adfreak - Bad Taxi Experience

There was actually a strike by some cab drivers last week over this system and here's a good, first-hand review from Adfreak. Sure, it's only one cabbie saying he would never buy Panasonic again, but how many other people will be turned off by the advertising intrusion. Once again, it begs the question. If we keep talking about the consumer being in control, why did we insist on creating things like this that the consumer can't control?

Last night, I came in contact with Taxi TV for the first time, New York’s effort to “modernize” its taxicabs. By “modernize,” I mean allow use of credit cards in cabs by bombarding riders with repetitive commercials to pay for the upgrade. Man, it sucks out loud. During a 15-minute trip, I saw one commercial for a Panasonic laptop a half dozen times and another for some cut-rate brokerage called Zecco.com several more. The menu has “channels” that don’t actually work: Switching from NBC news highlights to “sports” yields yet another Panasonic ad, followed by more of the same news clips. Ads can’t be muted. After my experience, I think I’ll go back to looking out the window. Drivers hate the system because of the GPS tracking, but they also have to put up with the nonstop racket. My driver told me he despises Panasonic after being subjected to the ads hundreds of times a day. He predicts “only tourists” will use Taxi TV after regular riders try it once. “It’s a scam,” he said. “The ad companies and the city are the only ones getting the cheese.”

Link: adfreak.

Comments

[dean.collins]

Hi David,
You were obviously having a bad day, there is a big 'mute' button (i think in the top right) that turns the sounds off.

Personally I think this is a good thing for NYC cabs.
1/ They have to start taking credit cards....as you know this is a big issue for me here at Cognation.net ...how will we ever move to a cashless society without adoption of electronic payment methods.
2/ They are providing you information....similar to the tv screens in elevators- simple idea but great benefit.
3/ They provide you a choice...you are free to turn them off.

Cheers,
Dean Collins
www.Cognation.net