15 ’90s Tech Hype That Fizzled Out Quickly
Here are 15 tech products and trends from the 1990s that received heavy attention but failed to succeed or last.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
The 1990s introduced many new technologies that seemed promising at the time. While some innovations were practical, others failed due to high costs, limited performance, or lack of public interest. This list covers 15 examples of tech hype from the decade that quickly lost momentum or disappeared.
1. Virtual Reality Headsets
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Early VR headsets in the 1990s were large and often required expensive setups. The visuals were low resolution, and movement tracking was limited. Users frequently reported headaches and nausea after short use. Most companies discontinued these products within a few years due to poor sales.
2. MiniDisc Players
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Sony launched MiniDisc players to offer a digital alternative to cassette tapes and CDs. Although they were compact and had better durability than CDs, the format never gained widespread support. Music publishers were slow to release albums on MiniDisc. As MP3 players and CD burners became more common, MiniDisc lost relevance.
3. Interactive TV
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Interactive television allowed users to select camera angles, shop, or play games while watching programs. The technology needed special hardware and relied on slow data connections. Viewers found the interface difficult to use and often overlooked the features. Broadcasters eventually scaled back or canceled their efforts.
4. Internet Appliances
SuFlyer on Wikimedia Commons
These were simple devices made to access email and browse the web. They were cheaper than traditional computers but lacked memory, storage, and software compatibility. Users found them too limited for daily use. As PC prices dropped, interest in internet appliances ended.
5. Satellite Phones
F1jmm on Wikimedia Commons
Satellite phones provided voice coverage in remote areas without cellular networks. The handsets were heavy and expensive, and the call quality was often poor. They required a clear view of the sky, which made indoor use unreliable. Demand was low outside of specific industries like shipping and emergency services.
6. CD-ROM Encyclopedias
Necessary Evil on Wikimedia Commons
Programs like Encarta offered digital encyclopedias with multimedia features. They replaced printed volumes in some households and schools for a short time. However, they became outdated quickly and required new editions each year. The rise of free online sources made them obsolete.
7. Digital Pets (Tamagotchi)
MIKI Yoshihito on Wikimedia Commons
Tamagotchis were small handheld toys where users cared for a digital pet. They needed regular attention, including feeding and cleaning. Many users grew tired of the repetitive interactions. Sales dropped after the novelty wore off.
8. The Apple Newton
Felix Winkelnkemper on Wikimedia Commons
The Newton was one of the first handheld personal digital assistants. It included handwriting recognition, which often made errors. The device was also expensive and had a short battery life. Apple discontinued it in 1998 due to weak sales.
9. CueCat Barcode Scanner
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The CueCat was a device that allowed users to scan printed barcodes to visit specific websites. It required users to install special software and connect it to their computer. Most people found it easier to use search engines or type web addresses manually. The company shut down after losing millions of dollars.
10. Smart Glasses (1990s Models)
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Early smart glasses attempted to overlay digital data onto a small screen near the user’s eye. The displays were difficult to read, and the designs were not comfortable for daily use. They had limited software support and short battery life. They were pulled from the market due to low interest.
11. Beepers (Pagers)
Florian Fuchs on Wikimedia Commons
Pagers became widely used by doctors, businesspeople, and students to receive short messages. Users still needed to find a phone to return calls. As mobile phone networks expanded, pagers lost their main advantage. Carriers gradually stopped offering pager services.
12. 3D Graphics Cards for Gaming
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In the late 1990s, several 3D graphics cards promised smoother game performance. Many cards were expensive and had compatibility issues with certain titles. Frequent updates made early models quickly outdated. Some gamers avoided upgrading until standards improved.
13. Video Phones
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Companies marketed video phones for home use, allowing people to talk and see each other in real time. These systems required matching hardware on both ends and worked poorly on dial-up connections. Image quality was low, and the setup was not user-friendly. They were pulled from shelves before broadband internet became common.
14. PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants)
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PDAs offered calendars, address books, and note-taking features in a compact device. They used a stylus and ran on small batteries. As mobile phones began to include the same tools, the PDA market declined. Most major brands exited the category by the mid-2000s.
15. ISDN Internet Lines
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ISDN was designed to offer faster internet than dial-up through digital phone lines. It was more expensive and required special installation. In many areas, the speed improvement was not significant. DSL and cable broadband quickly replaced it.