So, you might have noticed how Verizon (NYSE: VZ) commercials might have sort of, kind of, maybe been taking some potshots at the iPhone. As we all know, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) can sling some mud with the best of them, and just launched these two ads that show just how darned handy it is to use voice and data simultaneously.

Son, you just got served. Actually, even though it’s fair game right now, simultaneous voice and data will be a moot points once LTE rolls around. It’s also maybe not such a smart move to be bashing on Verizon if Apple hopes to be using their network at some point, although the same could be said for VZW. One way or the other, Apple really shouldn’t be bragging about AT&T (NYSE: T)’s network, even with it’s data/voice capability. What do you guys think of the ads?

[via BusinessWeek]

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) (and Sony in fact) have been right out there in recent years, with their Marketing campaigns – largely they have focused around the use of colour, relating to Sony (Bravia) TVs being great at displaying it, and Sony Ericsson cameraphones being great at capturing it.

The recent campaigns for the Satio and Aino devices featured people on hoppers (check it here) – and now they’ve gone one step further in the land of weird, by asking people to visit their site, and take a look at a webcam focused on room full of empty hoppers. To inflate the hoppers, you need to Tweet #pumpt – now of course you might be asking why you should want to inflate the hoppers, and the answers would be that apparently they are going to release the hoppers somewhere if you suggest it whilst Tweeting – see, I told you it was Leftfield!

ANYWAY – back to the mobile-related bit – whilst you are on the site you can check out their Satio and Aino devices – or you could just go to any other Mobile News site (say, for example, IntoMobile) and read stuff about the handsets!

If you’d like to see what’s going on in the room full of hoppers, and/or check out some device info, click here.

Hey, Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T) aren’t the only ones getting into hissy fits over inaccurate ad campaigns; telus (NYSE: TU) has just launched their own litigation against Rogers (NYSE: RCI) on similar grounds. Shawn Hall,? senior communications manager with telus, said “Rogers has no network advantage and should not be misleading Canadians with false superiority claims,”  although those claims were apparently accurate until telus opened up their HSPA network a few weeks ago. In compensation for these misleading advertisements, telus could be seeking millions in damages, although no dollar sign has been set. The tension is definitely building between Canadian carriers now that Rogers doesn’t have an exclusive on the iPhone (and all GSM handsets, for that matter). Combined with their move to shut down wind for not following foreign ownership laws, telus has been pretty aggressive towards the competition lately; way to keep ‘em on their toes.

[via Globe and Mail]

Imagine, if you will, a squadron of stealth bombers on a grim mission to bomb their homeland with sexy, sexy, smartphones. That is the extremely awesome premise of Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s upcoming Motorola (NYSE: MOT) droid commercial, seen here. Enjoy!

[via BGR]

Chances are you’ve seen one of the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre commercials airing these days, with the one-and-only ‘creepy’ Tamara Hope. I say ‘creepy’ because that’s what people are searching for… Don’t believe me? Punch ‘Creepy Palm Pre Commercial’ into Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and check the results.

Now, I’m not sure this is what Palm had intended, but at least these commercials have made a mark in our collective memories for something.

With that in mind, some have taken the opportunity to make their own ’spoof’ version of the new ads. None of them actually feature a Palm Pre, but I found 1 of the 3 pretty funny. You can check them out here (my favorite), here and here.

[Via: PreThinking]

I’m still dubious about the effectiveness of mobile advertising, but Google (NSDQ: GOOG) AdSense, a heavyweight in the online advertising ring, has announced support for iPhone and Android applications. The big key to AdSense is properly targeting the audience, and since Google has pretty much your whole search history on file, odds are they can usually feed you ads that are actually interesting and relevant. Support for mobile will not only take into account keywords that you’re using with the app, but also your location pulled from integrated GPS.

My guess is ads will be even more accurate on Android since it requires your Google account credentials to work, and will be able to tap a wider array of your interests. It strikes me this is really good for free apps with a lot of users that are looking for a viable revenue model without going premium. Good news for developers, bad news for end-users who have been enjoying these apps ad-free until now. If you’re either a developer or a marketer, you can find more info at Google’s dedicated AdSense for Mobile Apps page.

[via Official Google Blog]

A bit of surprising news has hit the interwebs today regarding the Canadian Do-Not-Call list.

This master list of phone numbers was launched by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission back in September to stop telemarketers from making unwanted calls. Canadian citizens could/can simply go to this website and enter their phone information. The information would be added to the list, and within 30 days a noticable difference should be seen in the number of unwanted calls from telemarketers soliciting various goods and services. Telemarketers are required to subscribe to the list in Canada, and are made to pay an annual fee based on the number of times they update their list throughout the year. Calling a registrant on the list could mean a fine of up to $15,000 per call. In theory it sounds great, but apparently there are some areas of concern regarding the application of the list.

In a report from the CBC, the Consumers’ Association of Canada President Bruce Cran noted that the list is actually having the opposite effect:

“It’s a travesty…Here we have all these people thinking they were getting rid of incoming phone calls. Anyone who is registered should suspect their phone number is being broadcast to the four winds.”

Cran goes on to explain that the CRTC is selling the registry list online, making numbers on the list readily available to anyone:

“In Toronto, you can get 600,000 names for $50…”

Oh my. My home and cell number is published on this list. Uh oh. Numerous businesses and citizens have noted that the number of unwanted calls they have received has actually gone up since adding their digits to the do-not-call list. What gives?

Speaking from my own personal experience, the Canadian ‘Do Not Call’ List has been a success for me. I registered right when the service became available (along with millions of other Canadians), and received what I was promised… The telemarketing calls stopped coming about a month later. I used to get 3 to 4 calls a day (VERY annoying), but now, I get maybe one a week. If the facts here are for real, I guess all Canadians may have to expect the number of telemarketing annoyances to slowly build-up over the coming year. Lets hope policies will change or something else is done to nip this in the bud.

Is it the National-Do-Not-Call List, or the National Do-Not-Care List? I’m beginning to wonder. The wheels are now in motion to put extensive pressure on the CRTC to get things back on track.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Millennial Media, Inc., the industry’s largest and fastest-growing mobile advertising networks company, and luxury lifestyle fashion brand Stella McCartney today announced their collaboration to develop and introduce a distinctive mobile advertising campaign for holiday shoppers throughout North America.

The campaign, which continues through the end of January 2009, represents the fashion designer’s first foray into mobile marketing. In addition, the initiative plays a critical role in the company’s holiday-focused integrated marketing efforts, which also include print and online advertising, direct mail, in-store, point-of-purchase signage, channel marketing, and public relations programs.

Created and implemented exclusively by Millennial Media, the campaign seeks to build awareness and consumer interest for the Stella McCartney spring and summer 2009 collections, while concurrently establishing a significant presence for the Stella McCartney brand on the mobile Web. The collections feature pieces with Stella McCartney’s signature style of sharp tailoring, natural confidence, and sexy femininity. The effort is specifically targeted at modern and style-conscious shoppers.

For the launch of the campaign, a series of distinctive banner advertisements will be prominently placed on various mobile Web sites within Millennial Media’s premium mobile advertising network. This network is the largest in the U.S. with over three billion monthly impressions across more than 2,000 quality sites.

As consumers visit news and information sites on the mobile Web, they may click on any Stella McCartney banner to be immediately transported into an interactive fashion experience that closely replicates window shopping via a mobile device. When at the mobile Web site, located at http://lp.mydas.mobi/custom/stella/iphone/index.php for iPhones, and at http://lp.mydas.mobi/custom/stella/index.php for all other smartphones, a user then selects the Stella McCartney collection she wishes to explore. The user is then directed to a mobile fashion show, a series of look books which showcase each item in the collection. The user may then click on a specific design or accessory for a closer, detailed look.

In addition, the initiative offers shoppers an easy-to-use mobile store locator to pinpoint the closest Stella McCartney retail location, and a feature for subscribing to future news and information updates from the Stella McCartney brand.

Two-time Academy Award-winning actor and director Kevin Spacey will headline at the GSMA’s Mobile World Congress (16-19 February 2009) in Barcelona, as host of the
MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival and mobile entertainment keynote speaker.

For your chance to meet Kevin Spacey go to the MOFILM stand in Hall 7 C42 or register for the Mobile Backstage Event on Thursday 19th of February.

[Via: MOFILM]

BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM)-maker Research in Motion had initiated a takeover of nearby security firm Certicom last week, but Certicom’s senior management is none too happy about it.

“It is however the preliminary view of Certicom’s special committee that the timing and the approach of the RIM offer are highly opportunistic, and it believes that RIM’s offer clearly undervalues Certicom,” the company said of the offer that values Certicom at $66 million.

Shareholders might agree, since their stock price has spiked to $1.43 from $0.83 before the offer, but that may turn right around if the takeover bid doesn’t go through. A previous announcement, Certicom said they’re looking into alternatives, but we haven’t heard much from other interested parties. It would certainly be interesting if another manufacturer swooped in and outbid RIM, leaving them high and dry with one less partner to work with. Other acquisitions, like Chalk’s, have gone through relatively painlessly, but we’re left to wonder if RIM really is being opportunistic about the economic downturn. Maybe a few more buyouts are on the way…

[via Canadian Press]