December 24: Reflecting on a Significant Day in Apple’s Journey
Unraveling the iSlate Speculation
On December 24, 2009, whispers regarding a potential tablet by Apple reached a peak, with speculation that the gadget would bear the name “iSlate.”
Ultimately, this was not to be.
The Origin of iSlate Rumors
The domain name iSlate.com was initially registered by Eurobox Ltd. back in October 2004 before it changed hands and was eventually associated with MarkMonitor.com in 2007 — a firm known for managing domain registrations and trademark protections for businesses such as Apple.
This level of discretion is characteristic of Apple; renowned for maintaining secrecy around its product launches while ensuring intellectual property rights are safeguarded. Investigations into the records related to iSlate.com confirmed that it was indeed under Apple’s stewardship.
The buzz surrounding iSlate gained traction through MacRumors, spurred by an insider tip from Mark Gurman — then just a teenager — who later became well-known as an exceptional rumor source for tech insights at sites like Bloomberg and 9to5Mac.
The Birth of the iPad Identity
Come early 2010, when Apple finally unveiled its much-anticipated tablet, it surprised many by opting for “iPad,” quite distinct from its rumored counterpart. Interestingly enough, some individuals even likened ‘iPad’ to feminine hygiene products at that time.
Your Thoughts on Naming Preferences?
If you had been around during those speculative times—would you have favored “iSlate”? Were you excited about becoming an owner of Apple’s new device? Share your views in our comment section below!
