From the first time I came across "iPodder" and "Podcasting" I sensed that the champions of both initiatives got a little too excited with the concept of audio content syndication via XML without thinking about the long term implications. When naming goes wrong here is what happens:
iPodder Lemon changes its name to...: "iPodder Lemon changes its name to Juice Receiver. 'Apple went after us...'"
(Poster: Dave Winer Via Scripting News.)
Syndicating Audio had nothing to do with the iPod, but poor naming created the illusion that it was, albeit unintended. I think there is a lesson here: Don't christen innovations without taking a deep breadth first! Naming is extremely important. Is Apple an evil company for defending its brand - albeit somewhat exploitatively so? I don't think so, but shouldn't the "
Podcast Wars" combatants have seen this coming in the first place?