No sooner had Steve Jobs passed away than a Taiwanese computer firm, Action Electronics, put out an ad on TV with a local actor named Ah-Ken posing as a post-humous Jobs selling a new product called the "Action Pad."
In the commerical, the born-again Jobs is played by an actor called Ah-ken - ''阿Ken''- who is sporting the Apple CEO's famous black turtleneck and blue jeans. This time, he is wearing a white-haired wig with angel wings on his back and a halo photoshopped in above his head. It's all to sell a new tablet, made in Taiwan by Action Electronics.
We're having trouble tracking down the ad on YouTube, but it's meant to be humorous. It plays well in Taiwan, but we're not sure how far it would get overseas. Is it already time to have another local actor play a fake Steve Jobs? Not selling tea this time, but with angel wings, white hair and a halo (not pictured).
Action Electronics? Here it is. The actor playing the new fake Jobs in Taiwan? Here he is:
For the past 30 years, Action claims its "advanced design capabilities and manufacturing processes" for mobile multimedia products have upheld its motto of "Growth through Focus".
Its English-language PR page says: "Action has constantly pursued operational synergy across various business groups within enterprise by strengthening its five strategic developments, emphasizing state-of-the -art professional specialization and teamwork operation, as well as sharing both resources and operational outcomes." Whatever that is. To us, it looks like a small Android tablet.
Who is Ah-Ken, you ask? When he first entered the entertainment industry in Taiwan, he had an experience he will never forget. To gain more acting opportunities, Ah-Ken was once hit on the head 30 times with a large plate by a local TV producer. Upon returning home, Ah-Ken asked his mum to make sure to wake him from his sleep, fearing that he might suffer a concussion and never wake up. He did wake up.
However, what this incident did to his sense of judgment is another question entirely.
We are sure, though, Ah-Ken didn't mean any disrespect - this is just Taiwanese humour.
1. Wide 7"/ 10" TFT with touch screen(800×480).
2. Built-in 512MB flash memory.
3. SD(SDHC)/MMC slot for reading the photos, music, video in memory card.
4. IE browser and Wi-Fi to surfing on the internet.
5. Blue tooth(optional).
6. DVB-T(optional).
7. Connect to the internet and display images including your photos, news, weather, traffic and much more from RSS feed.
8. Fring for IM and VoIP such as Skype, MSN.
9. Internet radio.
10. Clock and calendar.
11. USB device 2.0×1 for connecting to PC.
12. Build-in microphone.
13. Mono speaker for enjoing radio or music.
14. DC 5V operation with AD/DC adapter.
15. Build-in rechargeable Li-battery.
16. Dimensions: 130×75×16mm(TBD)
"'I will tape and post the ad next time it airs on TV here in Taiwan. It airs on almost every channel, almost every commercial break. Not one person I have spoken with about this commercial in Taiwan or otherwise, Apple and/or Steve Jobs fan or otherwise, considers this a good, respectful or legitimate way to conduct business.
Personally I am not a Steve Jobs die-hard, still use a PC, but I am big into respect and common courtesy.
All the Best, and will upload the commercial asap."
He adds:
''I am in Taiwan currently and the TV commercial airs all the time for the Action Pad with this Jack-Ass actor. I find it HIGHLY HIGHLY DISRESPECTFUL and DISGUSTING. It does not just cross the line of common courtesy, respect and decorum, but completely ignores and leaps over it. I request a boycott of this company and their ACTION PAD TABLET from anyone with common respect and courtesy for those who can no longer be with us. Thanks kindly and please consider before purchasing any ACTiON Product!''
"I saw that one too a couple of times. I'm not usually a stickler for these types of things, but I can't help my initial gut reaction each time I see it which is simply out of complete disrespect for the producers of that ad. Its not simply that they are using Steve's image with angel wings, but they are using it to push a product which is a direct imitation of the iPad. I personally don't use the iPad, but I appreciate Steve's work and use his products every day. I prefer to associate my appreciation for his good products with his image, not ripoff products with a tacky, fake representation of him.
In fact, I actually feel sorry for the tablet producer who not only had the lack of inventiveness to produce a revolutionary product such as Steve did, but also had no imagination to come up with an inventive T.V. ad either. Why didn't they just produce a simple ad which stated "Buy our product, even though its not as inventive as Steve's!"
ANOTHER SAYS: ''I didn't even get that it was supposed to be a dead Steve jobs. That is tacky. The foreign accent thing is annoying too. I thought they are in risky territory legally with that ad. It's also remarkable as it doesn't even show the function of the pad!"
THIRD SAYS:
''The Action Pad Ad is in very very very very poor taste. I really don't like it.''
Google for "steve jobs taiwan tv ad"