Tech companies love to promise revolutionary innovations, but not every big idea turns out to be a success. Some were too ahead of their time, others were just plain bad, and a few were so hilariously flawed that they crashed and burned instantly.
Here are 10 of the biggest tech fails that were supposed to be the next big thing—but totally flopped.
1. Google Glass (2013-2015)
Google promised a futuristic world where smart glasses would replace smartphones. Instead, we got a weird-looking, overpriced gadget that creeped people out.
- Privacy concerns? Check.
- Lack of practical use? Check.
- $1,500 price tag? Ouch.
Nicknamed “Glassholes”, early adopters faced public backlash, and Google quietly killed the project.
2. Segway (2001-2020)
The Segway was supposed to revolutionize transportation. Investors predicted it would replace cars in cities.
Instead, it became a mall cop joke and an overpriced toy for tourists. Turns out, people prefer walking (or bikes, or scooters). Production ended in 2020, with almost no one noticing.
3. Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (2016)
The Galaxy Note 7 had a fatal flaw—it exploded. Literally.
- Airlines banned it from flights.
- Samsung had to recall every single device.
- The PR disaster cost Samsung billions.
It’s rare for a tech product to be so dangerous it’s illegal to use on a plane, but the Note 7 achieved that “honor.”
4. Microsoft Zune (2006-2012)
Microsoft tried to kill the iPod with the Zune, but it didn’t stand a chance.
- Launched five years too late.
- Clunky design and software.
- Weird brown color (seriously, why?).
By the time Microsoft gave up, Apple had already won the music player war.
Microsoft tried to kill the iPod with the Zune, but it didn’t stand a chance.
- Launched five years too late.
- Clunky design and software.
- Weird brown color (seriously, why?).
By the time Microsoft gave up, Apple had already won the music player war.
5. 3D TVs (2010s)
The tech industry bet big on 3D TVs, hoping they’d be the future of home entertainment. Instead, they fizzled out fast.
- Required expensive glasses.
- Limited content to watch.
- People got headaches from the 3D effect.
By the mid-2010s, even TV makers admitted no one cared, and 3D TVs disappeared.
6. Facebook Phone (HTC First, 2013)
Facebook thought people wanted a phone that revolved entirely around Facebook. They were wrong.
The HTC First came with a Facebook-centric interface called Facebook Home—which nobody wanted. It flopped so hard that carriers dropped the price to $0.99 just to get rid of it.
7. Apple’s Butterfly Keyboard (2015-2019)
Apple redesigned the MacBook keyboard with a new “butterfly” mechanism that was supposed to be thinner and better. Instead, it was a disaster.
- Keys got stuck from tiny dust particles.
- Repairs were expensive and complicated.
- Apple had to redesign it multiple times before finally giving up and going back to normal keyboards.
8. Juicero (2016-2017)
Juicero was a $400 juicing machine that squeezed pre-packaged juice bags—except users discovered you could just squeeze the bags by hand.
It was a glorified, Wi-Fi-connected juice press that proved how ridiculous Silicon Valley hype can be. Juicero shut down in less than two years.
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9. Nintendo Virtual Boy (1995)
The Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s first attempt at VR, but instead of a cool immersive experience, it gave players headaches and eye strain.
- Awkward red-and-black graphics.
- No head tracking.
- Looked more like a weird sci-fi binoculars setup than a game console.
Nintendo pulled the plug after less than a year, making it one of their worst failures ever.
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10. Amazon Fire Phone (2014)
Amazon dominates online shopping, smart speakers, and e-books—but its attempt at a smartphone was a complete disaster.
- The weird 3D interface was confusing.
- The price was way too high.
- No one wanted to be locked into Amazon’s ecosystem.
Amazon quickly realized it couldn’t compete with Apple or Samsung and killed the Fire Phone in under a year.
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