Comments on: My take on the Apple Tablet

By: Second thoughts on the iPad - Nathaniel Salzman

Second thoughts on the iPad - Nathaniel Salzman — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:30:51 +0000

[...] thoughts on the iPad 3.18.10 Best of the web Upon its debut, I was summarily unimpressed with Apple’s upcoming iPad tablet thingy. I don’t hate the thing, I’m simply [...]

By: RS

RS — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:05:04 +0000

I agree with you, Nathaniel, that the name is simply too ripe for parody and that, yes, Apple should have thought of that. (Especially given that the MadTV sketch you linked to aired back in ’06.)

To Robert:
In the context of this conversation, I can’t help but read the term “lilly pad” and giggle just a little bit. I can’t say that throwing that phrase into your mix of “pads” helped reinforce your argument. Although, better that than “sticky pad.”

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:36:28 +0000

Upon further reflection, offense isn’t even the issue. It’s more the humor of it — the absurdity of naming their “revolutionary” device something so ripe for parody and ridicule. It’s the incredulity of “really, you didn’t think of that?”

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:39:09 +0000

Well it sounds like you and yours are the exception. The market at large is talking about the name quite a bit, and it’s not positive. There are a lot of oversights in this product launch and that is one of them. The whole iPad name thing will blow over, but it was a poor choice regardless.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:33:06 +0000

Sorry, I can’t agree.

I did some fact find with the women in my life and asked a simple question to them all (10) what image does the name iPad bring to mind? NOt, do this name remind you of female products. Not a one said tampon, or Kotex. Mostly it was Pad, a place to write, pad, a pad of paper and so on. When I broached the subject of feminine hygiene products they all seemed taken aback, a bit shocked. I heard a lot of this… “Why would I think that?” and a few got a bit unset suggesting I would only think that because… ” I’m a male.” So what you seem to be saying is that the women in your life “are” offended or are you making assumptions? I go back and ask you this… do these things… Landing Pad, Ink Pad, Shoulder Pad, Lily Pad… bring that image into your head every time you speak or hear them? I really doubt it but I could be wrong as I can only understand what I’m thinking and it’s not Kotex. I really don’t understand the reference?

The MadTv thing was bad taste and I don’t see how it relates to this product? I think, from what I see online, men are grossed out by the name. Old Joke… How a woman can stop a rape… tell the guy she’s having her period. Most of us “guys” are slugs.

My Mac died, software wise, yesterday, No back up so I’m screwed.

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:22:37 +0000

Thing is, I think you’re illustrating the very issue. It’s not that it’s offending men, it’s women who are scratching their heads. It’s not grossing men out, it’s making women think that Apple’s ignored half the population in their approach to this product — even pointing out that the entire Apple design team (judging from the video) seems to be men. The word “pad” has very different baggage for the ladies. And especially given this MadTV sketch from a couple years ago, it’s indicative of the overall lack of deeper thought that went into this product and its launch.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:00:19 +0000

I have to agree with most all of what you said here. It’s irritating that Steve and crew f’d up this so badly! What the heck where they thinking. I went to watch vid that the Apple crew used spin it at Apple’s website and it was just irritatingly blatantly… spin! It’s also a bit embarrassing that I started spinning it to my Apple hating friends. I stopped defending it and now suggest it will get better, hopefully as what it could have been is something I would have liked to own.

As far as the name goes… I don’t get the whole tampon thing that seems to be male driven cringe?! Gad guys grow up. It’s iPad not “the pad” or iTampon! If I buy a pad of paper do I immediately think “Gad, it’s a tampon!” I don’t think so. Fact, until I read that some felt it was an icky name related to female products I never would have thought that.

Maybe it’s my age and that fact that I don’t have to deal with that part of my wife’s femininity any longer? Landing Pad, Ink Pad, Shoulder Pad, Lily Pad… do these make me think of a tampon? Back in the 1960′s and beyond the word Pad was used to signify a place one lived. “Come over to my pad man” not ” come over to my tampon.”

My thoughts, not meant to offend but I find the device and the tampon references offending.