent of respondents said they would be interested in receiving commercial messages and coupons on an opt-in basis.
Rainier found that 74 percent of consumers were interested in receiving information or promotional location-based services on their mobile phones.
Rainier PR carried out the survey of 500 mobile phone users in Liverpool Street and Paddington railway stations between 26 November and 2 December, prompted by the newfound popularity of Bluejacking, or sending prank anonymous messages to other mobile phone users in public places. Bluetooth, a radio technology allowing devices to exchange data within a range of 10 metres, is expected to be in 20 percent of mobile phones by next year, according to Forrester Research, rising to 75 percent by 2008.
It is ordinarily used for connecting to wireless headsets or synchronising with PCs, but can also be used to send messages or business cards.
Bluetooth could be a potent marketing tool because it operates only over a short range, meaning that consumers could use it to find information about the local area and nearby shops. The popularity of Bluejacking suggests that there are now enough Bluetooth-enabled handsets on the streets to make marketing or location-based sevices viable, according to Russell Buckley, director of mobile marketing start-up TagText.
"There is clearly an opportunity for savvy marketeers to use this channel," said Rainier managing director Stephen Waddington, in a statement, though he cautioned marketing companies not to take the opportunity as "a green light".
Bluetooth spam could prove to be a real nuisance to mobile phone users, suggested Graham Cluley of antivirus firm Sophos. And if marketing companies aren't careful, users may take drastic action, he said -- such as switching Bluetooth off. |
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wrecked_porsche
Joined: Jul 01, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: I'm not telling u !
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Aww S**t..... Now, that just sucks man! When i read that, i felt like ripping the head off the person who thought of that "idea" .. 
They are gonna mass bluejack us with s**t... we wont be able to use normal bluetooth in those areas...  DAMN them !
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shithappens
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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clearly the downside or rather the backside of technology 
True Bravery is arriving home late after a boys' nite out, wife waiting with the broom & u ask: "Are u still cleaning or are u flying somewhere" |
amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
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This idea is quite as old as the Bluetooth equipped mobile phones itself and was probably thought of before bluejacking. It is called Push Messages. The idea is that a mobile user can subscribe to messages sent to their phones when they are shopping or also ramdomly sent messages each time a mobile user passes a bluetooth access point. I think it is quite exciting and see endless opportunities for Bluetooth.
However, I agree with you that it can be abused and annoying but just as you turn off the TV during commercials you can turn off your Bluetooth whenever you feel like it.
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Vlammetje
Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Den Haag
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I very much doubt it would be worth the investment for any company marketing wise, to spend money on a  point somewhere on a busy street, just so they can spam potential passerby phones.
Especially since there is no way of knowing if this 'marketing' will actually have any effect at all........ I doubt anybody would get to it unless it can be done for free. And that would bring us to telecom stores mostly, who may very well already have equipment.
To think that H&M, Harrods or MaccyD would start spamming, IMHO is a fairy tale. There simplyu isn't enough to gain.
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amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
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You never know, more phones are getting Bluetooth and more people are leaving it on. If that continues, the stores might just stop handing out flyers and just send out messages to people passing by. There would be less man hours and also takes care of paper waste. Bluetooth equipment is a cheap investment for businesses. I think it would work. Here in the US they are testing it at the San Francisco international airport.
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701
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Romania
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I always keep the bt off-no messages4me
This message was posted from a T610 |
Bluejackers
Joined: Nov 11, 2003
Posts: 92
From: Scotland
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The theory is that you will walk past a BT equipped store and get a message for example - "buy one coffee and get another free NOW - quote 'Free one' when ordering"
The store can set the offers based on time, number of succesful reciepts etc and it's based on getting people who stand at the window looking in to come in and buy.
Whether we like it or not it's probably here to stay.
Wonder what Ann Summers will offer ......
Steve
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vinnieza
Joined: Sep 25, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK or was it Pluto?
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well if we send anough fake ones like some did here, (sent your pizza's free, in pizza hut) and they found out it was fake maybe marketers wont use it as they think it wont work because people are getting loads of fake ones? 
* No questions asked * |
Universal Exports
Joined: Mar 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sweden
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Yes that might work! But I think it's too the poor buggar who thinks he's gotten something for free or so...
"The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success."
-Eliot Carver |
fabrizio
Joined: Mar 06, 2003
Posts: 134
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Hum... that plan is so crazy it might just work vinnieza.
I guess on a guerrilla type warfare you could knowing ahead of time which stores are Bluejackassing, and then send bogus messages saying free stuff on that store therefore anoying the store employees to the point where they might give up. |
Uncle Bob
Joined: Nov 27, 2003
Posts: 202
From: Englandshire
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I dont thing it would be too successfull as it only works in sending "Business Cards" and you are limited on how many characters you can use. |
vinnieza
Joined: Sep 25, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK or was it Pluto?
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i know if i ever got bluejacked from a sho advertisng i'd stop and bluejack them  , but they'll probably hide after they send like with the T68i
* No questions asked * |
wapchimp
Joined: Jun 09, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Land of the chimps
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If I get bluejacked by any company I will never buy from them. Thats reverse marketing for you.
[addsig] |
Universal Exports
Joined: Mar 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sweden
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I always make a list of non-buy companies to get on that list you have to make a really bad or pathetic advertisment.   isn't there, yet...
"The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success."
-Eliot Carver |
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Posted: 2003-12-08 03:03
