Former Apple marketing exec, Ken Segall, reveals alternative iPhone names

Former Apple marketing executive Ken Segall has revealed some of the possible names that the Cupertino giant had been mulling for its halo iPhone product line. Among the possibilities were ‘Tripod,’ ‘Mobi,’ ‘Telepod,’ and ‘iPad,’ reports 9to5Mac . Apple, of course, ultimately settled on the iPhone name, but was also forced to settle with Cisco for the rights to use it, after it was launched.

Segall also elaborated on the options, revealing why they were on the table. According to Segall, ‘Tripod’ was seriously considered because it was felt that it represented the three key pillars of what made the device unique. Apple ultimately placed a heavy emphasis on the iPhone’s convergence of phone, iPod and Internet communicator in its sales pitch. The App Store phenomenon was not conceived of at the time and came over a year after its launch.

‘Telepod’ was also considered because of its futuristic play with the words ‘telephone’ and ‘iPod.’ It also represented the convergence of two devices, a technological trend that the late Steve Jobs publicly rejected ahead of the launch of the iPhone, perhaps to throw competitors off Apple’s trail. ‘Mobi’ was considered a catchy shortened version of mobile that also had a ‘personality.’

Finally, ‘iPad’ was also considered before it eventually was bestowed on Apple’s breakthrough tablet. Steve Jobs revealed in the Walter Isaacson biography that the iPad was in development sometime before the iPhone was conceived. Apple was not sure how to pitch the iPad, but saw a market for the operating system if it was applied to a new class of smartphone.

By Electronista Staff

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