10 Apple Product Concepts...That Didn't Come True

Apple Inc. AAPL finally unveiled the Apple Watch last September, proving once and for all that the product is real. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for a plethora of other rumored Apple products.

Let's take a look at a handful of Apple products that never came to fruition...at least not yet.

1. Large-Screen iPad

Is this long-awaited iPad -- the 12-inch device that will apparently change everything just by adding two inches to the display -- really in development?

Thus far, Apple has given no indication the iPad XL is real.

2. Indestructible Sapphire Display

This promising idea almost happened. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple was very close to releasing an iPhone with a sapphire display last year. That plan failed when its supplier came up short and filed for bankruptcy.

Related Link: Apple's 74.5 Million iPhone Sales Provide A 'Screaming Headline,' Everything Else Is Gravy

3. Television Set

Media hype indicates that everyone wants a TV from Apple. Rumors indicated it would arrive in 2012, then 2013, and most recently 2014. The hype and hope is never-ending.

From the promise of a massive Retina Display to the belief that Apple will only release a TV when the price is right, many wanted to believe that the product is real. After waiting several years for its arrival, it might be time to move on.

4. Touch Screen MacBook Air

Apple is also rumored to be developing a 12-inch MacBook Air with a touch screen. Rumors claim that an official announcement is coming soon. Similar reports claimed the same thing in March 2014.

Related Link: What Comes After The Apple Watch? 12 Patents Provide Clues

5. iPhone Mini

Now that Apple has officially converted its devices to the large screen format, rumors of a so-called iPhone Mini have resurfaced. Early rumors indicated that it would be a pint-sized device that could be crammed into the smallest of pockets.

Now the rumor-mill simply states that the iPhone Mini will be a four-inch version of the current model.

6. Heart-Monitoring Ear Buds

This eight month-old rumor could still come true, but investors shouldn't hold their breath.

7. A Better iPad Air

Sometimes companies are so good at being visionaries that they inspire others to look well beyond their own vision. This is frequently the case with Apple.

It happened last April when modulR created a number of impressive iPad Air concepts that demonstrated how 3D gesture controls might work. Apple has a patent for that, so it's not like the idea came out of nowhere. But it definitely didn't come out last fall when the iPad Air 2 arrived.

8. Curved-Back iPhone

Curved screens are one of the latest trends, but what about a curved backside? One artist predicted that Apple would develop an iPhone with a rounded rear.

There was a degree of truth to his concept, but Apple ultimately went in another direction.

9. Apple TV With Games

Many expected Apple to release an updated Apple TV with full app support. Rumors supported that assumption, but Apple has yet to make a move in this direction.

10. Cheap iPhone

Analysts insisted it was coming. Year after year, they were wrong.

Apple did release the colorful iPhone 5C to replace the less colorful iPhone 5. That device was very expensive, however (it started at $549) and did not sell enough units to warrant a sequel. Looking back, investors might get a kick out of the reports claiming that Apple would sell a brand-new iPhone for $250.

Disclosure: At the time of this writing, Louis Bedigian had no position in the equities mentioned in this report.