While we are use to seeing the PC belittled in ads, Verizon is now taking aim at the iPhone, in a new campaign for their branded version of Android-based smart phones. The aptly named Droid is quick to highlight the many shortcomings of the iPhone and then churns out some nice typography through a science-fiction, space grinder; yet it leaves so much to be desired.
This ambivalent piece is erratic and memorable, though it fails to induce that “must-have, call in sick, overnight line-up” type behavior by not showing us the product line. Thankfully there has been a leaked preview of the unreleased and unofficially announced Verizon Android phone with Google’s Android 2.0.
The phone has some serious nerd lust creating potential and will have the internet, and Apple fans, going nuts when the site finally goes live on Friday. While we wait, there is time to ponder the Great White North’s chance of seeing an Android phone here in the near future.
With the impending cessation of the Rogers exclusivity deal with the iPhone at the end of the month, it would probably be wiser for the Canadian telecom’s to just put focus on the iPhone instead of trying to dedicate their brands to a new and unproven product. Telus has already announced a price match for the iPhone and will begin selling by November 5th, though there is no word on rate plans. Bell has also announced that it will also start selling the iPhone in November, but hasn’t announced a date or pricing.
Much of my interest in smart phones is based around the launch of Android based phones due to the sliding keyboard, improved camera, lack of yellow-tape covered app store, capacity expandability and screen size; though I am probably in the minority. While I do like the Droid ads, I think Canadians may have some time to wait before we see a viable alternative to the iPhone. At least it will keep the Canadian cult of Mac from going into a frenzy, for now.
Any product that needs to differentiate itself by taking potshots at the competition can’t be all that great.
Instead of giving the iPhone free airtime every time they talk about iDon’t (and lets face it, most of these are far from being deal-killers – whoop-de-doo widgets) Motorola should have concentrated on the Droid’s qualities. Personally I’ve owned three Motorola phones and hated the lot of them. Lets see if this model fares any better.
I think the Motorola Razr deserves a lot of credit as a solid phone and it had/has very broad appeal. More offerings in the smart phone category would be a welcomed change though because the choice is severely lacking.
Humorless attack ads are insipid, but certain people do pay attention and get engaged in squabbles when their Mac monolith is under attack. Even as interested as I am, I won’t be putting my name on it being a game killer though.
“These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.”
Andreas
so why is it ok for Apple to take pot shots at PC all these years and its not ok for Droid?
If you really to go head to head and bleive you have a better mouse trap, I say bring it on!
It certainly gets current user attention. The proof will be in the pudding. If it doesn’t deliver – trouble but if it does it will get iphone users/considerers turing their heads which given the iphone hype take a fair bit of force to accomplish.