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A look back at some of Apple’s old Christmas commercials

Cody Lee ∙ December 24, 2013

Apple's been causing a lot of commotion lately with its latest iPhone 5s commercial 'Misunderstood.' The ad, for those who haven't seen it, depicts a teenager with his head buried in his smartphone while the family participates in holiday activities, and has a delightful twist.

But Apple hasn't always been so sentimental around the holidays. In fact, it's been making Christmas-themed spots for over two decades now, and many of them tended to err on the side of humor. Don't believe me? Check out some of these Apple ads from the last 20 years...

Facebook is testing video ads in News Feed: this is how it looks

Oliver Haslam ∙ December 17, 2013

We told you last week about a Facebook for iOS update that gave the social network the ability to automatically play videos right inside our timelines. Similar to how videos begin to play in Instagram as soon as they're scrolled to, Facebook has decided to bring the feature to Facebook proper, and as Cody has already told us all, there's no way to stop it.

Which we thought was a bit odd. That is, until the other shoe dropped and Facebook's master plan fell into place: video ads.

Now Facebook has published a post on its "Facebook for Business" news page in which it explains how auto-playing videos – and ads – work, as well as offering up an example for those of us yet to be (un)fortunate enough to witness them in our timelines...

Apple highlights various ways people use iPad in new ‘Life on iPad’ webpage

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has added a new webpage to its website entitled "Life on iPad." The page is dedicated to showing the various ways people are using the popular tablet, and as of right now, it features stories on how 6 people use it in their day-to-day lives.

One of the stories talks about how champion speed skater Bridie Farrell uses the iPad to review practice and race videos as she prepares for the Olympics, and another shows how Siemens Energy-Wind Service technicians use the device at work...

And so it begins: first ads begin showing up on Instagram

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Instagram officially launched its advertising platform today, putting an end to its 3+ year-long ad-free streak. A 'sponsored post' from upscale fashion brand Michael Kors has begun appearing in user timelines.

But it's not like we didn't know this was coming. The launch comes just a week after the social network offered up a preview of what ads were going to look like on Instagram, and after months of several warnings...

Apple highlights 64-bit A7 processor in new iPhone 5s print ad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Earlier this month, Apple began running a magazine advertisement for its iPhone 5s with a byline reading "your finger is the password." It briefly explained some of the benefits of Apple's new Touch ID security system.

Well new iPhone 5s print ad has surfaced this week, this time highlighting Apple's new 64-bit A7 processor. Similar to the previous spot, the ad features a large photo of the 5s and a byline: "Desktop Power. Pocket Size."

What ads on Instagram will look like

Sébastien Page ∙ October 24, 2013

Anyone with a bit good common sense has probably been expected ads to come to Instagram for a long time, but it wasn't until about a month ago that it was officially confirmed, and even explained shortly after on the company's blog.

Today, Instagram took to their blog again to give us an idea of how ads will look like and what we'll be able to do about them...

Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston is the voice behind new iPad Air ad

Cody Lee ∙ October 23, 2013

Apple introduced a new iPad mini and full-sized iPad yesterday to a packed audience at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center. The former is now sporting a crisp Retina display, and the latter has been redesigned as the 'iPad Air.'

The company has already posted an ad for the Air on its YouTube channel, showing various settings the tablet is used in with a voiceover talking about its versatility. And if you thought the voice sounded familiar, you were right...

Apple’s new ‘Life on iPad’ video highlights creative iPad uses the world over

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 23, 2013

In addition to the inaugural iPad Air television commercial dubbed 'Pencil' and the promotional video featuring Jony Ive and other executives who talk about solving the design challenges of making the iPad Air 28 percent lighter and 20 percent thinner, another video has just gone live on Apple's YouTube channel.

Appropriately titled 'Life on iPad,' this one celebrates Apple customers' creativity and genius in using their iPads and covers a wide range of uses in business, education, entertainment, health and in many other fields.

It's included right after the jump so give it a quick watch right now...

Apple highlights gold colorway in first iPhone 5s TV ad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Following the publishing of its first print ads for the iPhone 5S last week, Apple has begun running its first TV spot for the handset. The commercial popped up just a few moments ago during a football broadcast on FOX.

The advert is reminiscent of Apple's recent 'Plastic Perfected' iPhone 5c ad, in that it shows liquid coming together to form the flagship smartphone while the track "Ooh La La" by Goldfrapp plays in the background...

First iPhone 5s ad: ‘your finger is the password’

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 17, 2013

Since announcing a pair of new iPhones on September 10, Apple has not aired a single television commercial or published a newspaper ad to promote the flagship iPhone 5s.

Instead, all of Apple's advertising activities to date have centered around the colorful iPhone 5c, ostensibly because the company is having lots of issues fulfilling iPhone 5s demand.

But as Tim Cook & Co. expand the new iPhones into new markets - an additional 50+ countries will get the handsets by November 1 in addition to eleven launch countries - the first print ad for the iPhone 5s has just been spotted in The New Yorker magazine. It looks nice and I've included it for your viewing pleasure right after the jump...

Instagram will introduce photo and video ads in the next couple months

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

For those who've been following Instagram for a while, it will hardly come as a surprise that the company today announced it will start delivering ads into the feed of US users in the next couple of months.

Instagram, which was acquired by Facebook over a year ago, has yet to turn a profit. This new decision to start displaying ads on mobile devices might exactly be what the company needs to become profitable, even if it means alienating a few users in the process...

Apple airs new iPhone 5c ad ‘Greetings’

Cody Lee ∙ September 23, 2013

Apple posted a new commercial to its YouTube channel earlier this evening. It's called 'Greetings,' and it depicts a number of people from various walks of life using the just-released iPhone 5c.

The ad is a major departure from Apple's marketing strategy in its first two 5c spots, which featured no dialogue, catchy music, and a focus on the plastic handset. This one is all about the users...