As we all know the September 9th Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) event is just around the corner; Apple is all set to launch a few of its revolutionary new devices, which are expected to create a new technology race in the market.
It is this ability to innovate and create unique and ground breaking devices that has kept the company head and shoulders above others. However things do not always go as planned for even Apple; the company does have a history of producing a few gadgets that have not only crashed in the market, but brought absolutely no profit to the company, both in terms of reputation and cash.
Let’s have a look at a few devices that Apple with all its expertise and marketing could not sell to its target audience.
Newton
Many consider the Newton to be the foundation for our modern iPhone; it was a Personal Digital Assistant that just didn’t click with its audience. Steven Jobs upon his return to Apple dissolved the project without wasting any breath.
Newton development started in 1987 and ended February 27, 1998.
iPod Hi-Fi
The main reason why it didn’t do well was its price tag of $349 dollars, which was way higher than its competitor audio playing devices. Even though the product was portable and produced good audio quality, the price tag alone saw the end of it within 18 months of its launch.
Released on February 28, 2006 and discontinued September 5, 2007.
Lisa
Lisa used a GUI back in 1982 and was named after Steve Jobs’ daughter, but its price became its demise. Lisa cost a staggering sum of $10,000 and came with a very ugly design. A year after Lisa’s birth Macintosh came into the market and its affordability put an end to Lisa.
Development of the Lisa began in 1978 and was phased out sometime in 1982 with the Macintosh.
1st Generation of Apple TV
It promised to be a hit, but didn’t deliver. With all its fancy features that included Wi-Fi, 720 support, 40GB HDD etc. the product’s limitations became its downfall. The Apple TV did not allow the users to play anything but video clips and trailers from iTunes; moreover the users could not rent or buy TV shows or movies, which turned the TV owners and potential buyers away from the product.
Pre orders for the 40GB model began January 9, 2007 and officially ended on September 14, 2009.
QuickTake
Not many remember that Apple Inc. produced a digital camera as well; QuickTake was a three megapixel camera that could not survive the tough competition its competitors offered. With its ability to only take images with a resolution of 640×480 QuickTake went out of the market fairly quickly.
QuickTake was launched in 1994 and discontinued just three years in 1997.
Pippin
It would be harsh to call Pippin a really bad product, but it would be extremely fair to call its marketing strategy a total disaster. Pippin was a gaming console and its hardware was outsourced to a third party. Once again the price tag of the product proved to be too much for its audience who were far more interested in Pippin’s competitors.
Bandai produced the ATMARK consoles between 1995 and 1997.
Ping
Ping was supposed to land in the market with a bang, but instead it seemed as if someone had launched the product way before it was ready. The vision behind Ping hoped to see it become the next big thing after radio, but without any friend playlists or top lists and an existence only limited to iTunes’ music store, the product failed to make any impact at all.
Launched on September 1st 2010 and ended September 30th 2010.
Apple Maps
When you have Google maps why would you need Apple maps? That is all that can be said about this failed Apple launch.
This list would surprise many Apple users who have come to think of it as a company that only delivers market winning products. But every great company keeps a few skeletons hidden in the closet.
To be continued…
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