The Underdogs: OOO was a fictional Apple at Work short set during a business trip in Thailand—not a documentary or a guide to contemporary Thai life. After the portrayal drew criticism, Apple apologized and stopped distributing the advertisement, according to Thai PBS’s August 2024 report.
What is The Underdogs: OOO about?
Released in July 2024, the roughly ten-minute comedy-thriller follows Apple’s fictional Underdogs team on a work trip to Thailand. The colleagues are trying to complete a packaging order before a deadline. AppleInsider described it as the fifth installment in the company’s Apple at Work series. AppleInsider’s July 18, 2024 report identifies Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro among the products featured; a remote teammate follows the action using Vision Pro. The report does not specify exact device models or configurations.
Why did Apple pull the ad?
The short became controversial over how it portrayed present-day Thailand. In August 2024, Thai PBS reported that Apple apologized, saying it had intended to show Thai culture positively but that the advertisement did not adequately represent the country as it is today. Thai PBS also reported that Apple had stopped distributing it. The apology wording here is a paraphrase of Thai PBS’s account, not an independently verified English verbatim quotation. Thai PBS’s report on the apology and withdrawal covers the response.
The film’s premise and imagery belong to fictional brand storytelling. They should not be treated as factual claims about everyday life in Thailand, or as a reliable account of the country’s current conditions.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
How did Thailand initially respond to the filming?
The government’s initial welcome and the later criticism of the finished advertisement are separate parts of the story. On July 24, 2024, Voice TV reported that the Thai government welcomed Apple’s choice of Thailand as a filming location, viewing it as exposure for the country’s tourism, culture and food. That welcome concerned the filming and its promotional potential; it does not establish approval of every scene or reaction among Thai people generally. Voice TV’s July 24 report also cited figures from Thailand’s Foreign Film and Video Office: 259 foreign productions, including 106 advertising and public-relations productions, from January through July 2024. The report said productions used locations in 49 provinces and generated more than 3.881 billion baht in investment. Those are period-specific figures, not current totals.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the controversy does—and does not—establish
The documented sequence is a government welcome to filming in July, criticism of the advertisement’s portrayal, and Apple’s apology and reported withdrawal in August. These events do not amount to a single, uniform measure of Thai public opinion. Nor does the advertisement function as documentary evidence: its fictional plot serves an Apple product story, rather than a factual portrait of the country.
Rank #2
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
The withdrawal described by Thai PBS is a documented 2024 action. It does not establish whether the short is unavailable on every platform today.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Dolby Atmos for immersive, room-filling sound - 4K High Frame Rate HDR with Dolby Vision for fluid, crisp video
- A12 Bionic chip gives a big boost to audio, video, and graphics, for even better game and app experiences than ever before
- The new Siri Remote with touch-enabled clickpad - Use AirPlay to share photos, videos, and more from your device on your TV
- Apple Original shows and movies from Apple TV+ - Watch the latest hits from Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more
- More ways to enjoy your TV with Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Music - Private listening using up to two sets of AirPods
Rank #4
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
Rank #3
- 4K High Dynamic Range (Dolby Vision and HDR10) for stunning picture quality
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound
- A10X Fusion chip for ultra-fast graphics and performance
- Voice search by asking the Siri Remote
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
