what puts the i in silicon valley nyt

The phrase "What puts the 'i' in Silicon Valley?" is a playful crossword clue from the New York Times Mini Crossword puzzle (August 4, 2025). The answer to this clue is "APPLE," referring to the tech company Apple Inc., which is famously associated with the Silicon Valley tech hub. The clue uses a figurative meaning: it doesn't literally mean the letter "i" in the word "Silicon" but instead alludes to Apple's branding of products like the iPhone, iPad, iMac, and iPod, which famously feature the lowercase "i" prefix. Apple's innovative presence in Silicon Valley symbolically "puts the i" in the region's identity.