Not All Tech is Successful

In recent years iPads, smartphones, and Kindles have been a few of the most in demand gadgets on the market. However, not all tech is created equal. Companies can’t predict what’s going to become popular, no matter how much they love it. Here are a few that never quite caught on.

Famous tech failures

  • Apple TV: Apple TV lets users buy their entertainment straight from iTunes and stream it on their computers, handheld devices, or TVs. The unfortunate part of this, which may be the reason for its less then popular standing, is that it is somewhat limited to iTunes.
  • Sony Mylo: Mylo came in under the radar that’s the reason you may not remember it. It was a Wi-Fi-enabled mobile device from Sony that allowed people to connect to the Internet, send e-mail and it came with Skype! It didn’t get much attention as the iPhone and its app store overwhelmed it.

The Segway peters out

  • Segway PT: The Segway PT scooter had a lot of media hype before its launch. It was expected to be wildly successful, that it may even replace cars in metropolitan areas. However, people thought it made them look kind of silly so it never quite caught on. I suppose next to a flashy sports car there is no comparison.

The CueCat doesn’t purr

  • CueCat: Shaped like a cat, the CueCat was a barcode reader introduced to the public in 1999. It permitted consumers to open a link to an Internet address by scanning a barcode on an item. The thought was that consumers would appreciate surfing to a website without having to enter in that site’s address. This hypothesis proved flawed, and it wasn’t long before the CueCat’s maker, Digital Convergence Corporation, was out of business.