Can Bubba pronounce your product name correctly? Take no chances. I was struck by Microsoft’s new venture in gaming, “Project Natal.” Now, looking at the name dead on, I’d think it was natal, associated with birth, pronounced natal like … “fatal.” But no, the Microsoft rep said it’s Natal like Napal. “Na-tall.” Pronounced similar to femme fatale. It adds an air of high style to pronounce it correctly. But Natal like Napal just invites Bubba to mispronounce the project. Bubba may be freaked out enough by the supernatural body readin’ technology.

Palm took no chances. When they announced the Palm Pre, they made sure to put the long e symbol promotional material, lest Bubba make the mistake of pronouncing it the Palm Pray, instead of with a long e like “Palm Free” or “pommes frites” or “Prius.” It implies “expect more” …. like fancy fried potatoes. Everyone loves chips. Jason Chen already demonstrated that the Palm Pre slices soft cheese, can fancy fried potatoes be far behind? After all, the iPhone is brutally competitive in the category “elegant name simplicity,” but does it imply deliciousness?… Or energy-saving transportation?