5 Things That Didn’t Live Up to the Hype
With amazing new gadgets introduced every year, it's fun to guess which ones have "sticking power." I can't believe how excited we got about some things that just never made it.
- 1
Segways
Bottom line is they were too expensive. It also became dicey in some communities as to where you could drive them. Are they a road vehicle or a sidewalk cruiser? The patent is supposed to be up soon and cheaper knock-offs will appear. If those work, and cities allow them in bike lanes or on sidewalks, they could take off. Lesson learned: make sure people can use, and afford to use, your product.
- 2
Minidiscs
They were superior to CDs, but not superior enough. Then when "digital downloads" became a thing, it just didn't make sense to invest money in a new technology just because it was slightly better than what everyone already had. Lesson learned: great idea, bad timing.
- 3
Google+
Another example of slightly better not being good enough. People hate change. Something must be AWESOME to force a switch. It must make the competition look like fools. Google+ just never achieved the cool factor. Part of the problem was design. It looked like something your dad would use. Lesson learned: if you're not revolutionary, stay home.
- 4
HD DVD
There was absolutely nothing wrong with this product, except that something else like it was launched at the same time. Everyone was forced to choose and right or wrong, they chose Blu-ray. Lesson learned: if you go toe-to-toe against a similar product make sure you out-market them.
- 5
Google Glass
They looked stupid and the technology was just OK. As soon as the tech is lightning fast and dummy proof, I have no doubt Google will hire a designer and the second generation will be super cool.