Australian cabs to become moving targets for advertisers

Australian IT reports that in coming months taxi passengers around Australia will find the hi-tech, internet-accessible screens, and .... become moving targets for advertisers!

"Melbourne-based TouchTaxi has signed the first deals in Australia that will put interactive touchscreens in the back of taxis. so far so good.

The new techology positions wireless PCs in taxi boots, which transmit to specially designed seat-back units. OK with that.

The PCs will also host Global Positioning System and SMS technology. One of the benefits of including GPS will be that advertisers will know exactly where a taxi is located and be able to transmit locality specific advertising". Oh no!.

"For example, if you are American Express and you know the taxi is approaching an airport where Diners Club has a lot of advertising, you can trigger ads that will attract the passenger's attention away from the outside ads," Weerasooriya says. The computers will communicate with the outside world using mobile phone technology, also housed inside the box.

The inclusion of SMS technology means passengers can enter their own mobile numbers and receive SMS vouchers and other offers directly to their phones". No thanks!

emily | 6:42 PM | |
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