Final answer:
The 'i' in iMac stood for 'internet', reflecting the focus on ease of internet access that was a key feature of the 1998 computer
Step-by-step explanation:
The first Apple product to include the 'i'-prefix was indeed the iMac, launched in 1998. Ken Segall, the person responsible for the naming, stated that the 'i' stood for 'internet'. At the time, the internet was becoming increasingly important and the iMac was designed to simplify access to it for consumers.
The concept behind the iMac was to provide a computer that was ready for the internet right out of the box. This made the iMac notably distinct and helped establish Apple's reputation for creating user-friendly products. The name iMac helped convey this message and subsequently, Apple continued to use the 'i'-prefix in many of its products to symbolize their internet connectivity and ease of use.
The evolution of computers, leading to personal computers like the Apple II and eventually to the introduction of the iMac, was propelled by advances in technology such as the microchip and integrated circuits.
These innovations made it feasible for computers to evolve from large, expensive machines to more compact and affordable devices for personal and business use.
The transition from a graphics and icons-based user interface started by Apple with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984, eventually became the norm across competitors, highlighting Apple's role in shaping the user experience in computing.
Apple's push towards more accessible technology continued with their release of the iPhone in 2007, again revolutionizing how people access the internet with its touch-screen interface.