The Apple Tablet Will Be Called the "iGuide"... Maybe.... OK, Maybe Not.

[Michael Essany]

I don't know about you but the name game for Apple's forthcoming tablet couldn't be any more interesting... or frustrating.

The big news today is the mounting evidence of Apple's sneaky establishment of various "shell companies" used to secure trademarks, domain names, and other digital properties that may ultimately be linked to the upcoming Apple tablet which many believe will be unveiled late next month.

iGuide Media, LLC is believed to be affiliated with Apple, at least according to multiple published reports, including one today courtsy of the Washington Post/Tech Crunch:

MacRumors bases its report on the filing for a US trademark for 'IGUIDE' by another Delaware-registered company called iGuide Media LLC, which can be linked to Cupertino by means of signatures on the documents coming from Apple's Senior Trademark Specialist, Regina Porter.

The possible title of "iGuide" for the Apple tablet doesn't sit well with many (including myself) who would prefer something a little snappier or, at the very least, Apple-esque. "iGuide" simply doesn't do it, which is probably why all reports of Apple considering it for the name of their tablet device are erroneous. Nonetheless, the rumors persist.

There's no indication that Apple owns any domain name that contains the term 'iguide'. The identity if iguide.com is shielded from public WHOIS records, but not by Mark Monitor, the brand protection firm Apple usually works with. The domain name iguide.net belongs to a company called iGuide Media.

Earlier this month it was reported that Apple has owned iSlate.com since 2007. As a result of the news, some are logically wondering if the tablet will bear that particular moniker. Others maintain that "magic slate" is a more likely title for the device. Although little evidence exists in support of the theory that Apple will call its tablet an "iPad," this moniker sits better with most Apple fans than the "iGuide" does.

Although less than a month remains from Apple's probable release of the tablet, the rumor mill and the name game won't end until Steve Jobs personally speaks the device's name. Until then, it's a safe bet that no one knows for sure what the tablet will be called - perhaps not even the folks at Apple who may be using discussions (such as these) to evaluate the best name possible for the tablet.

Image via Bad Wolf Designs

[1shuttle1]

How about "iamoverhyped" for a name.

[Melech518]

I think apple has pretty much obtained a trademark on everything that begins with the letter "i"

[discostar]

How about "iamoverhyped" for a name.

How about iSTILLdonthaveBlu-ray? Too wordy?

[JAG2621]

How about "iCouldcareless". I am sorry but i have been hearing so much crap about the tablet and the names that it does not matter to me anymore. It will be what it is at the time that it is. I think it will be a great product but as said earlier it is overhyped.

[ggrassmid]

its going to be simple... iPhone... iTablet... iPod... iMac... see?

[hollow0]

Geez every posting now is about this stupid tablet. i don't even care for it anymore. Too much hype.

[FRiiTOZ]

can yaw go one damn day with out no damn tablet news GOSH!!!

[daching]

Whatever it's going to be called, it's probably going to revolutionize the Tablet Industry.

[aekhamsouk]

3GS refurb for sale at att.com - 49.00!!

[LeeDude]

its going to be simple... iPhone... iTablet... iPod... iMac... see?

I actually think iTab would be more appropriate, since all the i's roll of the tongue. 2 syllables would be way too much for an apple product.

But yeah, news of this device is annoying me. Who cares. When it gets here, then we can talk about it. When we know specs, great. When there is true rock hard evidence, share it. But rumors aren't news. They're rumors. Not headlines.

[youngbrammer]

its going to be simple... iPhone... iTablet... iPod... iMac... see?

Maybe if it is really an eReader, Apple will go back to iBook (not gunna happen)

[deadfire55]

Inspired by this post to make this video on tablet concepts:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw9p0eU2Wzw]Apple's 2010 Tablet Concepts[/ame]

[rhekt]

hrrrrmmmm...french fried taters.....hrrrmmmmmm....

[mikerlx]

if this device will resemble that youtube of iKea website handheld thingy then it will rock!

[shiPhone25]

idontcarewhatitscalled, istillwantone.

[jdonn2009]

'Hey, there is this device that i have never seen before in my life and have absolutly no idea what it looks like/or does but because it's an apple, I WANT ONE' ... w/e... in my oppinion, unless this thing can shrink at the touch of a button, i have no reason to get it... so, no hype... lately there must not have been much "REAL" apple news... sad!

[thevmax]

How about IMEMEMINE ... AND ... I don't want one!

[ifonemaniac]

Whatever it's going to be called, it's probably going to revolutionize the Tablet Industry.

Yeah, that tablet industry is pretty big isn't it? It needs a revolution... A super tiny computer or a huge iPhone either way its already fail times two!!

[lilskaterpunk]

Ummmm.... I dont think that name is the best. I just cant wait for a release or some news from Apple to make all these rumours shut up lol