Apple Television Ad Says iPhone "Coming June 29th"

[dicklacara]

I haven't read all 350 posts yet... (I will, I will).

My first impressions after watching all 3 ads was very good.

One thing, not-so-good, was quite obvious.

The use had to keep turning the iPhone to horizontal or vertical to react to the way the software was orienting the screen display (landscape or portrait).

Shouldn't it be the other way around-- the software adjusts the display to the orientation chosen by the user?

For example: Watching a movie, then answering a call or sending a text message, then resuming the movie. Instead of making the user spin the phone, why not let him do it all in landscape mode?

Menus should be OK in either mode.

The on-screen qwerty keyboard would be better in landscape, but work OK in portrait.

For browsing music playlists, contacts, or reading an eBook, portrait mode might provide the better experience.

The point is, let the user choose rather than force him to twirl the baton.

 

[johnee]

Do I fall into the nerdy catagory because I am a teenager that watches 60 minutes on my own accord? I guess the generally intelligent classification might work; I did turn to the Democratic debate after it was over. But, I am browsing a Mac forum...

all of the above

I think all people on this site are all of the above...

 

[ready2switch]

Yeah, I was going to use it as an Ipod and a Wi-Fi communications device until they had a UK carrier. In any case, it was going to be a risk to take because for all I know - and very probably - they will be locked to AT&T sim cards. There's nothing set in stone about the Europe phones being 3G, it's just a rumor.

Also, I captured the phone UI from the ad and the one from the apple.com/iphone page. A few changes to note:

Ad Version

apple.com/iphone (old) Version

Calendar date widget icon seems to update. Weather widget icon seems static. As does time - the one on widget does not match 9.42 am in ad version. As someone mentioned, "Web" was renamed "Safari".

And the icons are moved about, but I don't doubt users can move them about anyway. Also, on ad version, a small bluetooth icon is visible on the right hand side.

And also the obvious change from Cingular to AT&T.

I haven't read the entire post, so this may have been covered.

Does anyone else think it's funny that in the original ad the digital time is 12:34 yet the widget clock looks like it could be 9:42 (the digital time on the new ads). Time definitely changes, I'd say the digital time is just photoshopped.

 

[everettmarshall]

I also haven't read 350+ posts...but I have read many. I haven't seen any comments regarding this tag in the new TV ads:

"Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan."

Now, I've been with AT&T wireless since 1998 and I went through the AT&T/Cingular/AT&T corporation laundering. I have signed numerous agreements in those years.

"New activation" (key word is NEW) means that unless you activate a new number (NOT a 2 year renewal for existing customers), you be paying FULL price for the phone.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[sanford]

I also haven't read 350+ posts...but I have read many. I haven't seen any comments regarding this tag in the new TV ads:

"Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan."

Now, I've been with AT&T wireless since 1998 and I went through the AT&T/Cingular/AT&T corporation laundering. I have signed numerous agreements in those years.

"New activation" (key word is NEW) means that unless you activate a new number (NOT a 2 year renewal for existing customers), you be paying FULL price for the phone.

I hope I'm wrong.

Oh it's worse than that. There is no "full price" for the phone. Remember there are no carrier hardware subsidies for iPhone. The price is the price. That's not true, of course, there is a subsidy, it's just already built into the price of the phone. But you're not allowed to pay $899 or whatever for an iPhone and just buy it outright. You have to sign a two-year contract with AT&T to even buy one. Of course this a great deal for AT&T.

But I hate AT&T. I've had the same T-Mobile plan for seven years. I love the plan, I happy with T-Mobile. So I won't be getting an iPhone.

 

[dicklacara]

Just to play it safe I have a few criticisms of these adds....
...2: they totally don't follow apple's history of never!!!!! telling a date for availability in the future.
...

Quote: On January 24, Apple Computer will introduce the Macintosh. And you will see why 1984 won't be like "1984."

From ad aired on 1/20/1984

 

[appleii2mac]

I also haven't read 350+ posts...but I have read many. I haven't seen any comments regarding this tag in the new TV ads:

"Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan."

Now, I've been with AT&T wireless since 1998 and I went through the AT&T/Cingular/AT&T corporation laundering. I have signed numerous agreements in those years.

"New activation" (key word is NEW) means that unless you activate a new number (NOT a 2 year renewal for existing customers), you be paying FULL price for the phone.

I hope I'm wrong.

My impression was that everyone would be paying "full price" for the phone. i.e. there would be no subsidy from Cingular/AT&T.

 

[Evangelion]

"New activation" (key word is NEW) means that unless you activate a new number (NOT a 2 year renewal for existing customers), you be paying FULL price for the phone.

I hope I'm wrong.

You wioll be paying FULL price for the phone in any case. There are no rebates or "subsidies", you will pay $499 or $599 for the phone, period. What is up for debate is the cost of the plan you have to get in addition to that.

And there's nothing wrong with paying for the phone. You do realise that those "subsidied" phones you get when you sign up aren't that cheap? Instead of paying for the phone upfront, you pay for the phone in the price of your cell-phone service. I would imagine that the different service-plans AT&T will offer with the iPhone would cost LESS than they would with other phones, since they do no have to bury the price of the phone to the price of the service.

 

[IlluminatedSage]

the ads stink

i don't know what's in the koolaid at apples advertising dept, but these ad's are kinda lame.

actually very lame.

and i like macs and apple.

 

[DaveGee]

Quote: On January 24, Apple Computer will introduce the Macintosh. And you will see why 1984 won't be like "1984."

From ad aired on 1/20/1984

Oh sure... be a smarty.... Anyone can find a tiny and insignificant exception if they look hard enough... (I'm joking of course)

D

 

[Ha ze]

i don't know what's in the koolaid at apples advertising dept, but these ad's are kinda lame.

actually very lame.

and i like macs and apple.

why?

 

[gregarious119]

I wonder if that's George Costanza doing the hand modeling?

 

[mickeymikey]

i don't know what's in the koolaid at apples advertising dept, but these ad's are kinda lame.

actually very lame.

and i like macs and apple.

Totally agree. For such a revolutionary device, where's the creativity of the 1984 ad? My guess is these were done in partnership with AT&T...thus a watered down.

Certainly it's good that they show functionality to educate and drive demand, but I would have saved those ads for post launch. Pre-launch needs something much more dramatic. Give me the theme from 2001 Space Odeyssey and a monolith shot or some explosions!

For the record the Apple TV ad is just as weak.

 

[pale9]

if the data plan is $44.99 as at&t now charges for unlimited data

the one thing i will do for sure is NOT buy the iphone. because the only thing i dislike more than having a root canal is at&t. and i can smell that they think they can milk us for all we are worth because of the iphone....

 

[RodThePlod]

Does anyone know, how they plan to sync photos to the iPhone when someone is using Windows?
They have iTunes for windows, but not iPhoto. Just syncing folders?
How do they do this with iPods right now?
-greets

Syncing is currently done in the same way; Place all the photos that you want to end up on your iPod in a designated folder (for example My Pictures) - and then specify that folder in iTunes.

Any Photos dropped into the folder will sync to the iPod on next update.

I really hope they manage to do the same with Notes when they release the updated iTunes as the Notes icon/applet seems prominent on the iPhone menu.

Currently, Notes have to be manually copied to iPod by accessing the iPod as a disk which just plain sucks and is not at all user friendly!



Cheers,

Rod.

 

[meagain]

I want a Youtube button.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

the one thing i will do for sure is NOT buy the iphone. because the only thing i dislike more than having a root canal is at&t. and i can smell that they think they can milk us for all we are worth because of the iphone....

I don't care what your opinion of at&t or any company is but at least get your facts straight before making yourself an a*s. It's $39.99 for unlimited but, of course, could be cheaper if you don't message ( text, instant, ... ), ... IMHO, that's not a bad price if you all of those features daily ( average ). Of course, realistically, the iPhone can't even use Cellular Video and therefore, it is actually $34.99.

 

[Maccus Aurelius]

i don't know what's in the koolaid at apples advertising dept, but these ad's are kinda lame.

actually very lame.

and i like macs and apple.

Totally agree. For such a revolutionary device, where's the creativity of the 1984 ad? My guess is these were done in partnership with AT&T...thus a watered down.

Certainly it's good that they show functionality to educate and drive demand, but I would have saved those ads for post launch. Pre-launch needs something much more dramatic. Give me the theme from 2001 Space Odeyssey and a monolith shot or some explosions!

For the record the Apple TV ad is just as weak.

As much as some of us would like the snazzy hip iPhone ad, I'm pretty sure that the general public is not interested in seeing a vague fluffpiece regarding a cell phone. Apple's best play, in my opinion, is to be pretty straightforward with the GUI functionality of the phone in their ad, as people will have to live with this device for the duration of the 2 year contract.

I think for the sake of getting this product through people's doorsteps, simply wooing people with what the phone can actually do, not how it makes you feel, is the better option.

 

[deannnnn]

But I hate AT&T. I've had the same T-Mobile plan for seven years. I love the plan, I happy with T-Mobile. So I won't be getting an iPhone.

Oh I totally agree with you. I'd love to have an iPhone... but I have Sprint... and I love Sprint. I'm not switching to a horrible service with horrible coverage that doesn't have a high speed data network (well hardly) just so that I can have the beloved iPhone.

 

[deannnnn]

As much as some of us would like the snazzy hip iPhone ad, I'm pretty sure that the general public is not interested in seeing a vague fluffpiece regarding a cell phone. Apple's best play, in my opinion, is to be pretty straightforward with the GUI functionality of the phone in their ad, as people will have to live with this device for the duration of the 2 year contract.

I think for the sake of getting this product through people's doorsteps, simply wooing people with what the phone can actually do, not how it makes you feel, is the better option.

I just want to say how much I love your signature

 

[G4DP]

woooooooooooooofeckinghoooooooooooooooooooo

whoopdidoodoo, another phone with features people will never use.

Can we have what people actually need, the simple things, you know, hardware updates, oo oo what about iLife or that silly bloody cat, thingymajig, can't remember it's name, oh, Leopard, that's it.

A company that puts a phone before it's core business needs a kick up the ***

 

[Maccus Aurelius]

Yes, and we all know how desperate we all are for bumps in MHz

Um, their core business will not wither and die because of a single OS delay or a delay in beefing up the hardware. Many of us who are perfectly happy with Tiger and the current mac line will find a way to survive.

The iPhone is far more critical because it's a make or break item that can't be half-assed. Macs and iPods are already well established successful items for Apple, but the iPhone is completely new. If you're just entering a highly competitive market for the first time, where would you place your priorities?

 

[slffl]

I'll add a few items to the checklist, reflex:

- People who don't want to pay more than $100 for a phone
- People who already have an iPod
- People who are committed to Sprint ( ) because it's the only way to get their parents to cover their cell phone bills while they go through college

Wow, for all the people who don't want one, you sure do post a lot in iPhone threads.

 

[ISMPlus]

Yes, and we all know how desperate we all are for bumps in MHz

Um, their core business will not wither and die because of a single OS delay or a delay in beefing up the hardware. Many of us who are perfectly happy with Tiger and the current mac line will find a way to survive.

The iPhone is far more critical because it's a make or break item that can't be half-assed. Macs and iPods are already well established successful items for Apple, but the iPhone is completely new. If you're just entering a highly competitive market for the first time, where would you place your priorities?

ITA. You have to remember that most people/the general public don't go out on the first day to buy the newest version of what-ever if what they currently have is still working (How many people do you know that bought all five iPod gens?? I know people who still have their first gen iPod!) But people would go out on the release day of a completely new 'gadget'. So yes, I'm excited that Apple is putting so much effort on the iPhone. Yes, we (apple freaks) are all excited about and want Leopard now, but that's because we want the latest and the greatest, not because Tiger isn't working any more.

 

[Maccus Aurelius]

Well I don't think it matters if one posts in an iPhone thread regardless of wanting or not wanting one, so long as that person puts up a good argument for and/or against the iPhone.