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Apple Product Placement Reaches New Heights in Netflix Show 'House of Cards'

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Engadget notes that there appears to be a somewhat extreme example of Apple product placement in an episode of the new made-for-Netflix show House of Cards.

apple-product-placement-lead2
The site points out that the shot shown above, occurring 31 minutes and 42 seconds into episode six, appears to show nine Apple devices between just two people.

Just taking the devices that are angled towards Underwood, I count three iPads and three iPhones. The aide sitting across the desk adds two more iPhones and another iPad. I could potentially be wrong about a couple of those handsets, since they're in cases, but I've watched the scene in slow-mo they all look like iPhones to me. That makes nine Apple devices for two people, with each device powered on and burning its battery simultaneously.

The piece goes on to note that the main character, played by Kevin Spacey, uses an iMac as his main computer, while his wife also uses an iPhone.

According to an update on the original article, sources involved in the shooting of the scene shared that Apple provided a significant amount of free equipment for the show and that those devices were what happened to be available for a scene in which characters were monitoring multiple police radio feeds.

Apple's products have long been featured in movies and television shows, despite Apple's claims that the company does not pay for such placements. The company does, however, provide free devices for product placement, and Apple's popularity and design aesthetic have led many films and shows to take advantage of such offers.

House of Cards is the first program to be commissioned by the streaming movie and TV show service for exclusive broadcast on Netflix.

Top Rated Comments

JaySoul Avatar
173 months ago
Next season it will be renamed "House of (iTunes Gift) Cards"
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ConCat Avatar
173 months ago
Slow news day?

Slow comment day?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
173 months ago
It would appear the House of Cards directors have exceptional taste.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applesith Avatar
173 months ago
It's pretty common to find that many apple devices on a desk. Doesn't stick out as much as if it was all Samsung.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pnoyblazed Avatar
173 months ago
there can be never too many apple products at any given time at any given place
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeekLawyer Avatar
173 months ago
Very slick, Apple.

(And a great show, too. I'm enjoying it!)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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