New TV ad from Samsung makes fun of Apple devotees

By Trevor Mogg November 22, 2011

The opening shot of the ad displays some text at the bottom of the screen: “New York, NY. 9 hours to go.”

Outside an Apple-looking store stands a line of people. They’re not waiting for a bus, so it must be the launch of Apple’s latest product they’re there for. And yes, in one of the windows of the store you can see a sign that says “It’s coming.”

If you think this is the beginning of a TV ad from Apple, think again. It’s actually a new Samsung ad for its Galaxy S II Android smartphone. The 60-second commercial (check it out below) evidently takes great pleasure in poking fun at diehard Apple fans – the kind of people that wait for days outside Apple stores prior to a product launch.

Cutting between lines of similar fashionable-looking types in various cities across the US, the first part of the ad comprises snippets of conversation between those waiting. “Guys, I’m so amped I could stay for three weeks,” one says, while another complains to a friend: “If it looks the same, how will people know I upgraded?”

Suddenly, the people in line are distracted by a person nearby using a smartphone that isn’t an iPhone. There’s something about the device that catches their eye. They call the person over. They notice the screen, which is “pretty massive.” “And it’s got 4G speed.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The people in line seem impressed, until someone mentions it’s a Samsung device. “I could never get a Samsung, I’m creative,” says one guy waiting in line. “Dude, you’re a barista,” his friend reminds him.

It’s an ad that non-Apple fans will no doubt take great delight in watching, while Apple devotees, sensitive ones at least, may find it hard to sit through. Whether it’ll actually persuade anyone to go for a Galaxy S II over an iPhone 4S is another matter.

Last month the S II beat the iPhone 4 to win the smartphone of the year award at the annual T3 awards show held in the UK.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Mobile

Everything you need to know about the massive Apple App Store outage

App Store on-screen illustration

Happy Wednesday evening, everyone! You're unwinding for the day, getting ready for a relaxing night, and ... you realize that the App Store and a bunch of other Apple services aren't working. Don't worry, you aren't alone.

What Apple services are down? When did the problems start? Is the outage still ongoing? Here's everything you need to know.
When did the App Store outage start?
According to DownDetector, reports of outages with the App Store flooded in a little after 6 p.m. ET. Reports appear to have spiked at over 6,000, indicating pretty widespread problems.

Mobile

The 6 best tablets for watching movies in 2024

Two iPad Pro tablets next to each other against a black background. Both have Apple's Magic Keyboard case.

Tablets are incredibly versatile devices, allowing you to surf the web, check your emails, or play games without the need for a larger (and clunkier) laptop. But one of the most popular ways to use a tablet is as a screen for your favorite movies and TV shows. Since they're slim enough to pack into a backpack and light enough to prop up while laying in bed or on the couch, tablets are a great way to catch up on your favorite shows.

However, not all tablets are great for watching movies and TV shows. Some are built with lackluster displays that can't capture the nuances of important scenes, while others are cheap and unreliable – making them a poor long-term investment. That can make it difficult to shop for the best tablets for watching movies, as there are hundreds of products vying for your attention. But if you know where to look, it's easy to find a premium tablet that'll serve you well for years.

Mobile

Everything Apple says is wrong about the DOJ’s iPhone lawsuit

The antitrust season is in full swing in 2024. This time around, Apple is in the cross-hairs of regulators, bringing back memories of the historic Microsoft antitrust case that unfolded over two decades ago. Back then, the focus was on Windows and web browsers. In Apple’s case, the iPhone is the centerpiece, with a wide ecosystem woven around it.

Experts say the case against Apple, which dives deep into monopolistic conduct, is surprisingly strong. The Department of Justice, in its lawsuit, has targeted everything from the iMessage “green bubble” mess and Apple Watch incompatibility situation to the locked app ecosystem and objectionable practices that Apple has put in place to maintain its alleged monopoly.