Since Apple rolled out its new line of MacBook laptops earlier this year, there has been some speculation about why Mr. Jobs decided to scrap the much loved and well branded iBook/Powerbook name.
According to Steve, ‘It’s a new name because we’re kinda done with Power and because we want Mac in the name of our products.’ However, I’d like to propose something much more radical, and well sensible. Judging from the ubiquity of i-branded Apple products—from iTunes to iPods, and the lately announced iPhone—Apple doesn’t seem to be replacing its i-label any time soon. My suspicion is that suspending the iBook name is a well timed and deliberate hiatus designed so that Apple can introduce a dedicated ebook (or iBook) reader device at a point in time when electronic books become more prevalent—and to be sure, that day is coming. With the iPod’s immense success at capturing the digital music player market, you’ve got to know that Jobs et al. are eyeing digital books with ravenous anticipation. You heard it first on BookNet!
