New Samsung ad rides on popularity of #ALSIceBucketChallenge

Korean electronics giant Samsung rode on the popularity of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with a new ad for its Galaxy S5 smartphone.

In the ad, the S5 has ice cold water poured over it then nominates three competitors, including - you guessed it - Apple's high-end iPhone S5.

"This is my ice bucket challenge ... Gosh, it's freezing," it said.



The S5 then went on to nominate the iPhone 5S, HTC One M8, and the Nokia Lumia 930 for the challenge.

Yet, the S5 did not mention the original intention of the challenge - to raise money and awareness of ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

"It had to be done. Some unscrupulous marketer was always going to try and capitalize on the global popularity of the Ice Bucket Challenge — whose goal is to raise money to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — as a cheap ploy to sell you more stuff. In this case, it's Samsung, whose Galaxy S5 shows off its water-resistant design by taking a cold shower and calling out the iPhone 5S, HTC's One M8, and the Lumia 930 to try and do the same," said tech site The Verge.

The Verge added the S5 never called out the waterproof Xperia Z2.

"Samsung has made a 'generous' contribution to a UK organization fighting the same disease as the ALS Association, but the video itself is a pure commercial for the phone, leaving out any mention of or encouragement to participate in the charitable drive," it added.

For its part, Apple enthusiast site 9to5mac.com said the ad appeared to be a bid by Samsung to mock Apple for the iPhone 5S' lack of waterproofing.

"Samsung said it released the video today in support of the Motor Disease Association and urges people to donate," it added. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News