15 Products That Were Supposed to Be Revolutionary (But Flopped)
Many products promised to change the world, but these 15 never lived up to the hype.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Some products launch with high expectations, bold claims, and major investment. However, even with marketing and innovation, not every idea works in the real world. These 15 products were positioned as game-changers, but they ended up failing for various reasons — technical issues, poor timing, or low demand.
1. Google Glass
Antonio Zugaldia on Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 2013, Google Glass is a wearable device with an optical head-mounted display. It aimed to bring augmented reality to everyday life but faced criticism over privacy, limited features, and high cost. Developers and early users lost interest quickly. Google discontinued the consumer version in 2015.
2. Segway PT
Richard on Wikimedia Commons
The Segway Personal Transporter was introduced in 2001 with claims that it would revolutionize city transport. Despite its advanced design, it was too expensive, bulky, and hard to integrate into urban life. It also faced legal restrictions on sidewalks. Sales were much lower than expected.
3. Juicero
Steve Jurvetson on Wikimedia Commons
Juicero was a $400 juicing machine released in 2016, marketed as a high-tech solution for healthy living. It used single-serving fruit and vegetable packs, but users soon discovered the packs could be squeezed by hand, making the machine unnecessary. The company shut down in 2017 after public backlash.
4. Microsoft Zune
Kirche on Wikimedia Commons
Microsoft launched the Zune in 2006 to compete with Apple’s iPod. Although it had some decent features, it lacked Apple’s ecosystem, design appeal, and user base. It never gained a significant market share, and Microsoft officially discontinued the product in 2012.
5. Amazon Fire Phone
Chris F on Wikimedia Commons
Released in 2014, the Amazon Fire Phone included features like 3D effects and integration with Amazon services. However, it lacked access to Google apps and offered little that users couldn’t already get from other smartphones. Due to poor sales, it was pulled from the market within a year.
6. Apple Newton
Felix Winkelnkemper on Wikimedia Commons
The Apple Newton, launched in 1993, was one of the first personal digital assistants. It featured handwriting recognition, which was unreliable at the time. The device was expensive, slow, and didn’t meet performance expectations. Apple discontinued it in 1998.
7. Betamax
Ubcule on Wikimedia Commons
Sony introduced Betamax in 1975 as a video cassette format, promising better quality than VHS. While it did offer superior video, VHS tapes were longer, cheaper, and more widely adopted. Betamax lost the format war and faded from the market by the late 1980s.
8. HD DVD
Jason Curtis on Wikimedia Commons
Toshiba’s HD DVD format competed directly with Sony’s Blu-ray in the mid-2000s. Despite early backing from some studios and tech companies, it lost support over time. By 2008, most major studios had switched to Blu-ray, and HD DVD was discontinued.
9. Crystal Pepsi
Mike Mozart on Wikimedia Commons
Crystal Pepsi was introduced in 1992 as a clear cola marketed as a “healthier” alternative without caffeine or artificial coloring. While the idea was unique, the taste confused consumers. Sales dropped quickly, and the product was pulled from the shelves in less than two years.
10. Facebook Home
Facebook on Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 2013, Facebook Home was an Android interface that put Facebook content on the lock screen. Users found it intrusive and hard to use. The app had poor ratings and was removed from the Play Store in 2014 after limited adoption.
11. Sony SmartWatch (Original)
Rico-U on Wikimedia Commons
Sony released its SmartWatch in 2012, one of the first wearable tech products. It suffered from poor battery life, limited app support, and a sluggish interface. While Sony was early to market, the product was not ready for wide adoption. Competitors soon overtook it with better designs and software.
12. CueCat
Jerry Whiting on Wikimedia Commons
The CueCat was a barcode scanner meant to connect print media to the internet by scanning codes in magazines. Launched in the early 2000s, using it was awkward and failed to solve a real problem. The company behind it went out of business by 2005.
13. Nokia N-Gage
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Nokia’s N-Gage, launched in 2003, tried to merge a mobile phone with a handheld gaming console. Its design was awkward, and the gaming experience was limited compared to dedicated devices. It was quickly surpassed by both smartphones and gaming consoles.
14. Google Wave
ZyMOS on Wikimedia Commons
Google Wave was introduced in 2009 as a communication tool that combined messaging, email, and document editing. The interface was complex and difficult for users to understand. It failed to gain traction and was shut down by 2012.
15. Reebok Pump 2.0 Smart Shoes
Ged Carroll on Wikimedia Commons
Reebok launched the Pump 2.0 in the mid-2000s as a high-tech athletic shoe that automatically adjusted pressure. The product was expensive, and the benefit was not clear to most athletes or casual users. It disappeared from the market shortly after launch.