Symbol Credit: Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty ImagesApple has scrapped plans to go into the automobile trade with its mysterious self reliant electrical automotive, as a substitute moving center of attention to the wildly common global of generative AI. The undertaking noticed the corporate hiring distinguished executives from puts like Tesla and Ford. Its finish has resulted in task losses for some workers, whilst others have modified divisions throughout the corporate.
The so-called Venture Titan had reportedly been within the works since 2014. It would have confirmed stiff pageant for Tesla and others, given Apple’s historical past of disrupting more than a few markets. The corporate did it with the iPod, iPhone, Apple Watch and, maximum not too long ago, with its AirPods (the jury continues to be out on Imaginative and prescient Professional).
However no longer each and every undertaking has been a rousing luck for the corporate. Previous to Venture Titan, there were a number of Apple efforts that failed to peer the sunshine of day. Listed below are probably the most extra notable examples of Apple initiatives that didn’t hit the marketplace.
AirPower
Symbol Credit: Apple
No longer each and every instance is from the far away previous. The wi-fi charging mat, which Apple first introduced in 2017, was once anticipated to make use of the Qi usual to fee as much as 3 units at a time. Alternatively, the corporate canceled the undertaking in 2019, mentioning failure to reach its “excessive requirements.” Apple changed the AirPower with its folding trip charger MagSafe Duo in 2020. However not like the AirPower mat, MagSafe Duo simplest helps simultaneous charging of as much as two units: the iPhone and the Apple Watch or iPod.
Tv
Apple’s tv (to not be perplexed with Apple TV) is some other instance of a long-rumored undertaking that did not materialize. Analysts and buyers expected the coming of a full-fledged ultra-high-definition TV set from the corporate again in 2011. Like Venture Titan, Apple by no means publicly disclosed its lifestyles earlier than it was once reportedly scrapped years again.
Vademecum
Apple prototyped an early pill greater than a decade and a part previous to launching the primary iPad. In 1994, some early pictures of the undertaking surfaced on-line, suggesting it was once exploring the addition of a stylus and integrated digicam. Alternatively, as former Apple govt Dan Russell mentioned in a 2018 weblog publish, the corporate killed the undertaking as there was once “no marketplace for a pill laptop” on the time.
MessageSlate
The Vademecum wasn’t Apple’s simplest failed try to design a desk. At kind of the similar time, the corporate was once additionally operating on a Newton OS-based undertaking known as MessageSlate (codenamed Senior). A hallmark utility for the instrument seemed in 1993. Alternatively, Apple scrapped it and delivered MessagePad, a smaller model of the MessageSlate prototype, later within the yr.
W.A.L.T.
Smartly earlier than the iPhone, Apple examined a “phone Mac” codenamed W.A.L.T. It looked as if it would have a touchscreen panel with stylus improve and integrated options comparable to fax and caller ID. Some early devices of W.A.L.T. even surfaced on eBay for public sale. Alternatively, Apple by no means mentioned the instrument publicly.
PenLite
In 1992, Apple was once growing some other pill. PenLite gave the look to be in keeping with Machine 7.1 — the primary model of Apple’s Macintosh running machine designed for PowerPC-based computer systems. Reviews advised that it could have a stylus and a 25MHz Motorola processor. In contrast to the Vademecum, the PenLite was once reportedly in building and not using a digicam. Apple in the long run scrapped that undertaking, too. Just like the later instrument, the corporate made up our minds that the marketplace merely wasn’t in a position.