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Google pokes fun at Apple's Jony Ive design videos in new headphone jack ad

Credit: Google

Google has released a satirical ad for the Pixel 5a's headphone jack that pokes fun at Apple, even though that feature is actually absent from Google's flagship Pixel devices.

The ad, titled "The Circle Comes Full Circle," touts the apparent symmetry and perfection of the 3.5mm headphone jack on the newly released Pixel 5a with 5G. The ad spot is an obvious satire of Apple's Jony Ive design videos.

"Calling this perfectly-symmetrical, technological marvel, a 'headphone jack' may feel like an understatement... but technically, that's what it's called, so... fair enough," the video description reads. "Behold! The Headphone Jack, on the Google Pixel 5a with 5G."

Google's ad isn't subtle with its attempt to parody the tone and voice of the classic Jony Ive design clips. There are intentional over-the-top moments, including the use of a docking space station to demonstrate the haptic feedback of a physical headphone port.

However, although Google claims that the headphone jack is a "a glorious achievement that draws from our past as it propels us into the future," that future apparently doesn't include its flagship smartphones.

While the mid-range Google Pixel 5a with 5G features a headphone jack, Google's Pixel 5 does not. Current rumors also suggest that the upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will also lack the 3.5mm analog port. Apparently, "the future" only applies to Google's mid-range lineup.

Google is also far from being inventive here — Apple's Jony Ive design videos are a frequent target for parody. McDonald's satirized them back in 2017, following a similar parody on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2016.