Names have power — blog post by Alex Kidman

[MJCP]

OK, so Apple's doing something next week. I've emphasised something there, because for all anyone outside of Apple's elite inner leak circle knows, based on the invite, it could be releasing a new range of non-toxic body paints. Sure, it seems unlikely now, but ten years ago would you have picked Apple as one of the world's biggest music sellers? See?

While the rumour mills are churning out the possibilities as to what it'll do, only a few are thinking about what it'll be called. Apple's full of interesting and sometimes very clever people, and I'm sure more than a few meetings have been held to decide on what name the something should go to market with. So, in no particular order, here's a few of the suggestions I've seen, and my own opinion of them.

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[MJCP]

Just one quick point about the idea of "Apple Tablet" being out because Apple doesn't put its own name into product names.

That certainly is its usual practice these days, however, let us not forget the Apple I, the Apple II (in all its various incarnations), or the Apple III. OK, we've probably already forgotten the Apple III. All I'm saying is that it's not without precedent in Apple's earlier years.

And in more recent times we have the Apple TV, which is operated using an Apple Remote.

Just you know, keeping the idea out there.

[Alex Kidman]

True, but look how well the Apple TV's done (comparatively speaking)...

[bitingmidge]

My absolute all time favourite Apple product bar none, is

The Turnover, (with cream).

P

[Tony Honestpuck Williams]

Can I put a dollar each on "iPod Tablet" and "iPod Slate"?

My argument is that it will amost certainly be running a variety of the iPhone/Touch OS and we have precedent with "iPod Touch" for calling something running that OS an iPod.

You could also argue that "iPod" is already attached to Apple's biggest selling product line and if they name it that way then it becomes the product you ugrade to. All those teenagers with an iPod nano will be thinking "Do I upgrade to a Touch or do I get a Tablet?"

// Tony

[Tony Honestpuck Williams]

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

My absolute all time favourite Apple product bar none, is

The Turnover, (with cream).

P

Only the ones that come with mock cream. Real cream on an Apple Turnover is trendy, new age revisionism.

// Tony

[clinton1550]

iPhone Extreme.

[MichaelQ]

Originally Posted by Alex Kidman

True, but look how well the Apple TV's done (comparatively speaking)...

Personally I think this contributes 37% to the Apple TV's relative failure. So many of my friends have vaguely heard of it, think mine is great, but think you need an Apple to have one.

Now while many of them have switched to a Mac, lots haven't. And won't.

But still the perception remains - Apple TV is for Apple's.

These same people all have iPods and iPhones by the way - no problem there.

My prediction for the iTablet - some form of new iPod Family - iPod MMX !!

[MichaelQ]

Just to throw in another idea:

iPod MMX for the 7" version (running iPhone OS 4.0 and apps)

MacSlate for the 10" (running full OSX 10.6 and "proper" apps)

[golfer]

I'm sticking with my original name; iBook.