Are Verizon's New Commercials iPhone "Attack Ads"?

**Michael Essany** · 10-17-2009, 10:09 PM

Image via erictric.com

It isn't news, but its making headlines this weekend: Verizon doesn't like AT&T... or Apple.

And, frankly, Verizon wants us to know it. Consequently, it seems Verizon is behind the launch of what some are calling a blatant "attack ad" on the iPhone that rivals some of the worst political attack ads we've seen in recent years.

The ”iDevice” is what Verizon is calling the iPhone in the ad.

From TheiPhoneBlog.com:

Verizon has now aired their first new Android 2.0-centric, anti-iPhone (technically “iDon’t iDevice”) attack ad and placed a new website online to go with them.

The campaign has already been rolled out, but if you're yet to see the controversial commercial in question, it will reportedly be featured prominently during Sunday's NFL games.

Here's Daring Fireball's take:

“Droid” is going to be a Verizon-owned brand. It’s purportedly a Motorola-manufactured phone, but Verizon is the licensee of the “Droid” trademark. (Which name, by the way, strikes me as the perfect name for an Android OS phone — sort of implicitly establishes it as the Android phone.) That’s the big thing. Verizon doesn’t see itself as a mere carrier for other companies’ phones. It sees itself as being bigger than the phones. It’s Verizon-vs.-Apple in this spot, not Verizon-vs.-AT&T.

No matter which carrier is behind an "attack ad," I hate to see competition devolve into mudslinging, which is exactly what the "iDevice" mockery add truly is. Instead of emphasizing the quality attributes of a handset or its carrier, this campaign resorts to little more than simply degrading a competitor.

So what can we glean from these ads? Call me crazy but if Apple should allow their exclusivity deal with AT&T to expire, it's unlikely that the iPhone will find a home at Verizon any time soon.

**cpjr** · 10-17-2009, 10:11 PM

iDont like Verizon.

**Kruejl** · 10-17-2009, 10:13 PM

iDon't either. iDon't have the money for their overpriced service. iDon't buy into their commercials of "service everywhere". iDon't care if they like it or not. iDo think jealousy is the best form of flattery.

**bite the curb** · 10-17-2009, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by cpjr

iDont like Verizon.

iAgree

**Kamil18** · 10-17-2009, 10:14 PM

How is this degrading? True, its resorting to word play and talk backs, but its listing what it (verizon) feels is missing from a phone.

Verizon is offering a phone with the above things the iPhone is missing (or so the comercial leads us to believe).

Just because it goes against something, doesn't mean its an attack. Its called "Constructive Critisism" people.

I would be incredible happy if the iPhone had 4/7 of the listed features. It doesn't, and Verizon is adressing it, and releasing what "THEY" believe is a better phone.

Will it be? It better, cuz if it isn't, verizon loses A LOT of credibility...

Edit:
wait, you guys think verizon is expensive? I really hope your not comparing it to having an iPhone with an AT&T plan...

**qgshadow** · 10-17-2009, 10:16 PM

Their Add is VERY CLEVER, APPLE is STILL doing it to MICROSOFT

so goes around comes around, and what they are saying is very true.

Apple protects their firmware wayyyyy too much.

i hate apple fans who owns an iphone because its an "iphone" and talkshit to anything or anywho whos against the iphone

**mgamber** · 10-17-2009, 10:16 PM

I guess it's all about what the customer wants. Frankly, I'm getting pretty tired of Apple making it a point to be a total pain in the *** at every turn and even more tired of "policy" being made up as Apple and AT&T go along. Like how come EyeTV and Slingplayer aren't allowed to stream, citing AT&T's "policy" of not allowing live streaming TV, but Orb can do it? Or any other phone that supports Slingplayer, such as Windows Mobile? Both companies have so far gotten away with doing whatever they damn well please, maybe some competition will give some power back to the customer. If mud slinging starts to get things done, I say drag 'em thru the mud, face down, by their so far numb corporate testicles.

**cpjr** · 10-17-2009, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Kamil18

How is this degrading? True, its resorting to word play and talk backs, but its listing what it (verizon) feels is missing from a phone.

Verizon is offering a phone with the above things the iPhone is missing (or so the comercial leads us to believe).

Just because it goes against something, doesn't mean its an attack. Its called "Constructive Critisism" people.

I would be incredible happy if the iPhone had 4/7 of the listed features. It doesn't, and Verizon is adressing it, and releasing what "THEY" believe is a better phone.

Will it be? It better, cuz if it isn't, verizon loses A LOT of credibility...

Its not constructive critisism between two major competitors...come on...its not like Verizon is saying "Hey, you should add this stuff, that would be really cool"......give me a break, they are attacking ATT/Apple hoping to persuade people. Lol. Simple as that. All competitors do it.

PS- Im not a fanboy, Ive owned several Verizon PDA devices and had their service for years. I prefer ATT and I currently use the iphone and a blackberry.

**Kamil18** · 10-17-2009, 10:32 PM

Maybe...

But if this Verizon Android phone DOES become successful, and puts a dent into the iPhone's grip, it WILL become constructive criticism. Thats how capitalism works.

Adapt, or be left in the dust.

Wouldn't ANYONE be happy if the iPhone adopted some of theses features?

The point is, everyone feels THEY lose, when apple loses, when thats not the case.

when a company wins to long, consumers lose. And we like competition. Because, then, we win.

**Melech518** · 10-17-2009, 10:34 PM

Verizon is definitely on attack mode lately. Haven't you all heard the new commercials "There's a MAP for that"? Sound familiar?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NKnDRPFKU]YouTube - There's a map for that - Verizon commercial[/ame]

**cpjr** · 10-17-2009, 10:37 PM

I partly agree, BUT......

Dont think you understand what "constuctive critisism" is.

Its critisism offered in order to HELP or PROVIDE IDEAS to someone. Seriously doubt Verizon is trying to help ATT/Apple.

**subywrex** · 10-17-2009, 10:43 PM

It's a little bold IMO. I too have had verizon and ther coverage wasn't to good and there prices are a little more expensive than AT&T.
Anyway it's easy to improve on someone elses idea And this will be the, what 3rd phone or something that verizon will offer that "tries" to compete with the iPhone? Lol

**1shuttle1** · 10-17-2009, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by mgamber

I guess it's all about what the customer wants. Frankly, I'm getting pretty tired of Apple making it a point to be a total pain in the *** at every turn and even more tired of "policy" being made up as Apple and AT&T go along. Like how come EyeTV and Slingplayer aren't allowed to stream, citing AT&T's "policy" of not allowing live streaming TV, but Orb can do it? Or any other phone that supports Slingplayer, such as Windows Mobile? Both companies have so far gotten away with doing whatever they damn well please, maybe some competition will give some power back to the customer. If mud slinging starts to get things done, I say drag 'em thru the mud, face down, by their so far numb corporate testicles.

Totally agree. Some good old mudslinging usually winds up giving customers what they want. Companies have a way of getting things done quicker when it cuts into there profits. Bring on the mud. Verizon just has to hire someone that can play an iPhone(who appears to be a Dumbass) like apple did with the PC guy in the commercials.

**never2hollywood** · 10-17-2009, 11:02 PM

Anyone remember "Redmond, start your photocopiers"?

Apple isn't sweating this, cause they've had it coming. They pretty much wrote the book on rallying up customers by focusing on what everyone else isn't doing, and should be, according to their standards.

Verizon has learned from the best, whereas Mircosoft has only employed tiny little tidbits of Jobs&Co.'s slamming methods.

Apple will suck it up if they're smart.

Of course, the "white mob" of Jobheads will always shake their fist and act like this is some kind of commercial atrocity while completely and blissfully unaware of Apple's tendency to do the same thing.

Its a humorous mockery of a lack of features

A la Justin Long Mac ads. 'Nuff said.

EDIT:

Verizon just has to hire someone that can play an iPhone(who appears to be a Dumbass) like apple did with the PC guy in the commercials.

Exhibit A.

**Jahooba** · 10-17-2009, 11:08 PM

Sweet. Someone should be attacking Apple, preferably full-time. What's interesting is that it's Verizon, a telecommunications company attacking a hardware supplier. Very interesting, indeed.

So I guess this means that Verizon isn't getting the iPhone. And judging by the "balls" they're showing, this Droid thing must be the ****. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

**ecd5000** · 10-17-2009, 11:14 PM

I agree with verizon we should have complete control over the iphone but whatever that's why there's jailbreaking to do things apple doesn't allow but what if the iPhone was exclusive to verizon? Would they allow more to the iPhone or not? That's the big question here.

**jaredb03** · 10-17-2009, 11:25 PM

Every single one of those is true so i don't see a problem with it, and maybe apple will look at those issues now.

**santaf** · 10-17-2009, 11:38 PM

i love the ther's a map for that commercial hah makes me laugh

**GIRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL** · 10-17-2009, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by Kruejl

iDon't either. iDon't have the money for their overpriced service. iDon't buy into their commercials of "service everywhere". iDon't care if they like it or not. iDo think jealousy is the best form of flattery.

iDon't know why you think you're paying significantly less at AT&T. iDon't get it. Their rate plans are nearly identical.

**Kiserai** · 10-17-2009, 11:49 PM

I'm actually really glad that Verizon is doing this. Somebody has to have the balls to call AT&T and Apple on their ********, and Verizon is one of the only companies out there big enough to do it. And you're right, Apple in particular has had this coming for a long time. Not so funny when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?

The things listed in that add are major gripes about the stock iPhone firmware that I've always thought were really stupid. The physical keyboard and the interchangeable battery thing don't really bother me personally that much, but everything else on that list is the exact reason why I will only run jailbroken firmware from here on out.

Apple is being a total firmware Nazi with the iPhone and AT&T has dropped the ball on several of its promises recently. They have no intention to offer tethering in 2009, and I'm sure Apple has no plans to open up development on its platform any time soon (although I think it would benefit everybody in the end if they did).

If Verizon and the "Droid" are capable of doing those things and offering a user experience truly on par with the iPhone, Apple especially had better perk up their ******* ears and take notice. It's about to get a lot less lonely at the top...

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