Watch Steve Jobs launch first iPhone 10 years ago
Today marks 10 years since Steve Jobs presented the world with this iconic product, but it could have been so different
On this day in 2007, Steve Jobs presented the world with the very first iPhone.
Turning his attentions away from desktop computers and into transforming another line of technology, we doubt even the Mac messiah himself could have predicted the impact it would have. Let alone that man of the people Homer J. Simpson would one day own an iPhone himself.
Subsequently, the word iPhone has rapidly become one of the most frequently used tech terms around and no competitor has managed to come close to creating an equally powerful name for their product.
But things could have been very different. At a recent event at the University of Arizona, Ken Segall, the former head of advertising for Apple, revealed what the iPhone was almost called.
They were as follows:
Telepod - this was almost used because it sounded like a futuristic telephone and it sounded like a natural progression from the iPod
Mobi - as a shortened version of mobile, this was seen as a creative spin on the word with more personality
Tripod - again, this was seen as a progression from iPod and since the iPhone would be used for music, internet and as a phone, the name seemed to make sense
iPad - ultimately stored away for a later date, this was also seen as a name that would fit in with previous products
Watch Segall talk through all of this below, and think what could have been.
But things could have been very different. At a recent event at the University of Arizona, Ken Segall, the former head of advertising for Apple, revealed what the iPhone was almost called.
They were as follows:
Telepod - this was almost used because it sounded like a futuristic telephone and it sounded like a natural progression from the iPod
Mobi - as a shortened version of mobile, this was seen as a creative spin on the word with more personality
Tripod - again, this was seen as a progression from iPod and since the iPhone would be used for music, internet and as a phone, the name seemed to make sense
iPad - ultimately stored away for a later date, this was also seen as a name that would fit in with previous products
You can see Segall talk through all of this here. And think what could have been.
