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Direct-to-Cell Phone Advertising Coming

Ad on Cell Phones
It's all over. One the last bastions of ad-free tech -- our cell phones -- may be on the way out. Bluetooth, that technology that lets you talk via wireless headset while driving or walking, is providing advertisers a way to lock on to your cell phone to send files, images, video and even coupons.

Many operators aren't too excited about the idea, though, since there is no way for them to make some cash on the deal. Companies like European provider Orange prefer a technology called Code 2D or QR (Quick Response), which requires a camera and special software. The technology is already popular in Japan and uses the camera to recognize bar codes in advertisements which launch the cell's browser and takes the consumer to a web page. This requires a data plan, and we pay for that, which makes the network operators very happy.

With Bluetooth, advertisers don't need the operators' involvement. Bluetooth has become pretty ubiquitous and is open and free to use. We fear that this will simply turn into another way to spam us. Constant texts about the new Angus three-pounder or new mango-flavored Coke are just around the corner.

From Reuters

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Tags: advertising, bluetooth, cell phone, CellPhone, direct, marketing, mobile

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