Campaign to get the other misleading iPhone ad "Everyone" banned in the UK

[StoneColdSober]

Do people ever research before posting.

The ASA is not part of the government, nor is it funded by tax payers money. It's funded by the advertisers!
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/about/short_guide/

Okay, fine it isn't run by the government. I can still think of a lot better ways to spend the £7,355,000 that the ASA received in levies last year.

I am not saying there isn't a place for such an organization, just that there time might be better spent than on complaints such as what you have expressed.

 

[Small White Car]

it's a false claim and the ad should have been Yankee. You don't get all parts of the Internet on the iPhone (apple could have made this happen), even though you get the best mobile browsing experience hands down. Bottom line is it's not the complete Internet. They shouldn't be allowed to lie, as no other company should. Period.

Wrong ad.

This thread is about the one where they show stuff like websites and google maps faster than they can load in real-time.

The "whole internet" thing is different. The question here is: Should ads only be allowed to show things in real time?

 

[jonnyb]

This is important.

No one here is saying they should be allowed to advertise things the phone can't do. If they say "gets 4 days of battery life" then yes, I'd want that ad banned. That's an actual lie.

But who's going to ban it for you if you don't have someone you can complain to? In your country apart from drugs and kids' products there is no such body.

Are you therefore saying that you think maybe a advertising standards body, funded by advertisers, that stops lies is a good thing?

 

[Macjames]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5C1 Safari/525.20)

I admit I'd rather see it load unnaturaly fast than have to sit watching it load real time. Adverts bug me enough as it is! It's better than watching price comparison website or compensation adverts

 

[Pandora01]

The question here is: Should ads only be allowed to show things in real time?

If one of the selling points is that the product in the ad performs such-and-such function in such-and-such time (and the amount of time it takes is purported to be demonstrated right there in the ad), then... yes.

That said, I think the disclaimer in the ad stating that performance will vary might provide enough of a loophole for Apple to slip through in this case. It's the same type of "results will vary" disclaimer that allows so-called miracle weight-loss products to be advertised on TV.

 

[TMagic]

I agree with the OP. A big part of the marketing of the iPhone 3G is the greater speed, and yet the speed that they show in the adverts touting this greater speed is simply not achievable. It is false advertising.

 

[jacksam101]

What a complete waste of time.

I totally agree

There are many, many more things worth complaining about.

 

[Small White Car]

Are you therefore saying that you think maybe a advertising standards body, funded by advertisers, that stops lies is a good thing?

I already pointed out 2 general areas (and 1 other specific example) where I think regulation is entirely appropriate and welcomed.

So what's with the winkey face? Of couse I think it's a good thing.

 

[StoneColdSober]

But who's going to ban it for you if you don't have someone you can complain to? In your country apart from drugs and kids' products there is no such body.

Are you therefore saying that you think maybe a advertising standards body, funded by advertisers, that stops lies is a good thing?

You want my honest opinion (because you aren't going to like it)? If you do then read on.

I think that I am tired of having the government and watchdog organizations babysit everything everyone does and I am tired of a legal system that awards huge sums of money to idiots because they are too stupid to realize that the coffee they ordered would be served hot and then when they spill it on themselves and get scalded they decide that it's someone else's fault.

Over regulation has resulted in huge increases to the cost of doing business and as a result huge increases in costs to the consumers. It is out of control and I'm sorry, but it is complaints such as these that really are pointless (and I am specifically referring to the OP's complaint) and only further worsens the problem.

I think that consumers have an obligation to educate themselves about the products they are buying and they should make informed decisions. If they are too lazy to do that and believe everything they see, hear and read in what are clearly advertisements, too bad, so sad. People should learn to protect themselves and stop relying on others to protect them. If that would happen then the world would be better off.

\rant

Sorry you asked?

 

[Small White Car]

I am tired of a legal system that awards huge sums of money to idiots because they are too stupid to realize that the coffee they ordered would be served hot and then when they spill it on themselves and get scalded they decide that it's someone else's fault.

Way off topic, but I'M tired of people bringing this up as an example of a bad lawsuit.

The fact is, this woman spent over a week in the hospital getting skin grafts. McDonalds was, at that time, serving coffee at 180-190 degrees when most other places were serving coffee at a maximum of 140 degrees.

McDonalds knew it was too hot to drink, but argued that they did it so drive-through customers would have hot coffee when they got home. But McDonald's own research showed that most people drank the coffee in the car.

So, in short, McDonalds was serving coffee they knew was too hot to drink, to people they knew were going to drink it right away.

They deserved that lawsuit. The week-long skin grafts are almost beside the point.

 

[jonnyb]

You want my honest opinion (because you aren't going to like it)? If you do then read on.

I think that I am tired of having the government and watchdog organizations babysit everything everyone does and I am tired of a legal system that awards huge sums of money to idiots because they are too stupid to realize that the coffee they ordered would be served hot and then when they spill it on themselves and get scalded they decide that it's someone else's fault.

Over regulation has resulted in huge increases to the cost of doing business and as a result huge increases in costs to the consumers. It is out of control and I'm sorry, but it is complaints such as these that really are pointless (and I am specifically referring to the OP's complaint) and only further worsens the problem.

I think that consumers have an obligation to educate themselves about the products they are buying and they should make informed decisions. If they are too lazy to do that and believe everything they see, hear and read in what are clearly advertisements, too bad, so sad. People should learn to protect themselves and stop relying on others to protect them. If that would happen then the world would be better off.

\rant

Sorry you asked?

Well that last question was for Small White Car since he seemed to advocate the banning of lies in advertising without being sure about who would do the banning.

But to answer your point: To a degree I agree with you. I also hate the litigious spiral that US seems to have entangled itself in. Of course people should realise coffee is hot but it seems it's so easy to sue frivolously (and be handsomely rewarded for it) in the US that it has become a hobby for some. edit: this point still stands even if the MacDonalds example is a poor one

But some people don't have the same resources for research as others. My Dad who's 65, who lives alone, watches TV and reads newspapers - he doesn't really use the internet.

So if he saw an ad on TV he should reasonably expect that the ad is being truthful because, apart from maybe talking to some friends, that's his only way of knowing whether the product is any good. Why isn't it reasonable for him to expect that the truth is being told to him by someone who wants him to spend his money with them? If it's not reasonable then there's a need for an independent body to police this.

The ASA is there to protect those people who choose to trust people to tell the truth. It's a backwards world that dictates that people should be cynical enough to expect to be lied to all the time.

 

[maxrobertson]

You're really dumb aren't you?

It may be slightly misleading, but there are many explanations, such as: They used the 3G in an area with better coverage or speeds than you have, they used websites that were faster, they didn't have enough time in a 30-second ad to show the nitty gritty, OR, maybe just maybe, it's an advertisement and they all fudge a little. Is it ethical? No, but you're not going to change anything by attacking Apple of all companies. Why doesn't anyone ever sue HP for their ads? They make using their PCs look a lot easier than they are.

 

[jonnyb]

I already pointed out 2 general areas (and 1 other specific example) where I think regulation is entirely appropriate and welcomed.

So what's with the winkey face? Of couse I think it's a good thing.

I must have misunderstood. I thought you were saying that regulation outside those first two areas you mention would be a waste of time. Still, the US lacks a body that would ban an outright lie in an iPhone ad doesn't it, which you say would be a desirable thing. So maybe the US could do with such a body.

The winky was just to denote a good humoured exchange in a thread which seems to be getting rather dour and serious.

 

[senorFunkyPants]

The ASA does a great job in policing adverts...there is an expectation that adverts in the UK will be completely truthful, and if you don't stop the little lies, then bigger ones are sure to follow. Apple showing the iphone operating at speeds that are unobtainable by the vast majority of users is disingenuous at the very least.

 

[Small White Car]

The winky was just to denote a good humoured exchange in a thread which seems to be getting rather dour and serious.

Friendliness!?

Bah!

 

[StoneColdSober]

SWC, you are obviously not a coffee aficionado and I know the details and still disagree with the decision and your analysis. But we shall have to agree to disagree.

My point in bringing this up is that society has become inundated with warning labels, disclaimers and such. Do we really need to be told that the new car commercial showing someone drifting at high speed and weaving around boulders or something in the road is "a professional driver on a closed course?"

 

[sibruk]

If I gave a rat's ass about HP, then I would complain about that too.

The point is: I do actually care about Apple's products (in terms of QA) and the company's continued profile. Which is why I'm complaining. People are probably watching those adverts thinking "wow, I want that iPhone because it's fast". That's the message they are sending out. Apple are clearly having problems identifying when they've crossed the lie line.

If I go into my favourite coffee shop and they make me a bad coffee, I will tell them that it isn't good enough and to re-make it for me - because I love my coffee shop and I don't want to have to find another one! Plus I'm pretty sure I won't find a better coffee shop, so I want mine to continue to be perfect!

 

[Small White Car]

My point in bringing this up is that society has become inundated with warning labels, disclaimers and such. Do we really need to be told that the new car commercial showing someone drifting at high speed and weaving around boulders or something in the road is "a professional driver on a closed course?"

No argument with any of this.

This is actually the problem, though. I agree that we don't need this level of oversight, but I do agree we need some. So it becomes a big task to determine where to draw the line.

I disagree with the extent that the UK clamps down on the stuff, but in a way I can see the appeal of just saying "Screw the line, we'll just draw it WAY over here!"

I wouldn't do that, but I can see the appeal. It's certainly simpler.

SWC, you are obviously not a coffee aficionado

Guilty as charged.

 

[StoneColdSober]

Which is why I'm complaining. People are probably watching those adverts thinking "wow, I want that iPhone because it's fast". That's the message they are sending out.!

Sorry, but I think that message is an accurate message. The iPhone 3G is fast. It is faster than any other 3G or EDGE device I have owned (and I have owned plenty). Sure the iPhone has some problems and some users are experiencing issues with their 3G service but just because there appears be some exaggeration as to how fast the iPhone 3G is doesn't make it false advertising.

 

[sibruk]

You're really dumb aren't you?

No, but thanks for your considered response.

It may be slightly misleading, but there are many explanations, such as: They used the 3G in an area with better coverage or speeds than you have, they used websites that were faster...

I already stated in my original post that I have perfect 3G coverage and excellent speeds, and yet the real world experience of using an iPhone is nothing like what they show in the ad.

I admit I'd rather see it load unnaturaly fast than have to sit watching it load real time...

I get what you're saying, a two minute ad to show you the same thing wouldn't have quite the same punch, would it? However, the presentation they show is supposedly shown "as is" - ie. you can flick between these tasks THIS quickly! It's false advertising. They could have done cut-aways, showing multiple hands turning as they show each feature, something to show that more time was elapsing, but no, they actually portray this as the way an iPhone can be used.

 

[wreckshop]

I personally think that Apple should start advertising that the iPhone 3G can increase gas mileage (theoretically possible if someone were to use gps maps and live traffic updates to avoid traffic jams) and that it can increase someone's income (again, theoretically possible as some of the features could increase a business person's productivity) and the list goes on.

I should go work for Apple's marketing department. Oh, wait, these ads might get pulled or never run in the UK if some people had their way.

Nothing personal, but with the ideas you have for ads, you wouldn't even have to worry about having them pulled. You wouldn't even get hired by the marketing dept. Relying on Apple's gps maps is a surefire way to increase your gas mileage.

 

[StoneColdSober]

Nothing personal, but with the ideas you have for ads, you wouldn't even have to worry about having them pulled. You wouldn't even get hired by the marketing dept. Relying on Apple's gps maps is a surefire way to increase your gas mileage.

It's called hyperbole and humor and I said "theoretically possible." My point was that there are a lot of claims that can be made about the iPhone, any of which may have theoretical merit. These claims are far more outlandish than what Apple is showing as far as the speed of the iPhone.

 

[lakaiordie]

this is stupid.


and just because you think you have 'perfect coverage' or reception, doesnt mean you're cell provider isnt capping the speed on their 3g network.

 

[MacCobbler]

It seems to me that countless hours of work are put into banning ads in the UK every year.

How about we start a campaign to educate you all to not believe what you see on TV?

Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, over here in Blighty, we're a nation of moaners. We love nothing more than a good moan.

There is quite a simple fact we all seem to be skipping over here. Apple claim the 3g iPhone is twice as fast as the original one, but that the speed can vary in different locations. They've covered theirselves completely there. They have done nothing wrong and have not insinuated something that isn't true. Apple will have a very good legal team who will scan every millisecond of their ad before it goes to market.

The only people making the mistake here are the people who are mis-interpreting the advert.

We can bump this thread all day long, but it is simply revealing that the vast majority of people couldn't give a witch's tit about the ad.

 

[Trajectory]

By these standards every car ad should also be pulled. I never get the mileage advertised, it's always different.