For years, Apple users have debated the meaning behind the lowercase ‘i’ in iPhone, iPad, and iMac — with theories ranging from internet and information to intelligence and individuality. Now, nearly two decades later, the truth behind the iconic branding is clearer than ever.
The origin dates back to 1998 with the launch of the iMac, Apple’s first ‘i’-branded product. At the time, Steve Jobs confirmed that the ‘i’ stood for “internet,” highlighting the iMac’s cutting-edge internet capabilities — a major selling point then.
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But Jobs later revealed that the ‘i’ wasn’t tied to just one word. It evolved to represent a mix of ideas that define Apple’s core values: internet, individual, instruct, inform, and inspire. He also acknowledged its link to the personal pronoun “I,” underlining the user-centric philosophy behind Apple products.
Today, as Apple embraces AI technology, some speculate the ‘i’ could now hint at “intelligence.” But no matter the interpretation, the ‘i’ has become a timeless symbol of innovation and identity in the Apple universe.
