Comments on: Why “iPad” is a brilliant name

By: Andrew Swenson

Andrew Swenson — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:49:42 +0000

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.

By: Andrew Swenson

Andrew Swenson — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:46:52 +0000

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.

By: Andrew Swenson

Andrew Swenson — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:44:05 +0000

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

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

By: Andrew Swenson

Andrew Swenson — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:42:46 +0000

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.

By: ryanstephens

ryanstephens — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:02:50 +0000

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!

By: Edward Antrobus

Edward Antrobus — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:59:12 +0000

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!”

By: Bas Helderman

Bas Helderman — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:32:15 +0000

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

By: Srinivas Rao

Srinivas Rao — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:30:38 +0000

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.