Apple seeks to trademark its socks

By: Ina Fried
Topics: Apple

A generic PC is often known as a Wintel box.

So, is a generic Mac running Intel a Mactel?

Of course that is a trick question. Apple doesn't license out its OS, so the folks in Cupertino would rightfully say there is no such thing as a generic Mac. Nor, apparently, does the company want the term Mactel to become generic.

The same day that Steve Jobs announced Apple's plans to adopt Intel chips, the company filed a trademark application for the term Mactel.

A further peek at recent trademark filings suggests perhaps the company's long-rumored Asteroid music hardware might be coming to market. In April, the company applied for protection for the term "Jam Box." The trademark would cover computer peripherals, "namely audio production systems comprised of computer hardware and software for composing, recording, creating, converting, enhancing, processing, amplifying, mixing, manipulating, and playing audio signals."

Apple had been said to be working on what is known in the music industry as a breakout box, a device that connects music instruments to a computer. In December, Apple filed suit against the unnamed individuals who leaked the details of the product to several Mac enthusiast sites. That led to speculation such a product would likely arrive at January's Macworld Expo. The event brought the Mac Mini and the iPod Shuffle, but no Asteroid.

Other recently applied for trademarks include "iPod Socks" and "Voiceover," which Apple registered in January, with its application covering a "computer apparatus and software for the navigation and control of computer hardware, peripheral apparatus, computer operating system software, computer applications, and computer utility software."

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.