Mystery of the ‘i’ in iPhone intrigues many people; see the meaning

Undeniably, the Apple is known for its innovative iPhones, iMacs and iPads. The trademark gives rise to several jokes and parodies, being an identity strongly associated with the company.

But have you ever wondered what the letter ‘i’ in the names of these products means? Check out!

Mysterious ‘i’ in Apple products: meaning and history

There are several rumors, one of which speculates that this ‘i’ represents the word ‘internet’. This theory is reinforced by the fact that all of these products provide access to the internet.

However, to understand it better, let’s go to the root. The first Apple product to feature this emblematic letter was the iMac, launched in 1998.

The legendary Steve Jobs, co-founder of the company, during the presentation of the iMac, indicated that ‘The union of the emotion that the Internet provides with the simplicity of the Macintosh’ is the objective of the product.

Therefore, providing a connection to the Internet it was a vital differentiator to distinguish Apple from its competitors.

Meaning of the “i” in Apple Products – Image: Reproduction

The quintet that started with an ‘i’

According to some Apple experts, five words starting with the letter ‘i’ were considered during the development of the iMac.

These words were: individual, instruct, inform, inspire and internet. Each of them has a significant meaning for the company.

Considering every word

1. Individual: an allusion to the fact that the original iMac was designed to be a personal computer, easy to use, manage and carry;

2. Instruct: refers to the iMac as the ideal device for educating new generations in computing, as mentioned by Steve Jobs;

3. Inform: relates to the iMac as the perfect tool for collecting information, performing office tasks, and sharing information with others;

4. To inspire: Finally, Steve Jobs mentioned that the iMac inspires its users and the IT industry in general, representing the future progress of modern computing;

5. Internet: The products, through access to the web, enable the actions mentioned above.

If we translate the word iPhone, for example, we will find another indication: ‘my phone’. This is one of Apple’s main mantras — its products must be part of the user’s identity, an inseparable part of the person.

The legacy of the ‘i’ in Apple products

The ‘i’ present in iPhonewhich was released in 2007, shares the same philosophy as the first iMac.

Such a striking attribute is something that Apple has no reason to abandon, becoming an iconic emblem of the brand. The meaning behind this simple ‘i’ speaks volumes about the company’s vision and philosophy.