[christor]

According to this article, Apple filed a trademark application on August 5th for ProBand, iWork, Pod, Zeroconf, and Searchlight (with foreign filings for ProBand and iWork dating back to February of this year). The last two are easily understood (name change from Rendezvous necessitated by litigation and a new feature in Tiger). Pod, though interesting, is a topic for another forum. But ProBand and iWork sound cool. ProBand would seem to be a pro-version of GarageBand - and the article discusses the various issues that would seem to arise with Apple's pro-audio product matrix.

I'm interested in iWork. Rebranding (and presumably re-writing) of Appleworks - so it would seem? Perhaps an app that bundles, in an easy-to-use way, iCal addressbook - maybe even Mail. I know many would want these apps to stay separate; I'm just speculating. Anyone have any knowledge about these products, or any ideas?

[hmurchison2001]

Hmmmm yet another iApp huh. Sound like maybe an addition to iLife 05. Maybe a small productivity app?

ProBand. Could be a new product or could be the name Apple almost chose this year for Garageband.

[christor]

"could be the name Apple almost chose this year for Garageband"

I don't think so, Apple applied for the trademark in the U.S. on August 5th, and they applied in Singapore in February. GarageBand was released in January. That said, it is conceivable that it could be an effort to protect the GarageBand mark by preventing products with similar names - as the article speculates could be up with the Pod application (to prevent ePods, xPods, etc.). But it seems to me rather doubtful.

I have no idea what iWork is, but I tend to think it will not be a small app. Apple currently lacks a nearly free app for average home users to do word processing and the like. I would love to see some innovation in Word-like programs, as opposed to the centerless feature-creep that's been their hallmark.

[hmurchison2001]

Yes you are so right. Garageband had already existed and been anounced.

I'm at a loss for what ProBand could be. Apple wouldn't rename Logic. Garageband isn't going to be attributed with Professional recording. Very interesting.

iWork. I'd love for it to be a office suite but it just doesn't sound right.

[boardsurfer]

Doesn't sound right? I think it sounds perfect. Think about it - iMovie, tunes, photo, DVD = iLife

Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Keynote, mail = iWork

I really dont think Apple will release an Office suite, but it sounds like the name fits to me.

[gorickey]

I don't expect anything to come of these names in the near future...though, it sure would be nice!

[hmurchison2001]

Hmmmm seems we might have a 50/50 chance. Aug of 2003 Macrumors.com posted this

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/...14034831.shtml

Apple has filed for a new Trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in August 2003.

The newest Trademark is "Garage Band", categorized under "computers, computer software, and computer peripherals; computers, computer software, and computer peripherals."

Apple still has a number of unused Trademarks. Most recently, they registered for a number of animal names -- including Lynx, Cougar, Leopard and Tiger, which could potentially be future OS codenames/releases. Other examples of unused Trademarked names include: Junkyard, XGrid, and Gigawire.

Keynote was first mentioned in a Trademark application in October 2002, and became a shipping product at MacWorld San Francisco 2003.

Xgrid of course is finally here. Gigawire still hasn't been used nor has Junkyard. Looking at the length involved between the tradmarking of "Keynote" and "Garageband" and their respective announce dates means that we either see an "iWork" or "ProBand" at MWSF. Something new is coming.

[waffffffle]

ProBand is interesting. I don't see Apple renaming Logic, but maybe. Since there are features in GarageBand that still aren't in Logic (most notably guitar amp modeling) I see a good reason to create a pro version of GarageBand to bridge the gap between Logic and GarageBand. However this will clutter Apple's audio software lineup which already includes Logic Pro, Logic Express, Soundtrack and GarageBand. ProBand may be a replacement for Logic Express.

[cpac]

iWork already exists....

http://www.iggsoftware.com/iwork/

[hmurchison2001]

ProBand. I got it!

At Winter NAMM Apple demo'd 3 forthcoming apps.

Sculpture- A modeling synth.

Ultrabeat- Drum synth

Guitar Amp- Guitar Amp simulation.

It makes sense that Apple will bundle these apps together into "ProBand" and sell it as an add on pack to Logic 7. Makes sense to me.