As if they didn’t have a big enough trove of information on all of us that can be used to sell targeted ads, now Meta will sell targeted ads based on data in your AI chats. You may have noticed the push for AI in Messages and Facebook…it’s right there like it was a person on your friends list. TechCrunch.com reports that if you ask the Meta AI about hiking or camping, you will see ads for appropriate gear for those activities. Of course the targeting will work across platforms. If you are logged in to both Facebook and Instagram, you will get targeted ads that are based on AI interactions with either platform. Meta did say it has no immediate plans to put ads directly in the AI products. Wow, that’s a real relief.
Google has bowed new hardware, and along with that, they have replaced Google Assistant with Gemini for Home. According to 9to5google.com, there are 10 new voices, with what is touted as more natural pacing and intonation. With the new Gemini, commands no longer have to follow a specific structure to work. You don’t have to remember device names now, and you can string multiple instructions together and it will process all of them. Google is claiming you can now talk to Gemini for Home as if it was a person. New AI cameras are supposed to be able to tell you what’s happening…for example, you can asked if a critter ate your plants outdoors, or if a family member got home. Google says their redesigned app runs faster, too.
Microsoft has rejiggered their Xbox Game Pass plans and surprise….there’s a price hike, too! Theverge.com notes that as of today, Game Pass Ultimate will jump from $19.99 a month to $29.99 a month! That’s up 50%! Xbox Game Pass Core is being rebranded Game Pass Essential, and the standard plan is now Game Pass Premium. Microsoft says all 3 plans are getting bigger libraries and unlimited cloud gaming. 45 new games are out for Ultimate as of today.
Boycotts work! Engadget.com reports that The Handbasket is saying Disney lost more than 1.7 million subscribers to their paid streaming plans from September 17th to the 23rd. If you figure most were being dinged for about $20 a month, I calculate that this is a hit of around $400 million a year for the House of Mouse. THAT more than anything, is what brought Kimmel back. Money talks, and bullshit walks…as we used to say in the car business.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Clark Reid Tech Report 