Apple Debuts Four New FaceTime Ads

[MadMacxxx]

I'm sorry, but these commercials are horrible. Are they really going to run these on television? The only decent one is the grandfather one. The rest are embarrassingly awful.

Agreed! The rest are awkward. "Hunni, you know that thing we've been working on?" 🙄

The only decent one is the one with the grandfather. I wish they'd make ads to emphasize things like the decent quality of it's video recording and iMovie editing.

 

[Matthew Yohe]

hey honey, nothing special or anything just a casual day but can you please switch your iphone to wifi and then let me call you at work and facetime me? okay, you're going to be a dad. surprise.

Good thing you don't have to "switch on wifi" for this to work.

The way Apple uses teenage girls instead of adults in the ads just seems kind of creepy to me - with the "smile" one, throughout the commercial, I see this older guy trying to get this young, vulnerable girl to smile. It's not until the very end that I hear "Dad." Seems creepy. And the one with the bob hair seems awkward and she's young and vulnerable. Sorry, but these commercials just hesitant to buy MY daughter an iPhone 4.
Although I doubt Apple intended for this, I think these commercials will make parents think twice about buying their daughter an iPhone.

Yeah, that's just your thinking bud. Maybe you're thinking down this whole "young and vulnerable" train of thought because young people really are young, and most likely vulnerable! But I certainly don't think that every time I see a young person. If you don't think your daughter is mature enough to know when she should end a conversation with some "creepy" guy, then that's fine, don't buy one.

Oh so it looks like Apple still haven't realised holding the iPhone in a non-approval way becomes an issue..

.. opps, I mean NON issue.

******* apple!

They're holding the phone wrong.

Good thing FaceTime requires WiFi, thus no issue.

The method Apple uses where you have to first make a voice call then switch to video conference is more cumbersome, not easier.

Not how it works. You can start a FaceTime call right from the contacts menu.

• FaceTime is pointless. I don't see why they didn't just use the same basic video calling system that is on pretty much every 3G phone.

Because none of those are standards. You can't intercommunicate with any of those, so why not set out to make a standard, and then in the future, every phone uses FaceTime. Ta-da!

I don't understand the benefit of Facetime.

Okay, many other people do.

Whatever Apple. You make me roll my eyes more and more each passing year. I used to be a die hard fan. I even had your gay rainbow sticker on my car years before you moved to the solid white. But you're loosing me these days.

Oh good, glad you were with them during their "gay" years.

 

[antster94]

Hahaha, Apple thinks it can just create huge emotion over these adverts, but they are just terrible, pretty funny to be honest! And like the old "grandad" is gonna have an iPhone 4 XD

 

[HLdan]

I agree that this will cause people to talk about the commercials ... but people might now be talking about them favorably, and this might actually cause sales to decline. Not all commercials that are memorable cause sales to increase - some cause sales to decrease.

They don't have to talk about them favorably in order for the ads to be successful. I can't for the life of me remember some of the best and well designed TV commercials from certain car companies but I'll bet even my non-techy grandma remembers the Mac vs PC ads. Also, negative feedback creates sales much more than you know. If anyone thinks that Apple is losing business over the iPhone reception issue they are crazy. With all the news media and bloggers talking about the problems that just keeps more focus on the iPhone and out of human nature the public will want it even more.

 

[MadMacxxx]

I signed up for a MacRumors account just to comment on how awkward these ads are.

I understand what Apple was trying to do here, but there is just something missing. Between the so-so acting and awkward dialogue, these ads make me feel uncomfortable at best.

Apparently, Apple doesn't want to admit that the primary use for FaceTime is going to be drunk dialing your friends at 3AM to tell them how trashed you are.

Also, side note: Isn't it convenient that "grandpa" has both wifi AND an iPhone 4? Call me crazy, but I don't know anyone that age who can operate a normal cell phone, much less setup a wireless network, successfully use an iPhone 4, and place a FaceTime call with anyone...

This post is hilarious, I agree. However, I know several older adults that have always been and are still very intelligent and realized the benefits of keeping up to pace with technology long ago. Technology benefited the businesses, practices, university campuses, and firms they operated. They learned to operate a computer a decade ago. Setting up a router by yourself is easy, and having someone install one is even easier. It is typical to see older people using computers these days; it's almost necessary.

I don't think someone's woman would make a video call to tell them they're preggers. I think they'd opt to tell you in person.

 

[Matthew Yohe]

Yeah, but FaceTime isn't an "open source", so it's only available to those who own iPhone4. It may (probably will) be more accessible if/when the iPod Touch 4th generation gets it... but for now, it's severely limited to who can use it.

FaceTime is an open protocol that Apple has standardized. Anyone will be able to implement it. Skype has already mentioned interest in it.

I agree that this will cause people to talk about the commercials ... but people might now be talking about them favorably, and this might actually cause sales to decline. Not all commercials that are memorable cause sales to increase - some cause sales to decrease.

Remember, they sold nearly 2 million of these in a weekend, without a single television ad.

I don't think they are going to see declining sales because they start advertising.

The only decent one is the one with the grandfather. I wish they'd make ads to emphasize things like the decent quality of it's video recording and iMovie editing.

They can do that at some point in the future. That's not their main selling point right now, because not everyone actually grasps the difference between "Movie Apps" versus "Apple's iMovie App".

It's however very easy for them to differentiate themselves with the FaceTime feature. It's something that sells a brand new feature of the hardware of the new phone.

 

[alebar14]

The 'Haircut' girl... is she Ellen Page from 'Juno' ?

 

[Matthew Yohe]

Also, side note: Isn't it convenient that "grandpa" has both wifi AND an iPhone 4? Call me crazy, but I don't know anyone that age who can operate a normal cell phone, much less setup a wireless network, successfully use an iPhone 4, and place a FaceTime call with anyone...

"Normal cell phones" are incredibly awful to use. That's why no one that age actually knows how to use them.

My folks got iPhones and now they actually text message me and each other. They send MMS photos and I wasn't even around to help them get setup.

 

[MorphingDragon]

It's interesting how the UK people here act like they are the only country that exists or the only one that counts on MR. 🙄

Yet the same happens when USA people come on here and say the iPhone sucks because its on AT&T, and its not like there's other countries in the world that have other carriers or anything.

 

[modul8tr]

I don't think someone's woman would make a video call to tell them they're preggers. I think they'd opt to tell you in person.

Not if he's off on business in Dubai for months at a time.

 

[tobyw7]

y. IMHO 🙂

But, I do like Big News.

+1 But apple is reaching for the 20+ crowd.

You saying people over twenty don't go to concerts? 😱

 

[DesmoPilot]

The 'Haircut' girl... is she Ellen Page from 'Juno' ?

No not at all. How did you make that connection? They look nothing a like.

 

[ReflexReact]

Good thing you don't have to "switch on wifi" for this to work.



Yeah, that's just your thinking bud. Maybe you're thinking down this whole "young and vulnerable" train of thought because young people really are young, and most likely vulnerable! But I certainly don't think that every time I see a young person. If you don't think your daughter is mature enough to know when she should end a conversation with some "creepy" guy, then that's fine, don't buy one.





Good thing FaceTime requires WiFi, thus no issue.



Not how it works. You can start a FaceTime call right from the contacts menu.



Because none of those are standards. You can't intercommunicate with any of those, so why not set out to make a standard, and then in the future, every phone uses FaceTime. Ta-da!



Okay, many other people do.




Oh good, glad you were with them during their "gay" years.

Just cos FACETIME uses Wifi, the rest of the phone doesn't run off Wifi... as a result, she better not expect to recieve any other calls while HOLDING HIS PHONE WRONG...

Apple are stupid

 

[Matthew Yohe]

Apple are stupid

You might be onto something...

 

[Master Chief]

Apple pushing FaceTime with a few simple, but effective ads. Might pull in a few more million of customers. More earnings for stock holders. Great work.

p.s. I had my first non-mobile 'VideoCall' back in 1985. About time someone is seriously going to push it. Thank you Apple.

 

[CalebF]

The 'Haircut' girl... is she Ellen Page from 'Juno' ?

No, she actually shills products that work; Cisco. 😉

Now watch SNL do a parody pedophile sketch; doing a "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." skit using FT and Apple STRONG-ARM them into apologizing, just like they gutlessly did to Ellen DeGeneres when she did a PARODY skit saying SHE couldn't comprehend how to use the iPhone (3rd gen).

She wasn't even insinuating (using comedy and parody) that *most* people would find navigating the iPhone difficult, but that SHE would have a hard time doing so (my 61yo mom couldn't, I know!)... but pissy, humourless Apple took it as a threat that ALL people may not be able to do, forcing Ellen to apologize for nothing she did wrong.

 

[afireintonto]

Lol these ads are awkward at best. But so is video calling in general, sometimes its just weird to iChat my girlfriend.

 

[robotfist]

Do you actually expect people to carry a laptop with them every which way they go just so they can make quick video calls? I guess I should haul my Macbook Pro to Starbucks with me when I just wanna stop for a quick cup of coffee and make a quick video call to a friend while waiting for them to pour my drink?

Actually, as the annoyed customer standing behind you, I'd prefer it if you used your laptop and sat in the corner, instead of standing in front of the line with your iphone 4 wasting everyone's time making cute faces at your kid.

 

[LobsterDK]

They're holding the phone wrong.

Come up with that one all by yourself, did ya?

 

[ipad3g]

the only thing that bugs me about facetime is the whole wi-fi thing, and i know that's been said a million times.
but you can video chat on a laptop/computer from your house,
doing it with iphone 4 is cool because it's portable. but still, if you can't do it on the go, it seems way less useful/cool.

you pretty much have to sit down and plan to facetime someone, rather than just do it. if you want to show someone something, you can't be like. oh hey, check this out. it's more like, hey man. are you in a wifi area? ok, get to one. now turn on your wifi. alright. now look at this.

Dude use the Fring app, works over 3g i have no problems at all, it actually works better then facetime, and you dont need wifi. What i hate about facetime is that it activates speaker phone, im always using my bluetooth and with fring i call the person as normal, then launch my fring app and do video over data and voice over regular phone call! Only possible on GSM! that's why i love at&t!!!!! An would never go with a verizon iphone!!😛

 

[spillproof]

You saying people over twenty don't go to concerts? 😱

No. Jobs wants you to buy on iTunes. HA!

Each Apple's ad need to reach every possible person with a message. They have the under 35 crowd (guesstimate) and now they have to reach for the not-tech-savvy and the 35+. The majority of whom would better recognize/connect with/understand these commercials becasue they know the joys(?) of parenthood and the trials and tribulations that come with it.

 

[moose.boy]

Also, side note: Isn't it convenient that "grandpa" has both wifi AND an iPhone 4? Call me crazy, but I don't know anyone that age who can operate a normal cell phone, much less setup a wireless network, successfully use an iPhone 4, and place a FaceTime call with anyone...

The 'founding fathers' (to use an Americanism) of the internet are now that age where they could be grandfathers - technology and innovation aren't just for young people. I work as a nurse in the community and a significant number of older people i visit have a router with flashy lights installed, and a laptop on a dining room table.

I've tried facetime - and it does video far better than Skype, msn, or yahoo. The act of holding the phone makes the occasion personal, rather than seeing a face on a display (how many faces on a display do you see every day). The ability to flip cameras is great.

I've attempted video over 3G - it's so bad it's not really worth the effort - FaceTime is worth making the effort for.

As soon as it starts appearing on other apple devices then it will really drive the use of video calling. Given the quality of the calls and ease i'd much rather do FaceTime with family than just a phone call.

The adds work really well - even for the UK market. Everyone has had haircut moments like that, most people can identify with the braces video, the conversation about pregnancy would need to be done face to face - but that's the point - it was done face to face - they will always be able to say 'i remember the look on your face when i told you/found out' - news like that you don't want to hold on to, you want to share it.

Unlike other companies Apple really does make it feel like the technology is disappearing - and you are just left with the tasks/data - the technology part fades into the background - the iPad, and now FaceTime.

 

[rich2010]

the only thing that bugs me about facetime is the whole wi-fi thing, and i know that's been said a million times.
but you can video chat on a laptop/computer from your house,
doing it with iphone 4 is cool because it's portable. but still, if you can't do it on the go, it seems way less useful/cool.

you pretty much have to sit down and plan to facetime someone, rather than just do it. if you want to show someone something, you can't be like. oh hey, check this out. it's more like, hey man. are you in a wifi area? ok, get to one. now turn on your wifi. alright. now look at this.

You can connect a MiFi to iPhone 4 and FaceTime using that connection. I do this all of the time when not at home or in a public wifi hotspot.

 

[Matthew Yohe]

Dude use the Fring app, works over 3g i have no problems at all, it actually works better then facetime, and you dont need wifi.

You sure it works better? Care to back that up? I've used both and Fring does not even compare in quality.

 

[Cleverboy]

the only thing that bugs me about facetime is the whole wi-fi thing, and i know that's been said a million times.
but you can video chat on a laptop/computer from your house,
doing it with iphone 4 is cool because it's portable. but still, if you can't do it on the go, it seems way less useful/cool.

you pretty much have to sit down and plan to facetime someone, rather than just do it. if you want to show someone something, you can't be like. oh hey, check this out. it's more like, hey man. are you in a wifi area? ok, get to one. now turn on your wifi. alright. now look at this.

I know your feeling... and that's how SOME people might botch it up... but for the various friends I've run into, the "FaceTime" is usually initiated by saying "Are you at home" or "Are you at the office"? A couple of times, there was the odd pause with no warning, where I thought, "Oh, wait, they're initiating FaceTime", and I checked my WiFi connection. The one time FaceTime wasn't working, I didn't realize the WiFi at my mother's house wasn't working because she didn't tell me there'd be a power outage earlier in the week (and she hadn't been online since).

I think these ads are simply brilliant. We'll see how it goes, but I think the complaint about WiFi only is MISPLACED. Unfortunately, Apple needs to popularize this technology first before it can hope to get uniform and favorable treatment to its customers for use of the service. FaceTime over cellular data should be INCLUDED, but I'm sure some of Apple's partners would be concerned about the extra load. The EVO Qik experience over cellular data (and the Fring experience on the iPhone 4) has looked so comparatively awful, one of my friends said that Apple's commercials looked FAKE and clearly misrepresent what FaceTime must look like to average users. I have to tell him he's wrong. Apple's just worked hard... initially... at putting its BEST FaceTime forward.

~ CB