by JR Raphael, IT World

Lost in Translation: 10 Funny Foreign Tech Ads

News
Jul 7, 2010

Put down your TiVo remote: These 10 foreign tech ads are well worth watching. Trust us.

I like to think of myself as a culturally diverse kind of guy. I enjoy foreign films, I’ve dated women of at least four different ethnic backgrounds, and I’d go for Asian food over American any night of the week.

All right — that seemed far more impressive in my head. Maybe it’s time to expand my horizons.

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Today, we’re taking a trip around the globe in search of the world’s funniest foreign tech ads. Some of them are funny by design; others are amusing in a more accidental sort of manner (see also: Bee Gees cassette commercial, circa 1981). Either way, they’re all sure to give you a chuckle or three, maybe even four if your funny bone’s feeling particularly robust.

Want some more laughs? When you’re done here, click over to our collection of the 15 funniest vintage tech ads. Hey, where else can you find videos of a young William Shatner, an IBM 5100, and a white guy rapping about MS-DOS?

1. Windows Gone Wild

I don’t know what they slipped into that little dude’s dinner, but I’ll take two.

[ See also: 6 Strange Ways to Make Money Online ]

Vintage Tech Ads: The 15 Funniest Videos

Slideshow: Priceless! The 25 Funniest Vintage Tech Ads

2. Bow Wow What?

Ahah — Snoop was in the fridge. Mr. Windows’ behavior in that last ad suddenly makes a lot more sense.

[ See also: Vintage Tech Ads: The 15 Funniest Videos ]

3. The Mirror Game

Just be glad she chickened out. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to include this clip in the story.

[ See also: The 10 Biggest Tools on Twitter ]

Vintage Tech Ads: The 15 Funniest Videos

Slideshow: Priceless! The 25 Funniest Vintage Tech Ads

4. An Odd Android

It’s admittedly a slightly different approach than the red-eyed Droid ads we’re used to here.

[ See also: 15 Extreme Pet Products ]

Vintage Tech Ads: The 15 Funniest Videos

Slideshow: Priceless! The 25 Funniest Vintage Tech Ads

5. A Queer Idea

Wasn’t this basically the plot to Sex and the City 2?

[ See also: Priceless! The 25 Funniest Vintage Tech Ads ]

6. Swimming Surprise

Sometimes, the truth can burn.

[ See also: Facebook’s most wanted ]

Facebook Bible: Everything You Need to Know About Facebook

7. Moustache Overload

If those sprightly chaps came with the game, gosh darn it, I’d buy every last copy before you could say “maniacal mustachioed Mario.”

[ See also: 6 Real Sci-Fi Gadgets: The Future… Today! ]

Slideshow: Ten of the World’s Strangest Social Networks

8. Apple Goes to the Dogs

Good thing the doggy doesn’t have an iPhone 4 — he’d never be able to manage that magical four-fingered grip you need just to get reception.

[ See also: 20 Crazy Concept Phones ]

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9. J-Phone Jamboree

I can’t tell you how many times that’s happened to me after getting a text.

[ See also: 10 great illustrations of Linux humor ]

Vintage Tech Ads: The 15 Funniest Videos

Slideshow: Priceless! The 25 Funniest Vintage Tech Ads

10. This Ad’s a Stretch

Damn — I had no idea a corded phone was all I needed to stay in shape. Think it’s too late to return those “Buns of Steel” videos I bought last week?

See also:

6 Strange Ways to Make Money Online

Vintage Tech Ads: The 15 Funniest Videos

Priceless! The 25 Funniest Vintage Tech Ads

When not gloating about his glutes, author JR Raphael exercises his satirical muscles at eSarcasm, his geek-humor getaway. Come say hi on Facebook: facebook.com/The.JR.Raphael

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