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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video)
If -- for some outlandish reason -- you were still doubting the imminent release of the Galaxy Note 10.1, let us invite you to have a peek at the video just after the break. Sure enough, it's an official Samsung teaser showcasing some of the more seductive features of its forthcoming Android slate -- the slate that appeared for but a moment on Amazon. If you're looking for a brief update on how we got here, you may recall us first touching the 10.1-inch Note back at Mobile World Congress in February, with the device caught on camera elsewhere as recently as last month. There's still no definitive ship date to grab hold of, but all comes in due time, readers. All in due time. Update: This post originally and erroneously made a connection between the Note 10.1 and the Judge Koh ruling on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. It has been updated. Update 2: We've removed the commercial after the break at the request of its copyright holder.
Google takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video)
There's more than a small amount of fervor swirling around the Nexus 7, so it only makes sense that Google wants to seize the moment and pitch its first Nexus tablet to the world. Its first commercial is a very Norman Rockwell-like, father-and-son camping trip -- if Rockwell replaced Boy Scouts with Jelly Beans, that is. The 7-inch slate handles just about every task the two could care for, whether it's learning about (and exaggerating) the local fauna as well as keeping busy on a rainy day. We'll let you witness the slight twist of an ending first-hand, although we'll add that Google is careful to use a lot of Nexus 7 features that don't demand always-on WiFi: the search giant wants us to know that we can head to the boonies without the tablet becoming a paperweight. The one shock is the absence of that all-important $199 price, which you'd think would help trigger some impulse shopping. You can reconcile your disbelief and enjoy some family bonding by catching the full commercial after the break.
Assassin's Creed 3 asks that you 'rise' to revolution
We imagine the folks manning the empire back in England were having a bit of a bad day on July 5, 1776. Their lucrative colonies in the New World had just declared independence, and some half-British/half-Native American was murdering all their police. Er ... wait a minute ...
Sony kicks off an Xperia Ion TV ad campaign for the US, meets your daily explosion quota (video)
Sony isn't known for rolling out the red carpet when one of its phones arrives Stateside, although that's partly because US carrier-endorsed versions are few and far between. It clearly sees the Xperia Ion as worth the five-star treatment it's giving the rest of the 2012 Xperia line: the company is starting a rare TV ad campaign to pitch its 720p wunderkind to an American audience that might not have noticed the Ericsson badge going away. As you'd expect, the pseudo single-take spot ends up being as much a vehicle for pushing other Sony projects as it does for the Android phone in question; we hope you don't mind getting a brand overdose. With that in mind, there's more action and explosions per square capita than in any other smartphone ad in recent memory, so if you're upset that other smartphone ads are just too... peaceful, click Play and get your fill of danger.
Twitter airs first TV spot during NASCAR, implores racing fans to discover the magic of hashtags
Given #thescope with which Twitter has #invadedpopularculture, it may come as a shock to realize that the company hasn't really ventured too far into the world of television advertising -- but then, it seems that it's been doing a pretty good job getting enough #freeadvertising as is. Clearly the folks at Twitter saw an untapped resource in the form of the #NASCAR audience, using the weekend's race to launch its first TV #adcampaign, revolving around fittingly pithy spots capped off with the TWITTER.COM/#NASCAR URL, which redirects to a landing page for the weekend's festivities. Relive the #thrilloftherace with a slew of Twitter ads #afterthebreak.
Find out if you hate puppies with this Tokyo Jungle commercial
We probably don't need to make much more of an argument for Tokyo Jungle's localization beyond this wonderful commercial. It's nothing but adorable animals being incredibly adorable – something we think you, not to mention everyone else on the planet, will enjoy.Psst, Sony! With E3 next week, there's still time to sneak in some pomeranians and schnauzers to the Los Angeles Convention Center, you know. If you wanna surprise us during your press conference on Monday evening, for instance, that'd be totally fine.
Watch the new Diablo III TV commercial
"Evil is back," the screen proclaims -- and who are we to argue? Blizzard has released a brand-new 30-second spot for television to promote Diablo III's May 15th release, and it's a tight little package of demons, explosions, fire, and one properly terrified girl. Blizzard's been ramping up the hype as its hack-and-slash RPG nears launch. It's released class spotlight videos on the classes of the game, including the Demon Hunter, the Barbarian, the Monk, and the Witch Doctor. Check out the new TV spot after the break and let us know what you think!
Here's Max Payne 3's TV commercial
The official Max Payne 3 television commercial debuted last night during the Lakers v. Spurs game on ESPN last night, and it's chock full of all the Max Payne-y things you'd expect – slow motion bullets, slow motion jumping, slow motion ladies, etc.It's a little sad that the game is billed as "from the makers of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption," considering that the original Max Payne predates both GTA3 and the entire Red Dead franchise. Then again, a modern 18 year old gamer would only have been seven years old when the series originally debuted in 2001, so we can't really blame Rockstar for playing to its target demographic's familiarities. Kids these days with their Macintosh computers and their Fiat 500s.
Nokia releases a commercial shot entirely with the 808 PureView (video)
Nokia's released a new commercial that it says is shot entirely using an 808 PureView. Whilst it's clear the company's hired a coterie of models, professional photographers and a world-class lighting rig, it's still a great indication of what the technology can do in the right hands. Head on past the break to see the results for yourself and then catch yourself seriously weighing up buying a Symbian phone for your next handset, just like we are.
Sony Xperia's 'Made of Imagination' TV spot, directed by Wes Anderson (video)
Sony certainly has its fair share of legendary commercials, but its first major spot since taking over the smartphone torch from Sony Ericsson is a real gem. Dreamed up by an eight-year old longing for understanding of what happens within a pocketable computer and directed by the famed Wes Anderson (you know, the guy responsible for The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox), the 'Made of Imagination' ad features a gaggle of robots powering Sony's Android family. The rest, of course, we'll leave to you to enjoy. Head on past the break for the clip, and have a peek at the TechCrunch via below for a bit of the backstory.
iPhone owner sues Apple over Siri
Sure, Apple's Siri voice assistant isn't perfect. Sometimes there's network connectivity problems, sometimes background voice interferes and sometimes Siri is just plain wrong. It's for those reasons (and others) that Apple launched the service as a "beta." Despite the beta tag, at least one iPhone customer is not happy with Siri and is taking Apple to court, says a Wall Street Journal report. The suit was filed by Robbins Geller on the behalf of Brooklyn resident and iPhone 4S owner Frank M. Fazio. The lawsuit says Siri is "at best, a work-in-progress" and claims that Apple falsely advertised the service in its commercials. The complaint says, In many of Apple's television advertisements, individuals are shown using Siri to make appointments, find restaurants, and even learn the guitar chords to classic rock songs or how to tie a tie. In the commercials, all of these tasks are done with ease with the assistance of the iPhone 4S's Siri feature, a represented functionality contrary to the actual operating results and performance of Siri. The lawsuit asks for unspecified damages. As expected, Apple has not publicly responded to this complaint.
Microsoft expands Internet Explorer push with new TV ad
Internet Explorer may still be the world's number one web browser, but Microsoft has a declining market share to deal with, as well as the small problem of folks hesitant to upgrade from an earlier version for one reason or another. The company's now making a new push to address both issues, however, and has today unveiled a relatively rare Internet Explorer TV commercial extolling the virtues of IE9. That ad continues the "beauty of web" campaign Microsoft has been promoting as of late, and focuses more on web-based apps and games than traditional web sites -- or, for that matter, the browser itself. What remains to be seen is just how big a marketing push Microsoft plans to put behind the new ad campaign, but it is an actual TV ad, not just a web ad. Press play above to render your own judgement.
Vita's North American commercial has 'Bad Intentions'
For the Vita launch (psst, it's next week), the Europeans are receiving an extravagant big-budget looking ad, while North America gets something that could have been produced with handycams and a copy of iMovie. But, hey now, at least it shows off the Vita for more than 20 frames and promotes some functionality!Also, as stated earlier today, the North American Vita ad would have to feature the #gamechanger Twitter hashtag -- it's a cornerstone of modern American marketing!"You will find the television commercials featured during primetime programming on some of your favorite networks including Fox, Comedy Central and ESPN," Senior VP of PlayStation Brand Marketing Guy Longworth wrote on the PS Blog. "Residents of New York, LA, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco will notice PS Vita on buildings and billboards. You'll find it on your favorite websites and on your favorite radio stations. Wherever you are, PS Vita aims to be."Sony plans to spend $50 million on Vita marketing, "the largest platform launch in terms of marketing investment" it's ever had. #gamechanger
Two new iPhone 4S ads highlight everyday Siri usage
Apple has released two new iPhone 4S ads on its YouTube channel, "Rock God" and "Road Trip." If they haven't already started airing, they should be popping up as TV commercials soon. "Rock God" follows the adventures of a teenager who uses Siri to find a guitar, learn how to play chords (very cool -- I didn't know Siri could do that), and invite girls over to watch him play. At the end, he sheepishly asks Siri to call him "Rock God" -- ever obliging, Siri agrees to do so. The second ad shows a couple taking a cross country trip from the US East Coast to the West Coast. Along the way, they use Siri to get directions, find restaurants, and look up info on points of interest. I found this ad a lot more effective because it reminded me of all the interstate trips my wife and I would take in the States, and thinking back to those trips I have to admit that Siri would have come in very handy. Apple's ad campaign for Siri and the iPhone 4S is exactly the kind of advertising I always wished the company would switch to during the years its "Get a Mac" campaign dominated the company's message. Instead of spending time poking fun at the competition the way Apple's mid-2000s Mac ads did (and Samsung's current ads do), these Siri ads simply show normal people using Apple's products in normal situations and how the products can enhance people's lives. Both videos are embedded below.
RIM launches BlackBerry 'Be Bold' ad campaign, superheroes nowhere to be seen (video)
To many's disappointment, superheroes weren't exactly on RIM's list to be the face of its latest advertising crusade. Simply dubbed "Be Bold," the ad campaign focuses boldly on the famed BlackBerry Messenger, as well as the productivity aspects found in the 9900. Research in Motion is also taking a swing at its competitors with expressions like "I'm about action, not distraction" and "we need tools, not toys." At this point, the Canadian manufacturer will take what it can get, thus it shouldn't come as a surprise that it's showing off what some consider its best traits. Wondering what all the fuss is about? Head on past the break to take a quick 30-second glimpse and see if it's enough to get you over to the Bold side.
Steve Jobs inspires Best Buy's Super Bowl ad
Last year when Best Buy was planning its Super Bowl ad, the retailer's US marketing chief, Drew Panayiotou had a revelation. Instead of getting a music or movie star for the commercial, Panayiotou suggested the company focus on Silicon Valley innovators. According to Bloomberg, he was inspired by Steve Jobs and all the tributes that came out after the Apple head passed away. The ad won't be about Steve Jobs, but it will include other tech innovators like Kevin Systrom of Instagram and Philippe Kahn, the man credited with taking the first camera phone picture. The Best Buy ad will appear in the first quarter of the February 5 game during the third commercial break. It will share the spotlight with an Anheuser Busch InBev beer commercial and an M&M candy ad. I love geeky commercials like this and will be watching for it on Sunday, how about you?
Comcast's extra ads ruin NFC championship game conclusion in some areas
It wasn't just RIM that had designs on the limelight during the football action last night. Comcast commercials appeared over the NFC Championship game last night, thoughtfully playing over the climax of the match 'twixt the Giants and the 49ers. Frustrated fans who missed out on parts of the fourth quarter and overtime promptly began voicing dissent on the company's support forums. The Washington Post has a quote from spokesperson Amiee Metrick indicating the problems were due to a possible "equipment failure" at a local Fox affiliate, WTTG, resulting in the ill-timed ads reported in Washington D.C. We've heard that of customers receiving a $10 credit and an apology, but it seems unlikely to soothe the brow of those -- like the person who recorded video of the incident you can see after the break -- thinking of switching to FiOS. Update: We've received a response from Comcast (included after the break), and updated the post to clarify the apparent breakdown was at local Fox affiliate WTTG.[Thanks, John]
Sonic is in this Progressive commercial
We don't know about you guys, but when we play word-association games during our Tuesday therapy sessions with Dr. Busklokavitch, "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Progressive Auto Insurance" go together like "peanut butter" and "jelly," or "plastic sheets" and "reciprocating hand saw."
Magellan's new RoadMate 5190T helps truckers find their way, like the do-dah man
Truckin'? Got your chips cashed in? Well then you might wanna put them toward the latest RoadMate GPS navigator from Magellan. Designed for commercial truck, bus and taxi operators, the company's new RoadMate 5190T boasts a five-inch color display that drivers can use to find the most pain-free routes from point A to point B. With the 5190T strapped to their dashboards, truckers will be able to set up customized routing based on their vehicles' precise specifications, while using Magellan's Highway Lane Assist feature to help negotiate more baroque highway interchanges or exits. The onboard information dashboard, meanwhile, provides constant updates on trucking speed limits, alerting drivers whenever they drift above a given threshold. There's also a tracking log that allows operators to store information on mileage, hours and other parameters, as well as a built-in speaker system that projects sound at up to 93 decibels. The device is priced at $380, though Magellan has yet to announce a launch date.
Google outs two new Galaxy Nexus commercials, touts Face Unlock and Hangouts (video)
Go figure -- it's Galaxy Nexus day. Again. And as such, Google has just pushed out two new commercials in its "Calling all..." series. The new spots tout the new smartphone's Face Unlock feature as well as Google+ Hangouts, where Ice Cream Sandwich is proudly showcased. We'd bother explaining more, but we're pretty sure the two play buttons after the break are more than sufficient.
