Apple's New Shot on iPhone Ad 'Earth' Includes Narration by Carl Sagan From His Book 'Pale Blue Dot'

Apple tonight shared a new ad in its line of "Shot on iPhone" commercials, this one focused on iPhone users who have taken impressive photos and videos of vistas around the planet.

Well-known astronomer Carl Sagan narrates the spot, reading out a few quotes from his book "Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space." The theme of the commercial focuses on reminding viewers about the importance and responsibility of taking care of "our only home."

"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is no where else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand. It underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the only home we've ever known."

Apple's ads have lately been focused on providing tutorials for features of the iPhone 7, as well as a few commercials specifically highlighting Portrait Mode. On Earth Day the company shared a few videos with similar pro-environmental messages as the Carl Sagan-narrated ad posted today, centering on topics like solar farms and zero waste.

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Top Rated Comments

M_Json Avatar
106 months ago
Really well made ad. Feels like Apple took a stab at the Trump administration for deciding to leave the Paris Agreement at the same time.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jjo Avatar
106 months ago
I'm the "James O." with the ice jam video in this commercial. :)

The ad agency contacted me last March inquiring about that shot of mine. They wanted to make sure I indeed shot it on an iPhone.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gugy Avatar
106 months ago
Awesome ad.
Very appropriate for these crazy times.
Good for Apple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kjs862 Avatar
106 months ago
i like it a lot!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BWhaler Avatar
106 months ago
So well done..

Great job Apple.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nzgeorge Avatar
106 months ago
Sagan would not have approved.

In fact, he actually sued Apple for suggesting that he had endorsed their product:

http://www.networkworld.com/article/2160066/wireless/yes--carl-sagan-once-sued-apple-for-libel.html
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)