Archive for the ‘Advertising’ Category

Apple patent application reveals ad-supported OS, desktop Armageddon

You know, a lot of patent applications are company attempts to guard against the future however it might play out. But sometimes they predict the product pipeline as did this application for what ultimately became Apple’s new Magic Mouse. So seeing an Apple patent application for “Advertisement in Operating System” attributed to “Inventor” Steven Jobs himself is enough to send chills up the spine. The idea is to make the OS free or at a reduced cost, something Google knows a thing or two about. Unfortunately, the idea presented would offer “visual or audible” advertisements that “disables one or more functions while the advertisement is being presented.” Ugh.

[Thanks, Mike]

Filed under: Software

Apple patent application reveals ad-supported OS, desktop Armageddon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Windows 7-branded ‘Family Guy’ special to air November 8th

Of all Microsoft’s advertising moves, this certainly falls in more clever side of the spectrum. Redmond et al. have announced they’ll be “sponsoring” a November 8th variety special on Fox, “Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show.” The episode’ll be a mix of live-action musical performance and animated shorts with the usual celebrity cameos you’ve come to expect. This show will be commercial free, so long as you don’t count all the Windows 7 that’ll somehow be integrated — and that’s the most interesting mystery of all, how Microsoft will get its brand recognition without too many jabs from showrunner Seth McFarlane and company. If you don’t recall the last time McFarlane teamed up with a big company to enliven its image, check out video from “Burger King presents Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy,” a venture also done in tandem with one of the ad agencies responsible for this new deal, Crispin, Porter & Bogusky. It’s just after the break.

Update: As commenter Zebb reminded us, Bill Gates pulled off a cameo in Frasier “answering caller questions” about Windows XP. We couldn’t help but add it to the post just below, jump to the 2:20 mark for the relevant scene.

Continue reading Windows 7-branded ‘Family Guy’ special to air November 8th

Filed under: Software

Windows 7-branded ‘Family Guy’ special to air November 8th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mitsubishi’s modular, scalable OLED display goes 155-inches at CEATEC, could go way bigger (video)

Something tells us that whenever we do round two of our Time Square signage Engadget Show, Mitsubishi’s modular OLED display will be amongst the highlights. Aimed at outdoor applications (but obviously ready for your living room), the scalable prototype shown here at CEATEC was 155-inches in size. The wild part, however, is that it could grow infinitely larger — at least in theory. The whole panel that you notice from afar is crafted from smaller OLED blocks that snap together like a puzzle; the more you add, the larger your screen can be. Unfortunately, resolution is still relatively low and longevity is a definite concern, but if you can manage to stand a few feet back, the result is simply stunning. Hop on past the break for a new take on “immersive.”

Continue reading Mitsubishi’s modular, scalable OLED display goes 155-inches at CEATEC, could go way bigger (video)

Filed under: Displays

Mitsubishi’s modular, scalable OLED display goes 155-inches at CEATEC, could go way bigger (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bayer’s ‘Media Facade’ redefines building-vertising

You may think that once you’ve seen one building turned into a massive billboard you’ve seem them all, but that would mean you probably haven’t seen the so-called “Media Facade” now adorning Bayer’s former HQ in Leverkusen, Germany. Built by ag4 media facade GmbH and GKD AG, the massive display apparently consists of 5.6 milion LEDs that cover the entire 17,500 square meters of the building, and which can be lit up at will to pump out gigantic advertisements worthy of any science fiction movie. You’ll note this is the former Bayer headquarters — it seems that the promise of ’round the clock ads visible for miles around saved the building from the wrecking ball. Head on past the break for a video of it in action, and a second showing the facade being constructed.

[Thanks, Gerrit]

Continue reading Bayer’s ‘Media Facade’ redefines building-vertising

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Bayer’s ‘Media Facade’ redefines building-vertising originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Amazing Multi-function Absolute Outdoor Essentials [Advertising]

According to the packaging, this outdoor essential product can be used as a ladle, toothbrush, toothpick, pen, shovel, paddle, torch, fishing rod, firewood, weapon, back scratcher, and wrist splint. Totally free! And they got toilet paper that can whistle too!

This is one of those genius guerrilla advertising campaign that it’s silly, absurd, and absolutely effective, increasing The North Face products sales by 38 percent. Of course, these weren’t the products—which apparently many people still wanted to buy. They are actually products used as advertising for their brand, placed in retail racks and shelves. [Direct Daily]

    Newer Entries »