How is he "throwing around" this term? He's specifically talking about the iPad 3. Apple uses this marketing term to signal to the purchaser that they are going to get a certain pixel density. I see retina display, I know I will get a "good looking" display by Apple's standards. If I trust Apple, it means something. That's the purpose of marketing and branding. So what if your phone also has the same pixel density?

Do you have a problem with marketing in general? Is it a problem that Audi makes quattro cars or that Volkswagens have 4motion or BMWs have cars with 'x' in the model number? They only signify 4WD after all.

BTW, iPhone 4 is a 3.5 inch 640×960 resolution (326 ppi). N900 is 3.5 inch 800 × 480 resolution (267 ppi). Not that it matters either way.