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Critical Thinking

Why “iPad” is a brilliant name

January 28th, 2010 by Andrew Swenson in Critical Thinking

Despite the obvious connection between a certain feminine hygienic product and “iPad,” I think the name is brilliant. In fact, I think that Apple may have done it on purpose.

Sure, everyone from CNN to Twitter (iTampon was a trending topic for nearly 8 hours), has been poking fun of Apple. Many, including Shereen Meraji of All Tech Considered, are wondering: “maybe there weren’t any women in the room when that got decided.”

The power is in the buzz

When I was driving home from work today, NPR was running an interview with Bruce McCoy and Tami Sagher, the writers of a 2005 MadTV iPad spoof (think iPod meets Maxi—watch it here). This interview, although poking fun at Apple, brought the new tablet back to the front of my mind.

Suddenly I started fantasizing about having one—what I’d do with it, how I’d use it.

That is precisely why “iPad” is brilliant: Apple gave us another reason to talk about it.

And really, who cares if it has a dopey name?

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  • http://www.theskooloflife.com/ Srinivas Rao

    You know Andrew until I read this article I really thought it was a retarded name. But you make a great point in that the name itself has created a ton of buzz. Considering the damn thing doesn't ship for 2 months I don't think you could ask for better viral marketing. So, as much as I don't like the name, you're right, it's brilliant from a marketing standpoint.

    • http://wordpost.org Andrew Swenson

      I'm not in love with the name either.

      What gets me though is that the day of the event you could sign up to be notified when it became available to order.

      If I were calling the shots I would have had a giant “PREORDER NOW” banner on my message so I could capture that initial excitement and impulse buy.

      But two months. It seems almost painful to wait that long.

  • http://twitter.com/tasmijn Bas Helderman

    Seen this one already? iPad jokes from 2007! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0K8QPhs

    • http://wordpost.org Andrew Swenson

      Actually, I think that video was the one from NPR.

      If that's the case it was from 2005…which makes it even worse.

  • http://twitter.com/edwardra3 Edward Antrobus

    Remember when the first iPod was announced? People lambasted it claiming that “i” should only denoted internet connected devices. And yet iPod is now the generic name for an mp3 player.

    For the iPad, what else were they really going to name it? A company that markets on sexy really wasn't going to use the name iTablet. That would be like calling their laptops iLaptop or the iMac, iComputer. Besides, feminine hygiene products aren't the only things called pads. Writing pad, mouse pad… “What a tampon for a mouse? What a ridiculous name!”

    • http://wordpost.org Andrew Swenson

      I'm with you!

      When “iPod” first came out I thought two things: (1) why is a computer company making some music thing, and (2) what the hell is a Pod?

      Your observation about the tablet is also right on. iComputuer…jeez.

  • http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/ ryanstephens

    Those crazy people at Apple are pretty good at getting us talking. Someone just shared the Mad TV skit with me a bit ago. It didn't occur to me that it was from 2005; I had just assumed it was recent (yet I don't even know if Mad TV is still on the air, yes? no?).

    Most of the time I'm of the opinion that any buzz is good buzz, because if you/your company is on top of what's going on and what's being said you can illustrate that fact while combating negative opinions and helping shape the message you want to portray to fanboys (and girls) everywhere!

    Cheers!

    • http://wordpost.org Andrew Swenson

      I don't think MadTV is still on? (confession: I don't watch all that much television, just a few shows on hulu).

      I think your statement about being on top of what's going on is key. There are certainly lots of opportunities when buzz happens to capitalize on the situation (maybe like NBC and Conan?), but if you don't have your act together, you can end up with egg on your face.