Whilst the 55th Grammy Awards was all about the music, two of the world’s largest tech companies managed to muscle in and steal some of the limelight with rivalling adverts. Microsoft showed off the Surface Pro, whilst Google wanted everyone to see the Nexus 4 with Google Now.
The annual Grammys isn’t usually a coveted advertising spot for tech companies, but this year both coughed up big bucks to get an advertising slot during the show, which took place last night in Hollywood.
Microsoft launched the Surface Pro tablet with Windows 8 this past weekend – and sold out of the 128GB model within hours – and so it aired “The Vibe”. Much like the advert for the Surface RT that everyone’s seen, it focuses on the snap-on keyboards, but also adds the Pro’s included stylus to the mix. It also seems to evoke the impression that if your company switches to the Surface, your staff will all start break dancing at board meetings – and who wouldn’t want that?
Google took a slightly different approach with an advert for the Nexus 4, its latest flagship smartphone built in conjunction with LG. Entitled “Live in the Now”, the advert is more focused on Google Now than the phone, showing how users can view useful ‘cards’ with a simple swipe upwards.
In the advert we see the leading lady use Google Now for directions, tube travel information, directions and also restaurant recommendations and info.
You can check out both videos below. Did either steal the show for you, or was it all about the artists?