Here's what I remember.
Rumors start that Apple is developing a computer with some weird new interface with something called a mouse.
Community response:
They should stick with what they know well and do best, not try something new.
No one needs that, what we have now is just fine.
That hardware will be too expensive no one can afford it.
Apple didn't invent that that someone else did awhile ago.
It's going to fail miserably, just wait-and-see.
Result after Apples introduction.
A bunch of people like it, buy it, and use it to completely revolutionize their industry (Desktop publishing).
Others copied the concept, no one understands how we could live without it
Rumors start that Apple developing a MP3 player
Community response:
They should stick with what they know well and do best, not try something new.
No one needs that, what we have now is just fine.
That hardware will be too expensive no one can afford it.
Apple didn't invent that that someone else did awhile ago.
It's going to fail miserably, just wait-and-see.
Result after Apples introduction.
A bunch of people like it, buy it, and use it to completely revolutionize an industry (music industry).
Others copied the concept, no one understands how we could live without it
Rumor start that Apple is developing a cell phone.
Community response:
They should stick with what they know well and do best, not try something new.
No one needs that, what we have now is just fine.
That hardware will be too expensive no one can afford it.
Apple didn't invent that that, someone else did awhile ago.
It's going to fail miserably, just wait-and-see.
Result after Apples introduction.
A bunch of people like it, buy it, and use it to completely revolutionize an industry (Smart phone industry).
Others copied the concept, no one understands how we could live without it
Rumor start that Apple is developing a tablet computer.
Community response:
They should stick with what they know well and do best, not try something new.
No one needs that, what we have now is just fine.
That hardware will be too expensive no one can afford it.
Apple didn't invent that that someone else did awhile ago.
It's going to fail miserably, just wait-and-see.
Result after Apples introduction.
A bunch of people like it, buy it, and use it to completely revolutionize an industry (computer industry).
Others copied the concept, no one understands how we could live without it
Any company would be proud to have introduced any one of these revolutions.
Everyone forgets that in between each of the successes there were long periods of "business as usual" and "simple refinement of the product" as well as some complete failures. You have to keep in mind, revolutionizing an industry is not something that is done on a yearly clock.
The fact that one company has done four "revolutionize the industry" products is absolutely astounding.
The concept that if they don't come up with another one, the company is a failure, is beyond my comprehension.
That said, if they do do it again, I would not be completely surprised.
It seems like, even people who live through each of these revolutions, do not remember how it used to be before each, and all the things the community said between the introduction and the success of each one.
Anyway just my two cents.