At next year’s CES, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if they ban bloggers, at least Gizmodo! The video below explains why. Gizmodo calls it the “meanest thing” they did at CES, and I kinda have to agree, although it is funny as well. Apparently they got their hands on TV-B-Gone clickers. The device essentially allows someone to turn off nearly every TV from just about every brand out there. As you can imagine, there are all kinds of TV displays set-up at CES and so Gizmodo decided to have some fun:
On their site, Gizmodo actually apologized and said that they realized they made some people’s jobs harder: “We shut off a TV. And then another. And then a wall of TVs. And we just couldn’t stop. (And Panasonic, you’re so lucky that 150-incher didn’t have an active IR port.) It was too much fun, but watching this video, we realize it probably made some people’s jobs harder, and I don’t agree with that (Especially Motorola). We’re sorry. “
Anybody else think that Gizmodo may have a hard time getting in to CES next year? If they had just stuck to turning off the TVs that weren’t part of a presentation, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But that poor guy trying to present during the Motorola presentation, that was just over-the-top. Now that they’ve confessed that they were the ones who did it, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a lawsuit or two headed their way. And next year, I’m thinking everybody will be covering up the infrared ports of the TVs so they don’t even have to worry about somebody else attempting the same prank.
I saw this video and I couldn’t stop laughing!!
That was pretty funny! Kind of mean, but funny. Not sure that I would have admitted doing it though.
I gotta get me one of these for my house!
The rest of the prank was great except for turning off the TV during the Motorola guy’s presentation. That was just being a straightup asshole.
@Ashley:
I don’t think doing something like this is funny. It reflects an act of total irresponsibility. Those poor guys were using their TVs to make a living and pay their bills, just like everybody else.
No, I don’t think this is funny at all. The guy(s) who did it should be held responsible for this reckless act.
Regards,
Omar.-
Gizmodo officially banned from CES
The Gizmodo staffer violated the terms of CES media credentials and caused harm to CES exhibitors. This Gizmodo staffer has been identified and will be barred from attending any future CES events. Additional sanctions against Gizmodo and Gawker Media are under discussion.
“Gizmodo should be banned. I mean, they were messing with someone while they were doing their job. How would the Gizmodo blogger feel if someone randomly shut down their laptop while they were trying to write a post?”
@Richard:
Thanks for that information. I’m so glad Gizmodo got what they asked for. Good for CES staff.
Regards,
Omar.-
I don’t know – I’m kinda thinking this is the best viral marketing Motorola has ever gotten for nothing
Since I wasn’t at CES – chances are Gizmodo and Motorola – might be the only names I remember when looking back on CES 2008 five years from now.
-E
@Ashley:
FYI, Richard Blakeley, the Gawker Media cameraman whose antics for Gizmodo drew widespread attention, is selling his press badge — the last one he’ll ever get, he says — for $100 on Craigslist.
What do you think?
Regards,
Omar.-
I don’t even know what to think! I think it’s only fair that he is banned from CES in the future.
I’m glad to see that the guy is banned, but what surprises me even more is that the people at the show never thought to stick a piece of tape over the Infrared ports? It’s hard to imagine that this is the first time something like this has happened at a show.