Apple Releases Mac 30th Anniversary Video '1.24.14': Filmed on iPhones, Edited on Macs

On January 24, Apple commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Mac with a "Happy birthday, Mac" promotion on its website, 30th anniversary t-shirts for its employees, and executive interviews with both ABC News and Macworld. Just ten days later, the company now has released an anniversary video, recorded on the anniversary using iPhones and edited on Macs, that shows how the the promise of the Mac has been fulfilled by putting "technology in the hands of the people."


Produced by Apple's longtime ad agency TBWA\Chiat\Day headed by Lee Clow, the "1.24.14" video includes footage from 10 countries spanning 5 continents. The video was directed by Jake Scott, son of filmmaker Ridley Scott, who was behind Apple's iconic "1984" ad, and showcases current generation Apple products being used in fashion design, musical performances and more.

On January 24, 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh. And with it a promise that the power of technology, put in the hands of everyone, could change the world. On January 24, 2014, we sent 15 camera crews all over the world to show how that promise has become a reality.

From sunrise in Melbourne to nightfall in Los Angeles, they documented people doing amazing things with Apple products. They shot over 70 hours of footage — all with the iPhone 5s. Then it was edited and scored with an original soundtrack. Thanks to the power of the Mac and the innovations it has inspired, an effort that normally takes months was accomplished in a matter of days.

Apple was rumored to be working on a Super Bowl commercial, but the company instead partnered with U2 and Bank of America in a new (Product) RED promotion announced in an advertisement broadcast during the game. For every free iTunes download of U2's new single "Invisible" [iTunes Store], Bank of America will donate $1 to (Product) RED's fight against AIDS. The promotion will end 11:59 PM EST on February 3.

Update: Apple has posted a second video giving a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the "1.24.14" ad.

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...

Top Rated Comments

dieselmcore Avatar
154 months ago
To actually step back from this commercial, and to individually assess what each person is doing with their apple devices here is mind blowing.

These are all marvellous tasks ranging from Motion control to design photography, all accessible and made to be used by people who are sparked by interest and passion, and not necessarily technically skilled in coding or software or whatever, but can still make magic happen.

This was Apples mission, and they have succeeded.

This is company who wanted to make something happen, change the way we interact with technology; and it did.

Not a lot of others out there can claim the same.

:apple:
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joneill55 Avatar
154 months ago
'Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world...
are the ones who do'
-Steve Jobs

Think Different
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
154 months ago
I think they mean 24.1.14

If they had said 1/24/14, ok

They're an American based company. 1.24.14 and 1/24/14 are both acceptable here.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
azentropy Avatar
154 months ago
Microsoft's similarly themed commercial.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOvHKG0Tio

And theirs was probably shot and edited on iPhone/Macs too! ;)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
luckydcxx Avatar
154 months ago
Unless you want to do any serious word processing... i.e., get any real work done, then stick with Windows. Because Mac still can't do that. :)

have fun with your viruses. unless you are in school or a secretary there aren't an enormous amount of jobs that require serious word processing. :apple:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ugahairydawgs Avatar
154 months ago
Unless you want to do any serious word processing... i.e., get any real work done, then stick with Windows. Because Mac still can't do that. :)

Based on....what exactly? I'm on my Mac at work now. Typical corporate environment. Some old legacy stuff is VM'd on Windows 7, but most of my day (including the aforementioned word processing) is done natively on OS X.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)