Apple Tablet Might Actually Be Called the iPad!

New evidence suggests that Apple may in fact name its tablet, the iPad.

Recently, MacRumors discovered that Apple had acquired iSlate.com. TechCrunch then dug deeper and found that iSlate is a registered trademark of what is likely a dummy corporation used by Apple. Until now the name iSlate seemed the most likely candidate for Apple's new device.

However, recent findings reveal that another name, iPad, may be the name of Apple's imminent tablet.


A search in the Canadian trademark database reveals that Apple's dummy corporation Slate Computing, LLC also applied for a trademark for "iPad" under the categories of handheld mobile digital electronic devices with a broad range of applications. This application was filed in July 2009 -- much more recently than the original iSlate trademarks which date back to 2006-2007. Slate Computing, LLC did not apply for a similar trademark in the U.S. due to the fact that Fujitsu appears to control the U.S. trademark as it relates to handheld computing. Of course, this didn't stop Apple from using the iPhone name despite it being owned by Cisco in the U.S. at the time of the iPhone's launch.

Trademarks for iPad were also filed in Europe and Hong Kong in July. While the European filing lists a law firm as the applicant, the Hong Kong application lists a Delaware company called IP Application Development, LLC. Interestingly, the companies initials spell out "iPad".

This same company filed trademark applications in New Zealand and Australia this past week. The most recent application being on January 15, 2010.

It appears there are two possible names for the tablet now. Which do you prefer?


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