AT&T appears to have decided to up their game since their recent loss of monopoly over the coveted iPhone. Not only was it just announced that they will be selling the Amazon Kindle, but AT&T also launched a location based ad service today.
Don’t worry, it’s opt-in, not opt-out. So you won’t be signed up without your permission. But you should check it out, the premise is actually pretty cool.
Called ShopAlerts, users can choose to get alerts, in the form of text messages, when they are physically near participating stores. The launch is being backed by companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Kmart, JetBlue, SC Johnson, Kibbles ‘n Bits. So, if you sign up, next time you’re walking past a Kmart, you may get a promotion vibrating in your pocket.
It’s currently only available in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, but I’m sure it will be rolling out to more locations soon.
And thank you again, AT&T, for launching these ads as an opt-in service. While not for everyone, I definitely think there will be interest in this program.
Unless, of course, it’s just going to constantly remind you that you’re being watched wherever you go.
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