Danger! Steve Bytes

I’ve been sitting on this for a week while I helped Duckies Doodles with Planet Comicon 2024 in Kansas City. It was a blast; we had a great time.

Recently Federico Viticci at MacStories.net revealed his Frankenstein MacPad, a hybrid Mac-iPad that he had created. Using just Apple software, he created something that works like a Mac when docked and works like an iPad when undocked. Amazing!

That reminded me of something I was playing around with last October. Like many people last year, I was trying out ChatGPT, testing its capabilities and limitations. While testing, I asked ChatGPT to create hypothetical commercials for a Mac-iPad Hybrid and how I thought such a thing could work.

Commercial #1 — Unite the Experience with Apple

ChatGPT Prompt

Apple's MacBook and iPad are similar devices and even have much of the same hardware under the hood, but the user interface is different.  

On macOS you interface using a keyboard and mouse, the iPad is a touch and gesture based device.  

On macOS the Finder gives you access to the whole computer, on iPad Springboard presents a subset of computer in a much more simplified way.  

On macOS, users can regularly use multiple Apps at a time, swapping between them to complete their task.  On iPad, the user generally has one App open at a time.

I want to create a script for a commercial that shows how the Mac and iPad can be merged into one blended user experience.  When the display is connected to its dock, it runs the macOS Finder, when it is separated from the dock, it runs the iPad Springboard app.  This is one computer, with both a macOS user experience and an iPad user experience.

The commercial starts with a view a user creating a presentation using a traditional macOS user interface. 

As they put the finishing touches on the presentation, they look at their watch and realize that they are running late.  They grab the display of the MacBook, separating it from the base.   As the display is separated from the base, the screen rotates in the Z axis to reveal the traditional iPad screen.  

The user then quickly walks to a conference room where people are waiting.  We see the user set the iPad looking display down, and connect a cable.  They tap the Keynote App icon, it launches, the user taps  a play button and starts their presentation.

ChatGPT Response

Title: Unite the Experience with Apple

Scene 1: The Start

(0-5 seconds)

• Visual: We open on a serene, modern workspace. A person is focused, utilizing a sleek MacBook. They’re working on a polished presentation, using macOS with its familiar Finder interface, dock, and menubar. A clock or calendar alert in the corner shows an upcoming meeting.

Scene 2: The Realization

(6-10 seconds)

• Visual: The person glances at their stylish Apple Watch. Their eyes widen as they realize the time.

Scene 3: The Transition

(11-15 seconds)

• Visual: The user effortlessly lifts the MacBook’s display. It detaches smoothly, rotating in the Z axis, transitioning to the iconic iPad interface with Springboard.
• Sound Effects: A soft, futuristic sound highlights the transition.

Scene 4: The Walk

(16-20 seconds)

• Visual: The user hurries along a modern, light-filled corridor, clutching the iPad. Their stride is confident and unhurried because their tech is keeping pace with them.

Scene 5: The Presentation

(21-25 seconds)

• Visual: The user enters a chic conference room where a team waits expectantly. The iPad is connected with a cable. The Keynote App is tapped, and in seconds, the presentation is live on a large screen.

Scene 6: The Close

(26-30 seconds)

• Visual: We end with a zoom out from the presentation screen to the user, interacting with the iPad. They exude calm, control, and confidence.

Ending Frame

(31-32 seconds)

• Visual: The Apple logo shines on the screen, along with the text: “Experience the Unification.”
• Music: A climactic, uplifting sound underscores the reveal.

Note for the Production Team:

Ensure seamless transitions between scenes, reflecting Apple’s smooth and intuitive experience. Utilize a calming yet inspiring background score to evoke emotional resonance with the viewers, ensuring they feel the simplicity and power of unification. The aesthetic should be clean, modern, and sophisticated to align with Apple’s brand image.

Commercial #2 — Stay curious

User Prompt

Can you provide a script for a second commercial where a father and daughter are looking at moon related facts on a MacBook.  The father grabs the MacBook display and we see the two walk outside  and hold up the iPad to look at the moon, stars and constellations using augmented reality.

ChatGPT Response

Title: Journey to the Stars with Apple

Scene 1: The Curiosity

(0-5 seconds)

• Visual: Begin in a warm living room. A father and daughter are absorbed, exploring the moon and stars on a MacBook.

Scene 2: The Transition

(6-10 seconds)

• Visual: Inspired, the father smoothly detaches the MacBook’s display. It elegantly transforms into an iPad, ready for their exploration.
• Sound Effects: A gentle, uplifting sound accentuates the transformation.

Scene 3: The Departure

(11-18 seconds)

• Visual: Father and daughter excitedly climb into their car, iPad in hand. The city lights fade as they drive towards the outskirts, eager for clearer skies.

Scene 4: The Destination

(19-25 seconds)

• Visual: They reach a quiet, open space away from the city’s glow. The celestial sphere above is vibrant, filled with stars, planets, and the moon, unobscured by light pollution.

Scene 5: The Augmented Reality Exploration

(26-32 seconds)

• Visual: Holding the iPad towards the heavens, augmented reality enhances their view. Constellations, planets, and lunar details are revealed and identified on the screen as they explore the sky.

Scene 6: The Bonding and Discovery

(33-37 seconds)

• Visual: The father and daughter share a heartwarming moment of connection and discovery as they navigate the stars and moon through the iPad.

Scene 7: The Close

(38-42 seconds)

• Visual: The camera pans out, showing the vast night sky and the pair below, tiny against the cosmic backdrop, continuing their exploration with the iPad.

Ending Frame

(43-44 seconds)

• Visual: The Apple logo shines against the sprawling starry sky with the text: “Journey Beyond Limits.”
• Music: A harmonious, ambient sound lingers, reinforcing a sense of cosmic wonder and exploration.

Note for the Production Team:

Emphasize the contrast between the city and the serene outskirts to highlight the escape and exploration themes. Ensure the AR effects on the iPad screen are detailed and compelling. The commercial should convey warmth, wonder, and the joy of exploration while maintaining the sophistication and elegance synonymous with Apple.

Commercial #3 — Beat of the City with Apple

User Prompt

How about a final script of some hip looking creative type person wearing headphones and recording various sounds on an iPad as they make their way through the city.  They arrange the sounds and we see them moving to a beat.  They get off a subway grasping their iPad and enter a venue where they are the headliner.  As they dock their iPad, it turns into a Mac, and we see that they are the music DJ.  The commercial ends with the DJ playing the EDM track they composed on the subway and a venue full of people dancing and having fun.

ChatGPT Response

Title: Beat of the City with Apple

Scene 1: The Inspiration

(0-5 seconds)

• Visual: We open with a stylish, creative individual walking through the bustling city, adorned with sleek headphones, absorbing the urban rhythm.

Scene 2: The Sound Collection

(6-12 seconds)

• Visual: The creative uses an iPad to record diverse city sounds: honking horns, subway rattles, footsteps, and laughter. The iPad’s screen visualizes each sound wave as it’s captured.
• Sound Effects: City sounds blend, forming an eclectic mix.

Scene 3: The Creation

(13-18 seconds)

• Visual: On the subway, the individual is immersed in arranging the collected sounds on their iPad, each touch a stroke of creation, aligning beats and rhythms.

Scene 4: The Transformation

(19-23 seconds)

• Visual: The subway journey ends. The creative disembarks, iPad in hand, ready to share their new beat with the world.

Scene 5: The Venue

(24-28 seconds)

• Visual: They enter a buzzing venue, neon lights reflecting off their stylish attire. The anticipation in the air is palpable as they approach the DJ booth.

Scene 6: The Performance

(29-34 seconds)

• Visual: As the iPad docks, it transforms into a Mac. The interface shifts and is optimized for a grand performance. The crowd watches, eager for the beat to drop.

Scene 7: The Celebration

(35-40 seconds)

• Visual: Now, in full command, the DJ unleashes the EDM track. Lights flash synchronously as the crowd erupts in dance, feeling every beat and rhythm crafted from the city’s sounds.

Ending Frame

(41-42 seconds)

• Visual: As the venue continues to pulse with music and dance, the Apple logo emerges with the vibrant glow of party lights alongside the text: “Create the Beat of Life.”
• Music: The EDM track reaches its peak, leaving a lingering sensation of energy and celebration.

Note for the Production Team:

The commercial should vividly highlight the iPad’s seamless transition to a Mac, showcasing its flexibility in aiding creativity. Sound and music should be central, making viewers feel the beat and rhythm throughout. Use dynamic, colorful, and rhythmic lighting to resonate with the musical theme and ensure the transitions emphasize the ease and fluidity of creation with Apple.

Note that these are conceptual scripts and does not reflect any real or rumored Apple, Inc. products. This is purely a hypothetical scenario for a commercial concept.