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27 Aug 2008
Apple has been criticised for misleading customers about the amount its iPhone can do.
The firm said in an advert “all the parts of the internet are on the iPhone” and “you will never know which parts of the internet you’ll need”, but the device carries no support for Flash or Java, which the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) notes are “both integral to many web pages”.
The ASA has now banned Apple from broadcasting the ad again in its current form.
In an explanation to the ASA, Apple argued that the advert aimed to show the iPhone was different to ordinary mobile phones that allow access to the internet. Most phones only allow users to visit WAP-enabled sites, Apple said.
The firm also said the Safari web browser on the iPhone was built to open internet standards and supported languages such as CSS, JavaScript and Ajax, but not proprietary languages such as Flash or Java.
Apple added all the web sites featured in the ad were available on the iPhone and were shown as they would be seen by the user.
But after an assessment by the ASA, the organisation concluded the add misled customers.
“Because the ad had not explained the limitations, viewers were likely to expect to be able to see all the content on a website normally accessible through a PC rather than just having the ability to reach the website,” read the ASA statement.
Apple said it has no further comment on the issue.
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Do you agree?
Another Bite in the Apple
At last, something to kick apples *rse into sorting out how they have marketed and produced this product. Having owned an Iphone 3g for 3 weeks a couple of things have really annoyed me. Other false statments are 3G - HAHAHAHAH. I have to turn my 3G off just to get any signal, instead turn it on "NO SERVICE". You'll disconnect calls or won't recieve any. Supposedly to be fixed in 2.02 firmware update (BUG FIXES didn't include this tho)... might be next month until fixed. N this is being 500 meters from an o2 mast. Always had 3G coverage with my SE K800 i on the same network???? NO FLASH or JAVA - C'mon Apple surely it can be done, let Adobe & Sun in. Google won't mind. I can live with non rotational GPS (but again ... why???) , this is truely one amazing device that just needs the last couple of improvements to make it perfect. Luckly theres WI-Fi (which works!!!), otherwise I'de been straight back to carphonewarehouse. APPLE - SORT IT OUT (n you have the cheek to bash Microsoft)
Posted by: Kurt 27 Aug 2008
It's worse than that!
The iPhone's Javascript support is around 80 times slower than that of a desktop or laptop computer (e.g. a Macbook Pro), so many of the Web 2.0 applications that are now dominating the Internet can fail miserably on it. Apple seem to have glossed over many of the shortcomings that are inherent in current generation PDAs. They're great devices, but expectations need to be realistically set.
Posted by: Kevin Sweeney 27 Aug 2008
ASA correct, but wrong reasons
While ASA are correct that iPhone doesn't offer full PC web browsing, that has more to do with screen size, performance and other limitations. It's a bit disturbing that flash and java are being called integral to the web, as the vast majority of web sites get by without them (except for annoying banner ads).
Posted by: Rob 27 Aug 2008
Absolutely correct!
i'm not sure where apple gets its figures from say "most phones only allow wap sites..." my n73 can go to any site, as could my tocco and my new n95. In fact all my phones that i've had for the past 4 years could go to any site (although they didn't support flash) just like the iPhone. I predict another iPhone version a few months after the 3g one that will support flash, then another one that will do 3.5g or HSPDA etc etc
Posted by: Jim Davidson 27 Aug 2008
Ajaz?
Rightly so. I love my iPod Touch, but they shouldn't be advertising it like this when it lacks flash and java (Flash especially, java I'm not so bothered about!)
Posted by: Tom 27 Aug 2008