dslreports logo
'The Pudding' Listens In On VoIP
And displays context-sensitive advertisements...

A new startup named The Pudding is offering users free calls via broadband, if they allow the company's software to "listen" to the conversation and display ads related to what's being discussed. The company insists that their technology isn't much different than what Google does with Gmail, with the exception that speech recognition technology is often flaky.

Click for full size
But like any good pitchmen, the guys behind the project insist that this is part of the fun. "Sometimes crazy things pop up. It actually enriches the conversation, which is very cool," says Ariel Maislos, chief executive of Puddingmedia. The company's ultimate goal is to license the technology to VoIP providers to generate an additional advertising revenue stream.

The company's founders, brothers Ariel and Ruben Maislos, both spent time doing intelligence work for the Israeli military. Even if the voice recognition technology works, users might not like the fact they're being listened in on -- even if it is being done by computer. The company insists they don't keep records of what keywords were triggered during conversation. Users can sign up at the company's website in order to take part in the beta.

Most recommended from 48 comments


flycuban
join:2005-04-25
Homestead, FL

2 recommendations

flycuban

Member

Really Scary

Thats scary....So lets say Im having phone sex......Umm...Am I gonna get porn? LOL