[Kerrigan]

Apple hasn't released anything in the past few years using the iName scheme. In fact, one of the most well-known iProducts, the iBook, has been changed to MacBook.

Some people, like myself, wonder if the product matrix name symmetry will be kept up by changing the iMac to simply the "Mac". It could happen, since iMac is such a dated sounding name.

Lastly, could the iPod ever be changed to just Pod? This, to me, would be the most unlikely change, but it could still happen. Maybe that is why Apple recently sued the "Profit Pod", because Apple's next-gen iPod is going to be called simply Pod. Apple would do this, IMO, if the iPod name became overexposed and stale, and they needed to change it up.

[MaxPower2k3]

Pod is a terrible name compared to iPod. iPod has become the Kleenex of MP3 players, and they'd be a fool to change the name. Same goes for iMac. Why change an established (and successful) brand name?

[davesimondotcom]

They won't change the name of iMac or iPod because they are very well recognized brand names. iBook was probably changed because it was never really as recognized, and they wanted to have "Mac" in all of the computer product names.

[mindwaves]

iWeb, iWork are among their latest creations to start with the letter 'i.'

[Kerrigan]

Frankly I think iMac is a terrible name. It's cheesy and dated. 'Mac' would be acceptable, especially since it is supposed to be the heir to the original Macintosh, which was named simply that.

Like I said in the OP I doubt iPod will be changed, but it could happen.

[MaxPower2k3]

There is no one Macintosh computer anymore. All Apple computers are Macintoshes. So to name one computer the Mac when all of their computers are Macs wouldn't work.

And, as mindwaves pointed out, iWeb was released this year, so they haven't given up on i- completely.

[mac128k-1984]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Apple hasn't released anything in the past few years

Ahem, iWeb

[Kerrigan]

So i has become a software prefix, and Apple has stopped naming its hardware with the i prefix.

iHope they kill of the naming scheme, and leave it with all that other junk from the 90s like brushed metal and pinstripes.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984

Ahem, iWeb

That was 7 months ago!!!

[brassplayersrock²]

but but but iWeb came on my iSpideysuit... *sulks away in shame of bad joke*

[mac128k-1984]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

That was 7 months ago!!!

Right and not a few years as Kerrigan has stated.

[molala]

I like the iMac name, mainly because it's this machine that started the financial turnaround of Apple in August 1997. It's symbolic. I'd like for them to always have an iMac line.

Also, remember when Steve Jobs was the called iCEO (i for interim) before he took over the company permanently?

I think they should use the 'i' prefix less now for new products, but they should always have an iMac and an iPod.

[Ozmodiar]

The iPod nano will become Pod, and the regular iPod will become Pod Pro.

You heard it here first.

The preceding comment was made in jest.

[undotwa]

It seems illogical to call it an 'iPod', considering the iPod is not internet enabled.

[Millennium]

Originally Posted by undotwa

It seems illogical to call it an 'iPod', considering the iPod is not internet enabled.

Certainly it's illogical, but this isn't about logic; it's about branding. The iPod brand, and the iMac brand whence it came, are both too strong for Apple to simply let go of right now. They will probably rename the iMac to simply "Mac" in a few years, but I doubt they'll ever change the name of the iPod.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Ozmodiar

The preceding comment was made in jest.

You pansy. You should feel proud if that comment somehow whips the forum into a frenzy or makes it to the front page of a news site.

[turtle777]

Nah, how dumb does that sound:

Fnal Cut Pro
QuckTme
Mac mn
Logc Pro
Moton 2



-t

[iREZ]

i could see the ipod name dropping the i and using pod with an adjective infront to differentiate between the line. something like videopod, shufflepod, nanopod...but i really dont see apple coming up with names as cheesy as those any time soon. also the confusion of the name Mac would drive me bonkers.

"i bought a mac"

'oh yeah which kind'

"i just told you i got a mac!"

'you've thoroughly frustrated me and i'm leaving now'

[imitchellg5]

I like the i. And Tme Machne and Cal, and Chat, and, Safar, and Mal, is just wierd®.

[christ]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

I like the i. And Tme Machne and Cal, and Chat, and, Safar, and Mal, is just wierd®.

werd.

[demograph68]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Nah, how dumb does that sound:

Fnal Cut Pro
QuckTme
Mac mn
Logc Pro
Moton 2



-t

[Eriamjh]

I like the iMac name. While the "i" initially stood for "internet", now it just stands for "all In one". The name was compact and convenient, short and to the point, like the iMac.

The eMac stood for education. Now the iMac for education replaced it.

It's a lot better than PowerMac 7300, 7500, 9500, etc.

[Oisín]

iBook -> MacBook
iMac -> MacMac

No silly name confusion there.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Oisín

iBook -> MacBook
iMac -> MacMac

No silly name confusion there.

iMac -> MacDuo ?

[::maroma::]

What's in a name? Everything when it comes to branding.

They will not change the iMac or iPod name. That would be seriously silly of them. Both of those are incredibly well established brands and to change the names just to fit into their new naming schemes would hurt them rather than help them. No one who is thinking of purchasing an iMac or iPod says to themselves "Hmmm, I really want one of these, but the name is just so cheesy to me."

The iBook was a different story. It wasn't as well established in the mainstream. So changing its name wasn't that big of a deal. Plus, they were changing the laptop lineup by removing the 12" PowerBooks and merging them into the iBook line.

The iMac is one of Apple's most famous computers ever. Its become part of our language, not just another personal computer. Of course the "i" has changed meaning since its inception, but that makes little difference. The name itself has become synonymous with that line of computer from Apple. A simple, all-in-one, home computer. Same with the iPod, perhaps even more so. The iPod name is EVERYWHERE. You see it in commercials for other products (cars, shoes, etc), you hear it on the radio, etc. Changing either of those names would just be a step backwards.

[teszeract]

Originally Posted by christ

werd.

First class joke.

[Salty]

I don't know if I really wanna listen to music from "Tunes" or plan my classes in "Cal" just seems werd to me. I think Apple will probably avoid continuing to overuse the i moniker in the future. Really iCal, and iSync were the point when it got pretty bad. We probably won't see an iAnything within iWork, it's mainly branded that way so that people think iLife + iWork.

[Kerrigan]

I stand by my assertion, and I predict Apple will drop the i from iPhone, leaving it called "Phone"

[greenG4]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

What's in a name? Everything when it comes to branding.

A FlowerPower iMac by any other name would smell as sweet.

[Dakarʒ]

iDon'thinkso

[::maroma::]

Keepin' the dream alive, eh?

[Adam Betts]

Common misconception is that "i" stands for internet only

This was shown when Jobs introduced the first iMac:

[greenG4]

Are you sure that's Jobs? He's wearing some white in that picture.

[imitchellg5]

That was when he first came back to Apple at MacWorld 1998.

[greenG4]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

That was when he first came back to Apple at MacWorld 1998.

I know. It was an attempt at humor. But it's been a very long day for me, ending with sending a SCSI RAID to Canada for repair. Don't ask, just get back on topic.

[Kerrigan]

Could you imagine if they just called it "Phone"? Heh.

[greenG4]

Nicely done, Kerrigan.

[Kerrigan]

Didn't jobs wear a suit to a different keynote after the one in that picture? I remember Apple fell on hard times after the tech market fell, and he showed up on stage wearing something strangely formal.

[butterfly0fdoom]

Why the hell would Apple remove the "i"? There's nothing wrong with the "i". It's iConic.

[Lateralus]

Originally Posted by greenG4 

I know. It was an attempt at humor.

Wasn't bad either.

[ort888]

It's time to move on to the next letter, which would be J.

jMac, jPod, JPhone. The next generation has arrived.

[brokenjago]

Originally Posted by ort888 

It's time to move on to the next letter, which would be J.

jMac, jPod, JPhone. The next jeneration has arrived.

Fixed

[Eug]

I don't think Apple has any "I"s in their main products. Lots of "l"s though.

How about:

Appe TV
Fina Cut Studio 2
802.n
iPod shuffe
iCa
Mai
DVD Payer

[imitchellg5]

Mai, the Thailand version of Mail.

[MacPino]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan 

Didn't jobs wear a suit to a different keynote after the one in that picture? I remember Apple fell on hard times after the tech market fell, and he showed up on stage wearing something strangely formal.

Jobs wore a suit at the 2001 Tokyo keynote, to be remembered for this fact, and for the introduction of the flower power iMac.

There have been better keynotes...

[Dark_Lotus]

I always thought the 'i' stood for intelligent. Intelligent mac, intelligent pod and so on. hmm

[Adam Betts]

Actually you're right, first generation iBook was an intelligent toilet seat

[angelmb]

What about all those MacNN users whose name start with iMac or i-Whatever… that would suck for them !!

[butterfly0fdoom]

Originally Posted by Adam Betts 

Actually you're right, first generation iBook was an intelligent toilet seat

An intelligent and DAMN AWESOME-LOOKING toilet seat. I'm still trying one that's in good condition as decoration.

[ort888]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Mai, the Thailand version of Mail.

And the iCa, a new Apple-branded automobile designed to be used in Boston.