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Motorola responds to Penis-gate

In what is sure to become one of the most notorious chapters in Motorola’s history, the company has just responded to accusations that it accidentaly placed an image of male genetalia on the clock face of some of its most recent handsets. The company categorically denies that the image is, in fact, a penis. The full text of their statement is as follows:

"The image that you see is actually the result of shading applied to the clock background graphic to give it more of a three-dimensional appearance, in line with the theme of the phone. The graphic is actually built as concentric circles stacked on top of each other, with a lighting filter applied to give it depth. Unfortunately, the result is something that has some readers questioning what they see, and Motorola apologizes for any perception of impropriety as it was certainly not our intent at all. The graphic is only in a few models of our phones with certain software builds installed. We’re already taking steps to ensure that the clock face graphic in question will not appear in any future products. If someone wants to remove the graphic from their view, they can either select Menu -> Settings / Personalize / Home Screen / Clock / Digital, or Options/Customize Home/Clock Style/Digital, depending on their phone model."

Sounds a little suspicious to us, especially considering the fact that we can’t detect any trace of "concentric circles." It still clearly looks like a penis. Nice try Motorola, but you’re going to have to do a bit more to assure us that you’re taking this indescrection seriously.

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34 comment(s) for this post.

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  1. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 1:35 pm, Radio Said:

    I think Moto meant “Phallic” circles…

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  2. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 1:50 pm, alksdjf Said:

    You can find the “concentric circles.” if you open up the Calculator on V8.

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  3. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:02 pm, eJay Said:

    This is TOO funny LOL…

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  4. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:06 pm, Bryan Said:

    Yeah, despite their excuses that is a cock.

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  5. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:11 pm, EdifyYo Said:

    Look, there’s a perfectly rational explanation for this - one of the graphic designers was probably told to “add a clock background” and they misheard…

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  6. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:15 pm, Randy Said:

    It’s really short too…

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  7. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:18 pm, Ryan Said:

    eh, it’s just a little asian cock. no worries!

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  8. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:23 pm, sideshowRaheem Said:

    If you look at that clock and see a cock you really need to examine what your thought process. Sure if someone points it out it does look like a dick but I don’t think I would have notice that on my own. And even if you do see it who calls Motorola and complains about it.

    Caller: Hello is this Motorola.
    Operator: Yes
    Caller: There’s a penis on my phone.

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  9. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:27 pm, mikus Said:

    this is the greatest thing ever. moto sucks

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  10. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:32 pm, josh Said:

    a little racist no?

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  11. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:49 pm, Justin Said:

    How funny would it be if they made a statement saying “We are sorry we put a picture of a penis in our analog clock.”

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  12. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 3:01 pm, TrueDis Said:

    I think saying it looks like a penis is really pushing it. Come on people…

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  13. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 3:03 pm, Pedro Said:

    Wow, you would think that whoever designed it would of at least thought “Gee, that kinda looks like a little penis.”!! Motorola, seriously, that is a horrible excuse. Just admit that you did it on purpose!

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  14. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 3:19 pm, John Said:

    Hmmm, I wouldn’t want to keep this phone in my back pocket

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  15. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 3:41 pm, Chris Said:

    From the beginning I thought this looks like a Photoshop lighting filter applied to a set of concentric circles. I actually had a very hard time seeing it as anything else at the beginning, and I was surprised that so many people thought otherwise. It think Moto’s explanation is perfectly legit and I bet if you could look at the original Photoshop source files it would all make perfect sense.

    Any other Photoshopper’s out there (preferably someone with more expertise than myself) that want to weigh in?

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  16. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 4:05 pm, Eric Said:

    Anyone remember the “penis” in the background of the Little Mermaid VHS cover?

    http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/mermaid.asp

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  17. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 4:28 pm, rosegold Said:

    that does look like a penis in the mermaid back cover

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  18. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 4:43 pm, Galvatron Said:

    I’m telling ya motos tryingto market these via the porn industry.

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  19. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 4:53 pm, groundhog Said:

    seriously if its not a penis than what is it?? I doesnt even look like they tried to create a “rounded glass” effect. Its just some wierd thing sticking out into the center of the clock face. Even if its not a penis it still looks horrible no matter how hard you squint

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  20. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 5:00 pm, O.com Said:

    lol you guys would really be surprised on what REALLY goes through the minds of some of the designers. alot of times, it will be some low level guy that thinks his boss is a dick or hates the company or a long standing office joke and the whole TEAM thinks its HILARIOUS to slip one in. Then eventually, a secret message or something like this will show up on a product seen by millions. I’ve done it before myself (not telling where, stall me out)… i didnt draw a dick or anything like that, but ive put a few messages about people i wasnt feelin’ at the moment.
    ive seen a few that other people did.
    its fun as hell to show your friends, i promise lol. as immature as it is lol

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  21. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 6:17 pm, Christopher Cox Said:

    WHAT? You can clearly see two circles stacked on top of each other. There is the big circle that makes up the entire clock, and a smaller circle on top of the bigger one, that the clock arm is attached to in the center. If you look at the curve that makes up the “penis head” you will see that if you imagine a circle in the dark portion, it is a perfect circe that surrounds the center of the clock. You just can’t see it because of the darker area to the top of the clock. Either the author of this article is blind, or is very dumb.

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  22. On Oct 18, 2007 @ 6:52 pm, Jeff B. Said:

    Chris,
    That’s very logical but it doesn’t explain the shaft or the white part on the bottom of the clock so I’ll go with the “head” as being a circle but what about the rest?

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  23. On Oct 19, 2007 @ 6:23 am, zac Said:

    Hello moto!

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  24. On Oct 19, 2007 @ 10:52 am, alksdjf Said:

    Jeff B,
    compare the clock with the calculator image. if u have a V8

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  25. On Oct 19, 2007 @ 11:20 am, Che Said:

    If i look at my thumb in a certain light, it kinda vaguely looks like a penis.

    So what - sue me.

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