T-Mobile market testing terrible names for the HTC Magic / Sapphire

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 8th 2009 at 4:04PM

We're not sure why T-Mobile would be market-testing names other than "G2" for its upcoming HTC Sapphire, but it apparently is -- and if these leaked slides are to be believed, it's not doing so well on the ideas front. Seriously: "T-Mobile Genius 3G with Google" and "Prism 3G with Google" both trade in the well-known G-series branding for banal anonymity, and "myTouch 3G with Google" just sounds like a skin disease that's gone from bad to worse. Interestingly, "T-Mobile G3" is also on the list, which makes us wonder if there's a less-drastic G2 model in the works, but that's pure speculation on our part -- what we do know is that we'd take Vodafone's Magic branding over any of these other sad options in a heartbeat.

Filed under: Handsets, HTC, T-Mobile

Tags: android, cellphone, g2, g3, genius, google, htc, htc g2, htc magic, htc sapphire, HtcG2, HtcMagic, HtcSapphire, magic, mytouch, prism, sapphire, t mobile, t-mobile, TMobile

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Tremor @ Apr 8th 2009 4:58PM

I have heard that T-mobile was set to release with the G2 name and then legal told them they couldn't because Gatorade already had the G2 name trademarked.

Neutral

anthony @ Apr 8th 2009 5:05PM

that cant be true, G2 gatorade and Google G2 have nothing to do with each other. Phone or drink.. put your G2 in the air!

Highest Ranked

Michael S @ Apr 8th 2009 5:05PM

T-Mobile G2 3G with Google + Gatorade. Now available in Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch, Strawberry-Kiwi.

Neutral

Geoff Gibson @ Apr 8th 2009 4:13PM

It probably wouldn't be so bad if they didn't feel the need to attach "with Google" at the end of each name. I kinda dig the name Prism... ditch the 3G branding though.

Neutral

James villan @ Apr 8th 2009 4:22PM

why is tmobil getting this phone????
i wish verizon get a android power phone i seen some crazy hacks for it =-(

Neutral

Jarek @ Apr 17th 2009 7:51PM

That's exactly why Verizon isn't getting one.

Highest Ranked

RCC2k8 @ Apr 8th 2009 4:46PM

It should be the "T-Mobile G3 with 3G".

Neutral

Daniel @ Apr 8th 2009 5:35PM

Who cares what it's called. If they lose out in revenue over a funky name, that's their problem not ours.

I'm ditching my iPhone 3G and I'm sorry but the bulky Pre or the carrier Sprint does nothing for me.

I for one am looking forward to this unit. There are tons of apps already available for Android and this device looks really slick. I've been testing a prepaid T-Mobile phone for a few weeks now and they have a really good clean sounding network in my area unlike my iPhone that sounds garbly and broken up when I call

Neutral

Rey @ Apr 8th 2009 6:47PM

Just Release it already ! just call it the G1 lite or something, Magic works good too, G1 magic maybe i dunno i just want to try it out and so i know if i want it or not ! SO COME ON ALREADY !

Neutral

Luddy @ Apr 8th 2009 7:17PM

Why? personally I love the HTC Magic moniker. Any other name for it will just suck in comparison.

Neutral

Kent Pribbernow - tech writer, Weblogs inc. @ Apr 8th 2009 7:20PM

Why is T-Mobile the only carrier adopting HTC Android-based phones? Where is AT&T, Verizon, et. al.? I'd even settle for a nice scrumptious unlocked model. Throw me a bone here, fellas.

Neutral

Tyler @ Apr 8th 2009 8:32PM

There is an unlocked verson of the t mobile G1

Neutral

Jeremy @ Apr 8th 2009 7:34PM

Why can't it just be called the "G Phone" and skip all the numbering. Otherwise what in three or four years were gonna be at G7 G8 G9 and hopefully never G10. It's just ridiculous if they want to build a solid brand with naming that is similar so people know it is a line just go with the G Phone and that way people will always use the same name, like iPhone. Imagine that! They do it now with the Sidekick. They aren't numbered anymore they are just the Sidekick (2008 model). I think that would be wayyyy easier.

Neutral

Jerry @ Apr 8th 2009 11:00PM

They're using the "3G" term because of the successful marketing that Apple made with the iPhone 3G...as you may recall, Verizon didn't start calling their network "3G" until the saturation of Apple's ads hit a critical mark. The point I'm trying to make is "3G" sounds like "now and hot" to consumers. Anything even remotely close to "G2" or "2G" immediately sounds "old"...therefore, they're just jumping on the 3G branding bandwagon so as to take advantage of what most consumers already know.

Neutral

KilgoreTrout @ Apr 8th 2009 11:12PM

Why not the "Quark" in honor to Feynman; or the "mc2" or the "Styx" (the river souls have to cross to get into hell" .
Or military names such as the "Centurion" "legionair" "Admiral".
Or Astrological: the "Geminy" "Akvaryus" "Zenith" "Solstice" "eclipse" (eclypse?) "equinox" " Caprycorn" "Taurus" etc.
Mytological names are ok too: how 'bout the "Mythos" "Sphynx" the "Gea" the "Kronos" the " "Osyris" or the "Isis" or "Isys" if you prefer.
The "August" the "Janus" the "breeze" the "Vesper"
Wind names have never been exploited: I like the " Bora" or the "Mistral" or the Khamshin" or the "Zephyr"
If the phone is going to suck they could just call it the "Hoover", for exemple.
Jeez, they should ask me for a name

Neutral

Matt @ Apr 10th 2009 6:46AM

Legally it doesn't matter that Gatorade G2 has nothing to do with cell phones. It would be Trademark infringement for which TMo would need to either pay fees now or pay penalties later.

I live in Baltimore MD, and there was a small Asian restaurant called "Sony's Wrappin's", the owner's name was Sony. They ended up closing because (rumor had it) Sony Electronics threatened to sue them.