Apple has come a long way since it was founded in 1976, from the humble beginnings of the Apple I computer to thevery latest iPhone 12.
Not to mention it is now one of the world’s most valuable companies.
Apple hasn’t always produced successful products, as you’ll soon see, but it can’t be disputed that the technology giant innovated many products that we now take for granted today, with several of its older devices providing inspiration for those further down the line.
With Apple’s latest product, the HomePod, being made available to buy in stores, we thought it high time to take a look back at some of the tech giant’s more unusual products that you either never knew existed, or have completely forgotten about.
Apple’s forgotten products
1997 - Apple Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh
To mark its 20th birthday, Apple released a limited edition Mac in 1997. It arrived with what were seen as technological advancements for the time, and subsequently had a high introductory price of $7,499 to reflect it. The TAM was one of the first projects that Apple’s Chief Design Officer Jony Ive was involved with and was the inspiration for the iMac and eventually the Apple Magic Trackpad.
2002 - Apple iMac G4
We can all instantly recognise the sleek aluminium lines of the iMac today, but its floating screen design can be traced back to the iMac G4. It was the first iMac to feature an LCD mounted on an adjustable arm and replaced the colourful and iconic iMac G3. It was nicknamed the iLamp, in reference to its adjustable nature, similar to that of Luxo Jr, the desk lamp mascot for Pixar, which was created by Steve Jobs.
2003 - iSight
The iSight camera didn’t start life in the original iPhone or MacBook, but was originally an external webcam that cost $149 and connected to a computer via FireWire. The iSight webcam was discontinued in 2008, by which time it had found its way into MacBooks and iMacs. It was eventually rebranded as FaceTime with the introduction of the iPhone 4.
2007 - Apple iPod Hi-Fi
Long before the Apple HomePod, Apple had another speaker designed to be used with the iPod. The iPod Hi-Fi was a $349 speaker system that was available from February 2006 until September 2007. Like other Apple products, it was well designed, but it’s high price compared to competition at the time and lack of radio meant sales were generally poor. Apple eventually succumbed to the competition and ceased making the iPod Hi-Fi in 2007.
1993 - Apple MessagePad
Apple released what could be considered the very first PDA in 1993. The MessagePad was the first series of personal digital assistants produced for Apple’s Newton platform, which itself was the first to recognise handwriting. It wasn’t all good news though, as the handwriting recognition wasn’t particularly accurate and coupled with high prices, the Newton platform was ended in 1998 by order of Steve Jobs.
1995 - Apple Pippin
Apple released the Pippin platform in 1995 and was designed to be “an integral part of the consumer audiovisual, stereo, and television environment.” It was an open platform that was licensed to third-party companies such as Bandai, who used it in the Pippin ATMARK and @World consoles. Fewer than 100,000 Pippin consoles were ever produced and it placed 22nd in PC World’s “25 Worst Tech Products of All Time”.
2002 - Apple eMac
Apple launched the eMac in 2002 with its primary market being the education sector, although it was eventually made available on a larger scale when it replaced the iMac G3. It had a much faster PowerPC G4 processor compared to the G3 and a larger 17-inch CRT display. The eMac proved to be popular, as it offered a more affordable alternative to the iMac G4. However in 2005, Apple restricted sales to just education institutions for undisclosed reasons and eventually discontinued the series in 2006.
1997 - Apple eMate 300
Apple released the eMate 300 as another PDA device in 1997. It ran on the Newton OS and was the only Newton-based device to feature a built-in keyboard. The eMate lasted less than a year, launching in March 1997 and being discontinued, along with the Newton platform in February 1998. The eMate 300 had a durable casing, making it ideal for use in classrooms, and its built-in rechargeable batteries lasted up to 28 hours on a single charge.
2000 - Apple Power Mac G4 Cube
The Power Mac G4 Cube was a small personal computer sold between 2000 and 2001. The main computer part was suspended in an acrylic glass enclosure and until 2016, was the only Macintosh computer to not feature a built-in speaker. To get sound, you would have to connect the complementary Harman Kardon speakers via USB. It’s introductory price of $1,799 and lack of monitor meant sales were poor.
