As the world awaits the expected January 27th unveiling of Apple's much anticipated Jesus Tablet, one mystery may be solved...the name.

Not since Deep Throat brought down a presidency has a name been held in such high secrecy and been the subject of so much media speculation. We think we can put an end to all the hysteria surrounding the name. 

iSlate? iPad? iTablet?  Drumroll...and the winner is...iPad!

It has been reported that Fujitsu owns the trademark "iPad" and that would either prohibit or discourage Apple from using the mark.  What has not been reported is that Apple filed requests with the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) several times late last year to extend the time given to oppose the trademark with the USPTO. The USPTO granted the request and extended the time to oppose to 2/28/2010 "on behalf of potential opposer Apple Inc."

USPTO Online Files

The fact is that Apple has an interest in the iPad mark and is pursuing the matter with the USPTO and Fujitsu, the trademark applicant for iPad.  But why?

Apple could be pursuing this on the grounds that iPad is confusingly similar to Ipod, or because Apple has settled on iPad as the name of their new game-changing tablet device.  Given the timing of the filings in late 2009, we are convinced it is the latter (or a combination of both, but definitely the latter).

Of all the likely names bandied about, iPad seems the best.  When breaking new ground in a new product category, it is logical to maintain an association and relationship to one of the most successful consumer products of all time, the iPod.  In my opinion, iSlate is too cold and iTablet is too Microsoft for Apple.  Pad is clean, short, vague enough to evolve (think pod), warmer and almost retro, as in "check out my pad" or "grab a pad and pencil" (not "grab a tablet and stylus"!).

Looking forward to January 27 and the big unveil!

And now for something completly different....