If you are even a novice TV watcher, you have probably stumbled across one of Apple's new iPhone 4 commercials, which basically detail how pathetic you are if you don't own one of the company's iconic handsets.
Apple continued its “if you don't have an iPhone” advertising campaign over the weekend by releasing two new spots dedicated to its “Facetime” and “Airplay” features.
The Facetime commercial is well-timed. With Facebook recently announcing the incorporation of Skype into its platform, video calling clients are set to make another major move in the consumer sector. Google+, the search engine giant's new social network, also supports video calling.
Apple's 30-second ad shows how iPhone 4 owners can quickly set up video calls with other iOS users, including iPad and Mac owners. The spot doesn't detail any new features, so it's clearly just an attempt by Apple to ride the coattails of the video chatting movement.
The second commercial highlights Airplay, a feature that enables users to stream music, video and other media content to their televisions and stereo systems using only their iPhone 4. The ad execs snuck an Apple TV device in the commercial but didn't reference it at all.
The two new commercials come on the heels of three earlier ads that hype iBooks, the App Store and the iPhone's ability to work harmoniously with iTunes. The timing of the campaign may be a signal that the iPhone 5 is soon to be on its way. If the new handset launches in September as expected, Apple stores have some extra motivation to clear excess stock before they are forced to slash prices on the iPhone 4.
TMC's Ed Silverstein reported earlier today that new versions of both the iPhone and iPad may be released just after Labor Day.
Check out the Facetime and Airplay commercials below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EmAIptWS7Mk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6XYbVwg5B7g
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Beecher Tuttle is a TechZone360 contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Jennifer Russell
