Too many companies have tried and failed to re-create the magic of Apple's pioneering "1984" Super Bowl ad introducing the Macintosh. Motorola — trying to challenge the iPad with its tablet — instead gently tweaks the classic spot, slyly referencing it with a 1984-like love story that insinuates that Apple has become the monolith it once flung a hammer at. In the closing moment, the love interest takes off her ... earbuds. Points for thinking different.
Grade: B+