New AT&T Commercial "Answer"

[gemnilocs]

I think this commercial could have been better executed. I can see some advantages to having both data and talk. funny, because most of the guys at work say they use when their spouse calls. but being with Verizon I know that I can't do both simultaneously so no biggie. I usually look something up and then call or text.

I know that it can be useful. AT&T should make a commercial that far more people can relate to. How many people have been in this situation on Verizon and thought "Damn... which I had voice and data at the same time." AT&T needs to make a video with this same concept but in a much more relatable situation. This commercial is a good concept but bad execution. I mean, come on... forgetting your anniversary? It's not like some obscure day that is easily forgettable. This major problem with this video is that it really only targets married men who own iPhones.

Verizon does a good job creating commercials that a lot of people can easily relate to, especially with their 2 commercials out so far for the iPhone. First one related to every Verizon customer waiting for the iPhone while the 2nd reached out even to frustrated AT&T iPhone users and showed the massive coverage that AT&T can't compare to. If AT&T plans on trying to prevent people going to Verizon... go with 3G speed with data results from tech sites that are well known and with a good reputation.

 

[STC1709]

Same here, I have been using my old rink-a-dink flip phone for 4 years and text while im on a call all the time. The only downer is that we cannot surf the web while on a call. Still I don't think we are missing what we never had on VW.

i also practically live near wifi between school and being home so doesn't really phase me that much at all, i think people make more of a big deal of it then it really is, just there cop out because they have crap service and have nothing else to say

 

[rkw0211]

Only AT&T's network lets you ta........*Call Dropped*

 

[deason]

I had 'smartphones' for several years now, and not once have I ever had to use data and voice. This is one AT&T customer ecstatic to be getting a Verizon iPhone

 

[gemnilocs]

Here's how they could have done a much better response with the same idea. The concept is great, they just didn't execute it right. (This is of course assuming that voice + data simultaneously is a competitive advantage to call quality)

Instead of the guy researching on Google for a place...they should have had him on the OpenTable app making reservations at some high end place...and just before he stumbles out of the office, they show a "reservation confirmed" on his open table app....it takes a page out of Apple's highly successful marketing strategy which is to showcase the apps in order to sell the hardware.

i was thinking the same thing.

 

[infiniteentropy]

Just Wondering

What office these days doesn't have wifi? And what job could he have that needs a suit and tie but doesn't require a laptop or computer of some sort to do the job? This whole commercial stinks. Bye AT&T, it's been awesome having to put in a MicroCell to support your gimped network while my wife's Verizon phone works awesome everywhere.

 

[ChrisTX]

You guys are crazy, I use data while talking A LOT. Maybe not a selling point for some but you surely can't discredit this as not being useful.

Iron Chef
it takes a page out of Apple's highly successful marketing strategy which is to showcase the apps in order to sell the hardware.

AT&T doesn't need to sell the hardware at this point, it sells itself. AT&T is trying to sell people on their network against Verizon.

 

[sclawis300]

So I am supposed to believe that he would not be by a COMPUTER at work???? Not to mention, I would have been like, yeah, I am getting ready to walk out the door, then hung up and CALLED A RESTAURANT.

 

[ANTAWNM26]

That is a pretty weak response. He could NOT wait for the phone call to end. There's absolutely no need to have voice and data at the same time. Verizon smartphone customers have been doing for how long now and we survive easily without it. What are the chances of this happening in real life? Extremely slim to none.

Sorry AT&T... Verizon's massive coverage (important for me since I travel a lot and AT&T 3G coverage is very spotty in my area) > voice + data. You should focus on the 3G speed over Verizon using data gathered by tech sites. That would be far better than trying to convince people that the need for voice + data outweighs 3G coverage.

The Iphone done without mms/flash for a long time and we made it without it..So, your point is what?

 

[kas23]

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AT&T appears to really be beating a dead horse here. Hasn't this been the premise of all their adds for the last 2 weeks. I think we get it now. And is this the only advantage AT&T has over Verizon? Verizon just has to shoot back by saying their iPhone allows the completion of calls.

 

[Warbrain]

Until you've had the ability to do voice and data at the same time you don't understand how great it is. I have a CDMA blackberry for work and there is nothing more annoying than ending a call and receiving a flood of mail.

 

[griz]

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Apple must be eating this up. Seeing VZ and ATT go at it over the iPhone must have jobs rubbing his hands together with an evil grin on his face.

 

[0815]

I use data and voice at the same time frequently.... I talk with my headphones on and can surf the web and talk on the phone at the same time

Thats pretty rude ... if you don't care what those people are saying and rather surf the web, you probably should hang up (and blame the dopped call)

Until you've had the ability to do voice and data at the same time you don't understand how great it is. I have a CDMA blackberry for work and there is nothing more annoying than ending a call and receiving a flood of mail.

Nothing more annoying than the contant 'new mail' beep while on the phone or having the person on the other end stop responding since they read and respond to their email .... Honestly: would you act that rude while on a call so that you don't get annoyed when hanging up the call? Please give real examples why it is so important.

---

Joking aside: there might be some (few) examples where it might be handy to surf while on the phone, but I think those really rare. Can't think of any good examples right now, but I am sure there are some. If I would in an area where I would get the dropped calls all the time, I would rather not have the 'surfing while talking' feature and not drop the calls. Luckily I don't have the dropped calls with my AT&T iPhone (guess I live in a lucky region) - so I don't have to make that choice.

EDIT: just had one idea where it might be useful - you are making plans for the weekend on a call and want to know what the weather is and you can check it right away .... still wouldn't be a show stopper argument for me, nice to have, but not a must (none dropped calls are more important for most people)

 

[Apple 26.2]

false advertising:

my ATT iphone lets me never talk at all. the reception in cambridge just plain sucks. i can surf the web through my own verizon wifi cable though.....

So you got/stayed with a provider that didn't provide you with good service because of the iPhone? And you stayed with them why?

#fail

 

[spotlight07]

I liked the Verizon Ad much more than this one. One of my phones is on Sprint and I can only think of one time I actually would have used this feature in real life. I am always near a WiFi connection for a longer call. If it's a short call you can do whatever it is after hanging up.

Compared with calling back because AT&T dropped a call or calling back to confirm a reservation with Verizon, I'll pick Verizon.

Off topic: Was it just me or did his wife seem way out of his league?

 

[GollumBoy]

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So its nice to have voice and data at the same time, once a year, if you're stupid enough not to remember your own anniversary?

Just create a recurring event in calendar

 

[celo48]

I do not understand how some people think to be able to use data & voice at the same time is not a big deal!

 

[Chooser]

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How did this ad concept see the light of day? Rushed project imho. So am I to think ATT is for people irresponsible enough to forget their anniversary? Not exactly the best idea to show off the iPhone's capabilities, most of us here could probably come up with a better idea.

 

[eric_n_dfw]

Use it all the time - but dumb commercial

The commercial was lame (not surprising for something from AT&T), but I do use data+voice often. About a week ago, I was at lunch with my coworkers at a restaurant with no wifi (more common than not, even in a big city like Dallas), and my wife called asking me to look up directions to a business. I was able to pull it up on Google Maps and give her the directions.

Another frequent use is when I'm on a conference call and someone says, "I'm emailing everyone the latest powerpoint deck.", or, "Check out the the document at docs.google.com I just shared with everyone."

And even if there is WiFi, often it's password protected and a pain to get the credentials when you're trying to concentrate on what's going on in the call.

 

[diabolic]

You guys are crazy, I use data while talking A LOT. Maybe not a selling point for some but you surely can't discredit this as not being useful.

I use it all the time. I couldn't even consider switching to Verizon until they eventually add that capability. For me personally, it would be a huge step backwards, but I'm one of those people that has little trouble at all with my iPhone on AT&T.

 

[sapridyne]

Almost realistic...

Almost realistic -- except it should show the call dropping twice during that conversation and end with the wife asking her husband when he was going to switch to Verizon...

 

[nagromme]

No need to look for such a rare situation. I use voice and data all the time, for planning stuff (movie, dinner, coffee shop, shopping, hiking) with friends. I have them all on speakerphone while I look up what's open, prices, directions, trail lengths, weather, etc. At other times I'm discussing stuff with clients, and when they want to discuss something on a web page, or send me something by email, I can actually view it!

I'm no AT&T fan, but it would really suck to have to hang up those calls, check stuff online, call everyone back, discuss, hang up again, check more stuff online, call them all again, etc. etc.!

Otherwise it's like the days of dialup where we'd have to alternate phone and Internet use.

(Plus it's nice to be able to surf and play Words With Friends while someone drones on!)

Thankfully AT&T's reliability is near perfect where I live--I can even make calls while out hiking where my Verizon friends get no signal! You really have to go by the coverage facts where YOU live/travel before jumping to assume Verizon is always better. (Plus it seems you can't get Verizon iPhone plans as cheap as on AT&T: I pay ~$55-$60/month depending on how much my friends text me, and I have a huge pile of rollover minutes.)

 

[0815]

I use it all the time. I couldn't even consider switching to Verizon until they eventually add that capability. For me personally, it would be a huge step backwards, but I'm one of those people that has little trouble at all with my iPhone on AT&T.

Would you mind and give some examples where it is really useful?

 

[GollumBoy]

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I'm on O2-UK and frequently use voice and data simultaneously.
I travel on trains daily at different times so it comes in handy if you are on phone to a friend to organise meeting up for a drink or whatever to let them know when you will be able to meet.

There are many uses for this too, I use this feature several times a week. I love this feature!

If I were american I would go AT&T for this feature alone.

 

[beany boy]

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WRONGWRONGWRONG!
I do it all the time, and would never give up that feature. I live in the middle of nowhere and still have practically no dropped calls and more than enuf coverage...

Don't tell them that. Whenever the weaknesses of the Verizon iphone are pointed out you ger the stupid"at least I can make a call" comment. It happens everytime. I have rollover minutes, I have voice/data and I haven't dropped a call in 2 years. But I still have to listen to that stupid comment.