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Apple Deemed Top of Movie Product Placement Charts

adeelarshad82 writes "Apple was deemed top of the product placement charts last week after getting its computers, iPads, iPods and other items featured in 30 percent of the top movies at the U.S. box office in 2010. Apple had roles in movies last year ranging from 'Kick Ass' to 'The Other Guys' and 'Toy Story 3.' The strategy is obviously not a new one for Apple; they've had successful product placements in a number of TV Shows and movies over the last three decades like 'Star Trek IV,' 'Batman & Robin' and 'Dexter.'"

321 comments

  1. And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Really. Take your stuff for the lesser-brain-evolved people from my screen. If I want to watch a commercial for an overpriced product that will make sure I'm in a vendorlock I go to youtube and watch that commercial. Funny enough, I never had the wish to do so. So take your shitty commercials for your shitty products out of my great movies. *wow that feels good, I guess it was bothering me.*

    1. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I suspect you'll get a troll for that, but I have to agree. It's pretty irritating that "the real World" is apparently filled with Apple tat at every turn. Alright, alright, they've paid a fortune to look trendy, I get it, but please - enough? I love House, but seeing every computer in the World as a Mac just turns my stomach a little. Well, a lot.

    2. Re:And it's fucking irritating by schnikies79 · · Score: 1

      Perhaps you are the lesser-brained individual for watching said screen.

      --
      Gone!
    3. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You'll learn this later in life, but there's more for a brain to evolve into, than configuring poorly done software.

    4. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How is it vendor-locked? You can just as easily buy RAM for an iMac as you can a PC. And OSS and commercial software is more than welcome for OS X. Expensive, yes. Overpriced - I slightly agree. But shitty - absolutely not.

      If anyone is vendor-locked, it's the poor shmucks that buy Windows servers.

    5. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

      "Overpriced"

      You sound poor.

    6. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I disagree. I love this advert supported revenue model that hollywood uses.
      It means I dont have to feel bad for bittorrenting their crap if they still get income 6 other ways.

    7. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 1

      More than valid point. I can't deny being an utter idiot myself. If only there was a movie or show without product placement. Coke, apple, T-Mobile.... even the shows themselves are commercials these days. But you are right, I have a choice to not watch.

    8. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 1

      I'm not rich, but I sure as hell would be even poorer had I not made the choice to ignore all products with the I-got-ripped in front the name.

    9. Re:And it's fucking irritating by TubeSteak · · Score: 1

      So take your shitty commercials for your shitty products out of my great movies.

      The last time I can recall a movie plot pivoting around the functionality of a computer or OS, was Jurassic Park.
      "It's a UNIX system! I know this!"

      In all honesty, it rarely makes a difference what computer or OS is being used.
      Most of the time they're CGI-ing something onto the screen anyways.

      And that's why product placements happen: because it rarely changes the movie.

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    10. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 1

      That is a very interesting point of view. But, being Dutch it is legal for me to download movies. Still, very interesting.

    11. Re:And it's fucking irritating by jo_ham · · Score: 1

      Us higher-evolved-brain folk are reading books.

      Take your idiot box away with your lesser-evolved-brain.

      Oh I'm sorry, my superiority complex app must have malfunctioned. Better hope Apple releases a patch soon!

    12. Re:And it's fucking irritating by geogob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I don't know in which world you live, but in the world here, I see Apple products quite often (especially ipods and iphones, but lots of laptops as well). I'd have almost go as far as to say the "product placement" rate of Apple products in movies and TV-series is not that far of of reality. In my world, about half the people I know that have laptops, have Apple Laptops... in films, about half the laptops are Dell and the other half Apple. Sounds right (at least for the Apple part).

      Of course, my world is probably different than yours because of the type of work we do, because our social circles are different, because, because, because...
      But most importantly, in my world, no one cares enough about this to be distracted of a good (or bad) movie or TV-series because someone is using a mac instead of a PC or is drinking Pepsi instead of water.

      Especially if the thing in question is mostly used as a prop... who care. Some times, they really rub it in and put totally awkward angles in just to place a product. There, I would agree that the placement is killing the art. But most of the time, it flows in... so why care?

    13. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Antisyzygy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Well, you can't install software on the iPods, iPhones or iPad without going through Apple, and they take a chunk of all sales. Frankly, I understand the benefit of having app stores and what not, but Apple is definitely bordering on a monopoly. Sure, you can say the existence of other app stores makes it not so, but if you had to buy all your supplies in a company owned town from a company owned store, the existence of some other company owned town with the same situation doesn't justify the existence of the first and vice verci.

      --
      That brings me to an interesting point, / . is just "the ramblings of socially-inept, technology-literate news-mongers".
    14. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 2

      I can agree with a lot of that, but that last sentence not. Especially in the case of Apple where every director has to have to logo more than 5 seconds but less than 10 on the screen. They actually alter the scene for that. So the logo is very obvious to spot. That's the irritating part. I don't care about a stack of ipads that are on top of eachother. It's the damn logo that has to be zoomed in on and preferable multiple times a show.

    15. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Antisyzygy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You will feel better to know that even if a movie makes millions they somehow end up breaking even or posting a loss due to creative accounting, and thus they are rarely taxed as much as they should be.

      --
      That brings me to an interesting point, / . is just "the ramblings of socially-inept, technology-literate news-mongers".
    16. Re:And it's fucking irritating by causality · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Perhaps you are the lesser-brained individual for watching said screen.

      I could understand your point of view about this except that you aren't accounting for the very nature of product placements.

      At its core, it's a (legal) form of bait-and-switch. You are led to believe you are purchasing a movie. You are purchasing an ad-laden movie. They certainly aren't doing that due to overwhelming customer demand. Of course, you don't actually know that this is what you were sold until you watch the movie. Ad-laden movies are sold alongside regular movies with no easy way to distinguish them, depriving the customer of the chance to decide whether they want to pay full price for something subsidized with advertising.

      If movies with product placements had to carry a big safety-orange label saying "CONTAINS IN-MOVIE ADVERTISING" I would consider your point more valid.

      --
      It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
    17. Re:And it's fucking irritating by couchslug · · Score: 1

      They aren't "your" movies. At all. Don't forget it.

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
    18. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 0

      Hehe, Netherlands calling here. I am free to download them as they are works of art, belonging to the public. At least copies of them. I would never dare to ask for the master though. But the copies are mine. For sure. (Not so sure for how long any more though with that ACTA being shoved to our throats).

    19. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thanks for the feelings. I too share the same opinions! ")

    20. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Kell+Bengal · · Score: 2

      YI have a choice to not watch.

      You do... for now. I fear the day when people track our purchases closely enough to notice when we aren't buying DVDs or cable. It's a small logical jump to come to the conclusion that because we are not buying we must (obviously) be torrenting, instead. The jackboots will then be dispatched forthwith.

      Think it can't happen?

      --
      Scientists point out problems, engineers fix them
      altslashdot.org: The future of slashdot.
    21. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I suspect you'll get a troll for that

      You must be new here.

    22. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Crudely_Indecent · · Score: 1

      It's better than productions that try hard to avoid product placement while still keeping an element of reality. Case in point, iCarly, a Disney show which features computers with a pear-minus-a-bite logo on the lids. Why didn't they just use an Apple?

      In your perfect movie world everyone eats Hershel's chocolate bars, wear Levo jeans and have Cherryos for breakfast. I, however, like my movie worlds to be in my same universe. In my universe, there are common products with household names and when well placed can make a movie world more relatable. Personally, I think Dexter looks quite comfortable driving a Mac.

      Some productions do go too far (ahem, Demolition Man / Taco Bell)

      --


      "Lame" - Galaxar
    23. Re:And it's fucking irritating by canajin56 · · Score: 0

      On a lot of shows they zoom in every time anybody uses their phone now. Sometimes there are entire scenes about the characters enjoying the cool new features. One episode of Bones, a character said "Blah blah in the lab just told me whatever red herring" and the other was like "How could you possibly know that, your phone didn't ring!" and they're like "Oh, this iPhone is amazing I can get all of my IM accounts and email in one tightly designed package!" like, what the fuck, like before the iPhone no phone has ever had text messaging before, ever. Bones is perhaps the worst show ever in regards to product placement. They don't just zoom in on shit, the characters switch to full-on commercial mode for 30 seconds. "You? A minivan?" "They aren't just for soccer moms you know. As an artist, I love the convenient stow and go seating when loading up an exhibit! And the backup camera is really convenient when trying to back a loaded van into a loading dock!" There was also an episode based entirely around Avatar, and another one where the major subplot was about them being in jail after showing off the fact that this same cool new minivan automatically swerves dangerously to avoid going over the center line. Actually, that was terrible product placement "Our car will get you arrested for drunk driving even though you are sober"

      --
      ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI
    24. Re:And it's fucking irritating by rcoxdav · · Score: 1

      Actually, iCarly is on Nickelodeon, not Disney, but agreed with the concept. Most Disney shows also do something similar.

    25. Re:And it's fucking irritating by arielCo · · Score: 1

      Really. Take your stuff from my screen. If I want to watch a commercial, I go to youtube and watch that commercial. Funny enough, I never had the wish to do so. So take your shitty commercials for your products out of my great movies.

      Not so much FTFY as my non-brand-specific version of your rant, against placement in general. I don't bloody care if the product is inferior or wonderful. Did you see Iron Man 2? Oracle and Audi up the arse! And it's not the frequency but the in-your-face, attention-grabbing presentation of the brands (Bulgari, Ridgid, Dell, Rolling Stone mag) and *spoken* mentions ("accesing the Oracle network"!). It really gets in the way.

      But yes, Apple must be the biggest offender, because now I spot a Mac in a movie and think "there we go, business as usual". Just yesterday I watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and both stars use Mac notebooks, and you can't help notice the glowing logo. Come to think of it, when the namesake breaks hers, his geek pal lends her "that old PC".

      Wayne's World made fun of that crap. Might as well make commercial breaks, or put banners.

      --
      This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
    26. Re:And it's fucking irritating by bonch · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      Take your stuff for the lesser-brain-evolved people from my screen. If I want to watch a commercial for an overpriced product that will make sure I'm in a vendorlock I go to youtube and watch that commercial.

      How does garbage like this get modded up as "Insightful?" You're the stereotypical neckbeard who thinks they're smarter than everyone else because they run Linus Torvald's UNIX clone. Slashdot has become so ridiculously over the top with its Apple hatred lately. Seriously, I can't believe anyone would care so much about the brand of computers they see in movies that they would angrily write an online post about it.

    27. Re:And it's fucking irritating by bonch · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      Why do you care if there's product placement or not? Does it physical hurt you or something?

    28. Re:And it's fucking irritating by MyFirstNameIsPaul · · Score: 1

      Product placements reduce the cost to make a film, thus allowing for a larger production budget.

      --

      I once took an excursion to Reddit, and later HN. Unlimited up/down voting sucks when dealing with a hive-mind.

    29. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 1

      Ho ho... it's not apple hatred. If you like them, be sure to buy em. It's apple-in-every-damn-show-hatred I am displaying here. And yes, that is insightful. If I say so myself.

    30. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Other cancer causing products like Tobacco were popularized this way too.

    31. Re:And it's fucking irritating by bonch · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      At its core, it's a (legal) form of bait-and-switch. You are led to believe you are purchasing a movie. You are purchasing an ad-laden movie.

      This is completely stupid. An ad-laden movie is still a movie, and they can put whatever they want in their movie. It's not "bait-and-switch" just because you don't like it.

      What is it about Apple articles on Slashdot that brings out the peanut gallery? There has never been such a high level of dumbness when it comes to Apple as there has been from Slashdotters lately, since the website first began in the late 90s.

    32. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Slashdot has become so ridiculously over the top with its Apple hatred lately.

      I just did a double-take at my screen, and only found the answer once I read the username attached to the post.

      Congratulations. You've trolled +1 more person.

    33. Re:And it's fucking irritating by PNutts · · Score: 0

      Two words: Character Development. How would you know a character is a douche if they aren't sitting behind a Mac?

    34. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 4, Funny

      Give him a french accent?

    35. Re:And it's fucking irritating by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 2

      I love House, but seeing every computer in the World as a Mac just turns my stomach a little. Well, a lot.

      How else is Steve Jobs going to get a consult with Dr House if he doesn't keep giving him free stuff?

    36. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's right. I don't want anything to get in the way of my experiencing the beauty of "Batman and Robin".

    37. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It must suck being poor.

    38. Re:And it's fucking irritating by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      Yeah, Bones has to have the most blatant advertising. Sometimes it's almost funny. I like how she incessantly talks about the amazing GPS, and adaptive cruise control, At which point they zoom out to a front view of the car so you can see the car maker's logo (Toyota, I think) right on the middle of your screen.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    39. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thats why I said 6 other ways.

    40. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is embarrassing the superiority complex so many people have here. Let me guess, to go in line with your views that everyone who doesn't share your opinion or assumed knowledge of technology is "lesser-brain-evolved", you probably believe humanity would be better served if we culled the herd, got rid of "vapid cunts" and jocks, labored under your self-assured wannabe-Solomon-esque law and revisited eugenics because you still can't really figure out why people you deem "less evolved" deserve to live although you may have grasped that it isn't socially acceptable to say so.

      I'll have you know that a lack of social awareness and inflated ego are NOT desirable traits to be bred (sociopathy, narcissism, etc) so if we were to go by your stupid views and clean up, you probably wouldn't make it. Anyone who can honestly describe the majority of people around him as "less evolved" because they watch advertisements is not in sync with societal norms and has serious issues.

      PS: They aren't "your" great movies. The movies you deem great are not yours to claim, they are yours to watch. They clearly bother you with product placement but if this bothers you then why are they your favorite movies? You obviously can't deal with a contemporary piece which includes contemporary material goods so why exactly do these movies even make your favorites list? The mean old advertising elves aren't sneaking lies and products into the films, they are made that way and if you dislike something that fundamental about the movie then why the hell are you watching it anyway?

    41. Re:And it's fucking irritating by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 1

      Case in point, iCarly, a Disney show which features computers with a pear-minus-a-bite logo on the lids. Why didn't they just use an Apple?

      Because Apple didn't pay them to do so. Maybe because Apple didn't think iCarly's audience was a good target demographic for their products, or maybe iCarly was asking too much for the number of viewers (or sale conversions) expected from the product placement. Having the art department create a few 'Pear' stickers is cheaper than having them create a few fake computers.

    42. Re:And it's fucking irritating by SydShamino · · Score: 1

      You are always welcome to wait until the movie has been out a few weeks, at which time I'm certain you can find a review that mentions the presence of blatant product placement (if present).

      The government can do a good number of things pretty well - better than the private sector even - but I certainly don't see any value in having the government manage this when the free market can take care of it, too.

      You are welcome to enjoy independent and foreign film, which will noticeably lack product placement in most cases because, if it's not pre-arranged as advertising, it's possible the product owners could sue over the (mis)use of their trademarks. Plenty of posters on slashdot say this works for music. It could work for you for film, too.

      Start by attending a film festival. You'll find a large number of independent and foreign films at those. SXSW Film is coming up a in few weeks. I'll be there. You can still buy a badge or a film pass. FantasticFest is this fall and you can still buy (non-VIP) badges. I'll be there too. There's likely a festival this year somewhere in your area.

      --
      It doesn't hurt to be nice.
    43. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Kjella · · Score: 0

      In my opinion you have to be pretty uptight to care about most product placements. Most of the time I've just seen the Apple logo on the back of a laptop the protagonist is using, it's not particularly in your face. As long as the character doesn't actually go around promoting the product, it's not out of character to have the product and it actually serves a purpose that he's using it, why not? For example, most everybody drives a car. Does it matter if they get paid to make the hero drive a specific brand? I mean it does it detract from the film that it's a Ford and not $random_brand? If you didn't know the it was a paid placement, could $random_brand just as well have been Ford?

      Obviously you can cross the line if the character is bragging to another character about his new Macbook, you excessively focus on it, it doesn't make sense in the story, the guy is just not the type to own a Macbook and so on. But hey, almost everything comes from somewhere. You strictly speaking don't have to point out that's a Gucci handbag or Nike shoe, as long as people recognize it it's a placement and that could make almost anything a placement. All the clothes they're wearing, all the furniture they have, pretty much all is some brand or the other. Ok so you add a disclaimer with "Contains product placement" but after the movie most people will go "What? Where? I didn't even notice it"

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    44. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Revenue gets shuttled off to other people and companies as expenses, but those other people and companies pay taxes.

    45. Re:And it's fucking irritating by SydShamino · · Score: 1

      I think the OP would have an aneurysm over this film.

      --
      It doesn't hurt to be nice.
    46. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Verloc · · Score: 2

      What are movies if not advertisements for the entertainment industry? It's ALL advertising, movies included, as McLuhan would say.

    47. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes.

    48. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pushing-robot · · Score: 1

      You know what's even worse? Designer sunglasses. You practically never see stars wearing dollar store glasses, and you can guarantee that during the film they'll zoom in so damn close those fancy specs fill half the theater. It's obviously product placement!

      Seriously, though, Apple computers have three things going for them:

      • They're attractive.
      • They're popular among people who work in the film and TV industries.
      • They have very prominent logos.

      Is it surprising that the same screen characters who look unusually attractive, drive classy cars, wear tailored designer clothing, and live in huge apartments with trendy furniture, also have expensive computers?

      Is it surprising that the computers used by the producers, directors, editors and crew end up on screen?

      Is it surprising that a prominent glowing logo tends to get noticed? If Ford put big glowing logos on the sides of their cars, would we call it "product placement" when they started showing up in movies?

      There's definitely too much blatant product placement out there, and I'm as annoyed as much as anyone when the camera zooms in on a logo or an actor prattles about a product's features or recites a sales slogan... But just because you saw somebody using a Mac instead of a Dell doesn't mean there was a deal made in a smoke-filled room.

      --
      How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    49. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Clearly you haven't read the original novel, because the author spends multiple pages describing Salander's Apple laptops, their specs and how much she paid for them. Although maybe he was paid by Apple to do that?

    50. Re:And it's fucking irritating by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 1

      How do you feel that, at least in America, almost everyone who has an MP3 player has some sort of iPod? Should this be purposefully avoided so that if a character is listening to music, it becomes a character trait that they chose NOT to get an iPod, thus potentially corrupting the character? If having an iPod is the default choice that just means the person has a common MP3 player and adds nothing to the character because it mimics real life. Giving someone an iRiver or Zune would cause them to stand out as NOT having an iPod and the implications that go along with it as opposed to having an expected MP3 player because the MP3 player isn't supposed to be stealing attention.

      Could it be this is why so many movies have iPods? Cause so many REAL PEOPLE have iPods?

    51. Re:And it's fucking irritating by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 1

      I don't think he's trolling bro :) I just think you don't like what he says but have such a limited world view that you can't deal with it unless you excuse it as a method of infuriating you and not just a dissenting opinion. PS: It IS neckbeardy to act like you are more evolved than other people

    52. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Most of the time I don't care, or indeed, even notice...but one day I tried to watch 'I, Robot', and Will Smith did the most clumsy and blatant product placement scene involving some basketball boots (whatever)...It was simply appalling, and I stopped watching from that point.

    53. Re:And it's fucking irritating by M.+Baranczak · · Score: 2

      If only there was a movie or show without product placement.

      Quentin Tarantino makes a point of not doing any product placements in his movies. If one of his characters is shown buying a pack of smokes, or pouring cereal into a bowl, it's always a fictional brand. It's a shame that he hasn't made anything good since Pulp Fiction.

    54. Re:And it's fucking irritating by PixetaledPikachu · · Score: 2

      I don't know in which world you live, but in the world here, I see Apple products quite often (especially ipods and iphones, but lots of laptops as well). I'd have almost go as far as to say the "product placement" rate of Apple products in movies and TV-series is not that far of of reality.

      World here? Reality? Well in my "world" (indonesia), it's either ThinkPad or HP for the techies, or cheap Acer (Core i3s, netbooks) for the masses. Those that use Macbook are usually either rich college students, marketing people, or those that work on creative field. The ipod on the other hand, is quite common.

    55. Re:And it's fucking irritating by muindaur · · Score: 1

      I might notice these things if I still watched TV. Since I can get the same stories in a book I'll still read, and get something better that gives me more control over the world it takes place in.

    56. Re:And it's fucking irritating by ibbie · · Score: 1

      YI have a choice to not watch.

      You do... for now. I fear the day when people track our purchases closely enough to notice when we aren't buying DVDs or cable. It's a small logical jump to come to the conclusion that because we are not buying we must (obviously) be torrenting, instead. The jackboots will then be dispatched forthwith. Think it can't happen?

      It won't happen as long as they're selling books.

      Oh, damn.

      --
      The wise follow a damned path, for to know is to be forsaken.
    57. Re:And it's fucking irritating by oji-sama · · Score: 2

      Not physically, but every 'a bit too long shot' of item being marketed hurts my brain. Especially it keeps happening again and again. I really really hate Apple marketing. "Yes, I get it, he too is using an Apple computer, I saw it already." I'm sure that they are good computers, but oh god I hate the marketing. (Oh, some users too ^.^). Sony Vaio is another that appears a bit too often in films... (although, not so much recently).

      --
      It is what it is.
    58. Re:And it's fucking irritating by causality · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This is completely stupid. An ad-laden movie is still a movie, and they can put whatever they want in their movie. It's not "bait-and-switch" just because you don't like it.

      While I hate to dilute your evaluation of my intelligence, or to contradict your quaint belief that anyone who disagrees with you must be a member of the peanut gallery (fucking people, how dare they have a different take on something), perhaps I can clarify my point for you.

      The whole point of a market is that a willing buyer purchases a good or a service from a willing seller. Neither party uses force or deception.

      When I am the buyer, I do not wish to pay for the privilege of watching an advertisement. I am unconcerned with whether you agree with that, approve of it, think it's a great idea, etc. You are free to spend your money that you earn as you see fit and you won't hear a word about that from me. It is yours.

      Regarding the money that I earned, the money that is mine, I do not wish to purchase a movie with advertisements. It is only by a failure to disclose what I am actually buying, which is a form of deception, that anyone could get me to pay money for a movie that has advertisements. Had I known more about the movie I would not have purchased it. Again, this is about the freedom to decide not to patronize a business with which you disagree.

      As a customer, I have every right to choose not to purchase something for any reason or for no reason at all, with or without explanation. I really don't care if you would make the same decision because you did not work to earn my money. It is the lack of disclosure that is at issue here.

      If product placements are such a legitimate, good, useful, value-added practice, why are the marketers ashamed to disclose them up-front? If they have other sources of revenue from the movie, why do they charge the same full price as other movies that do not have the additional sources of revenue? They are double-dipping and as a customer I don't wish to reward this practice. If you do, that is your prerogative. It would never occur to me to insult your intelligence for having a different take on this matter, but then, I don't have the type of insecurity that makes me feel threatened by those who disagree with me. I don't know how to make it any simpler.

      What is it about Apple articles on Slashdot that brings out the peanut gallery? There has never been such a high level of dumbness when it comes to Apple as there has been from Slashdotters lately, since the website first began in the late 90s.

      You think I regard this as an Apple issue? Oh, I get it. You took it upon yourself to automatically assume that I have a big problem with Apple's product placements but that I have no problem with say, Coke or Pepsi or Microsoft. I certainly never made such a claim. Your assumption is faulty. I don't care to pay full price for any movie that contains any form of real-world advertising. My position would remain the same no matter who topped the product-placement charts. That's because my position is based on principle, not on my feelings about a particular company.

      For someone who is so quick to call others stupid, you certainly have no problem making unfounded assumptions.

      --
      It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
    59. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Sparks23 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      That's the thing. Watching Castle and seeing that Rick Castle has an iPhone, or that Detective Beckett has a Palm Pre? Eh, whatever. They're probably going to have a cell phone, like most of the people in the US. As long as you're not throwing that device into my face really obnoxiously, I don't care what it is. It's just a prop, and I can focus on the story. Seeing that Shawn on 'Psych' carries an iPhone, again, not terribly jarring. None of them make a big deal about their phones, they just use them on screen.

      But when I'm watching Bones and, say, Dr. Brennan feels a need to explain her new Windows Phone 7 device and show the Metro UI off to someone? Or on /any/ show where they feel the need to discuss the little tree on the dashboard (or demonstrate the Bluetooth capabilities) of certain hybrid cars? (White Collar, I'm looking at you as well here.) Those get annoying and jarring, because they feel like someone randomly regurgitated marketing into the middle of the script.

      --
      --Rachel
    60. Re:And it's fucking irritating by cjnichol · · Score: 1

      Yeah, Bones has to have the most blatant advertising. Sometimes it's almost funny. I like how she incessantly talks about the amazing GPS, and adaptive cruise control, At which point they zoom out to a front view of the car so you can see the car maker's logo (Toyota, I think) right on the middle of your screen.

      Really? I've never noticed... Can you name an episode for me that is particularly over the top? Ideally the GPS or iPhone episode. I want to go see how bad it is.

    61. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Sparks23 · · Score: 1

      Bones has got to be the worst offender for this, which particularly bothers me because, honestly, if you rated what characters in television series were the least likely to bother showing off a new gadget to those around them, I would say Temperance Brennan should land somewhere in the top five. She just wouldn't care. But White Collar also earns an honorable mention lately; they seem to be trying to take the crown of Random Car Placements from Bones. Though at least they've tried to work it into the script through jokes, like covering the hybrid during a high-speed driving sequence.

      Neal: Why is there a tree on your dashboard?
      Diana: It's a hybrid. It shows me how efficiently I'm driving.
      Neal: You're not driving very green. All the leaves are falling off.
      Diana: *annoyed* Do you want to catch this guy?
      Neal: I feel like I'm stuck in the Giving Tree. There's nothing left but a stump.
      Diana: *more annoyed* I'll grow a new one over the weekend!

      I didn't say they SUCCEEDED, but they tried.

      --
      --Rachel
    62. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 1

      You're the stereotypical neckbeard who thinks they're smarter than everyone else because they run Linus Torvald's UNIX clone. Slashdot has become so ridiculously over the top with its Apple hatred lately

      Hey, I'm clean shaven, and I've hated Apple, its stuck up customers, and its overpriced gear since almost a decade before Linux was even created.

    63. Re:And it's fucking irritating by el3mentary · · Score: 1

      It's better than productions that try hard to avoid product placement while still keeping an element of reality. Case in point, iCarly, a Disney show which features computers with a pear-minus-a-bite logo on the lids. Why didn't they just use an Apple?

      In your perfect movie world everyone eats Hershel's chocolate bars, wear Levo jeans and have Cherryos for breakfast. I, however, like my movie worlds to be in my same universe. In my universe, there are common products with household names and when well placed can make a movie world more relatable. Personally, I think Dexter looks quite comfortable driving a Mac.

      Some productions do go too far (ahem, Demolition Man / Taco Bell)

      Simply put that show is Nickelodeon and Steve Jobs just so happens to be Disneys largest single shareholder (thanks to the acquisition of Pixar a few years back)

      --
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    64. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Americano · · Score: 1

      So, if you decide to buy a home in a town that only has a Target, it's somehow Target's fault if the nearest Wal-Mart is 2 towns over?

      You are not "forced" to buy an Apple phone, or an Android phone, or any phone at all, for that matter. If you choose to buy one, you are buying into that phone's ecosystem, and you know that going in. If you don't like Apples' policies, vote with your dollars and support Android, or WebOS, or WP7. There are plenty of legitimate alternatives to Apple's phones, and we read here on Slashdot every day about how iOS' market share is shrinking perceptibly every day.

    65. Re:And it's fucking irritating by gsgriffin · · Score: 0

      Thank you!!!! Now I don't have to say it. I wish I could go a day without getting someone trying to advertise for App ill here. Can't wait for the day that Job's get a borg implant icon too.

      --
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    66. Re:And it's fucking irritating by ProfMobius · · Score: 1

      Cars are a really bad example of transparent product placement. I can't stop counting the number of movies where the main caracters are driving a car and you have a big 5sec long shoot of the front of the car where you can see the obvious logo of the brand. This is really annoying as it just cut the pace of the movie to show you a logo (usually before the car get trashed/shoot at/drive off a freeway bridge).

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    67. Re:And it's fucking irritating by jrumney · · Score: 1

      So, if you decide to buy a home in a town that only has a Target, it's somehow Target's fault if the nearest Wal-Mart is 2 towns over?

      You forgot to mention in your flawed analogy that the homeowners' association in your new town is controlled exclusively by Target, and if you drive over to the Wal-Mart 2 towns over to go shopping, they will be waiting at your front door with bouncers, to stop you from taking your purchases into your own home.

    68. Re:And it's fucking irritating by ProfMobius · · Score: 1

      Just yesterday I watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and both stars use Mac notebooks, and you can't help notice the glowing logo.

      Actually, i'm not sure where to stand on this, since the book clearly states it is a Macbook she is using (it is even over the top repeated in the book).

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    69. Re:And it's fucking irritating by misexistentialist · · Score: 1

      I don't think movies are even partially ad-supported yet. Ads can only be sold in well-funded movies guaranteed to have a large audience through market saturation, and the revenue just sweetens the hundreds of millions in projected profit by a few million.

    70. Re:And it's fucking irritating by ProfMobius · · Score: 1

      Larger production budget != better movie...

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    71. Re:And it's fucking irritating by breser · · Score: 0

      Your analogy is nonsense. I deplore Apple's policies with respect to the iOS machines. So I choose not to use them. However, I do like my Macs. Apple has done absolutely nothing to stop me from using my Android devices. There are no bouncers trying to stop you from using your legitimate purchases from other vendors.

    72. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They're attractive.

      Maybe if you're gay. Us old-school hetero males have problems with effeminate styling. I know it's uncouth nowadays to question anything feminine but...

      They're popular among people who work in the film and TV industries.

      most of whom are gay and/or are closeted. see #1

      They have very prominent logos.

      of course, that's to satisfy the histrionic narcissism of the owner. see #2

      Is it surprising that the computers used by the producers, directors, editors and crew end up on screen?

      nope, but not for the reasons you specified.

      Is it surprising that a prominent glowing logo tends to get noticed? If Ford put big glowing logos on the sides of their cars, would we call it "product placement" when they started showing up in movies?

      bmw already does this on their cars... more ego stroking for the type of consumer who buys overpriced things for status.

      There's definitely too much blatant product placement out there, and I'm as annoyed as much as anyone when the camera zooms in on a logo or an actor prattles about a product's features or recites a sales slogan... But just because you saw somebody using a Mac instead of a Dell doesn't mean there was a deal made in a smoke-filled room.

      bs.. apple licenses their logo to hollywood and gets paid quite well for it. each movie is negotiated separately usually.

    73. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's because you are in Indonesia. Apple has much higher market share in the US. Movies tend to be set in the US. In my own little niche of the world, movies under-represent Macs.

    74. Re:And it's fucking irritating by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Funny

      I understand the desire to use movies to advertise products via product placement, but the MacBook Air sitting on the desk in The King's Speech was going a bit far.

      But that's just my opinion.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    75. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Concerned+Onlooker · · Score: 0

      " and they take a chunk of all sales"

      Why. Do. You. Care? If the product is overpriced, don't buy it. If it's not and you want it, buy it. Besides, devs are reporting that they're ecstatic that they get to keep far more than if they went through other channels for distribution.

      --
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    76. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are always welcome to wait until the movie has been out a few weeks, at which time I'm certain you can find a review that mentions the presence of blatant product placement (if present).

      The fact that a third party lets you know that it's bait-and-switch does not stop it from being bait-and-switch.

    77. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Your.Master · · Score: 1

      No, you've lost the analogy. Wal-Mart and Target were app stores, and the town was the userbase of a phone OS. Apple is absolutely preventing you from using software purchased in arbitrary app stores on iOS -- in other words, you can't use what you buy from the Wal-Mart at Wal-Martton in your hometown of Targetville.

      What Apple doesn't have is bouncers preventing you from moving to Wal-Martton or having two homes.

    78. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We all know somebody like you. They made an Onion article more than a decade ago.

      http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-tel,429/

    79. Re:And it's fucking irritating by sootman · · Score: 2

      So you're saying that you're fine with product placement as long as you like the product? Interesting perspective.

      Personally, I don't give a shit what the product is, I just think that OBVIOUS or otherwise poorly-done product placement can be annoying but it's not all bad. Like anything else (up to and including special effects and the acting itself) if it's done well, it's natural and invisible; if not, it's not.

      I find it a jarring reminder that I'm watching a movie when I see a recognizable product appear but with its name badly and obviously obscured, or fake products that are trying to look real. Unless you live on Mars, you see literally hundreds of brand names every day, and NOT seeing them in a movie or show is as jarring and fake as a green sky. I don't care at all what the product is--when I'm involved in a movie or show, "breaking the spell" is the gravest sin.

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    80. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Darkness404 · · Score: 1

      Except for the fact its unrealistic and quite honestly kills the realism in a lot of films. For example, how often does it appear that everyone has unlimited money? Sure, the characters might complain about how expensive some stuff is then they sit down to their brand new $2,000 iMac, answer a call on their new $700 iPhone, etc. Sure, occasionally characters in movies are -supposed- to be filthy rich and can afford all the technology, but a lot of times they aren't.

      Its not the difference between drinking water and Pepsi, it is the difference between someone drinking water and someone drinking fine champagne out of a solid gold goblet encrusted with jewels.

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    81. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Take your stuff for the lesser-brain-evolved
      > people from my screen... take your shitty
      > commercials for your shitty products out
      > of my great movies. [emphasis added]

      Wow, I'm surprised such an arrogant, elitist snob such as yourself would consider ANY movie great if it had products placed in it. People with your attitude usually only watch independent, art-house, and/or foreign films. So if a movie had ads for, like, hemp Tevas, you'd be OK with it?

    82. Re:And it's fucking irritating by santax · · Score: 0

      No that is NOT what I am saying. Can agree with the rest of what you are saying, but let's make it clear: i hate productplacement, especially when it is so obvious. And the first name that comes to mind is Apple, by far the greatest bitch in this add-driven-world. And by far the most irritating. Always the camera has to be placed so the logo is in the middle of the screen. Sometimes we even do bets when watching particular shows... when the apple logo will appear. And it always comes. Never the bet is if: it is always when ;)

    83. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple, the company that everyone claims Apples computer penetration is growing exponentially every year. By picking and choosing specific numbers you would think Apple has a 50% market share in the laptops and computers but they don't.
      Increasing sales 240% and 175% year after year looks good but Apple has been sitting at 7-10% of the overall computers in use for many years and that number is not changing much at all. Think about it, 6 years ago they were at roughly 7-10%, they are still there now. The revolution is just not happeneing. Nothing has changed regardless of how you interpret their gains in sales numbers. Non Apples are selling more as well.

    84. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Darkness404 · · Score: 1

      Because it allows you to bash the product. I don't think that Steve Jobs would be any too happy if the plot involved, for example, a virus that infects the computer, the computer bursting into flames, the computer requiring an expensive upgrade, or any other thing that doesn't portray a Mac in the greatest light.

      You can't usually use parody with product placement. It also allows you to quickly shift products if one becomes unpopular and you aren't constantly afraid of the manufacturer pulling your license to use it.

      --
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    85. Re:And it's fucking irritating by multipartmixed · · Score: 0

      > World here? Reality? Well in my "world" (indonesia),

      I suspect most movies and TV shows made in North American really don't give a flying fuck about the Indonesian audience.

      --

      Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
    86. Re:And it's fucking irritating by khendron · · Score: 1

      At which point they zoom out to a front view of the car so you can see the car maker's logo (Toyota, I think)...

      You think? I guess the product placement is not doing very well.

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    87. Re:And it's fucking irritating by mr100percent · · Score: 1

      When I hear so-called geeks whine and complain about Apple, I imagine them as nothing more than Hipsters. 'Apple is too mainstream for me, I like my OS to be a distro so underground you've probably never heard of it.'

    88. Re:And it's fucking irritating by MyFirstNameIsPaul · · Score: 1

      ...by a few million.

      To investors, that's real money to offset production costs as there is very rarely a guarantee of profit. When there is a guarantee, there is also a desire to capitalize as much as possible on the investment. To wring every last drop and make up for all the other losers.

      --

      I once took an excursion to Reddit, and later HN. Unlimited up/down voting sucks when dealing with a hive-mind.

    89. Re:And it's fucking irritating by MyFirstNameIsPaul · · Score: 1

      Better movie != profit.

      --

      I once took an excursion to Reddit, and later HN. Unlimited up/down voting sucks when dealing with a hive-mind.

    90. Re:And it's fucking irritating by multipartmixed · · Score: 0

      What I get a chuckle out of is the Microsoft product placements on The Mentalist. *Every* monitor on that show has a Windows logo on the back of it -- when have you ever seen that?

      Then, for some inexplicable reason, when they go out into the world they will frequently encounter powered-off iMacs with the Apple logo stickered over to be a circle.

      And look at the credits at the end -- Microsoft is listed as a show sponsor!

      --

      Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
    91. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pckl300 · · Score: 2

      Some times, they really rub it in and put totally awkward angles in just to place a product. There, I would agree that the placement is killing the art. But most of the time, it flows in... so why care?

      It's distracting. Especially with the laptops, where Apple plasters a large illuminated logo on the back. It pulls me out of the movie and makes me think about Apple for a few seconds. In my opinion, they should cover up the brand entirely. As much as I'm a tech guy, I really don't need to know what brand of computer the guy in the movie is using, unless it has something to do with the narrative.

      --
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    92. Re:And it's fucking irritating by arielCo · · Score: 1

      And Mikael has one too, perhaps not as souped up as Lisbeth's. Thing is, the white logos show prominently (more or less centered within the frame) several times. Bonus: have you ever noticed that most Nokia phones in TV ring with the default, recognizable tune? You can tell Mikael has a Sony Ericsson. He drives a Kia mini-SUV in Sweden, and a Kia pickup in Australia. Granted, not as bad as Iron Man or Hannibal, but...

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    93. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Americano · · Score: 1

      You are aware that homeowner's associations regularly exert arbitrary rules about paint colors, exterior decorations, lawn maintenance, vehicle parking, and the like... right? And that if you violate those requirements, you can be subject to anything from fines up to being removed from your home, depending on the HOA?

      Doesn't much matter who controls the homeowner's association, if you're not being forced to go live there in the first place. There are numerous legitimate competitors that you can use instead - just like you can buy a home in another town or subdivision if you don't like the terms the HOA imposes in the first town or subdivision.

    94. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Americano · · Score: 1

      There is no "other store" to buy from in Apple-town, and you know that when you move in. If you want a town with a dozen different stores to shop from, then don't move into a town with only one store.

      Apple prevents you from running Android apps in the same way that Linux prevents you from running Windows apps, and the same way Ford prevents you from installing a Toyota engine in your Fusion: they're simply not compatible.

    95. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just wait to have a significant (young) population (read: potential market) there and see how this 'works of art' description evolves into the intellectual property.

    96. Re:And it's fucking irritating by bennomatic · · Score: 2

      Sometimes it's worse than others. In the TV show Heroes, it was pretty obvious that Nissan had paid big to be in there. And in the Charlie's Angels movie (I only saw the first one), there were a lot of scenes where the focus was clearly the cell phone, and all of them were Nokias. And some car chase movie, The Italian Job, I think, featured three Mini Coopers that were so clean, so polished, and so perfect that nobody would ever use them for a getaway car. It was just stupid.

      The Apple placements are pretty blatant just because it's almost always a MacBook, shown from the rear, with that logo blazing. If they were just showing Cinema Displays, it wouldn't make much of an impact. On placement that I like that counters the Apple MacBook placements is on the TV show Psych--it's a stupid show, so if you've never seen it, you're not missing much, although it's occasionally chuckle-worthy--where they show the main characters in their offices working on Windows notebooks. That's right, glossy black notebook screen-backs with the Windows logo in the center where you'd normally see Dell or Apple. Brightly lit, even garish. I'd love to get that as a skin for my MacBook; nobody'd ever want to steal it.

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    97. Re:And it's fucking irritating by bennomatic · · Score: 2

      Did you ever see Repo Man? Every product in the movie except for the cars was generic. There's a great scene where Otto is eating "Food" right out of the can.

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    98. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean except for mentioning Burger King and McDonald's in that "Dogs have personality" conversation between John Travolta and Samuel Jackson? Though, since it's such a massive brand, it might not count for much. But so is Apple and an Apple placement.

      Just so we're clear, I love QT's movies. And Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 were awesome.

    99. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Kjella · · Score: 0

      Ah, the "-1, I disagree" mod... at least grow a spine and let people metamoderate you.

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    100. Re:And it's fucking irritating by 517714 · · Score: 1

      Perhaps if they were more subtle as they are on TV's 30 Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36wUmJGzvA&NR=1 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aniS3HaLwEY

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    101. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Killjoy_NL · · Score: 1

      It's like the "Subway" sandwhiches in Chuck.
      WAYYY over the top. Quite fucking annoying.

      (Nederlanders FTW)

      --
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    102. Re:And it's fucking irritating by dargaud · · Score: 1

      Nice comment. I'd like to add that if you often see the computer itself (a Mac in most cases), you NEVER see an existing OS. In most cases the OS is some CGI stuff quickly put together to show a 'you've got mail' window, a chat window of no actually existing client, etc... I find this strange. If they are willing to pay to show the hardware, why don't they show the OS ? Are they ashamed of it ?!?

      --
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    103. Re:And it's fucking irritating by bloodhawk · · Score: 1

      If in your world 50% of people use apple laptops then it is NOT representitive of the real world where apple laptops are a significantly smaller percentage of the market, even in the smartphone world where they are doing better they are in 3rd place.

    104. Re:And it's fucking irritating by aristotle-dude · · Score: 1

      Except for the fact its unrealistic and quite honestly kills the realism in a lot of films. For example, how often does it appear that everyone has unlimited money? Sure, the characters might complain about how expensive some stuff is then they sit down to their brand new $2,000 iMac, answer a call on their new $700 iPhone, etc. Sure, occasionally characters in movies are -supposed- to be filthy rich and can afford all the technology, but a lot of times they aren't.

      I'm sorry to hear that you live in abject poverty. I don't have unlimited money but I do have a well paying job and so I do own a Core 2 Duo iMac, iPhone 3GS 32GB (unsubsidized) and 64GB iPad 3G. I don't waste money on things like drugs, getting drunk every friday night or smoking. I also don't own a car because I can either walk or bus to work.

      You do not have to be rich to afford a new iMac especially if you don't upgrade every year. A lot of PC people like to talk about how expensive macs are but they spend a lot more money upgrading their hardware every year. I can sell my iMac if I choose to upgrade to recoup some money but "upgrading" a PC is basically just a money sink hole.

      Maybe you don't live in poverty but maybe you just don't know how to manage your money or understand the difference between a bargain and "value for you money". If a mac lasts a person a number of years, they can end up spending less in the final analysis than someone who "upgrades" their PC hardware every 6-12 months.

      --
      Jesus was a compassionate social conservative who called individuals to sin no more.
    105. Re:And it's fucking irritating by bloodhawk · · Score: 1

      I suspect TV Shows don't give a flying fuck about US audience either or apple laptops would be 1 in 10.

    106. Re:And it's fucking irritating by M.+Baranczak · · Score: 2

      First of all, you're confusing two separate conversations - the one in the car, and the one in the restaurant.

      Second: the "Royale with cheese" bit doesn't count as product placement, because it isn't gratuitous. The scene works because everyone knows what a Quarter-Pounder is, and what McDonald's is. We learn something about Vincent: he's the kind of asshole who goes to France and eats at McDonald's. If he was talking about some fictional restaurant chain, it would completely change the tone.

    107. Re:And it's fucking irritating by vux984 · · Score: 1

      There is no "other store" to buy from in Apple-town, and you know that when you move in. If you want a town with a dozen different stores to shop from, then don't move into a town with only one store.

      It bothers me that I am not legally allowed to open a competitor. And that if I some how managed it, the residents of the town would be actively prevented from shopping there.

      Now you can say, "Well don't go to that town..." all you like, but I don't think it should even be legal for their to be a town with rules like that.

      It would be like finding a town that had racial segregation still going. "Hey don't move there..." isn't a suitable response. It shouldn't be allowed to exist, simply because you can live somewhere else if you want integration.

    108. Re:And it's fucking irritating by aristotle-dude · · Score: 1

      If don't like the locked down nature iOS devices then don't buy a mobile device. Android is generally just as locked down as iOS devices and the average end user does not give a rats ass about it. They serious don't care.

      Your other choice is to take the risk of jailbreaking (iOS) or rooting (Android) a device and installing whatever crapware you want but you are basically taking your digital life into your own hands. With Android, the marketplace offers very little protection form malware but if you jailbreak and iOS device, you are effectively making even less secure than Android is out of the box. Jaibreaking strips iOS of code signing and removes BSD jail sandboxing which leaves the OS extremely vulnerable to attack by malware.

      BTW. What do you do for a living? I get the feeling that you do not work in technology and you are just an "enthusiast".

      --
      Jesus was a compassionate social conservative who called individuals to sin no more.
    109. Re:And it's fucking irritating by knappe+duivel · · Score: 1

      being Dutch it is legal for me to download movies.

      True. But it is not legal to upload movies, which is hard to avoid with bittorrent.

    110. Re:And it's fucking irritating by zmollusc · · Score: 2

      Aw! I liked Vincent. Even if he is the kind of asshole who goes to france.

      --
      They whose government reduces their essential liberties for temporary security, receive neither liberty nor security.
    111. Re:And it's fucking irritating by SvnLyrBrto · · Score: 1

      Eh? If I walk into any coffee shop in town, half of the laptops will have that large illuminated logo on the back. Most of my friends have iPhones, with the notable exceptions of a couple anti-AT&T diehards (who will probably get iPhones this summer when it's refreshed), the one who refuses to have any smartphone made by anyone, and the one who works for microsoft (and is the only person I know with a windows 7 phone). Why should the "movie world" be any different.

      If anything, it's more jarring when a movie or TV show goes out of its way to cover or blur a logo that I know should be there; but the company wasn't a paid sponsor so the producers won't allow said logo to be seen. How many people in real life make sure to put a sticker over every visible logo on something they own, or drink genero-cola-drink instead of coke or pepsi?

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    112. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Noughmad · · Score: 1

      Well, at least in America, but actually everywhere in the world, almost everyone is stupid. Yet they still make shows about smart people? Doesn't this make them stand out, potentially corrupting the character?

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    113. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Noughmad · · Score: 1

      They're attractive.

      Maybe if you're gay. Us old-school hetero males have problems with effeminate styling. I know it's uncouth nowadays to question anything feminine but...

      And how many of us do you see on TV?

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    114. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 1

      That happens in the real world too. I did some work for a company that helps low-income single parents. It was not uncommon for incoming emails to be tagged with "sent from my iPhone," which essentially meant they were spending about a month's pay per year to have one.
      On American Idol this season there's one contestant that they showed scrubbing toilets in her real job. Then when she called her mother she did it on her iPhone.

    115. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      they spend a lot more money upgrading their hardware every year.

      If a mac lasts a person a number of years

      someone who "upgrades" their PC hardware every 6-12 months.

      Citation needed.

      I mean: the sentences by themselves are true but they imply that you have to upgrade a PC every 6 months whereas you don't need to upgrade a macbook that often (let's say every 3-4 year), which is non-sense and makes your claim totally flawed and biased.

      disclaimer: I own several laptop and PC that are 3-4 years old and do not need any upgrade ...

    116. Re:And it's fucking irritating by geogob · · Score: 1

      I understand the desire to use movies to advertise products via product placement, but the MacBook Air sitting on the desk in The King's Speech was going a bit far.

      Wait... what? Didn't catch that, but I would certainly agree with you there. It's not just going a bit far.

    117. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple has been sitting at 7-10% of the overall computers in use for many years and that number is not changing much at all.

      Completely wrong. Apple's growth in computer sales was *eight times* that of PCs last quarter. 8x! It has outgrown the PC for nineteen straight quarters. That's every quarter for almost the last five years straight.

    118. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But yes, Apple must be the biggest offender, because now I spot a Mac in a movie and think "there we go, business as usual". Just yesterday I watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and both stars use Mac notebooks, and you can't help notice the glowing logo. Come to think of it, when the namesake breaks hers, his geek pal lends her "that old PC".

      That's actually exactly what's in the book, and not something added for the movie..

    119. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      Can your intellect not grasp the concept that just maybe there are people out here who have a reasonable amount of money and live comfortably *BECAUSE* they don't waste their money on every overpriced thing that's thrown at them in advertising?

      If anything, your comment just demonstrates that Apple's marketing of their overpriced devices as status symbols actually works for insecure feeble-minded people who feel the need to be members of an exclusive little club.

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
    120. Re:And it's fucking irritating by R.D.Olivaw · · Score: 2

      That's the thing. Watching Castle and seeing that Rick Castle has an iPhone, or that Detective Beckett has a Palm Pre? Eh, whatever. They're probably going to have a cell phone, like most of the people in the US. As long as you're not throwing that device into my face really obnoxiously, I don't care what it is.

      Especially if the phone doesn't fit the personality/work/hobby. e.g. in Tron Legacy, Sam is running around with a Nokia N8. Surely a Unix geek as would choose a N900 :)

    121. Re:And it's fucking irritating by jedrek · · Score: 1

      Usenet, son.

    122. Re:And it's fucking irritating by kevinmenzel · · Score: 1

      Growth numbers are often misleading. Let's take an example, oranges and pears. Month 1: 10 oranges sold. 1000 pears sold. Month 2: 18 oranges are sold. 1001 pears are sold. Orange's sales grew by 8. Pear's growth was 1. So, Orange's growth was 8x Pear's growth. And by percentage growth, Orange grew by 80% and pear only grew by 0.1%. Even better - from a growth percentage standpoint, Orange is 800x better! But at the end of the day, there are still 2001 pears, and only 28 oranges. Now, if the market is infinite, then at some point in the distant future, if the trend continues, there will be more oranges than pears. Orange wins. Unfortunately markets aren't infinite. At which point, growth has to come at the expense of another. So if there are only 1029 people, then in the next month growth, Orange sells to 26 of them, and Pear sells to 1003 of them. Only now everyone has something, there's no further room for growth of the market. Your numbers reflect everything. At this point, if one portion of the market grows, the other has to shrink. It's a different situation now, because now you aren't selling to a new customer, you're selling to someone else's customer. Now instead of selling to someone who might do a comparison and choose Orange before they've ever eaten a fruit before ever, you now have to win over someone who liked pears enough to chose them, potentially twice over Oranges. Thus you can't extrapolate your former growth figures into this newly saturated market, because the strategies to approach that market are different. So it's important not to just cherry pick statistics, because on the other hand, Orange sells 2000 first month, Pear sells 1000 first month, and Orange grows to 2008 next month, while Pear grows to 1001. Orange's growth is still 8, Pear's growth is still 1. But Orange is doing a lot better off. Growth without fundamental statistics as to the total number of units sold, is a relatively meaningless indicator of future sucess, and without knowledge of the estimated size of the market, even knowing the total number of units sold has limited utility for predicting future scenarios.

    123. Re:And it's fucking irritating by knappe+duivel · · Score: 1

      GP mentioned bittorrent, not usenet

    124. Re:And it's fucking irritating by wisty · · Score: 0

      A real OS is built to be interactive (lots of gizmos to click), has a high resolution (little icons), and is optimised for people who have used it before. People can see the little "mailbox" icon amongst all the other icons, because they already know where to look. People in the cinema might have a different mail client, so they would be confused.

      Also, a "Hollywood OS" often does things that is either impossible or just stupid, often to help cue the views in on what's happening, or to look "cool" - matching faces - flashing hundreds of faces to the screen instead of just pulling it out of a database ... 3D file systems in Jurassic Park (ostensibly UNIX) ... satellite views zooming in with way too much drama ... countdowns ... flashing DENIED signs ... databases with very strange schemas ... it just never ends, so they have to fake the OS anyway.

      With iOS applications, it's a bit different. Small screen, and built to be much more intuitive (at the cost of features). I bet you'll see some of those in the near future.

    125. Re:And it's fucking irritating by jo_ham · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You realise *why* there were Mini Coopers in The Italian Job, right? That really wasn't product placement - they couldn't have been anything but Minis.

      Well, unless you believe Michael Caine and co walked away with a big fat pay check from British Leyland all those years ago...

    126. Re:And it's fucking irritating by jo_ham · · Score: 1

      Have him talk about how clearly vi is superior to emacs.

    127. Re:And it's fucking irritating by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      What I find amusing is the shot where you end up looking at a whole lot of desk and keyboard because they have to pan across the logo. And by "amusing" I mean "star-robbing". You know how your teacher would knock off a grade for poor attendance? Hamhanded product placement has the same effect for me. I don't care what products they put in the film as long as they don't alter cinematography. Nerds will write image recognition software to figure out what computer is featured in a movie, it's not necessary to dwell on the model number.

      On the other hand, if I see something I was thinking about buying featured in a movie, I think again. How much of the price is advertising? It goes up when they pay for product placement, that's for sure. Further, when anything is advertised in a movie I think immediately of diamonds and cigarettes, both of which can attribute the majority of their success to Hollywood movie product placement. Before that, smoking was seen as a dirty habit, which is why you went outside to do it and wore a special jacket that you could hang in your den. Diamonds were considered to be boring (no color!) Then DeBeers paid for craploads of product placement and actually paid movie stars to accept diamond rings for their weddings and bingo! If you have to put it in a movie to get people to buy it, it probably sucks.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    128. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      SSSHHH!

      First rule of Usenet Club is don't talk about Usenet Club.

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
    129. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      Just become old & cynical like me.

      I take the view that if you need to advertise a product at me then that's because the product isn't able to sell enough by volume on its own merits - either because its too expensive, crap or whatever the reason.

      In which case, even if your advert did make me think about buying it, to satisfy my own suspicious nature I'd need to do a considerable amount of research into it anway, consider it too much bother to do that research and therefore just not buy it.

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
    130. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, they can be quite telling. I saw a movie that had a scene with tower PCs in the room. They were all Pro Macs. The movie came out before Apple released this line. So they were probably empty units to show off shiny Apple products, and possibly the Pro Mac was delayed due to problems. Clearly there's not much point advertising stuff that doesn't exist on the market, and isn't being discussed or hyped.

    131. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interestingly, there was a story going around that British Leyland actively were unwilling to supply Minis to the original movie and so the producers had to buy them all the cars themselves. That film (perhaps inadvertently) turned into the biggest single advert for Minis and yet British Leyland didn't pay the producers a penny. Whereas Fiat recognised the benefit of the product placement and supplied their cars for free along with and the Fiat testing track etc; they even, I understand, tried to get the producers to change so that the protagonists would drive Fiats instead of Minis.

    132. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Golddess · · Score: 4, Funny

      It pulls me out of the movie

      Wait, showing the logo pulls you out of the movie? Really?

      "Hey Bob, why do you have this giant sticker on the lid of your laptop?"
      "Oh, we don't want anyone who might happen to wander down here to get the idea that Company X is the best because we use them."
      "But Bob, we're in a secure underground laboratory. Who the hell is going to 'wander down here'?"
      *both actors slowly turn towards the camera and stare for a few seconds*

      --
      "I'm not sure I like the fugnutish tone you used in your post!" -RogL (608926)-
    133. Re:And it's fucking irritating by PixetaledPikachu · · Score: 1

      That's because you are in Indonesia. Apple has much higher market share in the US. Movies tend to be set in the US. In my own little niche of the world, movies under-represent Macs.

      my point exactly

    134. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pckl300 · · Score: 1

      I should have known some idiot would extrapolate that. I understand that sometimes there has to be branding in there. But, I think it should be avoided when possible. Look at the Tarantino comment way down there.

      --
      In the beginning, there was null.
    135. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pckl300 · · Score: 1

      Way to be obtuse. It wouldn't be hard for them to make a plastic laptop case with no branding on it. They usually simulate the screen images anyway.

      --
      In the beginning, there was null.
    136. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Jobs already got the consult.

      House is just blackmailing him over the fact that he stole a liver for Jobs.

    137. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I remember Talledaga Nights for this reason. So much product placement that it was in your face and I couldn't enjoy the movie. Maybe that was their plan all along to make fun of product placement, if so, they tried to make fun of it but also made money while doing it, which I'm sure they found funny.

    138. Re:And it's fucking irritating by flappinbooger · · Score: 1

      People who have apple products don't upgrade as often because
      a) they don't know how to upgrade b) their experience is so "controlled" they don't need to upgrade or don't realize it c) it's too expensive to upgrade so they don't d) They paid so much for the thing they can't afford to upgrade e) they've drank so much coolaid they don't want to admit the system is outdated
      I'm mostly kidding with that though, I think the real answer is B.
      I am a PC guy and I make money off of PC's, but I was asked this weekend about whether a guy should buy a macbook pro, he has a hookup and can get a model-year-end deal on one. I told him honestly that they are very nice and he would not be disappointed, and especially so if he can get a good discount.

      --
      Flappinbooger isn't my real name
    139. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just yesterday I watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and both stars use Mac notebooks, and you can't help notice the glowing logo. Come to think of it, when the namesake breaks hers, his geek pal lends her "that old PC".

      Funny that you mention that. The author actually carried on for awhile about macbooks in the book and I remember thinking how it almost felt like the ridiculous product placement that you normally only catch in movies.

    140. Re:And it's fucking irritating by flappinbooger · · Score: 3, Funny

      It's distracting. Especially with the laptops, where Apple plasters a large illuminated logo on the back. It pulls me out of the movie and makes me think about Apple for a few seconds. In my opinion, they should cover up the brand entirely. As much as I'm a tech guy, I really don't need to know what brand of computer the guy in the movie is using, unless it has something to do with the narrative.

      I know my life was enriched knowing I can hack an alien spaceship with a macbook.

      --
      Flappinbooger isn't my real name
    141. Re:And it's fucking irritating by flappinbooger · · Score: 2

      The other thing is how it adds to the show in character development. Let me explain:
      If a main character is going to do something on a computer and they walk over to a shiny apple product it tells you the kind of person they are. They have spent money. They chose to buy an apple, because anyone can go to walmart and put an acer in their cart alongside the milk and eggs, you usually have to GO to an apple store and plop down some change .
      Also you know they might be a little more creative and artistic, might be a little more affluent, they might know what they like. Also you know they might have an iphone.
      Also like on 24 they had a shload of Dell equipment, so in my mind I think "massive government contract" "vendor support agreements" and so on. Also subconsciously I think about "wow, dell must have some fine products if they provide this kind of reliability and power." lol.

      --
      Flappinbooger isn't my real name
    142. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Antisyzygy · · Score: 1

      Another Apple fanboi that can't handle any criticism due to his religious devotion to his company perhaps? Perhaps we differ in philosophy and I don't like the fact that there are essentially two choices for app stores out there right now and both are just as bad. Hence my "coal town" analogy. Even with automobiles which are supposed to be pretty much proprietary as far as their design and layout goes you can buy many things from a variety of manufacturers and through different channels. Sure, retailers mark up maybe 30 percent buy guess what? I have a choice to go through hundred of retailers, many of which actually charge even wholesale prices. If you like being tethered to Apples or Googles tit with their hand skimming money out of your wallet be my guest, just leave me alone about it.

      --
      That brings me to an interesting point, / . is just "the ramblings of socially-inept, technology-literate news-mongers".
    143. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Raenex · · Score: 1

      *whoosh*

    144. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Antisyzygy · · Score: 1

      I work for a computational biomedicine lab now as a scientist in training but I worked in something called an "Extension Service" IT dept. while at my undergrad university. It was basically a state-wide IT support for vocational, agricultural and health education. We were the central office. The only saving grace here is that WebOS is coming out (albeit with a slow moving app store), and Microsoft and RIM are joining the fray too. At least now we have a choice between 5 different coal towns. I like being able to use other channels for software, just like a PC or a Mac. You can at least go through a variety of distributors or even download it direct from the developer. Even if app stores are convenient, I don't really care for the locked down nature of the devices. Especially since I believe mobile computing will supplant desktops and probably most laptops as well in all but scientific and maybe IT administration applications. Its going to get to the point (maybe in 20-30 years) where you will be seen as some backwoods mofo akin to that slow-old-lady-that-still-uses-checks-at-the-cash-register-and-wastes-your-time if you don't have a smart phone or a tablet or something because normal day to day activities in the city will require one. This being the case, the more competition in the market place, the better it is for the consumer. Its like we are trading the freedom of having a PC (I include mac here) for proprietary models with the Verizon/AT&T/Sprint oligopoly and another Google/Apple/Microsoft oligopoly. In spite of the benefits, there's always a trade off and I don't much care for this one but I suppose its too early to tell if it will get better or worse.

      --
      That brings me to an interesting point, / . is just "the ramblings of socially-inept, technology-literate news-mongers".
    145. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Raenex · · Score: 2

      A lot of PC people like to talk about how expensive macs are but they spend a lot more money upgrading their hardware every year.

      You don't know what you're talking about. The only niche that upgrades their PC every year is the high-end gamer crowd, and even that has died down a lot.

    146. Re:And it's fucking irritating by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      Most of the time I don't care, or indeed, even notice...but one day I tried to watch 'I, Robot', and Will Smith did the most clumsy and blatant product placement scene involving some basketball boots (whatever)...It was simply appalling, and I stopped watching from that point.

      Converse All-Stars, vintage 2004.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    147. Re:And it's fucking irritating by maestroX · · Score: 1

      You realise *why* there were Mini Coopers in The Italian Job, right? That really wasn't product placement - they couldn't have been anything but Minis.

      I'll agree as soon as I see Statham driving a Daihatsu Trevis in the Italian Job part deux.
      Real mini's are too small for today's ego's.

    148. Re:And it's fucking irritating by scotch · · Score: 1

      But when I'm watching Bones and, say, Dr. Brennan feels a need to explain her new Windows Phone 7 device and show the Metro UI off to someone?

      The writing in Bones is so awful, a discussion of Windows 7 Phone is a welcome relief.

      --
      XML causes global warming.
    149. Re:And it's fucking irritating by ottothecow · · Score: 1
      That's the thing. Watching Castle and seeing that Rick Castle has an iPhone, or that Detective Beckett has a Palm Pre? Eh, whatever. They're probably going to have a cell phone, like most of the people in the US. As long as you're not throwing that device into my face really obnoxiously, I don't care what it is. It's just a prop, and I can focus on the story. Seeing that Shawn on 'Psych' carries an iPhone, again, not terribly jarring. None of them make a big deal about their phones, they just use them on screen.

      I always wonder if these things are product placement or not. Of course Rick Castle has an iPhone...he is a wealthy dude who is at peace with his inner child. He is going to have a smart phone and if someone with loads of money who is not at all focused on the tech itself wants a smart phone...they are going to buy an iphone.

      Maybe it is just that the set designers appreciate the fact that the apple products often look better. They also seem to look less dated. That picture of the powerbook in Austin Powers stuck out to me--an ancient powerbook that was used as a prop in that movie basically looks identical to a macbook pro to the casual observer. Even the old black powerbooks look relatively modern.

      Also, any time a vintage product is used (like an old mac plus in the background), I like to think that it is not product placement but rather set design...it is such an iconic item that you feel it just *needs* to be in the background of a shot in Tron (and its not like it really gives apple a chance to say "look how pretty our shiny new product is")

      I guess what I am saying is that I like the product placement that apple does (whether or not it is actually placement). It tends to feel natural and it is nice to see real things rather than random fake-props (or like MTV where they have started blurring the logo on your t-shirt unless someone is giving them sponsor dollars).

      --
      Bottles.
    150. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If it is done right, it is fine and I like it better. And any in-movie ad beats the 30 second commercial (which my Mythbuntu DVR automatically skips)

    151. Re:And it's fucking irritating by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 1

      But then why is Apple not just in movies because it mimics real life for a lot of people to have iPods and Apple computers?

    152. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 1

      Because it allows you to bash the product. I don't think that Steve Jobs would be any too happy if the plot involved, for example, a virus that infects the computer, the computer bursting into flames, the computer requiring an expensive upgrade, or any other thing that doesn't portray a Mac in the greatest light.

      Why would Nickeloden, iCarly's network, give a fig about Jobs's opinion on the matter?

      I think they used a fake computer brand so they could run MovieOS on it and make it do things in ways that would be different (or impossible) on a real computer.

      --
      Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
    153. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The only niche that upgrades their PC every year is the high-end gamer crowd, and even that has died down a lot.

      Hmmm, that could be a sign. I think we may soon have a problem with the economy... /* looks out the window and squints at the fiery orange ball

    154. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Americano · · Score: 1

      If you want to open a competing store, you can quite easily launch your own phone with your own integrated app store, and compete head-on with Apple. This is what Android, WP7, and WebOS are all doing. Your complaint is *really* that Apple has said, "This is our vision for our product, this is what it does, and this is how it works," and that that vision doesn't match how YOU think they should operate. And that's fine to disagree with their business model - but they're under no obligation to conform to your desires. If they don't offer a product people are willing to buy, then they will lose money, and go out of business.

      This is not some sort of civil rights issue, and I'm afraid I simply don't see why anybody feels justified in using the blunt threat of legislative action to force a company to "allow competition" in a field in which NUMEROUS competitors already exist, and in a field in which we're repeatedly told that those competitors are better, faster, and more feature-rich. If the product is a non-starter, then why the hell do you get so wound up about it? Ignore it, and let it die off, just like millions of other bad products have in the past.

    155. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That was my point, comparing growth to others has little to nothing to do with overall penetration or the "percentage" deployed in the field. People that quote Apple sales figures implying Apple is making strides in overtaking the PC world are lying to themselves and it is very comical.

      Easier method..

      1000 Oranges and 100 Apples were sold last month. This month, 1100 Oranges and 110 Apples were sold. Oranges sales went up 10% and so did Apples. Bottom line, there are 100 more Oranges out there now and only 10 more Apples. 10x more total Oranges were sold in the same period.

      Back to computers. Another things that makes the numbers confusing that these people seem to latch on to is Apple is compared to Dell, Acer, HP etc.. Only Apple sells Apples and all of the other combined sell PCs. Apples sells more than Dell does not mean Apple is gaining market share vs the PC. Asus sales may have gone up 68% and they sell 10x more than Apples does. In every quarter/year that Apple has remarkable % increases, so do the PC makers, not all of them but overall, the sales percentages are about the same. HP goes down, Acer goes up. blah blah.

    156. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Raenex · · Score: 1

      :) Just a sign of diminishing returns, and evidence against Kurzweil's beloved singularity resulting from unending exponential progress. We saw CPU clock speeds hit a brick wall in the early 2000s, and we've seen graphic cards with less and less improvement over each generation.

    157. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Rary · · Score: 1

      Quentin Tarantino makes a point of not doing any product placements in his movies. If one of his characters is shown buying a pack of smokes, or pouring cereal into a bowl, it's always a fictional brand.

      Morgan Spurlock made a documentary about product placement, and in it he interviews Tarantino, who explains "that he has been unable to get product placement in his films (he tried to shoot scenes for Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction at Dennys, but they didn’t want any part of the films)".

      --

      "You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." -- Albert Einstein

    158. Re:And it's fucking irritating by badboy_tw2002 · · Score: 1

      I think you mean

      *w-w-w-w-whoo-wooo--wooo...you didn't get it*

    159. Re:And it's fucking irritating by BitZtream · · Score: 1

      First off, Monopolies are not illegal.

      Second off, Apples market share says they aren't a monopoly at anything. You could argue 'music players' but it'd be a hard argument that you'd almost certainly loose.

      There has never been anyone ruled against because they only allowed authorized products to work with their devices. There are laws saying you're more than allowed to defeat said restrictions if they exist, hence jailbreaking is illegal

      Apple does not force you to do anything, they make it difficult for you to do non-standard things, and they'd probably sue you if they could, but they can't and don't.

      As for buying all your supplies blah blah blah, it happens, even today. Take a look at printers for more than a split second.

      --
      Persistent Volume manager for Kubernetes - https://github.com/dwimsey/openshift-pvmanager
    160. Re:And it's fucking irritating by mosb1000 · · Score: 1

      That would be a fair complaint for a movie set in Indonesia, but I don't think many movies are. Many (most?) are set in the United States, so it's not weird that they'd be using macs.

    161. Re:And it's fucking irritating by vux984 · · Score: 1

      Your complaint is *really* that Apple has said, "This is our vision for our product, this is what it does, and this is how it works," and that that vision doesn't match how YOU think they should operate.

      I don't care how they operate their business. However they *are* blocking how I'd like to operate mine, and how the consumers would like to use the products the consumers own.

      If Ford decides to open an accessories store, that's perfectly fine. If they want to dictate what is in the store that's fine too. If they want 30% of revenue for anything they sell, that's fine too. But would we let them dictate that consumers are only allowed to buy Ford accessories from the Ford Store?

      Of course not. If I want to sell seat covers for Fords or even replacement seats, I can do that. I don't need Fords permission to sell them. The consumer doesn't need Fords permission to use them. And there is no way in hell Ford could demand 30% of the revenue if we didn't transact through Ford channels.

      Only an idiot would argue that "Yes Ford could do that, and if you didn't like it don't buy a ford, start your own car company with your own rules, and your own vision for the product.

      No we passed laws requiring the automotive industry to allow 3rd party replacement parts and accessories, and even mandated that they couldn't automatically terminate the warranty simply because the customer took their car to an independent mechanic and/or used 3rd party parts.

      Having a "vision for the product" doesn't magically let you trample over the rights of the people who bought it, and the rights of independent companies who wish to transact directly with people who bought the product.

      If I buy a Ford and want to install a toaster oven, Ford doesn't get a say in the matter. It doesn't matter if toaster ovens aren't in their vision for the product or not. Period.

      It's completely irrelevant that I can buy a different car that does allow toaster ovens. That is still no justification whatsoever that Ford should be allowed to dictate I can't install one in a Ford.

      If the product is a non-starter, then why the hell do you get so wound up about it? Ignore it, and let it die off, just like millions of other bad products have in the past.

      If we followed that advice when it came to cars, we'd all be obligated to take our car to the dealer for everything and purchase parts and service at monopolistic price levels.

    162. Re:And it's fucking irritating by JonJ · · Score: 1

      3D file systems in Jurassic Park (ostensibly UNIX)

      This one actually existed though, didn't it? Some sort of Irix filesystem representation...

      --
      -- Linux user #369862
    163. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, yeah? What about Kaboom cereal from KILL BILL?

    164. Re:And it's fucking irritating by mounthood · · Score: 1

      While I sympathize, your main point seems to be: "... failure to disclose what I am actually buying, which is a form of deception". So if a movie shows NY is it advertising for NY? Remember that movies are often subsidized by "film boards". How about showing the Rocky Mountains, without getting a subsidy (from Vale CO, etc...)? What if actors wear blue jeans? Does it matter if the movie is paid for that?

      The real problem with product placement is the age-old corruption of art for money and propaganda. Consider the concert that charges you for a ticket, then sells the "Live at $CITY" DVD without reducing your ticket price. Or the newspaper that pretends to be unbiased, and is funded by advertisement while also charging you for a copy.

      --
      tomorrow who's gonna fuss
    165. Re:And it's fucking irritating by scot4875 · · Score: 2

      Also you know they might be a little more creative and artistic, might be a little more affluent, they might know what they like. Also you know they might have an iphone.

      Looks like Apple's advertising is working.

      --Jeremy

      --
      Jesus was a liberal
    166. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Antisyzygy · · Score: 1

      Uhh. Yes, monopolies are illegal. Its the reason antitrust laws exist. Apple is part of an oligopoly like the cell phone industry. Their business practice makes it even more-so anti-consumer. Im not saying app stores are bad, Im saying you have no choice to go with a different app store without actually decreasing the functionality of your phone, and the same is true for google. Im not sure why everyone is so willing to allow this behavior. Its desensitizing you for a day when there really will be a monopoly in everything and you will have to pay twice as much for half the product.

      --
      That brings me to an interesting point, / . is just "the ramblings of socially-inept, technology-literate news-mongers".
    167. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      seriously I think Paul Rudd mentions his iPhone over 10 times in "I Love You, Man" and its very fucking irritating! That movie should be called "I Love You, Steve Jobs"

    168. Re:And it's fucking irritating by scot4875 · · Score: 1

      The reason that film boards try to attract movies is to get a piece of the economic activity that their production creates. You spend a few hundred grand (or whatever) to get a movie to shoot in your locale, and the movie crew end up spending a million or two in the local economy, you come out ahead: it's an investment. In many cases, the location is irrelevant to the movie: in fact, many times, the story may be set in a completely different place.

      And the reason why you're also wrong about concert ticket/DVD sales: when you buy the concert ticket, you are paying to attend the concert and hear the band. Exactly as someone would expect. The fact that they then sell a DVD made from that performance has nothing to do with it. Now, if, on the other hand, you buy a concert ticket to go see your favorite band, and every few minutes someone walks across the stage with a giant APPLE or PEPSI advertisement, obscuring your view and distracting from the music, and between songs the band members take out their iPhones to make calls, then someone would definitely have a legitimate complaint about that.

      Advertising apologists just don't make any sense to me. I'm guessing it's something like what abused spouses feel toward their abusers.

      --Jeremy

      --
      Jesus was a liberal
    169. Re:And it's fucking irritating by i.r.id10t · · Score: 1

      How is this worse (or better) than Lucy bragging to Ethel about the new fur coat Rickey bought her during the Big Sale at Macy's?

      Honestly, if I am gonna have to watch ads with my TV I'd rather them be "in line" like this as opposed to 1/3 of the timeframe with much louder sound levels, etc. Or those annoying corner "bugs" that hide 1/4 of the screen...

      --
      Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos
    170. Re:And it's fucking irritating by speroni · · Score: 1

      Crap did I just miss my deadline, again?

      --
      Eschew Obfuscation
    171. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Ksevio · · Score: 1

      Much worse was in Bones when Dr. Brennan was driving her Prius and it makes some noise, which Booth questions to receive an explanation of some Prius feature.

      At least with the Win7 phone, it was just extending a scene to receive a text message - with the car it was a whole part of a scene that just shouted product advertisement.

    172. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Sparks23 · · Score: 1

      Yeah, Bones is really the worst offender out there for product placement. They don't even bother to try to disguise them most of the time.

      As I noted in a different post, White Collar at least /tried/ to work it into the story and dialogue in a semi-natural way when they were showing off a hybrid car placement (during a high-speed car sequence) in a recent episode, by having Neal mock Diana for "not driving very green." Bones doesn't even bother with that much effort.

      --
      --Rachel
    173. Re:And it's fucking irritating by stewbacca · · Score: 1

      Those that use Macbook are usually either rich college students, marketing people, or those that work on creative field.

      Creative fields like tv shows and movies? Just because a Macbook is in the shot doesn't mean Apple paid for it to be in the shot. Chances are, they just took it from the intern and saved on materials/props budget.

    174. Re:And it's fucking irritating by stewbacca · · Score: 1

      Except that a brand new iMac can be had for $1299, not $2000, and a new iPhone for $199 ($49 if you go 3GS), and not $700.

      Even at your inflated prices, that hardly qualifies somebody as being "filthy rich".

    175. Re:And it's fucking irritating by stewbacca · · Score: 1

      It is easier to just replace a few-year-old generic PC with another $300 generic PC, however. Which I do. A lot. Pretty much every 18-24 months. Usually about 2.5 generic PC replacements to 1 Mac replacement (not trolling, just stating my experience). My 1999 G4 Tower is still a decent every day computer (and nothing has broken, amazingly) yet my wife's 2005 Compaq Presario was pretty useless as soon as 2007.

    176. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Geez, how hard is it to put Bones+TV+product+placement into a search engine?

      http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2010/04/13/egregious-product-placement-toyota-bones/

      http://www.cellfanatic.com/2010/11/12/windows-phone-7-gets-all-anthropological-with-dr-brennan-on-bones/

      The second link makes the op's comment unintentionally funny, because despite Brennan using an LG Window 7 phone for a full 10 seconds of screen time, he remembers the episode as featuring the iPhone. Microsoft just can't win :)

    177. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Raenex · · Score: 1

      Can't say I understand the need to understand replace a PC every 18-24 months. Those days have been gone for almost 10 years now. I'm still running a PC with XP on it from 2002. It's a bit sluggish, but not too bad.

      And a computer from 1994 as an everyday computer? Come on. Does a modern version of Safari even run on it?

      And what made your wife's PC "useless" from 2005 to 2007??

    178. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Golddess · · Score: 1

      It wouldn't be hard for them to make a plastic laptop case with no branding on it.

      Except that in the real world, laptops do have branding on them.

      Though your comment has reminded me of those protective shells I see some people use on their laptops, so I guess something like that could always be used.

      --
      "I'm not sure I like the fugnutish tone you used in your post!" -RogL (608926)-
    179. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pckl300 · · Score: 1

      Google's Cr-48 seems devoid of any branding. It's a real world laptop.
      But, as far as I'm concerned, unless I'm watching a documentary, the real world can go to hell. I'll give a director more credit for creating a good fictional world for 2-3 hours.

      --
      In the beginning, there was null.
    180. Re:And it's fucking irritating by pckl300 · · Score: 1

      They could be creative, artistic, affluent, etc. Or, they could just be another person who buys Apple because it's cool to do so.

      --
      In the beginning, there was null.
    181. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As opposed to the Mac crowd which throws the entire computer into the trash and buys a new one every couple of years? I mean, who wants to be seen with last year's model?

    182. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My G4 Mac is from 1999, not 1994. I upgraded the CPU to 800mhz, otherwise it was not capable of everyday computing at 350mhz. It has 4 ram slots (old slow ram at that, but still enough to run OSX.3 or 4, can't remember which was the last supported OS). It's actually faster at video rendering (using an older version of Premiere Pro) than my newish Dell at work using CS 5.

      My wife's PC was rendered useless because it used rock-bottom cheap ass parts. Windows XP and Compaqs proprietary pre-bundled crap ware, bundled with a max ram of 1GB and slow ass video that wasn't expandable except out of a standard PCI slot (even my 1999 Mac has at least an AGP slot).

      Granted my Mac was something like $1500 brand new and the Compaq was $400 with a monitor, but considering I got about 1 good year out of the PC and the Mac was pretty smoking for 4-5 years and still working now, the extra money up front was worth it.

      I still have a 2006 MacBook that is running OK (cd rom doesn't work, gets hot too fast, battery doesn't hold a charge very well), but considering I paid $999 for it and have never done anything with the OS except update to new versions, I'd say the investment has been well worth it.

    183. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Raenex · · Score: 1

      Sorry about transposing the 4 from G4 onto the year. I'd still question just how useful it is for an everyday computer. By the way, the last security update for 10.4, according to this page anyways, was in 2009.

      My PCs have always lasted me several years, except for one bad motherboard during the bad cap era (and cheaply fixed with a new motherboard). I would commonly upgrade RAM before buying a new PC.

      As for PCI, it's fine if you aren't doing any gaming, and if it was a concern to you, it's the kind of thing you could pay a bit more for instead of going for rock-bottom prices. Even Macs come at different price points. You have to buy what you need.

      As for bundled crapware, delete it, or pay a bit more and go with a vendor who doesn't install it.

      The idea that you need to replace your PC every 18-24 months is just completely ludicrous. If that's the route you choose, then fine, but don't blame PCs.

    184. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Really. Take your stuff for the lesser-brain-evolved people from my screen. If I want to watch a commercial for an overpriced product that will make sure I'm in a vendorlock I go to youtube and watch that commercial. Funny enough, I never had the wish to do so. So take your shitty commercials for your shitty products out of my great movies. *wow that feels good, I guess it was bothering me.*

      Would you prefer that movies had all images of all commercial products with their logos blurred or removed? I ask because I wonder how movie and TV producers might film if they can not display particular products. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your post.

    185. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1
      Comments:

      1. Looking around my campus, there are enough Apple laptops to make that 30 percent placement figure sort of low.

      2. Spare the hate, dudes - you sound like some rednecks arguing over what is better, a Ferd or a Chivvy.

      3. People who get pissed off at what computer is in a show sound severely petty. I think they use Dells in 2 and a Half Men, so watch that if the computer is so important to you.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    186. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      6-12 months is an exaggeration, but not huge. I use both PC's and Macs, and the replacement schedule is about 3-1, that is I go through 3 Windows PC's for every Mac I buy. Typically the old Mac goes to a backup role, and the old PC gets salvaged. All which is to say that I get around 6 years out of the Macs and around 2 out of the Windows PC. Not an official citation, but my experience none the less

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    187. Re:And it's fucking irritating by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1
      A kindly Whoosh, Guys and Gals!

      The Pear with a bite out of it is doing two things. First it's a very minor joke. Second thing is, it's sort of a hook, people in the know will get the joke immediately, and enjoy it, and those who don't will probably find out when talking to those who do. Some things are obvious, like say "Cherryo's for Cheerios, but others not so much. "Hey, did you see that laptop they were using on iCarly? It was an iPear"

      It's still an ad for Apple.

      And like it or not, product placement does have some part in a movie. Character development has to be done both subtly and overtly. An Apple product does say something about the person. It can be a couple things, it might say that a person is trendy, or it might say that a person is creative or quality driven. It's just one clue in the character development process, when added to the other clues.

      To get upset about an Apple product placed in a movie tells us as much about the viewer as it does about the character in the movie.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  2. Re:LOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Better than slashdot.

  3. Cigarettes and Apple by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I knew I had a good reason for not seeing any of those movies. At least the tobacco doesn't rule the product placement business anymore.

  4. Apple doesn't do product placement by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

    Apple denies doing product placement. That's for companies like Microsoft and HP to force their unwanted wares onto screens. Example Clip

    1. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by santax · · Score: 1, Informative

      Lol... Apple is lying.

    2. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by hedwards · · Score: 2

      And yet they're the top of the product placement charts. Products don't accidentally wind up on film very often, if at all. There's entire departments dedicated to making sure that no products are in a film without the permission of the trademark owner. It's gotten absurd, but at this point you can't make a film and assume that because a product logo is out of focus and not recognizable that it's going to be OK to include the prop.

      Consequently, they might deny it, but I wouldn't trust them, they're not that ignorant as to not notice how many of their products are being used in these films.

    3. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where is your evidence? Just because someone wrote an article doesn't make it true.

      Do you have any credible sources to back it up?

    4. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by JBMcB · · Score: 3, Informative

      I'm pretty sure you don't need permission to show someone's product in your film. Films are considered works of art, and I'm pretty sure are covered under the artistic license clause of fair use.

      The Office is a good example - they accept paid product placement dollars, but also just put brand names in where it makes sense. They show them drinking a local Pennsylvania soda, for instance. And, in a Christmas episode, an iPod was a white elephant gift. Neither company paid for the advertising.

      --
      My Other Computer Is A Data General Nova III.
    5. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by santax · · Score: 1

      Nobody in Hollywood is going to give you free commercial time in their big productions. And especially not in 30% of all movies! Hell, nobody in Hollywood will give you anything free for that matter. These adds costs millions. And they cost millions because they know who the audience of a certain movie/show will be. A great way to get your product to the people that would buy it.

    6. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by retchdog · · Score: 1

      Both could be true. As long as a trademark isn't portrayed in a way that might negatively influence the perception of the product, it's legit to use. I've heard that Apple has a public position that they are very lenient on this, whereas most other computer companies don't. If true, then Apple effectively gets product placement (if measured by number of appearances, as in TFA) without formally negotiating product placement (which is what Apple is claiming). They're just a safe choice for a recognizable computer, and it's a clever strategy.

      --
      "They were pure niggers." – Noam Chomsky
    7. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by a.phoenicis · · Score: 2

      More specifically, Apple does not pay to have their products placed. They do, however, provide the hardware free-of-charge. There is a distinction there, but it's probably too subtle for most people here.

    8. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by gnapster · · Score: 1

      Exactly. I see a gradient:

      • paying cash to get the product placed
      • donating or lending the product for placement
      • giving permission to use a product which they were going to use anyhow
      • seeing your product on the screen because they needed a prop and that brand was the one which happened to be lying around in the studio
    9. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by BasilBrush · · Score: 4, Informative

      Apple isn't lying about anything. They don't pay for product placement. They do however have people who's job it is to lend Apple products as props to film and TV companies. And they are quite open about it.

      So, where the plot or set dressing requires computers or phones, they will often be Apples. They look cool and cost the production company nothing. But what you won't see is scenes, plot and dialog specifically created to showcase Apple products, as you do in the GP's example of a "Bing It!" scene in Hawaii Five-0.

      It's amazing that despite Apple not paying for product placement, they are still at the top of the product placement charts. But that's just testament to the fact that their products look better than their competitors, and film and TV companies want things that look good.

    10. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by BitZtream · · Score: 1

      The fact that the people making the movies tend to use Macs so they just happen to be laying all over the place probably doesn't have anything to do with it ... does it?

      I'm sure they pay for placement, but when most of the crew has a mac to work on, its not surpassing to see them used in the work they produce.

      If you were making a movie and you hand your Linux laptop handy, you wouldn't just use it rather than going through a bunch of effort to find something else? Would you put a Dell running Windows in the movie instead?

      --
      Persistent Volume manager for Kubernetes - https://github.com/dwimsey/openshift-pvmanager
    11. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by e4g4 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      But that's just testament to the fact that their products look better than their competitors, and film and TV companies want things that look good.

      Indeed, I've seen a lot of Apple "product placement" where they've placed circular silver stickers over the Apple logo on the back of the screens.

      --
      The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. - Albert Einstein
    12. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by indiechild · · Score: 1

      Exactly. This just pisses off the haters on Slashdot even more. Apple's products are so good that people want to make use of them in movies and TV shows.

    13. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by swalve · · Score: 0

      It doesn't hurt that the devices "lent" out don't have to be returned. They can say "We don't pay for product placement!" all they want, but the stream of workers carrying iPods to the production studios says different.

    14. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      So, where the plot or set dressing requires computers or phones, they will often be Apples.

      And this differs from product placement precisely how?

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
    15. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You do realize that you won't be allowed anywhere near Job's funeral don't you Basil...? Lest you prize open his coffin and set about gobbling his privates in much the same way as you do on this website, almost every single day. Now get back to stroking that lovely aluminum finish you absurdly ignorant little turd of a computer user you!

    16. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      They don't pay. And thus the plot or look of the show/film isn't compromised for the sake of hidden advertising.

    17. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      I believe Cisco paid heavily to have their products placed in "24". I wasn't aware of the plot being compromised because there happened to a visible Cisco logo when Jack Bauer was talking on a phone.

      You are a fanboi, you are trying to argue semantics where there are none.

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
    18. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      I believe Cisco paid heavily to have their products placed in "24". I wasn't aware of the plot being compromised because there happened to a visible Cisco logo when Jack Bauer was talking on a phone.

      Your example of a plot not being compromised in no way provides evidence that other shows are not compromised. Earlier in the thread another poster already gave an example of such a compromised scene.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfHuZ5qrYX4

      You are a fanboi, you are trying to argue semantics where there are none.

      And if I wanted to be equally lame, I could call you a "h8r". But it would be as pointless as your name calling. What I said is true, if you don't like it that's a shame for you. But it doesn't reflect badly on me.

    19. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      I suggest that you need to think more carefully about context, rather than trying to desparately grope for some reasoning behind your rabid fanboi-ism.

      It is one thing to have sat down and watched an entire episode of "24" and recall that you saw a Cisco phone in it - indeed, I even recall seeing an Apple logo or two on one of their laptops. (Incidentally, had Cisco paid for placement but Apple hadn't, don't you think that would have caused a bit of a stink somewhere along the line?)

      However, having your attention drawn to a placement in a YouTube video called "Hawaii Five-0 Product Placement" is not contextually the same thing and therefore an unfair comparison. In other words, had I seen the entire Hawaii Five-O episode and then been asked questions about the intrusiveness of any product placement, it would be fair to expect that I, and many people, would give different responses than watching the actual clip directly.

      Don't bother with the name-calling from your end either - it doesn't stick & how it reflects on you is entirely your own business, not mine.

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
    20. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 2

      But what you won't see is scenes, plot and dialog specifically created to showcase Apple products, as you do in the GP's example of a "Bing It!" scene in Hawaii Five-0.

      I like the show "Bones". Yeah, I have to close my eyes and plug my ears any time they do anything with computers, but it's still a fun show to watch.

      But they have the most annoying product placement anywhere. For example, Angela and Tempe are driving down a road. Angela is distracted by their conversation and the car drifts into the oncoming lane. It beeps loudly at her.

      • Tempe: You should watch the road!
      • Angela: You're right! It's a good thing my Toyota (tm) comes with a system that detects when I'm not paying attention and alerts me! And it was affordable, with great interest rates!

      Thanks for un-suspending my disbelief.

      --
      Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
    21. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by VendingMenace · · Score: 1

      Wow, this has to be one of the most inane replies I have read in a while. Just wanted to comment on that.

      Regarding the debate (can we even call it that?) I am afraid that BasilBrush is doing much better than you, pandrijeczko. Or are you honestly claiming that you hear enough people say "Bing it" on a daily basis that this would not stick out as an odd turn of phrase?

      And therein lies the problem with the referenced clip. Hawaii 5-0 is attempting to tell stories set in our modern world. As such, anything that does *not* accurately reflect the current world draws the audience out of the story. This is storytelling 101. This scene would have run much more smoothly if the phrase was "google it," which is actually a common phrase.

      So, substituting "bing it" actually does compromise the story from a purely mechanical standpoint. It is poor writing and would never have been written, unless someone is being paid to put it in (and worsen the story).

      At any rate, the point here is that the story is compromised by the ad. Pure and simple. It is hard to argue otherwise.

      Also, please *please* don't point out that I mentioned "stories" and you were discussing "plot." I am making the leap of faith that you are able to grasp the similarities of these two points.

    22. Re:Apple doesn't do product placement by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      your rabid fanboi-ism.... Don't bother with the name-calling from your end either

      You've lost this exchange on so many levels.

  5. Discovery and NPR are notorious for this... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They can't spend two minutes without some scientist in front of their MBP or some big ass Mac display.
    Disclosure: posted from an iPad...

  6. Im confused by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I dont buy Hollidud crappy products anyway so why would I be tempted to buy anything that tries to advertise itself as 'kool' because its in that product?

  7. Dexter by mfh · · Score: 1

    It's nice to see Dexter mentioned here. Season five was awesome and I hope they keep the pacing similar for season six. Lumen was one of the better leading ladies for Dexter... I hope she sticks around.

    What any of this has to do with Apple doesn't matter. Good companies will continue to do product placement and stop doing commercials that suck, focus on commercials that are awesome, but not too strong for repeated play.

    The good thing about Apple's placement in Dexter is it's so basic and it's a part of his routine. I think it adds to Apple's target market because Dexter isn't a nerdy hipster... he's nerdy but he's a fucking serial killer that doesn't care too much about fashion or stupid musical groups, or his state of social presentation. He's fucking cool and he doesn't really give a shit about that stuff. I think that helps Apple to connect with a new audience.

    --
    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
    1. Re:Dexter by Haedrian · · Score: 1

      It he's nerdy but he's a fucking serial killer that doesn't care too much about fashion or stupid musical groups, or his state of social presentation. He's fucking cool and he doesn't really give a shit about that stuff. I think that helps Apple to connect with a new audience.

      95% of Serial Killers agree that Apple is the product for them.

    2. Re:Dexter by multipartmixed · · Score: 1

      Wow, this Dexter guy sounds familiar. Does he drive an El Dorado and torture people really well?

      --

      Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
  8. Re:Apple does product placement indeed by slasher154 · · Score: 1

    More correctly he was sued for not sharing his profit with studio while working for them

  9. Really? by TheNinjaroach · · Score: 1

    They beat Cisco and all their phone placement?

    --
    I went to eat some animal crackers and the box said, "Do not eat if seal is broken." I opened the box and sure enough..
    1. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Every iPhone and iPad has a microscopic piece of Steve Job's old liver.

    2. Re:Really? by bennomatic · · Score: 1

      All those Cisco placements ruined Lord of the Rings...

      --
      The CB App. What's your 20?
    3. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Terrible phone placement might i add.

  10. Screw Apple.... by metalmaster · · Score: 1

    Im getting a Pear

    At first i thought it was a clever little play on tech, because the studio execs wanted to avoid trademark infringement, but theres actually marketing for Pear

    1. Re:Screw Apple.... by zmollusc · · Score: 2

      Hey, sonny, back in the day we had plenty of food-named computers. Apricot, Peach, Orange, Lemon, Acorn, er.. Sage, er , er ...
      Well, it seemed like plenty at the time.

      --
      They whose government reduces their essential liberties for temporary security, receive neither liberty nor security.
    2. Re:Screw Apple.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wang.

    3. Re:Screw Apple.... by ModMeFlamebait · · Score: 1

      Blackberry.

      --
      Pavlov. Does this name ring a bell?
  11. Parent is a Goatse, hidden by url shortener. by jo_ham · · Score: 5, Informative

    Before clicking on the link I suspected the parent post was total nonsense, but yes slashdot, to save your blushes I went and checked it out anyway.

    I said "a fiver says this is either a rick roll or a goatse, the story comment just reeks of a teenage urban legend and he has a 7 digit UID that starts with a 2, there is no way this is legit"

    So, if you like huge assholes or are a fan of prolapsed rectums, by all means click on the disguised link.

    1. Re:Parent is a Goatse, hidden by url shortener. by gnapster · · Score: 1

      My condolences to your optical units. Thanks for taking one for the team.

  12. Getting out of hand by Renderer+of+Evil · · Score: 2, Funny

    Apple's product placement has gotten out of hand in recent years. Everywhere in coffee shops, airports, college campuses, and libraries you see the glowing Apple logo. The shareholders should really ask tough questions why Apple is wasting so much money paying these people to use their products.

    The worst example of product placement is probably at the malls. They have this giant space allocated for the sole purpose of flaunting the shining logo filled to the brim with Apple-only computer gear. Yes, the Apple store is the mother of all product placements. And these stores are full of people who are paid by the company to stand there and fiddle with MacBooks and iPads.

    Dell, Gateway and HP would never do something like this. They're ethical when it comes to clean competition.

    DOJ needs to investigate.

    1. Re:Getting out of hand by Zuriel · · Score: 1

      The shareholders should really ask tough questions why Apple is wasting so much money paying these people to use their products.

      Product placement = advertising = sales = profit.

      Theoretically, at least. Whether or not it's worth the cost is another matter altogether.

    2. Re:Getting out of hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *whooooosh*

    3. Re:Getting out of hand by geekd · · Score: 2

      WHoosh!

    4. Re:Getting out of hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple's product placement has gotten out of hand in recent years. Everywhere in coffee shops, airports, college campuses, and libraries you see the glowing Apple logo. The shareholders should really ask tough questions why Apple is wasting so much money paying these people to use their products.

      The worst example of product placement is probably at the malls. They have this giant space allocated for the sole purpose of flaunting the shining logo filled to the brim with Apple-only computer gear. Yes, the Apple store is the mother of all product placements. And these stores are full of people who are paid by the company to stand there and fiddle with MacBooks and iPads.

      Dell, Gateway and HP would never do something like this. They're ethical when it comes to clean competition.

      DOJ needs to investigate.

      Dell, Gateway and HP are ethical? Do you listen to Glenn Beck, too? Um, last time I checked, corporations are beholden to nothing but the shareholder (or bottom-line) and will do anything and everything to increase shareholder value. If you think any corporation doesn't lie, cheat and steal at every possible instance you're smoking crack.

    5. Re:Getting out of hand by bonch · · Score: 1

      Apple's product placement has gotten out of hand in recent years. Everywhere in coffee shops, airports, college campuses, and libraries you see the glowing Apple logo. The shareholders should really ask tough questions why Apple is wasting so much money paying these people to use their products.

      "The shareholders should ask tough questions about why Apple is spending money to advertise their products! It's out of hand!"

    6. Re:Getting out of hand by BitZtream · · Score: 1

      Really? Running a store with people who know how to use the products and can help their customers is a reason for the DOJ to get involved?

      Seriously? A fucking store where people are actually useful is something we bring up a lawsuit over?

      Ballmer? Is that you?

      --
      Persistent Volume manager for Kubernetes - https://github.com/dwimsey/openshift-pvmanager
    7. Re:Getting out of hand by cjnichol · · Score: 2

      But the ENTIRE POST was covered in such a thick layer of sarcasm that I had to go find my windshield scrapper so I could clean off the screen before reading it.

    8. Re:Getting out of hand by indiechild · · Score: 1

      It's clearly sarcasm that mocks the legions of "geek" Apple-haters you see on tech sites like Slashdot.

    9. Re:Getting out of hand by VortexCortex · · Score: 0

      Apple's product placement has gotten out of hand in recent years.

      Tell me about it -- People don't even care what's on the screen isn't OSX... Apple's crappy Logo is so very overrated, IMHO.

      My friend and I were at the park watching his son play baseball. I borrowed his Apple Macbook to check the movie show times. Just then the attractive woman sitting next to me struck up a conversation with me about the movie I was checking out. We flirted a bit, and even talked about how tech is enriching our culture.

      She seemed my type, we liked the same movies; So, I was interested -- Until she complimented me on having the slick new OSX update. I mentioned to her that the laptop wasn't mine. (I own a more powerful Toshiba model), "It's funny you should compliment the OS visuals -- both my friend and I run Fedora Gnu/Linux"

      it wasn't Apple's OSX she was impressed with, it was Gnome w/ Compiz-Fusion. "Isn't it amazing that this cool software is 100% free?", I asked.

      She remarked, "It can't be that good if it's free -- the Mac hardware is probably what makes it impressive."

      She gave me her number, which I later threw away -- The free sex couldn't have been any good either, I reasoned, I didn't have "Mac hardware" to do it on.

    10. Re:Getting out of hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hahaha jesus christ,

    11. Re:Getting out of hand by mariox19 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Next time, do us all a favor and record the conversation using the built-in video camera, because I call bullshit.

      --

      quiquid id est, timeo puellas et oscula dantes.

    12. Re:Getting out of hand by jo_ham · · Score: 2

      That fact that you couldn't easily tell it apart from a genuine Apple-bashing post shows just how bad /. has become at over the top hate of the in-vogue "enemies" of late.

      That sarcasm was so thick I was carving pieces of it off to spread on toast.

    13. Re:Getting out of hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is this a joke?

  13. Reality distrotion field in effect. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I am amazed by these fluff articles that are based on facts by apple fan boys. Iron man 2 featured android devices exclusivly. Yes they "look" like iphones and ipads but they are not. Nor are h alf the products these people think are them in films. Also... classicaly, the nokia branded phones have been featured in more films that any other. Especially the communicator series but never any articles on that... only when they think its apple does it matter.

  14. Original Article by pavon · · Score: 1

    Here is the original article by brandchannel in case you are interested in seeing the rest. I thought I would be, but after skimming it I changed my mind.

  15. Honerable mention to Blade 3. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Honerable mention to Blade 3, wich not only showed an ipod every 3 minutes; it actuly stoped for 10 minutes for one protagonist to show another how to use the itunes website to download music.

  16. Very common by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As the summary points out, Apple has been doing this a lot. It seems every other movie I see has a Mac in it somewhere. Funny how rarely, in comparison, we see a computer running Windows on the silver screen.

    1. Re:Very common by swalve · · Score: 0

      Because Apple gives their stuff away for free. Why buy something when Apple will ship off a case of them?

  17. It Can Get Intrusive by GumphMaster · · Score: 1

    For the most part I don't care what product placement bollocks they various parties get up to: they get the ability to advertise at me, and I get the right to ignore either the movie or the advert (often the former if the movie is Hollywood drivel). However I do take issue when it becomes intrusive. One of our Aussie TV networks thought it would be good to insert their own advert into a CSI episode. So, they waited for one of the "through the microscope" shots and replaced the entire circular slide image with a Web 2.0 style button advert for some other upcoming show. Rude bastards. Only ever saw it once so I'm guessing I wasn't the only one that complained.

    --
    Patent litigation: A doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction... in which everyone seems willing to push the button
  18. Seinfeld by SamuraiHoedown · · Score: 1

    For someone that never once used the computer in the entire history of the show, Jerry sure had a lot of different Macs pretty. He even had the twentieth anniversary edition.

  19. Wall-e by havardi · · Score: 1

    When he rebooted and I heard the Mac Chime... a part of me laughed at the recognition, and my other part was sort-of annoyed at being distracted from the movie.

    1. Re:Wall-e by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They were just trying to equate Apple with roaches. No matter how much we despise them, the only things that will be left in the end are roaches and Apple...and one lonely little robot.

    2. Re:Wall-e by bennomatic · · Score: 1

      Well, to be fair, it was a Pixar movie; I'm sure they put that in just as a fun inside joke for old Steve.

      Also, didn't they make his the old style of Mac chime, and hers the new (post Intel migration) chime?

      --
      The CB App. What's your 20?
  20. Its jealousy not hatred by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... You're the stereotypical neckbeard who thinks they're smarter than everyone else because they run Linus Torvald's UNIX clone. Slashdot has become so ridiculously over the top with its Apple hatred lately ...

    Its jealousy not hatred. The Linux evangelists are royally pissed off that Apple swooped in and *stole* the Unix desktop from them.

    1. Re:Its jealousy not hatred by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      How can Apple have "stolen" what was never there in the first place?

      In the USA, Macs have about 8% of the desktop market, in Europe it's much less - I'm not sure what the Linux penetration is, probably less, but despite using predominantly Linux on my desktops. I don't care anyway. I use what's appropriate for the task I need to do, sometimes even Windows, I don't need approval from my peers or have a desire to ram what I use down everyone else's throats.

      Incidentally, before crowing about UNIX, I wonder how many of you Apple people ever venture to the command line and actually embrace the power of the UNIX that you are running? How many of you know how to create powerful custom automisation scripts using Perl, or indeed commands like sed? awk?

      Most of you take UNIX to mean "not Windows" just so you have a reason to feel a bit exclusive without having to spend any time learning the power of a UNIX system like those of us who *REALLY* know UNIX do.

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  21. Why does it matter? by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

    It doesn't move products. Why does anyone care?

    Frankly I'd be afraid of the IT manager that purchased Oracle kit because it was in Iron Man 2.

    --
    Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
    1. Re:Why does it matter? by high_rolla · · Score: 1

      It also helps with respect to trust. You may not decide to purchase directly based on seeing the product in the movie but you see it in the movie, and several other places etc and it builds the idea that this company is everywhere and so must be trustworthy.

      I forget the exact number but they say you normally need to see a product on average at least twenty something times before deciding to make a purchase.

      --
      Ryans Tutorials - A collection of technology tutorials.
    2. Re:Why does it matter? by misexistentialist · · Score: 1

      If you actually want the product because of its merits, and haven't just been brainwashed to take out your wallet when you see the logo, you still have to pay more for it to cover the cost of the ads. And the value of the ad-infected TV shows and movies that anyone wants to watch because of their content is reduced.

    3. Re:Why does it matter? by VortexCortex · · Score: 1

      It also helps with respect to trust. You may not decide to purchase directly based on seeing the product ... several other places etc and it builds the idea that this company is everywhere and so must be trustworthy.

      I couldn't agree more. I've been using the MS OSs since MSDos 3.1 (switched from DR DOS). I did commercial electrical work (manual labor, wiring new buildings), but my hobby was computer programming. I taught myself BASIC, C, Assembler (MASM), Pascal... It got kind of expensive over the years, but I kept learning... Visual Basic (confound it), C++. Try as I might, it was so hard to get anything of value produced besides dinky one off programs that didn't appeal to anyone but me... Then I learned HTML, JavaScript, Perl. Finally I could put together UIs easily and expose my applications to the world through the web...

      I wrote tons of CGI code in Perl and C... I remember seeing something called "Linux" in the HTTP Server headers when connecting to other servers... As time went on, the Linux name became so prevalent, I started looking into it -- I heard good things about it, but I already had my whole dev environment painstakingly configured just the way it worked for me...

      While I worked my way up to Journeyman Electrician I kept working on my web "hobby" projects. I was frustrated with the fractured web though -- HTML, Java (also picked up) & JavaScript on the client side, with a different server side language -- ugh. I missed some of the things from working with single language native Pascal, C & C++ projects.

      I saw the name Linux rise in popularity; It became a game to me to find out what software a server was actually running when it didn't say "Server: xxxxx (Linux)" -- More often than not it actually was Linux!

      Some of my friends told me I should try Linux, but I was firmly entrenched in my own expensive and paid-for "hobby" build environment on MS Windows... Until one day I was creating a website for someone else and they asked me if I could use their existing server. The remote server ran Linux... At first I was wary, I said, "I'll see what I can do, I've heard good things about it but, I'm not familiar with Linux" -- It was all over the place, how hard could Linux be to use?

      After becoming frustrated trying to configure my dev / testing environment's Active Perl / MySQL / Apache on Windows to mirror the remote Linux host's setup I threw my hands up and gave up. Linux & free software just wasn't just not compatible with Windows.

      One of the modules needed Perl's "fork" to work -- Which it didn't work on Windows. I had always just written all of my own modules to work around such issues... Before throwing in the towel, I decided to try out one last crazy Idea.

      I installed Linux on one of the older machines I was going to give away... I was amazed at how easy it was to install and setup the web dev environment. The concept of "Free Software Repositories" rocked my world. Soon I had installed compilers for all my favorite client languages -- I couldn't believe that it was all free! I stumbled upon the Linux sources and was awestruck -- The code for the whole OS? I had to resist the urge to tinker; I had work to do.

      After I finished that web project, I found myself keeping the older Linux box and using it as my primary development machine -- How could the 1/2 speed beige box start & run faster than my new Windows box? (Now, I could actually find out -- I could see the code that made the machine work the way it did!)

      Like a child that had been abused their entire life, I had used Windows without question -- I didn't know the years of frustration were unnecessary; When I was shown how easy freedom could be the proprietary MS Windows scales fell from my eyes.

      All of the free & open source modules made knitting together useful applications a breeze. A year later, I was able to quit my Electrician job and write software full time on Linux. To

  22. Also it can be done really poorly by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    I don't mind product placement when done well. One of the best examples I can remember is Dell in V for Vendetta. The only way it is placed is that the computers the cops use have Dell logos on them, rather than none. It isn't featured or highlighted in any way, the computers are where you'd expect them to be and they aren't used to call attention to themselves. They just happen to be a real brand of computers. There would be computers in the scene anyhow, probably black ones since it fits the motif, there are just small logos on these as in a real office. It actually makes it seem more realistic.

    However more often it is obnoxious. The product is shown off, put in your face, featured in a way it wouldn't otherwise be. A good example is the Converse shoes in I Robot. While the general idea of buying an old product fit with the character, it was clear that scene was specifically written for those shoes. It was to shove them in your face and make people want to go buy them (they were released with the movie). It was annoying, intrusive, advertising.

  23. Does Apple buy this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I keep reading from time to time that Jobs says Apple doesn't pay for product placements. Neither of these stories mentions whether they do. If it's the case that many companies do *not* pay for placements (and I'm not talking about the one's that are obvious ads like "I'm out of Stride gum - let's get some on the way..."), then Glock's lifetime "achievement" award seems well-earned: make a product that's sexy enough to be in front of a camera. In addition to Apple's visual appeal, the production staff probably uses Apple gear, so they just put on-screen the same stuff they already use. Why go out and buy a Dell or a Windows Phone 7 phone or create a custom prop when you have something nice looking handy already?

  24. But it does by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    In the case of Oracle and Iron Man 2 it may not have been product placement in the classic sense. In some cases a director wants a real product, because they feel it is more realistic, and they have the producers work with the company for the rights.

    However for consumer gadgets, it absolutely works. The reason Apple does it is they want to create this image that everyone uses Apple. They want it to seem like Apple products are everywhere, and all the cool successful people use them. Well in the real world you don't see this. You see lots of Macbooks in coffee shops but in an office you see Dells or HPs or whatever. So they work it with product placement. You see Macs all over TV and movies, in office environments where they normally are not.

    Now you can argue it shouldn't influence people, but it does. They see it and subconsciously feel like it is a product that is everywhere so maybe they should have one.

  25. Misdirected Anger? by IceCastle · · Score: 1

    There seems to be a lot of anger being cast towards Apple and other vendors but really, who can blame them? It's the producers and developing of the movies that are creating the advertising opportunities and looking for additional sources of revenue. Of course they are going to pay for an opportunity to get their products on screen and into the hands of the actors. I'm not saying it right but it is perfectly understandable.

  26. I don't think that was product placement by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    I think that was a joke. While I'm sure they worked out a deal with Apple, because they'd have to for licensing reasons, I doubt Apple went looking to put that in there. More likely the director knew it would be funny to people and decided to put it in. Wall-e needed to do something when he rebooted, and given that it was a comedy that thing should be funny. He figured that was just the thing.

    1. Re:I don't think that was product placement by el3mentary · · Score: 2

      Steve Jobs used to own Pixar, he's still the largest single Shareholder of Disney due to the acquisition a few years back. Disney, in particular Pixars links with Apple are incredibly strong.

      --
      I reject your reality and substitute my own.
  27. I'M SOLD ON APPLE!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    BECAUSE in Sandra Bullock's "The Net" it accurately showed just how powerful a virus really is!!! It pixellates your data and makes it all hard to see! GO APPLE!

    1. Re:I'M SOLD ON APPLE!!! by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      Was this the same Apple computer that was capable of dealing with an impossible IP address?

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  28. Star Trek IV by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    they've had successful product placements in a number of TV Shows and movies over the last three decades like 'Star Trek IV'...

    I wouldn't call that "successful". The mouse couldn't accept voice commands, and thus looked out-of-date.

  29. It is not advertising! by www.sorehands.com · · Score: 0

    I watched Independence Day. I had to buy a Macbook, so I could hack an alien space craft when they arrived! How is that advertising? It taught me, I could not hack aliens with Windows.
     

    1. Re:It is not advertising! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The product placement I didn't mind, but the grossly exaggerated battery life in that laptop ripped me out of my suspension of disbelief, I stood up and yelled, THAT THING STILL GOT JUICE!!??

  30. wait, oscars night, natalie portman and this?!?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    where's the natalie portman post? where's the grits?

  31. Even in some games by TrancePhreak · · Score: 1
    --

    -]Phreak Out[-
  32. Product Placement? by xMonkey · · Score: 1

    It would be interesting to really know how much of that is actual product placement. I would have to guess anything that appears in recent movies is undoubtedly product placement. However, Apple products have been in movies for a long time, decades as noted by the OP.

    I think many of the glimpses of Apple products we've seen in the past is largely due to the fact that those 'hollywood types' personally use Apple, as well as Apple being prominent in their industrial. In other words, Apple is in the movies because Apple is in that culture.

    But I can't Imagine that is the chief reason we see Apple now days. Hollywood knows the value of screen time and they'll charge for it.

  33. Apple products are used by most creative types... by Vandil+X · · Score: 1

    ...most creative types make the media we consume, from tv, movies, magazines, newspapers, online videos, pamplets... just about anything.

    When producing a piece of media, whenever a "computer" is needed for a prop, the company isn't going to buy a computer to be a prop, they just grab one of the machines in the office, which, in most creative businesses, happens to be a Mac with/without the Apple logo covered/removed in post-production.

    --
    Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, START
  34. Try expand your horizon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "In my world, about half the people I know that have laptops, have Apple Laptops... "

    You are a liberal art student, right ? From all the people I know of, it is more like between 1 out of 10 and 1 out of 20. As for iPad , I rarely see one in the Underground train, otherwise none of the folk i know has one, not matter their technical litteracy.

    1. Re:Try expand your horizon by geogob · · Score: 1

      I'm a physicist and engineer working not in liberal arts but in *gasp* aerospace engineering. I now worked on two continents and this proportion seems about right in both place, especially since many people switched over to mac laptops in the last 24 months (maybe product placement made is wonders, who knows).

      But as I said, I am aware there is not one unique trend in the world and what I leave by no means is or should be representative of what everyone lives. The product acceptance is very uneven geographically. It may just be "luck" that I know so many people who owns mac product.

      In the end, my point was that you can't go on saying that what is shown in movies does not represent the real world (ref to the post to which I replied) based on your own personal point of view of that world. What if most people working on films sets, scripting them and writing them are mostly liberal art majors? With 90% of their colleagues using macs? Just a thought.

      Hope my point was easier to catch this time...

  35. It's true by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I noticed it recently in the movies I have been watching.. Everybody is using an Apple laptop. It is crazy.

  36. I like product placement by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Really everyone? I like product placement...
    Its either so bad that its funny (98%) or clever and interesting (2%)

  37. Really? by Cant+use+a+slash+wtf · · Score: 1

    Did anyone NOT know this already? Seriously, it seems like every ad, TV show or movie I see, they are using Apple computers or products. Honestly, I realised this quite a while ago. It does frustrate me though, as it seems completely disproportionate to the percentage of people who actually own these products.

  38. Apple is winner by lemoon · · Score: 0

    Yeah, at least, the iPad is a great video playing device! http://www.ifunia.com/ipad-column/index.html

    1. Re:Apple is winner by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      So is any laptop/desktop/netbook running Windows or Linux - both will do so at about half the cost and if you feel like running up an emulator to play a few retrogames when the movie is done, you can do that also.

      So your point is precisely what? That the iPad is a great multimedia device but so locked down you can't always do what you want to do with it, despite its premium price?

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  39. I Don't Mind It In Appropriate Movies... by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1, Funny

    ... for example, in a homosexual porn movie where a rich young man is being fisted by a Steve Jobs lookalike, then Apple product placement would be entirely appropriate.

    --
    Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
    1. Re:I Don't Mind It In Appropriate Movies... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      While even I'm highly offended by that comment it makes it all the more hilarious.

  40. Bully for them, then. by Therilith · · Score: 1

    Anyone else absolutely despise movie/TV show product placement?

    Even if most movies these days are trash, loading the few potential "classics" down with coca-cola addicted characters and cameras lingering 10 seconds on computers after the actors have left the shot inevitably cheapen the whole experience.

    It won't be long before they actually write the advertised items into the plot.

  41. Just one silly little issue by Shivetya · · Score: 2

    if you are noticing the product placement in a movie one would have to suspect that the movie was not enjoyable.

    Really, if product placement stands out then I doubt the movie has a compelling story and is not worth watching in the first place. Its like Mystery Science Theater 3K, they start picking things apart because the movie as a whole is so bad that it becomes a process of anything goes. Now a special exception seems to be cars, people excuse specific cars from showing up; meaning a hot car is permitted regardless.

    Product placement is far more rampant during prime time television.

    --
    * Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
    1. Re:Just one silly little issue by thomasw_lrd · · Score: 0

      I found this be product placement to be completely hilarious, when I worked for Sysco Foods. In one horror movie, they are chased into the freezer of the restaurant, and yes you guessed it it was full of Sysco Food boxes. These are the product placements and ads that really get to me. The ones that are only for rich people. No normal person watching that movie would even realize that there were ads in the movie.

  42. Re:Apple products are used by most creative types. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Only if you RTFA you'd notice that one of the movies listed was Toy Story 3.

    Perhaps you could explain how you "grab one of the machines in the office" and put it in an animated movie...

    Well there was Tron, but that was with people.

  43. Regarding Star Trek IV by GreggBz · · Score: 2

    Rumor has it that Star Trek IV was to originally use an Amiga in the transparent aluminum scene, but Commodore would not loan the studio a computer. Apple, however was happy to. As you all know, the Amiga was a superior, less expensive product, just marketed much more poorly. :-)

  44. You are not FORCED TO LIE ABOUT YOURSELF either by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Me: 1) Degree in Biotechnology and Computer Science. (Did your troll factory offer dual majors, or just the standard "how to be an obnoxious twat on the internet" syllabus?)" - by Americano (920576) on Friday February 18, @02:27PM (#35247076)

    First of all, Kevin B. Pease = AMERICANO from Merrimack New Hampshire - kbpease@hotmail.com - YOU DID NOT GET A DOUBLE MAJOR!

    http://www.linkedin.com/in/kbpease

    PERTINENT EXCERPT:

    Kevin Pease's Education
    Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    B.S., Biotechnology

    1993 Ã" 1998

    Minor: Computer Science

    ---

    LMAO - it took you 6 YEARS to get a CSC MINOR? Rotflmao... and, you outright LIED about it here?? You're credibility = SHOT TO HELL, and you only did that, to yourself...

  45. You were FORCED 2 LIE though, Americano by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Me: 1) Degree in Biotechnology and Computer Science. (Did your troll factory offer dual majors, or just the standard "how to be an obnoxious twat on the internet" syllabus?)" - by Americano (920576) on Friday February 18, @02:27PM (#35247076)

    First of all, Kevin B. Pease = AMERICANO from Merrimack New Hampshire - kbpease@hotmail.com - YOU DID NOT GET A DOUBLE MAJOR!

    http://www.linkedin.com/in/kbpease

    PERTINENT EXCERPT:

    Kevin Pease's Education
    Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    B.S., Biotechnology

    1993 Ã" 1998

    Minor: Computer Science

    ---

    LMAO - it took you 6 YEARS to get a CSC MINOR? Rotflmao... and, you outright LIED about it here?? You're credibility = SHOT TO HELL, and you only did that, to yourself... period!

    1. Re:You were FORCED 2 LIE though, Americano by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I see the haters, they rollin' ....

    2. Re:You were FORCED 2 LIE though, Americano by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't know who you are, or what your beef is with this guy, but you're just cluttering up a lot of comments with a bunch of senseless ranting. I shouldn't feed the troll, but I'd like to point out a couple glaring flaws in your argument in the hopes that you'll stop copy-pasting this shit everywhere and slowing down my page loads.

      1) He said he had a degree in Biotechnology, and Comp Sci. It's clear from your link (provided the data available there is both accurate, and belongs to the person you're trolling) that he does, in fact, have a degree that is in Biotechnology (major) and Computer Science (minor).

      2) As I read it, the question of dual majors seems directed at you; it is very clear - from the fact that you seem to be following him around and posting this same stuff in response to every post he makes - that you specialize in trolling, so perhaps you're being asked if you have any other sort of educational background besides your obvious trolling proficiency?

      3) Your math is wrong. In the US, 1 year of school goes from ~September of year X to ~May/June of year X+1. Dates of attendance from 1993 to 1998 would typically indicate 5 years of schooling - entered in September of 1993, graduated in May of 1998. Longer than the 4-year norm, certainly, but with educational programs, 6 calendar years generally represents 5 school years of September-to-June schooling.

      4) Regardless of the time spent, it took "X years" to get a degree - the Minor is only part of that degree, it's a safe assumption that the bulk of the time spent in college was not spent earning a minor.

    3. Re:You were FORCED 2 LIE though, Americano by silverglade00 · · Score: 1

      To add to your point number 3, it is also common for colleges in the US to mess with their schedules and only offer certain classes during certain semesters. This causes requisite classes to be held during conflicting times, so the student must wait an entire year to take a required class just because of timing. Since taking the time off from studies will affect student loans, financial aid, and their degree plan, they end up wasting time taking classes that aren't needed.

      My point is that just because it took 6 years to finish a degree, doesn't necessarily mean that the student is stupid. It could mean that the school they went to decided to screw over their students in order to maximize profits. Not that I'm bitter about it or anything...

  46. Americano, tell us another line of b.s., ok? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Me: 1) Degree in Biotechnology and Computer Science. (Did your troll factory offer dual majors, or just the standard "how to be an obnoxious twat on the internet" syllabus?)" - by Americano (920576) on Friday February 18, @02:27PM (#35247076)

    First of all, Kevin B. Pease = AMERICANO from Merrimack New Hampshire - kbpease@hotmail.com - YOU DID NOT GET A DOUBLE MAJOR!

    http://www.linkedin.com/in/kbpease

    PERTINENT EXCERPT:

    Kevin Pease's Education
    Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    B.S., Biotechnology

    1993 Ã" 1998

    Minor: Computer Science

    ---

    LMAO - it took you 6 YEARS to get a CSC MINOR? Rotflmao... and, you outright LIED about it here?? You're credibility = SHOT TO HELL, and you only did that, to yourself... period.

  47. Twentieth Anniversary Mac on Seinfeld by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hey don't forget Seinfeld. Jerry had one of the coolest macs ever made in his apartment, tho I never saw it turned on...
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentieth_Anniversary_Macintosh

  48. Re:Apple products are used by most creative types. by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

    ...most creative types make the media we consume, from tv, movies, magazines, newspapers, online videos, pamplets... just about anything.

    Don't be an idiot, please! That's about the same as me buying a paintbrush, some paints and an easel and calling myself an artist.

    --
    Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  49. Ads as part of the script by Deep+Esophagus · · Score: 1

    Bear in mind, that sort of intrusive product placement is nothing new; it was done in early radio as well as television. George Burns and Gracie Allen would be having some conversation when a neighbor would wander by and start telling them excitedly about how much whiter her husband's shirts came out since she started using new Spud! laundry detergent or whatever.

    Then of course there's the infamous Flintstones cigarette ad...

  50. Most product placement, you never noticed by Quila · · Score: 1

    Ever seen Moonstruck? The champagne was product placement. Pepsi in Back to the Future, Product placement is a huge business with brokers and agents. It's all over and it's been there for a long time. As long as a character doesn't start touting the features of the product like Bones in her Prius, I don't really mind.

  51. PP is bullshit by xororand · · Score: 1

    Product placement of any kind is aggravating, just like any other kind of advertisement. It poisons the mind and distracts from the movie. Can't you settle for less expensive sets and effects and instead, you know, write better scripts? But no, it wouldn't be a proper movie without at least 3 exploding trucks and 53 car chases, brought to you by Nokia, like in the last Star Trek movie.
    In the beautiful words of David Lynch: total fucking bullshit.

  52. Toy Story 3 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't Pixar place Apple products willingly in their films as a thank you to Jobs for essentially saving them back in the 80s?

  53. But they may not be paid placements by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My understanding is that Apple does not pay for any of it's placements, but may offer hardware for the shot itself. This puts a different twist on this stat.

  54. What does (b) mean? by Brannon · · Score: 1

    Just sounds like gibberish to me. I think what you are trying to say is something like "Mac users don't care about specs".

    The whole "Mac users don't understand technology" meme is absurd and annoying.

    There are lots of Mac users out there that know more about computers than you do. Visualize those people the next time you are tempted to write something silly like "they don't know how to upgrade".

    1. Re:What does (b) mean? by Stevecrox · · Score: 1

      One day I'll meet this mythical knowledgeable Apple owner, it took 6 months of searching and I did finally find a nice chav* it's been six years and I've still not meet a knowledgeable Apple owner.

      My criteria is simple, someone who knew to a relatively high degree a market and choose the Apple product. For example I know a number of software engineers who have bought an iPhone however if you were to mention Symbian, Palm Pre, Meego, Windows Mobile 6, Windows Phone 7, etc.. they would stare blankly at you. The Powerbook criteria is just someone who has heard of AMD Fusion or Intel Atom. You'd be amazed about the number of technical people who take no real interest when it comes to spending on gadgets.

      *chav is UK talk for white trash, I dislike them intensely a friend said I was too judgemental and chavs were people too, hence the search. I had to admit I was wrong.

  55. You've "gone out of business" (no credibility) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Me: 1) Degree in Biotechnology and Computer Science. (Did your troll factory offer dual majors, or just the standard "how to be an obnoxious twat on the internet" syllabus?)" - by Americano (920576) on Friday February 18, @02:27PM (#35247076)

    First of all, Kevin B. Pease = AMERICANO from Merrimack New Hampshire - kbpease@hotmail.com - YOU DID NOT GET A DOUBLE MAJOR!

    http://www.linkedin.com/in/kbpease

    PERTINENT EXCERPT:

    Kevin Pease's Education
    Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    B.S., Biotechnology

    1993 Ã" 1998

    Minor: Computer Science

    ---

    LMAO - it took you 6 YEARS to get a CSC MINOR? Rotflmao... which you also LIED about, & thus, per the subject-line above?? You're OUT OF BUSINESS/CREDIBILITY... period!

  56. So what? Businesses should not be taxed. by mosb1000 · · Score: 1

    Business ventures should not be taxed. Taxes are about accounting, letting people know the cost of government services so they know whether or not they're getting what they pay for. You don't want people to think they're getting a free ride when they're not. Businesses aren't really people, and they don't have feelings, and even if they did, they can't vote. It makes no sense to tax businesses unless your intention is to hide the cost of government services from the people who are ultimately paying for them.

  57. Still had juice by www.sorehands.com · · Score: 1

    Remember that space craft was fully loaded, power windows, nuclear missile, and Mac power adapter.

  58. Re:Bing it! by DocSavage64109 · · Score: 1

    I didn't know there even was a new Hawaii 5-0 show out, but I can't help but think how funny and realistic it would be if the person told to "Bing it!" would reply something like "What?! Do you mean Google it? Who the heck uses Bing?"

  59. Today's your lucky day by Brannon · · Score: 1

    You've met him. Judging from your general attitude, I feel pretty confident saying that I know more about computers than you do. I design them for a living. I probably designed something in the computer you are using right now. I know how it works from the transistor up.

    I've owned every kind of mobile device that one can imagine over the last 20 years. I've been tinkering with every kind of computer since I was a kid. I used to love to tinker on all my devices. Now I work for a living--debugging deeply technical issues all day long. My phone, I want it to work. My laptop--I want it to work. I've developed an appreciation for good hardware and software design through years of doing both--Apple puts a lot of effort into both.

    I can understand someone wanting something to tinker with--I have a box full of robot parts for whenever the mood strikes. I hack in several different languages on my Linux box and I find that stimulating. But what I don't do is look down my nose at people who don't want to do that, or at least don't want to do that 24 hours a day.

  60. http://www.all-good-battery.com by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    High quality battery, charger online store.
    http://www.all-good-battery.com

  61. RyuuzakiTetsuya, you're nothing but a big talker by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    RyuuzakiTetsuya, you wouldn't know the first thing about any of that, so why on earth are you trying to play expert? We know you're nothing more than some wannabe, so give up already. Your posts have zero content value each time you post and you subject us to your drivel. Give us a break. Stop.

  62. It all makes sense now :( by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I would have thought realism in "real life" dramas would have won through. I always thought that in the narrow view that Hollywood has of the world most people were using Apple. It used to annoy me when I only knew two people with Macs at the time and had never seen one used in industry - don't get me wrong, I knew someone was using them, but not in finance, engineering, medicine.... anything but publishing. I knew Amigas were being used for most animation at the time so I guess it was a bit of cognitive dissonance on my part to reconcile Macs in movies.

    Even now, whenever I see Macs with not a PC in sight it kills the realism of the movie for me. I can believe a bullet can knock someone back 5 feet, but seeing Macs where PCs should be is really bursting the bubble for me. I guess it comes down to: I have no real world experience of seeing people shot, but I am in the computing industry and know what sits on most desks.

    Note: this does not translate to iPhones, iPods and iGadgetLessThanARealComputer as these things are everywhere (though now I have to wonder if it is a case of life imitating art).

  63. House , Apples = penis enlargers by hydrocloricacid · · Score: 1

    Not always . Just need to look closely
    Usually the Mac computer is the one they thrust in your face , but the pc is the one doing the work.

    eg on Houses desk (against the wall) , thats a pc , they never show you its screen ,(well very rarely) it just sits there brooding darkly when the bright apple with logo glowing is thrust repetitively in your face. (this is sometimes used on the desk facing the door)

    Sounds like apples are penis enlargers (a la ferrari)