Apple released it’s much anticipated tablet computer, the iPad, on January 27th. The device is getting a lot of attention. Twitter was abuzz with aliases such as itampon and maxipad. The New York Times has an article on it. Gizmodo was at the press conference: they have pictures and video of it in action.

The iPad, as Apple CEO Steve Jobs explained, is a personal computing device that fills a void between laptops and smart phones. Jobs says the device excels at everyday computing tasks like browsing the internet, reading email and watching movies.

A quick look at the Apple Tablet:

History of Apple’s i

Prior to using the i prefix, Apple had product names like Power Macintosh 7300, PowerBook 4300 and Workgroup Server 9650. Apple first used the prefix on the first iMac, introduced in August of 1998. The original iMacs were very successful, selling 800,000 within five months.

The name iMac was based on the ideas of personal computing and the internet. “iMac comes from the marriage of the excitement of the internet with the simplicity of Macintosh,” Jobs declared at its introduction. “We are targeting this for the number-one use that consumers tell us they want a computer for, which is: to get on the internet.”

The following descriptors, displayed during the press event, better explain Apple’s choice of name:

• internet
• individual
• instruct
• inform
• inspire

Apple’s adopted the prefix in other product names. The iBook, a laptop computer, was released in 1999, followed by the iPod in 2001. Apple software started to follow suite: iTunes; iCal and iChat, and; the iLife and iWork packages. In 2007, Apple released the iPhone.

Then & now

Apple rethought computing with the iMac: it was the first computer to look beautiful. The iPod and iPhone were equally revolutionary. The tablet has the potential to be an innovative, forward-looking technology. But, the name doesn’t live up to it.

The initial concepts behind the i- prefix — while very philosophical — are too abstract and no longer apply. The idea of the ‘individual’ has transitioned. Individual is clinical, singular, isolated and divided; it’s reserved for individually wrapped and individually packaged, or individual rights. The computer as an instructing, informing and inspiring tool is an antiquated way of looking at things.

Personal is personable and custom, the current direction in technology. Computers are now more personal, and the internet has aided in this. Content is based on personal preference. The web is no longer new, as it was twelve years ago: it is the ubiquitous standard.

iPod + iPhone ≠ iPad

When interviewed on the Apple tablet, Steve Jobs explained, “Plus the fonts look great together … iPod, iPhone, iPad.” Firstly, those aren’t fonts: those are names. Secondly, this is poor justification because the relationship between the portable music player and tablet is fanciful. While the Apple tablet can play music, these products serve entirely different purposes.

There is something to be said for unity in product lines. However, the prefix has been around long enough that software and hardware creators, in an attempt to capitalize on Apple’s success, have adopted it. Many of these spin-off products aren’t up to Apple standards. This cheapens the brand.

A marketing team probably spent months searching for an appropriate word to append to the letter ‘i.’ This seems like a terrible waste because the whole concept has lost its originality. Apple’s motto is ‘Think Different,’ for goodness’ sake! The Apple tablet embodies this: the name iPad does not. An original product deserves an original name.

This entry is an opinion piece and may not represent the beliefs of other Inksie staff members. If you have any insight, please leave a comment.