Here’s an idea that I would probably use a lot. A group of German students have developed a new Java program that will automatically update to your cell phone every time you enter a particular Bluetooth hotspot. What does it update, you ask? Right now, it’s the menu in the cafeterias at Dresden Technical University. When you walk through the Central Mess Hall, all 15 menus (or just the ones of your choosing) will be updated up to two weeks in advance. They’re calling the hardware Bluebot, and I can imagine this really taking off for advertisers. Think walking down 5th Avenue in New York while advertisements just start popping up on your phone.
Edit: When Bluetooth was originally explained to me years ago, this was how it was presented. Being able to go to an airport and having all your flight times automatically coordinated to you. I’d like to see stuff like this realized soon. – Blake
Official Site [Bluebot via Textually]
Several of the auto manufacturers have been working on a similar technology called “telematics” for in-dash screens. For example, if you drive within 2 miles of a Best Buy store, a signal is transmitted offering you a discount or promotion for stopping into the store within a small window of time. Business is changing to be more and more like the “Minority Report”. “Welcome to the Gap Mr. Smith, would you like a pair of khakis for the cashmere sweater you bought last visit?” Pretty neat stuff…at least until you are being inundated with advertisements.
I wish the hardware was more developed for such things. Like if there was a separate cache section for advertisements via Bluetooth. I’d be down with that. I don’t want popups all the time though.