18 Tech Products That Were Supposed to Be the Future — and Flopped
These 18 tech products were launched with big promises but failed to catch on, showing that even bold ideas can miss the mark.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
This list looks at 18 tech products that failed, even though they were meant to be the next big thing. Some were ahead of their time. Others had problems that made people lose interest. These products show how tricky it is to make something new and useful. Even when they failed, many helped shape future ideas.
1. Nintendo Virtual Boy
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Released in 1995, the Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s attempt at 3D gaming. However, its monochromatic display and uncomfortable design led to headaches and poor sales, resulting in its discontinuation within a year.
2. Microsoft Zune
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Launched in 2006, the Zune was Microsoft’s answer to the iPod. Despite some innovative features, it failed to gain market share and was discontinued in 2011.
3. Apple Newton
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Introduced in 1993, the Newton was one of the first personal digital assistants (PDAs). Its high price and unreliable handwriting recognition led to its demise by 1998.
4. Segway PT
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The Segway PT was introduced as a groundbreaking personal transporter. However, its high price and limited practicality made it more of a novelty than a necessity. It never became the transportation revolution it was expected to be.
5. BlackBerry PlayBook
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Released in 2011, the BlackBerry PlayBook aimed to compete in the tablet market. Unfortunately, it lacked essential features, such as a native email client, and had limited app support. These shortcomings led to poor sales and its eventual discontinuation.
6. HP TouchPad
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HP’s TouchPad entered the tablet market in 2011 but struggled to compete with established players. Its webOS operating system lacked developer support, resulting in a limited app ecosystem. The tablet was discontinued just 49 days after its launch.
7. Microsoft Kin
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The Microsoft Kin was designed for social media enthusiasts but failed to resonate with its target audience. Its high price, lack of essential features, and limited app support led to its discontinuation just six weeks after release in 2010.
8. Google Glass
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Google Glass introduced the concept of smart glasses but faced significant backlash. Privacy concerns, a high price tag, and unclear use cases hindered its adoption. The product was discontinued in 2015, though it paved the way for future AR developments.
9. Juicero
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Juicero offered a high-tech juicing solution with its $400 press and proprietary juice packs. However, it was discovered that the juice packs could be squeezed by hand, rendering the expensive machine unnecessary. The company ceased operations in 2017.
10. Firefly Mobile
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Firefly Mobile aimed to provide a simple phone for children, featuring only essential functions. Despite its intentions, the phone’s limited capabilities and high service costs failed to attract a significant user base. It was eventually discontinued.
11. Apple MobileMe
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Apple’s MobileMe service, launched in 2008, was designed to synchronize data across devices. However, it suffered from reliability issues and syncing problems. These challenges led Apple to replace it with the more successful iCloud service in 2011.
12. Pono
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Musician Neil Young introduced Pono to deliver high-quality audio to consumers. Despite its superior sound, the device’s high cost and the music industry’s pricing strategies limited its appeal. Pono was eventually discontinued.
13. HD DVD
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HD DVD competed with Blu-ray to become the standard for high-definition video. Despite initial support, major studios and retailers favored Blu-ray, leading to HD DVD’s decline. Toshiba ceased production of HD DVD players in 2008.
14. Samsung Galaxy Note 7
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The Galaxy Note 7 was Samsung’s flagship smartphone in 2016. However, battery defects caused some units to overheat and catch fire. Samsung recalled the device and discontinued it to ensure customer safety.
15. Google Allo
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Google Allo was introduced in 2016 as a smart messaging app. Despite its integration with Google Assistant, it failed to gain significant user adoption. Google discontinued Allo in 2019 to focus on other communication tools.
16. Microsoft Band
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The Microsoft Band was a fitness tracker that also offered smartwatch features. Despite its innovative design, it faced hardware issues and lacked third-party app support. Microsoft discontinued the Band in 2016.
17. Noveto N1
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The Noveto N1 claimed to beam audio directly to your ears without the need for headphones. Although the idea was exciting, the technology faced delays and never reached full release. It quickly faded after failing to secure enough interest or funding.
18. Amazon Fire Phone
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Amazon’s Fire Phone aimed to integrate shopping features with smartphone capabilities. Despite its innovative 3D interface, it lacked essential apps and carrier support. The phone was discontinued after poor sales.