PRPG:

Code Name: Telepod

June 20, 2014

Lots of companies, particularly tech companies, use phony or “code names” when referring to a product while it’s being development. The main reasons: to throw competitors off the scent…or simply because they haven’t thought of a good name yet.

iPhone

Code NamesBefore Apple decided to use its “i + product” naming convention (as in iPod and iMac) for its handheld smartphone, the company toyed around with naming the iPhone the Mobi (as in mobile phone), the Telepod (a combination of “telephone” and “iPod”), or the Tripod (because it did three things: played music, made calls, and browsed the Internet).

PowerMac 7100

Apple actually called this personal computer “The Carl Sagan” during product development. That was up until the real-life Carl Sagan, influential astronomer, found out about it and threatened to sue. The new working title, before Apple opted to make it part of the pre-existing PowerMac line: BHA, short for “b***-head astronomer.”

Windows 95

Microsoft used to use the names of cities as product code names for upcoming versions of its PC operating systems. Windows for Workgroups 3.1 was internally called Sparta, Windows 95 was called Chicago, and Windows 98 was known as Memphis.

Mac OS 7

Shortly after the development of Windows 95—also known as Chicago— rival company Apple briefly named its latest operating system Capone…after Al Capone, the organized crime boss who was the enemy of Chicago.

Xbox

Microsoft considered more than 30 different names before settling on Xbox. Among the rejects: 11-X, Windows Entertainment Project, XON, and Odyssey of the Mind. DirectX box was ultimately chosen, before employees talking about it in email start abbreviating it as just Xbox, which executives thought sounded better.