Rumored “Mobile Meter” would reward you for sharing usage data with Google

How much personal info do you already share with Google? The company has access to email through Gmail, files through Drive, you might share your location data with your smartphone, and if you’re on Google+, the company’s tied-in to your entire social circle. In that light, it almost seems like an easier question answering what Google doesn’t have access to, rather than does, but one new rumor claims that Google is looking to learn a little more about you still, and this time, might be willing to directly compensate you for it.

Supposedly, Google’s been developing a program called “Mobile Meter” which would gather data both on app usage, as well as mobile browsing behavior. It wouldn’t be an Android exclusive, either, though while this source mentions an iOS edition, it’s not yet clear just how that would work.

The most interesting thing about this rumor isn’t the idea that Google wants more data from you, but that it might be willing to reward users for this level of sharing. In the past, there’s always been an implied give-and-take; you let Gmail scan your mail and deliver targeted ads, and you get free use of the service. Mobile Meter wouldn’t be anything other than a gathering tool, so we’re very unclear on just how Google would compensate users – maybe Play Store credit?

In any case, Mobile Meter would be totally opt-in, so if you just wanted to steer clear of this whole business, you easily could. That is, assuming there’s any turth to these claims in the first place.

Source: Engadget

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About The Author

Stephen Schenck

Stephen has been writing about electronics since 2008, which only serves to frustrate him that he waited so long to combine his love of gadgets and his degree in writing. In his spare time, he collects console and arcade game hardware, is a motorcycle enthusiast, and enjoys trapping blue crabs. Stephen's first mobile device was a 624 MHz Dell Axim X30, which he's convinced is still a viable platform. Stephen longs for a market where phones are sold independently of service, and bandwidth is cheap and plentiful; he's not holding his breath. In the meantime, he devours smartphone news and tries to sort out the juicy bits Read more about Stephen Schenck!