The back-and-forth jabbing between Motorola and Apple is like the Cantina gunfight between Han Solo and Greedo — depending on who you talk to, who shot first seems to vary.
The way I saw it unfold: Motorola ran a full page ad in the New York Times proclaiming that you can hold the Droid X “any way you like“. Apple responded by adding the Droid X to the list of phones they demonstrate as being death-grippable. And now, Motorola returns with another ad.
Unlike that first ad, this ad’s jab isn’t tucked into the fine print — in fact, this one’s mud-slinging is the biggest, boldest text on the page. “No Jacket Required”, it reads. For anyone not following the drama, it seems like Motorola’s saying “This phone is so sharp, it doesn’t even need a suit jacket.” To anyone else, though, it’s an obvious stab at Apple’s free case program.
Children, children.. stop your bickering! Actually, keep it up — it’s entertaining as hell.
[Via AndroidCentral]
I find these kinda advertisements to be fairly entertaining. Beats fanboy wars any day. However, don’t think I’d ever get the iPhone 4 if a jacket is required to talk to someone. That’s like SOME of the jailbreakers who say, “jailbreak to get the full experience!”
Sorry. Rather get a Nano.
Makes me think of Phil Collins
Surely entertaining, surely an ad that enforces the decision to get a Droid in those who want one anyway… but no way to sell a Droid to some man or women who does not want to drag around a “manly” bare-chested huge beast of a phone along all day long.
I’m sometimes wondering if some guys in the marketing deps actually know we are in a boom period (as far as smartphones go). These things sell anyway and just hitting a niche means nothing. Hitting the population and establishing a market and getting the things (and apps and content) into the hands of the general “normal” population is what makes a long-term success.
That being said, the Droid X is one cool smartphone, no doubt. I had wet dreams about such a thing 15 years ago.
And a grand total of 0.00007% of people will get the reference. Everyone else will just see the Motorola logo and vomit.
On every thread someone has to be the guy who is the most wrong, you nailed it Mike.
He’s right, and you know that.
…and you are wrong.
Haha. I just had a funny image in my head after reading this comment. A person walks down the street, curious by a new ad they haven’t seen. “oooh, nice. It looks like a very nice piece of…..ugh….arrghhhgagagggahfahhagaghbarf!”
Essentially, the ad says that in 30 years of building mobile phones, Motorola has learned how to build an antenna. Problem is, the average user DOES NOT see ‘Antennagate’ as enough of an issue to avoid the iPhone. (The iPhone4′s sales speak for themselves in that regard.)
Therefore: In this ad, Motorola has failed to present a compelling advantage for buying their phone. “This phone has a great antenna” gives them no more of an edge than proclaiming “this phone has a full-color screen” or “this phone can send text messages”.
+1
AM radios have great antennas, too and they have about 70 years using them.
But they made the fandroids flock the message boards I assume. Doesn’t help much in the real world children, you know, the financial statements?
“No Jacket Required” *lol*
That’s actually quite clever, Motorola. Good one.
I would disagree. I think that a huge number of people know about the antenna issues with the iPhone 4 – mostly people who have bought one or are about to buy one. That is the target of this ad (I suspect) – people considering an iPhone 4 purchase. Is it enough to convince them to buy a Droid X in lieu of the iPhone 4 is still to be seen. But the Droid X is a great spec’ed device and is in very high demand.
No jacket required. But you may need a new screen.
No jacket required. You mean you look ugly with a jacket on?? I would prefer variety..can’t imagine walking naked around..
Dumb idea for an ad, but whatever. Motorola is bleeding cash and market share right now so I suppose it’s expected that they’re going to flail around a little.
Lol droid is like Canada, constantly trying to pick at big brother so they feel important.
Can’t wait for Motorola’s new ad for this mobile phone problem, should be hi-larious:
http://mobile.venturebeat.com/2010/07/28/android-wallpaper-app-that-steals-your-data-was-downloaded-by-millions/
Wait, Google’s pulling an app? So what if it’s malicious? We’re talking about developer freedom here!!
Hey, David, leave your Canada bashing;let’s just talk about the ad.:-(
ha ha ha…..funny
But its true..
Good job Motorola, this will make your nerdy fans giggle their glass off… and sell zer0 more phones. Good job on the earnings report in Q2 as well, -6%, outstanding! Apple 984756 – 0 Motorola
I got a kick out of the ad. Apple could have quietly admitted the problem, shipped the cases immediately not only to fix the reception issue, but to “protect your investment from a fall”. Its not like previous iphones were without dropped call issues. The fact that they dummied up experiments saying that all these other phones suffer the same thing when they don’t is just silly excuses. Resolve the situation and move forward. Boo Apple. Boo.
Smart ad, though it would be smarter not to explain the joke. The Droid X has so many cool features, it doesn’t need to go negative.