The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are out, people are raving about them. It won’t be long now until the rumor mill stars up for what will be touted as Apple iPhone 7. (running iOS 9) Give it just a little time, it’s coming.

I believe we are likely to see Apple release this next version as just “iPhone”. I’d actually love to see them just drop the “plus” and “s” monikers from the lines entirely. If you look at the full set of names over time, it feels clunky compared to what Apple is known for. It’s not quite as bad as Microsoft branding, but it’s not great.

iPhone (2007)
iPhone 3G (2008)
iPhone 3Gs (2009)
iPhone 4 (2010)
iPhone 4S (2011)
iPhone 5 (2012)
iPhone 5S (2013)
iPhone 5C (2013)
iPhone 6 (2014)
iPhone 6 Plus (2014)

It started to get strange early on. Why was the second iPhone called 3G? Oh, because they wanted to tie the model to the faster 3G network. Then what happens when you want to improve upon that name? Make it the 3Gs. (wait, is that a plural? or is the ’S’ symbolic of something?) As it turns out, the S was meant for SPEED. Does this imply the 3G was not fast?

Okay, so I am clear now. The number on my iPhone means what network I can use? So the 4 is 4G? Oh wait.. no. I have to wait for the iPhone 5 for 4G speeds? (let’s not get into the TMO/ATT debacle of calling 3G HSPA, 4G. We all know 4G globally was lining up to mean LTE)

Let’s take a bit of a detour here. Remember iPad?

iPad (2010)
iPad 2 (2011)
iPad (3rd generation, but just called iPad) (Early 2012)
iPad Mini (late 2012)
iPad (4th generation, but just called iPad) (late 2012)
iPad Air (late 2013)
iPad Mini (with Retina Display) (early 2014)

Apple started going with a named approach, and scrapping the version numbers. I feel like they were getting better on this line. We did get size as part of the naming convention, but it made sense. I don’t agree with using Retina as part of the name. Give it a premium name, just don’t call out a technical feature. I am not sure why, but it drives me a bit nuts. I get why they name iMacs with the size screen in them. People are used to screen sizes as a strong callout. I don’t agree with the core processor speed being part of a name. (although Apple’s website sort of shows them in that way)

I understand why they went with iPad Air. It was lighter. Did you intend to have another iPad in market that was heavier? iPad and iPad Air? No. Hmm..so what happens when they next iPad comes out that is lighter than the Air? Is is the iPad AirS? (S meaning Somewhat Lighter) ?

Summary

Getting back on track here. I just wish they’d simplify the lines. Next release, just tell us about the iPhone. We can all talk about the iPhones. I don’t need to be saying that I have the iPhone 14S in 10 more years. I’d love to see Apple simplify the naming across the board.

iPhone Mini (current iPhone size)
iPhone (iPhone 6 size)
iPhone Plus (I am ok with this based on size being larger)
iPad Mini
iPad
iPad Plus (you know they will come out with a bigger iPad soon)
iMac (21.5” size)
iMac Plus (27” size)
AppleTV

Then.. tell me about spec level details later. How much RAM, Drive space, etc…Does it have a Retina display or not, does it have 4G, 5G, 6G speeds.. hell, I care/don’t care. I want an iPhone, then I want to look into the specs. Get out of the rat race of naming, keeping up with the Jones, etc. Just simplify the naming down to a more consumer friendly name that makes sense over time.

You are welcome world. I didn’t solve any real problem with this rant, but it did make me feel better by getting my naming convention frustration off my chest.