Thread

1. askonomm · 1790329035 · focus · HN ↗

   Any move away from the abusive big tech that exists in USA is a good move in my book. Microsoft just recently made a new patent where they will monitor you via camera and microphone to block your program/game to show you ads, and per ads viewed, you then earn credit to be able to use your program/game. It is absolutely wild to me how a corporation can be so toxic and abusive to its users and still be in business.

   1. red_admiral · 1790338144 · focus · HN ↗

      I don't like this idea, but I do like to get my facts right. If it is the patent linked elsewhere on this page, then

        - I can't find the bit where they monitor you via camera and microphone. (I think the "track your eyes to make sure you don't look away during ads" is already patented for mobile, but has never been deployed as far as I know.)
        - "block" your game/program to show ads - I think "pause" would be a better word here, perhaps. That's how ad breaks/popups work, for example on youtube and on many mobile apps, even on the radio in some sense. Scummy? On mobile apps, probably. New? no.
        - The part being patented here is some kind of machine learning system to decide the optimal time(s) to show ads. 
        - Patent doesn't mean it's going to happen.
      

      Apart from "we inserted some ML into the ad pipeline" there's really nothing new that I can see here.

      1. darkwater · 1790338366 · focus · HN ↗

         But it's still bad as fuck, deplorable, despicable and many others adjectives. And it doesn't change GP point, even if the patent sucks at being a patent.
      2. BobbyTables2 · 1790342721 · focus · HN ↗

         Normally one practical solution would be to cover the front-facing camera on a phone.

         Of course with face identification for unlocking, there is now a power incentive to not do so…

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