Apple is a company known for innovation and creativity, often pushing the boundaries of technology with their groundbreaking products. However, not all of their ideas make it to the market. In this article, we will explore 10 Apple products that were reportedly cancelled before they hit the market, along with their product descriptions, killer features, development history, and reasons for cancellation.
Apple PenLite (1995)
The Apple PenLite was a portable computer designed for note-taking, drawing, and other tasks. It featured handwriting recognition and a touch-sensitive screen, making it a competitor to other portable devices like the Newton. The PenLite was cancelled due to poor performance and high costs. However, the technology developed for the PenLite would later be integrated into the Apple PDA, a precursor to the iPhone.
Apple Asteroid (2004)
The Apple Asteroid was a breakout box designed for musicians to record directly into their Macs. It was intended to be a hub for recording studios, with multiple inputs and outputs for various instruments and equipment. The Asteroid was cancelled due to concerns over piracy and the fact that Apple was not known for producing professional audio equipment. However, Apple would later introduce GarageBand, which allowed users to record and edit music on their Macs.
Apple W.A.L.T. (Wizzy Active Lifestyle Telephone) (1993)
The W.A.L.T. was a landline phone with email, fax, and caller ID capabilities. It was intended to be a futuristic device that would integrate multiple communication channels into a single device. The W.A.L.T. was cancelled due to its high cost and the fact that it was ahead of its time. However, the technology developed for the W.A.L.T. would later be integrated into future Apple products, including the iPhone.
Apple Macintosh TV (1993)
The Macintosh TV was an all-in-one entertainment device that combined a television with a built-in Macintosh computer. It was designed to play games, watch TV, and surf the internet. The Macintosh TV was cancelled due to poor sales and the fact that it was not powerful enough to run modern software. However, the design of the Macintosh TV would later be integrated into the iMac.
Apple iBeamer (1999)
The iBeamer was a device that allowed users to project their computer screens wirelessly. It was intended to be a portable and easy-to-use projector that would be useful for business presentations and other applications. The iBeamer was cancelled due to technical difficulties and high production costs.
Apple PowerCD (1993)
The PowerCD was a combination CD player and external hard drive. It was designed to be a versatile device that could store and play music, as well as transfer files between computers. The PowerCD was cancelled due to poor sales and the fact that it was not competitive with other CD players on the market.
Apple QuickTake 200 (1996)
The QuickTake 200 was a digital camera that was a successor to the original QuickTake. It was designed to be a high-quality camera that could take sharp and detailed photos. The QuickTake 200 was cancelled due to intense competition in the digital camera market and the fact that it was not a significant improvement over the original QuickTake.
Apple Pippin (1996)
The Pippin was a video game console that ran a stripped-down version of the Macintosh operating system. It was designed to be an affordable and easy-to-use console that would appeal to casual gamers. The Pippin was cancelled due to poor sales and the fact that it faced intense competition from other game consoles on the market.
Apple Newton Successor (1998)
The successor to the Newton was designed to be a handheld computer that could be used for note-taking, email, and other tasks. It was intended to be a competitor to the Palm Pilot and other handheld devices on the market. The Newton successor was cancelled due to poor sales and the fact that it was not powerful enough to compete with other devices.
Apple Glasses (2022)
The Apple Glasses were a rumored augmented reality device that was reportedly in development by Apple. It was said to be a pair of glasses that would project information and graphics onto the user’s field of view, allowing them to interact with the digital world in new ways. However, the glasses were reportedly cancelled due to technical difficulties and concerns over privacy.
In conclusion, these 10 Apple products that were reportedly cancelled before they hit the market represent a small fraction of the ideas that Apple has come up with over the years. While some of these products were cancelled due to technical difficulties or poor sales, others were cancelled due to concerns over piracy or the fact that they were ahead of their time. Nevertheless, many of the technologies developed for these products would later be integrated into other Apple products, demonstrating the company’s commitment to innovation and progress.
