Last Updated on April 23, 2025 by Matt Staff
We’ve always been left in fascination over what the future could look like. Sometimes though, we just end up getting it wildly wrong. Throughout the decades there have been plenty of inventors, designers, and also impressive tech visionaries that have promised their fair share of revolutionary gadgets that never ended up living up to the hype.
This collection of 20 gadgets that once seemed to possess all the promise in the world, did indeed fall ridiculously short of expectations. Nowadays, they just stand as bizarre relics of a promised future that never actually arrived.
1. Google Glass
Google Glass was so often referred to as the next grand step in wearable technology. Google Glass specifically promised augmented reality in your line of sight. However, the high cost, the privacy concerns, and also the glaring lack of practical use contributed toward its ultimate downfall.
2. Segway
Segway was marketed as a revolution in transportation. However, Segways never really caught on beyond mall cops and tourists. Its bulk price in addition to its price tag, made it all but impractical for daily commuters.
3. LaserDiscs
LaserDiscs offered up superior video quality, but ultimately failed due to their enormous size and also being expensive players. They were quickly rendered obsolete as more compact formats took over.
4. HD DVD
HD DVD was promoted as the next standard following DVDs. However, HD DVD would lose the format war to Blu-ray. Studios and consumers alike were preferable to Blu-ray, which doomed HD DVD to the tech graveyard.
5. Clippy (Microsoft Office Assistant)
Clippy was intended to be a friendly productivity helper. However, it quickly devolved into a punchline instead. The animated paperclip was wildly irrirtating.
6. Hoverboards (the 2010s Kind)
First off, they didn’t hover. Second, many of them caught fire. So, that right there should be enough to tell you why this particular futuristic gadget was doomed for failure
7. MiniDisc Players
MiniDiscs were intended to replace CDs and also cassettes with superior digital quality. However, their expensive price tag and poor timing would contribute toward their ultimate fade.
8. CueCat
The CueCat was a handheld barcode scanner that was designed to interact with print media. However, the fact that it had a clunky design and required software installation resulted in it being mocked by the masses.
9. 3D TVs
Manufacturers thoroughly believed that 3D TVs would be the next home run in the world of big home entertainment. Consumers, though, just couldn’t be sold on wearing glasses to digest their regular programming.
10. Smart Fridges
Smart fridges might still exist, but their overly ambitious goal of managing groceries and also playing YouTube has in no way upended the landscape of kitchens. Most people are happy to enjoy their food with no kind of touchscreen drama being factored in.
11. Zune
Zune was Microsoft’s ultimate answer to the iPod, but it was also terribly late to the game. Even though it had its own loyal niche fanbase, it was never a serious threat to Apple’s all-around dominance.
12. Internet-Connected Toasters
These were intended to sync up with your calendar or even your social media updates. In practice? Just an expensive way to make your breakfast. That’ll be a hard pass for me, man.
13. The Jetpack
The jetpack is one of the undeniable symbols when one thinks of futurism. However, personal jetpacks stand as more of a thing of science fiction than actual functional transportation. Limited flight time and also danger still stand as major issues.
14. Blackberry
The Blackberry was once the king of mobile business, but it ultimately failed to adapt to touchscreen tech. Apple and also Android’s rise made it go nearly extinct.
15. Smart Glasses (Post-Google Glass editions)
Other brands made their biggest attempts to revive smart eyewear. However, no model has caught on yet with the masses that seemingly remain stubbornly indifferent. Most are just now niche, industrial-use devices.
16. Smart Rings
Smart rings aimed at smart watches as their most testy competitors. However, they would end up falling comically short in that whole showdown.
17. Portable DVD Players
Portable DVD players were a road trip staple back in the 2000s. Now, though, streaming and tablets have effectively rendered them irrelevant.
18. PalmPilot
These pocket-sized digital organizers were the true height of cool. That is, until smartphones just outright took over and then replaced their every function.
19. Digital Picture Frames
Digital picture frames were once a futuristic home decor trend, but now they just pretty much gather up dust. People really do prefer sharing their photos through phones and social media.
20. Robot Dogs (AIBO)
Sony’s robotic puppy was cute enough and definitely ahead of its time. But it was also just a flat-out strange way to try to simulate real companionship.
