In this office, we’re all pretty big fans of Apple products. Our computers, phones and mp3 players all have that famous fruit logo emblazoned. However, it’s always good to keep fan love in perspective and remember that Apple doesn’t always hit it out of the park.
Here’s a look at four Apple products (actually one of them is a post-Apple, pre-return-to-Apple Steve Jobs product) that are best described as failures. This is part of a list compiled by 12 Most:
12 Most Uncelebrated Flops by Apple
Posted by Sam Fiorella on Sep 14, 2011 in Blog, Branding & Design, Creativity & Innovation, Digital & Online, Media, Technology | 15 comments
This post concludes my series on Apple in the wake of Steve Job’s recent resignation. The last two posts have focused on the leadership-savvy of Steve Jobs and the brand loyalty building tactics of his company. This post looks at another side of the world’s most valued brand: their flops.
People are quick to re-hash the flops of other tech companies, yet Apple seems immune to this recall. So we’re taking a stroll down memory lane and listing Apple’s 12 Most Uncelebrated Flops.
1. Apple IIc
The IIc was an attempt at producing the first portable computer… if you wanted to carry the suitcase required to lug the 5–7 peripheral devices needed. Oh, and let’s not forget the complete lack of upgradeability and monochrome LCD display.
2. The Apple III
Circa 1981, this pricey computer failed to meet the success of the Apple II due to unreliable hardware components, which handed the IBM PC and its many low-cost clones control over market share.
3. Lisa
Launched in 1983, Lisa was the first commercially produced computer with a graphical user interface but cost US$9,995! Apple’s own Macintosh killed it a year later.
4. NeXT Computer
Technically this wasn’t Apple’s flop but that of Steve Jobs after being forced out of Apple in 1998. Steve, continuing to focus on what’s cool vs. what’s sellable, didn’t learn from the Apple III or Lisa and created a computer that was simply too expensive for personal consumption.
To read this article in its entirety, visit 12 Most.
With the debut of Apple’s iPad this month, the digital book reading experience comes a bit closer to that of reading an actual printed volume. Whereas devices such as the popular Kindle present pages in black and white, the iPad displays realistic representations of actual pages that even turn as if they were made of paper.
