16 Tech Products That Were Overhyped and Underused
Here are 16 tech products that generated enormous buzz but ultimately failed to live up to expectations.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Technology often thrives on hype, but not every innovation can sustain its momentum. From Google Glass to hoverboards, many products promised to transform the way we live, work, and play, only to fade into obscurity or collapse under their own flaws. This list explores 16 overhyped and underused tech products that show the fine line between groundbreaking success and costly failure.
1. Google Glass
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When Google unveiled Glass in 2013, it was marketed as the future of wearable technology. The futuristic glasses promised hands-free computing, augmented reality features, and seamless integration with daily life. However, high prices, privacy concerns, and limited real-world applications made it more of a novelty than a necessity.
2. Segway
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The Segway was introduced in 2001 with claims that it would revolutionize personal transportation. While innovative, it was expensive, bulky, and impractical for daily commuting. Instead of replacing cars or bikes, it found a limited niche in tours and mall security.
3. Amazon Fire Phone
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Amazon tried to break into the smartphone market with the Fire Phone in 2014. It boasted features like dynamic perspective 3D visuals and deep Amazon integration. Despite the hype, it flopped due to a high price and lack of app support.
4. Juicero
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Juicero was a $400 Wi-Fi–connected juicer launched in 2016. It became infamous when it was revealed that its juice packs could be squeezed by hand without the machine. The product quickly became a symbol of tech excess and failed within two years.
5. Microsoft Zune
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The Zune was Microsoft’s answer to the iPod, released in 2006. Despite heavy promotion, it lacked the design appeal and ecosystem that made Apple’s devices a cultural icon. It never caught on and was discontinued in 2011.
6. 3D TVs
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In the early 2010s, TV manufacturers pushed 3D TVs as the next big thing in home entertainment. Consumers disliked wearing special glasses and found the content limited. Within a few years, major brands stopped producing them due to low demand.
7. Google Wave
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Google Wave launched in 2009 as a revolutionary communication platform meant to replace email. It combined chat, document editing, and social networking in one place. Unfortunately, it was too complicated, and adoption never took off.
8. Sony Betamax
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Betamax, introduced in the 1970s, was marketed as a superior video format to VHS. Although it offered better quality, it was more expensive and had shorter recording time. VHS won the format war, and Betamax faded into obscurity.
9. Samsung Galaxy Note 7
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The Galaxy Note 7 was launched in 2016 with glowing reviews for its design and features. However, reports of batteries catching fire forced Samsung into a global recall. The controversy turned what could have been a flagship success into a cautionary tale.
10. QR Code Menus in Restaurants
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When QR code menus surged during the pandemic, they were touted as the modern, touch-free dining solution. Many diners, however, found them inconvenient, slow, and impersonal. Restaurants are now returning to physical menus as customers prefer the traditional option.
11. Palm Pilot
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The Palm Pilot was one of the earliest personal digital assistants in the late 1990s. It was hailed as the future of portable computing, letting users manage schedules, notes, and contacts. However, the rise of smartphones quickly made it obsolete.
12. Nintendo Virtual Boy
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Nintendo released the Virtual Boy in 1995 as a portable 3D gaming console. Despite bold claims, it was uncomfortable to use, had poor graphics, and caused eye strain. It was discontinued within a year, becoming one of Nintendo’s biggest failures.
13. Google Stadia
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Stadia was launched in 2019 as a cloud gaming platform that promised to make consoles unnecessary. It struggled with latency issues, lack of exclusive games, and a confusing business model. Google officially shut it down in 2023 after poor adoption.
14. Apple Newton
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Apple’s Newton, released in 1993, was one of the first attempts at a handheld personal assistant. It was supposed to revolutionize note-taking with handwriting recognition. Instead, it became famous for its errors and high cost, eventually paving the way for future Apple devices like the iPhone.
15. Clubhouse App
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Clubhouse was a social audio app that surged in popularity in 2020 and 2021. It promised to reinvent live conversation by creating exclusive audio chat rooms. As competitors like Twitter Spaces and Discord caught up, its hype faded quickly.
16. Hoverboards
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Hoverboards became a viral sensation in 2015, marketed as the future of personal mobility. While fun, they faced safety issues including frequent fires due to faulty batteries. Their popularity dropped almost as fast as it rose, leaving them more as a fad than a revolution.