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DoubleTwist Turns The Tables on Apple in '1984' Commercial Remake

TechCrunch today noted that doubleTwist, the iTunes competitor launched last year by famed digital rights management hacker Jon Lech Johansen ("DVD Jon"), is preparing to launch a significant update to its software. As part of the promotional material for the release, which is scheduled for October 6th, doubleTwist has remade Apple's classic '1984' television commercial with a twist: a Steve Jobs-like character plays the role of Big Brother speaking to an assembly of iPod-wearing followers.

What a difference 25 years can make. Now Apple has grown from underdog to a tyrant in its own right, preventing other devices from tapping into its iTunes software and restricting what users can install on the iPhones that they've purchased. And doubleTwist, which makes software that lets you use iTunes seamlessly with other devices, is calling it out in spectacular fashion. They've just unveiled their new commercial (embedded below) that's nearly a shot-for-shot remake, featuring an army of iPod-wearing clones sitting in silence as their master -- sporting Steve Jobs' familiar round glasses -- commands that "no other choices shall distract from our glory".

The ad closes with the statement that "on October 6th, doubleTwist brings you Choice". The company says that a major new release will be coming out that day for Mac users (followed a week later for Windows), but said that the new feature they're unveiling is a surprise. doubleTwist is also exploring showing the ad in movie theaters before previews begin.

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31 months ago
Not terribly surprising to use the old 1984 ad as such.
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31 months ago
i love doubletwist

i am always surprised why pre owners get all up in arms about itunes not working when this works

great ad
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31 months ago
ridiculous...Taking part in the Apple ecosystem is a choice. Unlike IBM in the day, which was practically the only game in town, there are dozens of alternatives to Apple.
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31 months ago
I'm hoping for some ZUNE HD SYNC!
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31 months ago
The movie credits are the best part of the video.
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31 months ago
Remaking the ad (again) is rather a cliché, but I'm looking forward to the 6th anyway. If it means I don't have to buy another iPod, woo for that.
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31 months ago
Its about damn time DVD Jon. You had this working years ago!!!
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31 months ago
competition is always good
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31 months ago
DVD Jon needs to spend less time in the basement assembling PPC code by hand with a slide rule, so he'll be aware of advancements like DRM free iTunes Plus and drag+drop'ing to any device you want. Pfft. Get the doubletwist out of your boxers already, Jon.
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31 months ago
Cheap add. Looks lame.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

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