Apple Airs 'If You Don't Have an iPhone' TV Ads

[csimmons]

I agree... this condescending cr*p, makes me despise them as a corporation.

IMO Apple has turned to be the new Microsoft. A few years ago, they used to convey a more relaxed, open image - the whole "think different" attitude. They used to be the exception, and that motivated them to create exceptional products. Not anymore: product value goes down, prices go up, options get slashed, pro edge is lost... and don't get me started on the declining quality!

The new motto in Cupertino: greed is good.

I'm tempted to call this the dumbest post EVER, but I won't.

The ad simply points out the truth: the App Store has more (and in most cases better) apps than the competition, the phone and the store are a lot easier to use than the competition.

Since when is it a crime or "smug" to state the facts?

BTW comparing Apple to MS because they have the dominant smartphone platform (not in units sold, but in revenue and profits) is IMO totally disingenuous; Apple earned their position by releasing quality products, unlike MS (and now Google with Android).

 

[blinkin182]

This one has an air of pretentiousness to it. I feel mixed about this one.

Agreed. Even if Apple is doing well these days, they should avoid being pretentious. If you're product is good, people will buy it. No need to tell people that don't have it (because maybe they can't afford one or can't buy one for any reason) that they are stupid. Not a good way to get them to have a positive reaction.

It should be changed to "if you have an iPhone you can do this and that"... much more positive!

 

[(marc)]

Yet another reason to be ashamed of being a Mac & iPhone user. Thanks, Apple

 

[csimmons]

It's stuff like this that makes me embarrassed to own Apple products.

I think Apple has always made the best personal computer OS and cell phone OS, and I will continue to use Apple products for that reason. However, I do feel a sense of shame when I use my MacBook and iPhone in public due to the smugness and pretentiousness of both Apple's advertising and their fanboys. I am also ashamed of how Apple products have are currently regarded as fashion accessories. That is so feminine, and I miss the days when Apple products were mostly functional-looking and regarded as tools for accomplishing a task.

Umm...Apple products STILL ARE very functional and accomplish tasks quite nicely. The fact that they're also stylish is a bonus IMO.

Project much?

I for one am very happy that Apple, through their STYLISH products, has made computing accessible to a mass audience that is not a partisan in the nerd wars.

I'm reading a lot of "oh, I hope people don't hate my Apple-loving guts if they see this ad" here. For years, as Apple was the underdog, Apple fans were proud to be so, and now all of a sudden being a fan of products that (most of the time, at least) "just work" is being smug?!? The fact is that in the consumer electronics market, Apple was NEVER the underdog! Even in the smartphone space, Apple went from blip on the radar (when iTunes was first included on Motorola phones) to top dog in terms of revenue, profits and public awareness.

I personally don't view the new ads as smug. However, even if they were; so what? If any CE company deserves to be "smug" once in a while, it's Apple.

Stop whining!

 

[roadbloc]

I don't think they are paticually good adverts. Not because they sound smug (even though they do), just because they just aren't very good.

Yup, if you don't have an iPhone, well, you don't have an iPhone.

Seriously, that is a pathetic catch phrase. It doesn't even make sense.

 

[room271]

All the 'iPhone-unique' features (App Store, iBooks, music etc.) are fully available on many many other phones including all Android phones.

So I'm not really impressed by this kind of advertising.

 

[SilianRail]

I don't get why they are essentially running the same type of ads for 4 straight years. These ads are targeting hipster douchebags, all of which already have iPhones. They need to show how simple they are to use or whatever to appeal to old people, or how they can be used in corporate settings.

 

[iRockMan1]

This might be some of Apple's worst advertising. It's a great phone, but this doesn't even compare to most of Apple's commercials.

 

[motohooligan]

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I have a htc hero because I couldn't get an iPhone when I moved to another country. The android browser SUCKS. I turn my phone into a hot spot and use my iPod touch to browse the web. Once my iPad 2 3g gets here I'm switching back to a dumb phone that actually makes and receives calls. I might get an iPhone in the future, but since I carry a bag/backpack/briefcase/murse or whatever you want to call it 90% of the time, having two data plan devices seems redundant.

 

[Shasterball]

Wow. Lame and condescending.

 

[lifeinhd]

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Come to think of it, I haven't seen a Mac ad recently... are they no longer bothering to advertise it because they've already sold one to every person on the planet (no) or because they'd rather spend their advertising dollars on more popular products (yes)?

But that doesn't make sense. Obviously, if their product is popular, they shouldn't need to advertise it that much, so wouldn't it make more sense to advertise one of their lesser-selling products, like the Time Capsule or Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter?

 

[Steve121178]

I enjoy my iPhone, but I don't like the elitism that surrounds it. It makes me feel uncomfy when people get passionate about defending their choice of phone when arguing with other sad like-minded geeks.

I think these people clearly have too much free time on their hands.

 

[PlipPlop]

Is the new iPhone ad hinting at NFC? It sort of looks like it with the Delta app, and the Starbucks one.

I can see what the next ads will look like:
-If you don't have an iPhone, you probably have a better notification system in your smartphone
-If you don't have an iPhone, you probably have a bigger screen on your smartphone
-If you don't have an iPhone, your smartphone's UI probably changes more than iOS does

You missed out working clock

 

[Frosticus]

The arrogant tone of "if you don't have an iPhone.. you don't have an iPhone again" makes my skin crawl... someone please trip up the guy that did the V.O. if you see him.

 

[Steelers7510]

It's a little smug for my liking.

 

[d0minick]

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Most android users already wish they had an iPhone

I agree, I like Android, but I do agree for now.

 

[d0minick]

The arrogant tone of "if you don't have an iPhone.. you don't have an iPhone again" makes my skin crawl... someone please trip up the guy that did the V.O. if you see him.

But it is smart. The biggest gripe a lot of mobile retailers get when trying to sell androids is the consumer will say "but it is not a iphone".

 

[leon44]

Apple is better off being modest, because everyone already knows how much better iPhones are even if they don't admit it.
they need more of a 'we're doing our best to make really cool and awesome products' attitude rather than 'we are the best and we know it.'
it really puts me off a bit and there's no need for it

 

[8ate8]

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Is the new iPhone ad hinting at NFC? It sort of looks like it with the Delta app, and the Starbucks one.

No, barcodes are not NFC. The Delta app looks to use some sort of QR code (probably something proprietary to Delta) and the Starbucks app probably just uses the same barcode that appears on the back of a Starbucks card (I'm assuming. I'm a Dunkin' Donuts guy.)

 

[coder12]

Shouldn't it say "of" in the last paragraph, not "if"?

 

[Frosticus]

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No, barcodes are not NFC. The Delta app looks to use some sort of QR code (probably something proprietary to Delta) and the Starbucks app probably just uses the same barcode that appears on the back of a Starbucks card (I'm assuming. I'm a Dunkin' Donuts guy.)

Yup. the Heathrow Express now uses a similar system - guy the ticket on your iPhone and get a virtual ticket with QR code to let you through the gate at the station etc.

 

[Frosticus]

But it is smart. The biggest gripe a lot of mobile retailers get when trying to sell androids is the consumer will say "but it is not a iphone".

I suppose, but they could have found a less arrogant sounding way to boast about that power. Subtlety is everything!

 

[swagi]

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Most android users already wish they had an iPhone

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrr....No. I love my Android phone (Samsung Galaxy it is).

And I personally rather test a WinMobile7 device than an iPhone (been through 2 and don't like them).

 

[ozred]

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Most android users already wish they had an iPhone

You couldn't back that up, if you're life depended on it.

 

[baddj]

Showed a friend the ad and the first thing he said to me, is that guy been a smart ass. the way he says Yup, if you don't have an iPhone, well, you don't have an iPhone.