World of Apple

It is being reported today that the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK has ruled an iPhone ad as ‘misleading’.

During the advert (viewed here) the voiceover read “all the parts of the internet are on the iPhone”.

But today the ASA said that the iPhone does not support Flash or Java so the advert “gave a misleading impression of the internet capabilities of the iPhone”.

Apple had argued its claim referred to availability of webpages, rather than their specific appearance.

The ASA has stated that the ad cannot be aired again in its current form.

“Because the iPhone doesn’t support Flash or Java, you couldn’t really see the internet in its full glory,” said Olivia Campbell, a spokesperson for the ASA.

“They made a very general claim that you can see the internet in its entirety, and actually that’s not quite true - so we’ve upheld.”

Apple has posted three new iPhone commercials at their site: Lonely Planet, Cro Mag, and Vicinity. The first two ads demonstrate how easy it is to purchase, install, and operate third-party applications, and the third shows off integration of the Vicinity application with Google maps to locate and obtain directions to nearby cafes. I found the last one most effective in creating a child-like sense of wonder.

While reading other blogs and news sites on the announcement that Jerry Seinfield will be appearing in future Microsoft Vista ads, I particularly enjoyed Computerworld’s Ten Reasons Why the Seinfeld-Microsoft Partnership Doesn’t Work .

Here is reason one: There are eight seasons of Seinfeld out there with a Macintosh sitting on the corner of his desk. It will be hard to convince people he’s switched to Windows Vista with all of that legacy Mac cred - especially now that Macs are gaining ground on Windows.

The whole thing has “I will do anything for enough money” stamped all over it, and I just don’t believe that is going to help Microsoft’s credibility, much less rehabilitate Vista’s poor public image. When you have to bribe pay one of your competitor’s high-profile users to shill for your own product, it is nothing more than perfuming the hog.

Also, I have viewed Apple’s newest “I’m A Mac” commercials, and they are perfectly positioned preemptively in an area that Microsoft is likely to strike: it is too hard to switch.

For example, here are the “PC’s” theme statements in two of these commercials:

Off the Air: Fear of switching is the foundation of customer loyalty for PCs.

Throne: Vista is something of a hassle, but switching computers is an even bigger hassle.

Of course “Mac” counters this by emphasizing that Apple store employees can move a new user’s data easily over to a Mac for free so that switching is actually easy. Also, having a cute Mac genius explain this in one of the commercials certainly doesn’t hurt.

Microsoft has hired comedian Jerry Seinfeld to spokesmodel in upcoming commercials for Vista reportedly to focus around the theme of “Windows, not walls” as a dig at Apple’s closed ecosystem. Now, personally I love Seinfeld’s humour, but some things are beyond even his talents. This is like getting a gig to make crabs attractive, but for a cool ten million dollars, perhaps Vista would start to look pretty good to me too. Oddly enough, and I am sure this will be played for much comedic value over the coming weeks, on his wildly popular sitcom Seinfeld, Jerry was known as a Macintosh user. In my ever so humble opinion, Microsoft set the bar too low with their new concept. Vista offers both windows and walls. When I use it, I either want to jump out a window or bang my head against a wall. Bill Gates is also slated to appear in these ads, no doubt appearing as cuddly as a Build-a-Bear.

UPDATE: Oh the humanity! Seinfeld previously appeared in one of Apple’s Think Different ads. Thanks to Don McAllister for pointing that out on Twitter. This raises some very interesting issues. First, is Microsoft aware of this? Second, what does this say for Seinfeld’s credibility? For sale to the highest bidder?

Apple has begun airing three new TV ads touting the new features of the iPhone 3G.

The ads which are filmed in a similar style to the original iPhone adverts although featuring a new background song and white backdrop, mainly demonstrate the fast 3G internet connection and some enterprise features.

The three adverts called Everyone, Unslow and Work Friendly are all available on Apple’s website.

Apple has begun airing a new advert in America advertising Coldplay’s new album Viva La Vida which is available exclusively on the iTunes Store.

The advert is in similar style to many of the iPod + iTunes adverts featuring Coldplay as silhouettes with some detail retained but the background is filled with beautiful swirls of colour.

Coldplay’s album Viva La Vida isn’t available until June 17th but can be exclusively pre-ordered. The track “Viva La Vida” featured in the advert is available as a single download now.

View it on Apple’s website or download the high quality QuickTime movie.

Apple has aired a new iPod advert on US television. The ad is a return to the famous silhouette style dancers that have featured in past iPod adverts.

Apple recently took a departure from the familiar silhouette style advert to show off particular aspects of its latest iPod lineup.

The new advert is viewable on Apple’s website (direct download link).

High definition (720p) version available on behalf of World of Apple here.

The song featured in the advert is Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings.

The first advert entitled “Yoga” features actor Judy Greer as a Yoga instructor frustrated with Vista.

The second advert called “Breakthrough” aims to comfort PC on the fact that the large range of hardware needed to work with Vista makes it difficult for OS to operate smoothly, the pair are comforted by a counsellor who points out the issues for PC.

‘Music Store’ covers the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store and demonstrates how to get around the store, sample music and then purchase it straight to your phone.

‘Brilliant’ shows off the brand new Location-based features and how it integrates with the Google mapping as well as directions.

Finally ‘Bet’ shows off the advantage of having the internet in your pocket when your friends think they’re right. “Then you have the Internet…and five bucks. In your pocket.”

Apple has begun airing an advert for the iPod touch, the advert first showed during last nights American Idol.

The advert cleverly shows off almost every aspect of the iPod touch, finishing with the phrase “Everybody touch.”

The advert can be viewed via Apple’s website or on YouTube.