While rapid advances in technology around the world have facilitated human lives, there have been some inventions that have failed miserably in spite of all the facilities and features.
Nintendo, Nokia, Apple, Microsoft are the companies whose name is considered to be the guarantee of success, but some of the devices of these companies failed so badly that it was considered safe to stop their production. Some of these technologies are mentioned below.
1- New ways are being devised around the world for alternative fuels to combat the growing pollution, one of which is the use of electricity as a fuel. But if the biggest failure or catastrophe in the history of technology is mentioned, then the name of the Sinclair C5 electric tricycle comes to the forefront. This three-wheeled electric vehicle was introduced in 1985.
This invention by British inventor Sir Clausen Claire failed to attract the attention of consumers and only 36% of the vehicles were sold. Recently, however, Circulo's nephew introduced the Sun Claire C5 as the Iris e-truck with some minor changes. This electric bicycle can travel 31 miles at a speed of 30 miles per hour. However, it would be premature to say anything about its success.
2- In 1998, Sega, a well-known Japanese company that makes video games and related products, introduced a gaming console called Dreamcast. With a built-in modem, memory card and dual screen features, Sega had high hopes for this gaming console. However, it proved to be a commercial failure, with only a handful of copies being sold compared to the Sony PlayStation. The failure of the Sega Dreamcast can be gauged from the fact that Sega Corporation has never made a gaming console since then.
3- In early 2013, the famous American company Google introduced Google Glass with virtual reality features. Google had high expectations for this glass, which has advanced technology such as optical head-mounted display, which wears like glasses. The fountain that revolutionized technology has faced many controversies from the very beginning. Critics called it destructive to people's privacy. Production of the highly expensive and controversial Google Glass was halted in early 2015.
4- When Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates first introduced a new operating system for computers, Windows, it was like a storm in the field of technology. This great invention took Bill Gates to the heights of fame overnight. Wealth piled up in his footsteps. But Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, introduced in 2007, proved to be the most failed operating system in computer history. Microsoft has been widely criticized around the world for its privacy, performance and security issues with Windows Vista. In 2012, Microsoft completely changed it to Windows 8, which was criticized like Vista.
5- Google has been at the forefront of failures in the history of technology, as many of its products have failed despite all efforts. Given the popularity of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google has also introduced a social networking site called 'Google Plus'. Google's website, the king of search engines, failed to win the trust of social media users and failed miserably.
6- Nokia is not new to the common man. The general impression about this brand, which is known for its special features and durability, is that every model of it works. But the reality is the opposite. In 2003, Nokia introduced the N-Gage, a portable gaming console and mobile phone feature. N-Gage has been widely criticized by consumers. Consumers did not call it a good mobile or a good gaming console. Expensive advertising and incentives also failed to win the public's trust, as did other Nokia models, and production was discontinued in 2005.
7- In 2006, Apple introduced the iPod to music lovers. Following the success of the iPod, Microsoft offered a media player for sale called Zune to compete with the iPod. Due to software bugs and other issues, the music player, which was created in partnership with the Japanese company Toshiba, failed miserably. In 2008, Microsoft Fit took off all the sets on the market and stopped selling them. Experts attribute the failure of Zune Media Player to the wrong timing. Experts say that if it had been marketed before the iPod, it would have been the most lucrative product of both Microsoft and Toshiba.
8- Apple is considered to be one of the most successful companies in the technology industry, which is not a bad thing at all. But long before the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, Apple introduced a modern product of that time called Newton PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Apple Corps' million project failed miserably. However, despite such huge losses, Apple continued to try to come up with new ideas for consumers. It was Apple's efforts that introduced the world to products such as the iPhone and iPad.
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References:
1- http://calleam.com/WTPF/?p=4079
2-https://www.goliath.com/gaming/10-reasons-why-the-sega-dreamcast-failed/
3-https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/269215-why-google-glass-failed-and-what-to-expect-next
4-https://wccftech.com/microsoft-finally-puts-an-end-to-windows-vista/
5-https://econsultancy.com/goodbye-google-plus/
6- https://www.gizmochina.com/2019/07/11/throwback-tech-thursday-engaging-the-legendary-nokia-n-gage/
7- https://www.theverge.com/2012/5/14/3019100/zune-hardware-mistake-robbie-bach
8- https://mwmblog.com/2020/01/28/the-apple-newton-the-failure-that-led-to-the-iphone/