Philips Apologizes For Ad-Skipping Device

Many print and online publications yesterday reported that a new Philips technology could soon force DVR owners to watch commercials during recorded programming. (Or they would have to pay a fee to avoid them.)

However, in yesterday's Swanni Sez, I said that the Philips device would fail and that DVR owners had nothing to worry about.

So, who was right? The mainstream media -- or Swanni?

Well, yesterday, Philips issued an apology for leaving the impression that it would install the 'must-see' TV feature in future set-tops. The company also said it had no plans to introduce the technology and had simply obtained a patent to protect its interests.

"Philips never had the intention to force viewers to watch ads against their will and does not use this technology in any current Philips products," the company said in a statement. "Nor do we have any plans to do so."

The Globe and Mail newspaper in Canada reports that Philips' North American office yesterday was overwhelmed with angry e-mails and phone calls from DVR owners who feared that Philips would take away their right to fast-forward past commercials.

"They have been very vocal," the newspaper quotes Philips spokesman Andre Manning. "You can fill in the blanks of what they are saying. They are really upset."

Of course, it's still possible that Philips (or another company) may try to resurrect this foolish idea. But, for now, it appears that Swanni was right again.

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