Samsung ad pokes fun at Apple Maps' Australian mix-up
In another reactive advertising move, Samsung has put together an elaborate showcase in Australia that takes a jab at Apple over a recent Victoria police announcement which warned travelers against using iOS Maps to navigate to the city of Mildura.
Source: CNET Australia
While not as produced as the company's usual anti-Apple television campaigns, Samsung's newest effort, spotted by CNET Australia, can be considered more of an installation than a traditional ad as it involves a number of set pieces including an actual off-road vehicle.
As seen above, the setup is clearly aimed at Apple's latest mapping fiasco with what CNET Australia calls a "a rather lost looking four-wheel drive" next to a sign that reads, "Oops, Should have got a Samsung GALAXY S III. Get navigation you can trust."
On Monday, police in Victoria issued a release on its website saying that a number of motoroists had become stranded in the remote regions of a national park due to incorrect information provided by Apple's Maps app. The problem was fixed within hours, and while no official word has been given as to the source of the erroneous data, The Guardian speculates the cause was a double listing for Mildura in the Australian Gazetteer.
Smartphone mapping apps have come under increasing scrutiny as the proliferation of connected mobile devices extends ever wider. Earlier on Wednesday, Australian police in the town of Colac voiced concern over issues with Google Maps, which reportedly directed drivers down a one-way road not intended for heavy traffic.
As with all technology, GPS-based navigation solutions are not infallible and caution should always be exercised when taking advice from any system, regardless of its manufacturer.
Source: CNET Australia
While not as produced as the company's usual anti-Apple television campaigns, Samsung's newest effort, spotted by CNET Australia, can be considered more of an installation than a traditional ad as it involves a number of set pieces including an actual off-road vehicle.
As seen above, the setup is clearly aimed at Apple's latest mapping fiasco with what CNET Australia calls a "a rather lost looking four-wheel drive" next to a sign that reads, "Oops, Should have got a Samsung GALAXY S III. Get navigation you can trust."
On Monday, police in Victoria issued a release on its website saying that a number of motoroists had become stranded in the remote regions of a national park due to incorrect information provided by Apple's Maps app. The problem was fixed within hours, and while no official word has been given as to the source of the erroneous data, The Guardian speculates the cause was a double listing for Mildura in the Australian Gazetteer.
Smartphone mapping apps have come under increasing scrutiny as the proliferation of connected mobile devices extends ever wider. Earlier on Wednesday, Australian police in the town of Colac voiced concern over issues with Google Maps, which reportedly directed drivers down a one-way road not intended for heavy traffic.
As with all technology, GPS-based navigation solutions are not infallible and caution should always be exercised when taking advice from any system, regardless of its manufacturer.
Comments
Given the Google Maps news today, they will no doubt regret this. Idiots
"Police in the town of Colac, west of Melbourne, say that issues with Google Maps can put users' lives at risks when driving along Great Ocean Road and in souther Otways, according to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Google Maps has reportedly sent drivers down Wild Dog Road, a one-way road not intended for heavy traffic"
Or it would had Sammie any shame....
If the people who "got lost/stranded" had the vehicle and gear shown in the photo above, there would not have been an issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Landcruiser
Does anyone honestly believe this wasn't all staged? All too convenient.
Yes, I don't think it was staged.
Originally Posted by cnocbui
Yes, I don't think it was staged.
We mean people other than those who knew it was.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cnocbui
Yes, I don't think it was staged.
Of course, anyone that comes here at least once a week already knows that.
You are, let's say... "naive".
Samsung gives Australian users a free subscription to NAVIGON maps, so Samsung what's wrong with Google maps?
Went to an appointment in Sydney last night, I cut and pasted the address I received in an SMS into the search field, while I was on a train.
Nokia maps was a fail, totally.
Apple maps worked, flicked to 3D view and went to the building that looked like this:-
Round the corner from the Apple and Samsung stores.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris_CA
If the people who "got lost/stranded" had the vehicle and gear shown in the photo above, there would not have been an issue.
True, however nobody would envision needing that gear when traveling to Mildura on major routes, which is what they would have expected to be doing and what they would have expected a navigation app would suggest.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
We mean people other than those who knew it was.
I am not surprised you would subscribe to a ludicrous conspiracy theory.
Originally Posted by cnocbui
I am not surprised you would subscribe to a ludicrous conspiracy theory.
"Fortunate happenstance" seems to line up a little too well with "conspiracy" these days.
Don't you think?
Raise your hand if you didn't see this coming. I'm only surprised it took so long. It's fair game. After all, Apple certainly made fun of Microsoft.
Right. So when you get off the highway, that should of been red flag #1. Then when you enter a national park should of been red flag #2. When road turns into a dirt path and then sand, should of been red flag #3.
I always have extra food and water in my car and I live in a major metropolitan area. And I always have a road atlas (paper) in the car. And I check where I'm going first. So I would notice that major road leads to my destination and I shouldn't be getting off said major road. Plus I usually read road signs too.
And if I'm driving through the Australian outback, I would double up on everything. Nature can be scary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
I've thought several of Samsung's ads were pretty good. Not because they will sway Apple customers but because I think they would sway Android customers who are unsure which Android-based device to purchase. However this attempt is rubbish.
I dislike it for the same reason I disliked the various generations of Mac vs PC ads. I'd rather see products advertised on their own merits.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse
Given the Google Maps news today, they will no doubt regret this. Idiots
What happened with Google Maps today? I didn't see anything yet.
Apple did fix the problem is what i read.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hill60
Samsung gives Australian users a free subscription to NAVIGON maps, so Samsung what's wrong with Google maps?
Went to an appointment in Sydney last night, I cut and pasted the address I received in an SMS into the search field, while I was on a train.
Nokia maps was a fail, totally.
Apple maps worked, flicked to 3D view and went to the building that looked like this:-
Round the corner from the Apple and Samsung stores.
What Apple should do is remove all Samsung and Microsoft Store locations from being seen on the 3D maps and have a big sign that says. The place is not considered important location to visit, too fragmented.