iPhone uses whole internet? ASA Says No.
I have often remarked that the claim by Apple that the iPhone provides you with the whole internet is a joke claim, because without Flash many sites are useless to me.
In the UK a couple people had the same thoughts and filed a complaint. They stated that the advertising from Apple was misleading as they could not access all of the internet using their phones. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) contacted Apple and asked them to explain this issue. They were told that because Apple can not support all 3rd party plugins on the phone they have chosen not to include any proprietary formats, like Flash and Java. The ASA confirmed that the intention of the ad was to explain that with the iPhone you can reach any site you would be able to on your computer. The intention was not to lead you to believe that you would have the same experience on that website.
After careful review the ASA found that the Apple iPhone advertisement was misleading and has banned it from broadcast in the UK.
Thats Awesome! :)
27 Aug 2008 Simeon
Hrmmm…. considering the Open Screen Project, I’m not sure they can call Flash a proprietary format.
“advertising from Apple was misleading”
Say it isn’t so! Apple is ALWAYS 100% honest with their advertising, just like Microsoft and the rest! When you make such comments, you are destroying my happy perception of the computing industry! Take it back! ;)
Yeah I hear you jake :)
Its not that I expect truth in advertising that makes this funny to me. Its that somebody actually called them on it.
I think thats great.
I think this ruling was stupid. So no browser/ISP/OS can ever claim to allow you to access the whole internet then?
There will always be *some* plugin/format/whatever thats not supported by your particular browser, operating system, connection speed, etc.
Or are they saying flash and java are on the same level as HTML?
I think what they are saying is that Flash and Java are the biggest examples. And without them they are not really getting the same experience that they would on their computer. Which is what the add implies.
Everyone can argue all day long wether punching a monkey on your iphone is really that important, but as wide spread as flash is, without it you are not getting the “whole internet” experience, not at all.
I can live without java, but thats just me :)
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