iPhone ads: Glimpsing the newest Apple

The anticipation and speculation surrounding Apple’s iPhone, on sale June 29th,  is being stoked by a barrage of commercials. The 30-second spots — four thus far — offer snippets of the iPhone’s cool touch-screen, Web browser, GPS functions, and music player in action.

For example, one commercial shows a hand “flipping” through a virtual parade of 3-D  album covers before tapping the screen to make a selection; another shows a similar pair of fingers gliding  over the touch screen to surf the Web on the iPhones full-featured browser, while the display constantly readjusts its orientation.  They typically end with the iPhone switching to phone mode to take a call.

Apple watchers are scrutinizing these spots to glean iPhone insights. They’re noting details that escape casual viewers. For example, some have noticed a mysterious 12th button that appears briefly in one of the commercials. What does it do?  The spots are also fueling predictions about the iPhone user experience. The biggest debate centers on what it will be like to peck out messages on the device’s virtual keyboard. (An historical note: Remember that Palm’s first smart phones had touch-screen-based keypads, but customer complaints about tactile feedback forced them to add the tiny chiclet-style keys they sport today.) 

These speculative blog discussions are akin to reviewing a movie based on its trailers. But if you do want to follow them, type “iPhone commercial” into your search engine of choice. Have some iPhone comments and insights of your own? Add your comments below. 

Previously:

• iPhone: Why you may not want to answer its call yet
• iPhone: The Reality Check

— Mike Gikas

Comments

[Cher Redmond]

Am I the only one that thinks the Iphone is junk? I have just experienced the Apple store where they told me there is nothing wrong with my phone but gave me a replacement phone anyway and guess what.....it doesn't work either. I am going on a campaign to let the world know how bad this product is and that they will lose their investment in it because they don't take care of their LONG TIME CUSTOMERS!!!!