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What Was the Biggest Flop That Was Hyped as “The Next Big Thing”?

Remember Google+? How about 3D TVs? The Metaverse? Some “next big things” crashed and burned fast. Here are the biggest tech flops that never lived up to the hype.

There’s no doubt that A.I. will change the world in some way.  But there will inevitably be some BUSTS along the way.

People are listing things that were once hyped as “THE NEXT BIG THING” . . . but flopped, and are now forgotten or are collecting dust somewhere.

Here are some highlights:

1.  Google+.  The “Facebook killer” . . . that died itself.

2.  3D TVs.  Also:  Curved televisions.

3.  Quibi.  Which was supposed to “change streaming forever.”

4.  The Metaverse.  Remember when EVERYONE was talking about it?

5.  Zune.  Microsoft tried to challenge Apple’s iPod . . . and lost.

6.  The Segway.  It’s been 20 years since we were told we’d be seeing these EVERYWHERE.

7.  Google Glasses.  This concept still feels like it has potential, but Google couldn’t get them to take off 10 years ago.

8.  CueCat.  These came out in the early years of the internet, and could scan special barcodes from magazines . . . to load webpages on a computer.  (Unlike QR codes, these devices needed to be plugged into your PC.)

9.  HouseParty.  A remote gaming app from the pandemic quarantine.

10.  Sega Dreamcast.  One of the gaming consoles that didn’t catch on.

11.  Threads.  It was supposed to replace Twitter (or X).  And now, a lot of it is just engagement phishing.

12.  VR.  They keep trying to make it happen, but it’s never gone mainstream.

13.  Crystal Pepsi.  Although the nostalgia is strong.

14.  Fake meat.  It has gone mainstream, and it has potential for more . . . but there’s one big failure:  It’s still expensive.  One person online said, “Surely, mixing some plant proteins together at scale will eventually become cheaper than raising a whole a** cow, right?”  (I mean, that’s a great point.)

(Buzzfeed)

Scott and Sadie

Meet Scott and Sadie: the anti-heroes of morning radio turned podcast renegades. Scott’s 40 years in broadcasting have left him fluent in snark, while Sadie’s nepotistic origins (thanks, Mom!) brought the unfiltered charm that made them a Northern Colorado favorite. After corporate radio ghosted them harder than a bad Tinder date, the duo ditched FCC babysitters and went full rogue. Now, they’re back with a podcast that’s equal parts wit, sarcasm, and a big middle finger to mediocrity. Loyal fans, curious newcomers, or algorithm strays—welcome to the chaos.

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