Dreadful Disasters in Information Technology
We have gathered a list of some of the most dreadful disasters in information technology. From product launch fails to the quiet disappearance of previously touted as groundbreaking game-changers, these flops will leave you feeling relieved they didn’t happen to you. Unless, that is, you own one of these products. 😉
10. The Galaxy Fold
The First Foldable Phone
Samsung's Galaxy Fold is unlike any of its smartphone competitors. Available in Space Silver, Cosmos Black, and more traditional colors, the Fold makes the multitasking experience unlike any before. Their website makes promises such as, "you can stream, game, and text all at once," but with no firsthand experience, we can only speak to the customer reviews. The first edition of the Fold had to be reworked and re-released before it was considered usable as the screen broke easily.
9. Google+
Social Media Slip 'N Slide
Created as a direct response to Facebook, Google+ launched in 2011. Essentially, it was Facebook with a different shade of makeup. One thing that did make it useful was the ability to connect to other Google services. However, despite a less-than-glamorous 7-year run came to an end in 2018 after a huge breach.
8. Flappy Bird
Flap, Flap, Flop
If you owned a smartphone in January 2014, you may have been one of the 50 million others that played the #1 free game in 53 countries. Though it was quite simplistic, it proved to be insanely addictive to some, which led to the developer removing it from the app store. During its short reign it garnished over 68,000 positive reviews.
7. Uber's IPO (Initial Public Offering)
Uber... Disappointing
Back in 2018 before Uber was public, it was estimated to be worth $120 billion. In reality, it came in around $75.46 billion, and has continued to drop since then. In short, Regardless, it still has the opportunity to rise in value if one of its many moonshot projects takes off.
6. Vine
Do it for the Vine!
Vine was a short-lived social media platform that revolved around 6-second-long looping videos. Many comedians and musicians used Vine as a launching pad, while others used it to create memes. Since Instagram introduced videos Vine ceased to grow. As a result, Vine ceased to be in 2016.
5. Windows 8
Windows 8...Wasn't Great
If you were a Windows 7 user, particularly a gamer, and you upgraded to Windows 8, can you honestly tell me you weren't confused? First, the Start menu was gone, making it difficult to find things. The tiles may have looked great on touchscreen computers, but just proved to be obnoxious and worthless in the end. Thank goodness for Classic Shell.
4. Microsoft Kinect
Kin I Get a Refund?
While the Kinect wasn't a complete failure as it had high initial sales, it failed to live up to its promised potential. The technology was there - similar to the technology used in the iPhone X's Face ID - but few games that used the device. Instead of revising the Kinect, Microsoft discontinued it entirely.
3. Nikon 1
"1" Big Disappointment
This line of mirrorless cameras with 1-inch sensors and slow lenses was great for underwater shots and autofocus, but was it worth the hype? Many don't think so - as Sony released the RX100, which had the same size sensor as the Nikon 1, but smaller and more useful.
2. Steam Machines
Running Out of Steam Machines
In order to create a console-sized gaming machine, Valve brought their own OS onto the field, Steam OS, in 2012. Honestly, their original idea of creating an affordable, full-featured gaming system didn't seem too far out of reach. However, when several games ported to Linux weren't compatible with SteamOS, Valve decided to pull the plug on its Steam machines.
1. Nintendo's Wii U
Wii Really Need a Redesign
When Nintendo released the Wii U, I wasn't exactly "thrilled." In fact, I waited several years to purchase one. Initially, I used it to play Paper Mario and Breath of the Wild, but before long, it became a portable Netflix device. Personally, that is one step above a glorified paperweight. Unfortunately for me, the Switch was released shortly after I purchased my Wii U, which I haven't touched since purchasing the latter. If you're not familiar with the Nintendo Switch, it truly is a portable gaming system.
In Conclusion
Lastly, what were some of the most dreadful disasters in information technology in your mind? Did we leave one – or multiple – out? As always, please let us know in the comments below.
Resources & Further Reading
9 infamous Tech disasters of the last decade we’d like to forget. (2020, May 29). Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://www.siliconrepublic.com/companies/worst-tech-disasters-2010s
Bradford, C. (2020, December 22). When it disaster Strikes: The 10 biggest IT mishaps in history. Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://blog.storagecraft.com/top-ten-it-disasters/
Staff, V. (2019, December 20). The 84 biggest Flops, fails, and DEAD dreams of the decade in tech. Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/20/21029499/decade-fails-flops-tech-science-culture-apple-google-data-kickstarter-2010-2019