The 50 Worst Fails In Tech History

From Google's stalled communication service to Microsoft's many mess-ups, we count down the biggest tech product fails of all time.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Sometimes the tech game reminds us of the rap game. With the deluge of new gadgets and technologies released each year, it's a given that each won't succeed. Some are just bound to fail, like Charles Hamilton or Yung Berg or... you get the point. Similar to the unfortunate public burnout suffered by the Sonic-rockin' Harlemite, there have been certain technologies and products that have flamed out in dramatic, memorable ways. That's what this list is about.

We're not concerned with gadgets that were so confoundng in their creation and intended purpose that they stood less of a chance on store shelves than Nas in family court. Products like the TV Hat—unveiled at the 2011 CES—for example. Is the TV Hat a fail? Of course, but no one thought it was going to sell like Yankee fitteds. Instead, think more so technologies like HD DVD—i.e. ones people thought may succeed, but for whatever reason didn't—are the ones we're talking about. From Google's panned communication service to Microsoft's many mess-ups, check out the 50 Worst Fails In Tech History. 

 

50. Google Wave

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49. Xybernaut Poma Wearable PC

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48. iTunes Ping

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47. Sony NW-HD1 Audio Player

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46. Nintendo Gameboy DSi XL

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45. BlackBerry PlayBook

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44. Apple PowerMac G4 Cube

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43. Microsoft Windows Vista

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42. OQO Model 1

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41. Viewsonic Air Panel Smart Display V100

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40. WebTV

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39. Samsung Q1

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38. Apple Pippin

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37. Comet Systems Comet Cursor

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36. IBM PCjr

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35. Kodak Disc 4000

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34. Neo 1973

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33. Olympus Eye-Trek FMD-700

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32. Philips CD-i

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31. Everex CloudBook

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30. Eyetop Wearable DVD Player

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30. Eyetop Wearable DVD Player

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29. Garmin Nüvifone

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27. Microsoft BOB

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26. Nintendo Virtual Boy

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25. Twitter Peek

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24. MSN Direct Smart Watches

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23. 3Com Ergo Aubrey

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22. Oakley THUMP Sunglasses

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21. Lotus Notes

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20. America Online

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19. Segway

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18. DataPlay Disc

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17. Motorola ROKR E1

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16. Modo

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15. Apple Newton Message Pad

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14. Playstation EyeToy

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13. DIVX (Digital Video Express)

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12. Sirius S50

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11. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6

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10. HD DVD

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9. Palm Foleo

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8. Microsoft Zune

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7. The Rocbox

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6. Gizmondo

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5. Nokia N-Gage

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4. Microsoft Windows ME

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3. DigiScents iSmell

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2. CueCat

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1. Microsoft KIN

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