Steve Jobs at Moscone Center (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Apple, the San Jose computer giant, formally announced it's latest product at the Moscone Center: the iPad, leaving millions of women wondering exactly what the folks at Apple were thinking when they came up with such a name?
For North American women the word "pad" means but one thing, a sanitary napkin. If a woman wants a pad of paper she will ask for a note pad, a sheet of paper, a notebook, or a Post-It note. Not one women ever asks for a pad, unless of course, well, she is headed to the bathroom (she might also ask for a tampon).
So flabbergasted were women, and a good many men, at the name that not only did iPad quickly become a trending topic on twitter but so did iTampon. And the jokes were flying through cybersapce...
- Do you charge the iPad every 28 days?
- If you want more memory do you ask for a MaxiPad?
- It may take as many as two billing cycles for your iPad to arrive
The use of iPad isn't even original. One wonders if the folks at Apple have ever heard of MadTV, because they already invented an iPad (see video) and it seems to have many practical applications not sported by Apple's version.
Despite the humor and the lack of cultural awareness the decision to go with iPad as a brand name suggests that women must not be a part of the boardroom at Apple nor be part of their branding team. Will the name deter women from buying the product? Unlikely. Will it make Apple seem less cool? To millions of American women it already has.
Remember, this column does not represent individual advice.
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Comments
As the pad name seemed to outpace slate in the tech predictions, I wondered why people weren't running with the period jokes then. As I watched the live feed refresh about the announcement, the lack of women in the front row pics confirmed my suspicions. Apple is a men's club that hasn't figured out their fastest growing market is the soccer mom who keeps her life organized via her iPhone and MacBook. I had to lol when the battery life had a month on standby. Were they writing the script for SNL?
I agree with everything you said in this article. I can't understand how this name got approved! They must have one woman working there with an opinion that matters. Or at least one person who has seen that ridiculous MadTV skit.
This is hysterical! Love the video attachment too. Love your cutting edge humor on the topic. Really funny.
They probably figure it will be like the Wii - seems silly at first, but people get used to it.
talk about degrading and stupid. Is that all you can come up with? Why bother writing stupid drivel like this
Oh Cathy lighten up! Many top bloggers and columnists covered the iPad. Seriously, Get a sense of humor!
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