A few days ago, David Shultz published an article on Applelust,
iSay: Enough with the iTitles - They are getting iSickening, where
he discussed his disgust for titles with "i" names (iExample). I must
say that I agree with most of his statements.
The iMac (internet Mac) was a revolutionary name when it first came
out - powerful and meaningful, yet simple. It also made sense for the
iBook to have an "i" in it, being the counterpart to the iMac. Then we
got iMovie. Fair enough - it allows you to share your movies over the
Internet. Then came iTunes, again, it makes sense (Internet tunes). The
same goes for iCards, iReview, and iTools.
Every "i" in Apple product names meant something until Steve Jobs
announced iDVD a few weeks back. Hmmmm, Internet DVD? No, I can't share
my DVDs over the Internet, and no, I can't download DVDs from the
Internet. What does the "i" in iDVD stand for? This was the first time
Apple threw an "i" into a product name for branding
purposes.
You're probably wondering: If I'm so against "i" names, why do I
write a column called "iThings Considered?"
In my opinion, there are two different types of "i" names - those
that have meaning, and those that don't. The "i" in "iThings
Considered" stands for "Internet" (Internet Things Considered). It
makes sense, is trendy (hopefully), and doesn't make David Shultz sick
(my fingers are crossed).
Branding is something that every company does. When someone says
iSomething, you immediately think of Apple - and Apple likes that. It
is important to Apple's marketing strategy.
What other thoughts come to mind when you hear an iWord? Simplicity,
communication, and as both David Shultz (Apple Lust) and Dan Knight
(Low End Mac) seem to agree, consumer. The most probable reasoning
behind iDVD being named what it is, is the fact that it is a consumer
program. Apple knows that if they stick an "i" in from a software
title, customers will know that the program is easy to use and targeted
towards the average Mac user.
So where is an "i" OK to use, and where is it not?
As David Shultz pointed out, there are many different meanings for
"i" in a name ("Internet," "consumer," or for branding purposes). I
think that the line is drawn between where a user can immediately
identify which of the meanings the "i" is supposed to stand for (if
any), and when a user has to think about it.
An "i" title is humorous and clever when put in the right context.
Match an "i" up with another word where it doesn't make sense, and
things just get repetitive and boring. Sure, Apple should keep sticking
"i's" in its product names, and Mac web sites should continue to put
"i's" in article titles - where it has meaning. But if Mac web site
publishers and users continue to stick "i's" where they don't belong,
many people may begin to see it as unprofessional and untasteful.
