Update: We reuploaded the video to fix the last 20 seconds, which somehow got corrupted the first time around.
About an hour ago, we received a mysterious package from Verizon bearing the somewhat-gorgeous, somewhat-creepy red eye that the Motorola Droid is now known for. We, of course, could hardly wait to tear it open – but not before we put up a shot of the box to give you guys a chance to guess what was inside, first.
Some guessed that it was a T-shirt; others guessed that it was a human head. Most guessed that it was a Droid.
And sure enough, there was a Droid inside that box. It’s just not the Droid that we – or you, most likely – were looking for.
Tucked inside that tantalizing cardboard pen was none other than R2-D2 (A remote control version, no less! Is remote control mobility part of the “iDont” campaign now?), two packs of batteries, and a post card reading “11.09 – www.droiddoes.com”.
Sorry to get your hopes up, folks – but Verizon got ours up even higher.
Creative!
Or absolute bs on mobilecrunch. Notice how the video magically skips to the box being open…
Almost as bad as the banner ad blizzard in your emails.
WTF? suspense A, result F. So what does that do for a review site? Makes them want it more or less? Pitch the batteries and give away the toy and circle that 11/9 date for a real product review. Whew… dunno about this one
If Droid bombs, this will be a particularly memorable Mobile 2.0 moment.
100% correct. at this point Verizon HAS to deliver the goods.
“Hun” got it in one try!
Too bad it was a major let-down, but at least you have a cool toy to play with in the mean time. 8-)
Verizon, you sneaky sons of bitches.
+1
What a bunch of practical jokers.
lol- that’s a nice move by VZW. Back in my gaming days I think the term was “pwnd” or “pwnage” or something like that.
That’s…. That’s just mean!
At least we know that Verizon has a sense of humor. Any word on how many other tech sites got the same kind of box?
wait for :10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTtEeTuc1Hw
to be fair, windows mobile came first, no? (i can’t wait for the droid!!)
Who knows! Maybe its like a real r2 and will do an ad pitch and project it on the wall when you put batteries in.
Haha, go Verizon.
clean your carpet!
for a historically stodgy, high priced telecommunications company, with an underwhelming phone portfolio and disabling software/firmware, verizon appears to have taken an entirely new stance that is more in line with the x-generation and consumers in general. changing a culture is hard to do and typically takes years.
For what it’s worth, the fact the verizon sent you and r2-d2 as trick, and you were gullible enough to FILM THE EVENT!!!! is awesome to me. I’m impressed verizon appears to be embracing this fundamental shift, for me it lessens the pain of paying a little more. i am now a supporter of verizon.
now if they would only drop their commercial goon squad, maybe enterprise car with the strange wrapped up car ad that’s been on since 1985 can use those guys.
they have my support
Wow, for someone who really tries hard to come off as intelligent, you should use better grammar.
Poop in the box and return to sender,
rip down one of their network cell tower beacons, and send that back with maybe some d batteries.
can you hear me now.
11/9 hmm… Nov. 2009 9/11 not a good coincident
Why’s that?
We it did the trick… You talked about it!
Wow…..I bet the level of disappointment you felt was equal to the first time you saw Star Wars Episode 1.
iCan’t make calls with that!
“This wasn’t the droid we were looking for” — ha! Good, subtle EP4 reference :)
damn, beat me to it… lol
so Verizon wants you to think of the Droid as cute, gay garbage who talks through chirps. Good one Verizon PR.
*as a cute, gay garbage can*
haha What a bunch of cheeky bastages! That was actually pretty good. From a promotion standpoint, you’ll be talking about it all the way up to the Droid launch, so it’s a success. Hilarious.
and you just gave Verizon some more free advertising. Verizon execs are laughing their asses off right now!
..So are we. What’s your point?
So is Nov 9th the suppossed release date or announcement?
Don’t think so. I think that means November 2009.
That said: we’ve got a source claiming a certain date as the release date, and it is indeed in November. We’re working on verifying the source before we write anything else about that, though
They are doing a fine job getting people’s attention.
My take on the batteries: they’re making the statement that Droid’s battery can be replaced as opposed to its apparent opponent.
Cheers!
Shonzilla
Clever idea, questionable execution: Where’s the clever copy?
That’s what we’ve been providing all day. ;)
Brilliant. It’s nice to see a company ballsy enough to do something funny and interesting and…wait for it…not the same exact effing thing as every other “PR outreach” person.
Really impressed with Verizon.
Because guess what? We’re all talking about it.
I hope you shot that video with you iPhone 3Gs…
Did you try smashing R2D2 open? Maybe Droid is inside.
i just saw an exclusive invite posted on another site…for October 28th
i’m sure that’s in the box somewhere..
um, am I the only one who saw the box and thought “murderous computer?”
“I can’t let you do that, Dave”
What’s the problem?
I think the fact that they sent batteries along means something. I think it means they want you to insert the batteries and power on R2-D2.
And we all know what happens when you power on R2-D2. It projects a hologram that’s going to change your life.
Crack it open.
Good move on Big Red’s part – got attention, generated some smiles, even if it’s “not the ‘droid you’re looking for.” ;o)
(What I DON’T understand, though, is how the eye of HAL 9000 is somehow tied in to representing a Droid handset… Wonder if the Clarke/Kubrick/MGM folks will object to the use?)
Most likely the fact that HAL was able to do just about everything. I think that Verizon would want us to forget about the fact that HAL was a murderer, though.
hahah i start to like verizon now.
Wel atleast they included batteries , You know what would happend if they diddent.
“These aren’t the droids you’re looking for”
I’m impressed. Verizon obviously has extremely talented PR team.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Thats funny. Very Creative!
You forgot to tell us if they crippled the Bluetooth! ;-)
Heheheh…
…they should’ve sent a tripod too!
” last 20 seconds, which somehow got corrupted the first time around.”
Ha… Let me guess, iPhone 3G S. And the crappy blurry, giggley video proves it was an iPhone. If you already had an Android device, it uploads pretty easily/seamlessly (j/k).
Anyway, Verizon is definitely pulling out all the stops on this Viral campaign. I like it they are taking a pretty good-techie approach! Nice for a change.