Categories
Uncategorized

Apple Using “Weasel Language” with iPhone

The Apple Blog’s Iyaz Akhtar takes issue with Apple’s iPhone naming strategy, implying that the company may not be sure about the name and wanted to give itself an easy way out if something bad happend.

When people see an iMac or an iPod for the first time they look at the device from all angles. Apple’s showpieces have their names proudly emblazoned somewhere on them. The Apple iPhone is certainly another showpiece – it is the showpiece from Macworld this year. Yet, it does not have its name etched on its backside.

“We are calling it iPhone.” That statement has a bit of weasel language. Just because “we” – in other words, Apple, Inc. – are calling it iPhone doesn’t mean its official name is iPhone. When the iPod was first introduced, Steve Jobs stated, “That product is called ‘iPod.'” The nano introduction also featured a declaration – “It’s called the ‘iPod nano,'” Steve Jobs announced. No weasel language there, but there is ambiguity in this year’s Macworld keynote.

iPhone or not: What’s in a Name? at The Apple Blog

technorati tags:


The Apple Blog’s Iyaz Akhtar takes issue with Apple’s iPhone naming strategy, implying that the company may not be sure about the name and wanted to give itself an easy way out if something bad happend.

When people see an iMac or an iPod for the first time they look at the device from all angles. Apple’s showpieces have their names proudly emblazoned somewhere on them. The Apple iPhone is certainly another showpiece – it is the showpiece from Macworld this year. Yet, it does not have its name etched on its backside.

“We are calling it iPhone.” That statement has a bit of weasel language. Just because “we” – in other words, Apple, Inc. – are calling it iPhone doesn’t mean its official name is iPhone. When the iPod was first introduced, Steve Jobs stated, “That product is called ‘iPod.'” The nano introduction also featured a declaration – “It’s called the ‘iPod nano,'” Steve Jobs announced. No weasel language there, but there is ambiguity in this year’s Macworld keynote.

iPhone or not: What’s in a Name? at The Apple Blog

technorati tags:

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.

One reply on “Apple Using “Weasel Language” with iPhone”

I still love the “Knowledge Navigator” as a name and am surprised that Apple hasn’t trademarked that name since they used it back in 1987 and 1988. Menawhile we have “(Appleicon) iPhone”

Comments are closed.