[Macworld.com]

What's in a name? If you're talking about Apple's iTV and iPhone (not their real names), you're talking about picking the right brand name. And as Jason Snell explains, Apple's already got two strong brands right under their noses. [more]

[wupher]

podPhone
ApplePhone
iCell
MacPhone
phonePod
iCall
podCall
cellPod
iTone - ha.
-plenty of names left!

[flybynight]

Much like the way Adobe has tacked the "Photoshop" moniker onto Lightroom. People know that Photoshop is good, so this must be good too, since it has "Photoshop" in the name.
So, it would make sense for Apple to brand these products with the "iPod" name.

[Jason Snell]

Quote:

---

podPhone, ApplePhone, iCell, MacPhone, phonePod, iCall, podCall, cellPod, iTone - ha.
-plenty of names left!

---

I think you might have missed my point. Those are all TERRIBLE names. Plus, why not just call it an iPod? As I said in the article, I don't really see any need to invent a new brand just for a product like this.
And if the best you can do is iTone, um, maybe you've not missed my point, but rather proven it.

[Luis_Alejandro]

I'm with you! The best option, IMO, is to hold the brand:
iTV: iPod Home, iPod Video, iPod Pro
iPhoine: iPod Phone, iPod Cell

[Jason Snell]

A reader e-mailed me to point out that for iTV, perhaps iTunes is the better brand there. The thought vacated my mind when I was writing the piece, but he's right -- iTV could possibly be an iTunes-branded device, although the "tunes" in iTunes is problematic, since it connotes music.
The larger point, about Apple using their strong existing brands rather than inventing some new name, remains. :-)

[cseeman]

iGevalt!

[lwdesign]

How about iPod Talk or the iPod Connect, or even the iPod Gizmo (turn it into a full PDA/phone/iPod).

[inkogneeto]

I agree with you, but don't forget "Mac", the other brand name that Apple has been flogging and the other one that mentioned in your article. I could imagine Apple maintaining the "iPod" branding for mobile gadgets, such as a phone, and using the "Mac" branding for home gadgets, such as the iTV. So the iTV might be called, say, Mac Media Center. Elegant? Maybe not. But it tells me exactly what it is and what it does. And since I doubt Apple will allow the MMC to connect to non-Apple computers, the "Mac" branding makes sense.

[Jason Snell]

You might be right, but I disagree about the "iTV" not connecting to Windows PCs. I think it will. The iPod will lead the way there. But they still could use the Mac brand instead of the iPod brand, true enough...

[PeterG]

Don't you think (depending where you are) an Apple cell phone, is still going to be called a cell or mobile phone.
Ex, phones on a table: Ring-Ring:, thats my cell/mobile phone, which one!, the Apple one. Here you go, catch.
I can see the Apple logo sticking out just like Motorola placed on their cell phones.
Who knows maybe a completely different name like Razr, but it will still be, "could you please pass me my cell phone, the Apple one, thanks". /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Peter

[Jason Snell]

I just don't see why they'd want to do that.
iPod is the strong product. Everybody loves their iPod. I just think in the end Apple will want to use the strength of that product to sell a product that is also a phone -- "It's an iPod, but it's also a phone -- it's a phone, but it's also an iPod!" Why settle for one of these other music-playing phones when you can get a real iPod that's also a phone?
I see your scenario, but let's modify it a tad: "Oh, my iPod's ringing. I've got to get that."
Anyway, that's my theory. Given that I know as much about this as anyone else, all theories are welcome. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[osxfoundry]

I concur. the phone will be based on iPod. Make sense. The nano is the perfect size but it will get probably thicker. You also want a shape that people (teens) recognize and want to own.
No keypads. I think trying to type phone number or IM people on a small keyword is waste of time. the phone will synch with your Mac (or windows). If you want to compose new number, you use the wheel to select number. How many new numbers do you add each day? How many time do you use already recorded phone # ?
If someone calls you, you save his/her name. Done.
I also think the phone will have built-in Video cam. It make sense. All Macs have built-in iSight. You'll be able to see who you are talking to, and also chat with someone who is on iChat and see his/her face.
Being able to speak to someone and see his/her face i think is valuable.
Voice recognition could also be introduced. Apple has some good technology is this area.
VOIP: Talk thru the Internet. This is where it's going. Skype has it. Cisco also.
To succeeed, the phone MUST be more than a phone. I think taking picture with a phone is not appropriate. Use a Digi Cam. you'll have more chance to produce a pic that people can identify. The phone will probably be pricey and not mean for everyone at the beginning. They'll want to test the water and see if it takes off.
being able to read your email from .Mac would also be nice.
Listening to music, why not but you don't want that product to cannibalize the iPod.
iPod Connect sounds good but it's a long name.
iPod Cell: not sure. weak identity.
iPod Eureka: The newton was one of first PDA. It had built-in Fax, address book,OCR, etc... the only thing it was missing was the voice. I would choose Eureka because it follows the path of the Newton with Better technology.

Regarding iTV: I think iTV name is harder to decide. It is more related to Mac products but also iTune, hence iPod.
Mac TV, Mac DVR, MacHub, or iTV. if they used that name it's because they probably registered it and protected it. I doubt they would be releasing a product as code name if it was already taken by another company.
I would say iTV will stay.

[JMStafford]

The iTV is the Video Airport Express.