20 Things That Were Destined To Become “The Next Big Thing” But Ended Up Flopping
Every year we’re introduced to some new tech or item that claims to be “the next big thing”. Sadly, after the initial hype dies down, most of the time we stop hear about it completely until it eventually fades into obscurity. However, not everyone has forgotten some of these technological blunders.
Recently, one Reddit user asked others to share some things that claimed to be “the next big thing” but ended up flopping, and some of the answers might bring back some memories. Google Glass, curved televisions, Segways and much more – check out all of the groundbreaking things that failed to live up to their expectations in the gallery below!
More Info: Reddit
#1
Image source: novato1995
Google Glass
#2
Image source: Buttsquish
Not entirely relevant, but I liked the trend where everybody wanted the smallest cell phone possible. For 20 years cell phones got smaller and smaller. Often being the main selling point of the phone.
Then all of sudden you could watch videos on your phone, and almost overnight the trend reversed to “larger is better”
#3
Image source: dont_dox_me-bro
The Panama Papers
#4
Image source: FairMiddle7
2020
#5
Image source: Creative_Waltz_9462
Airship travel. These were the next, awesome way to travel long distances; in fact the spire on top of the Empire State Building was meant as an anchoring point for airships.
The Hindenburg kind of put a damper on it, though
#6
Image source: Puzzleheaded-Art-469
Google+ was supposed to be the answer to Facebook
#7
Image source: Bluedogan
Mini disc
#8
Image source: colin_staples
3D TV
#9
Image source: xxzzxxvv
The Segway. It was supposed to change the way everyone lived. The invention of the century or something like that. A really big deal.
#10
Image source: tashasei
Hoverboards? I remember in a span of 3 months everyone had them and showed them off and then they just disappeared.
#11
Image source: Relevant-Door1453
The European Super League.
#12
Image source: NuclearBreadLauncher
The area 51 raid.
#13
Image source: JSanzi
The “Dark Universe” cinematic universe, starting with 2017’s THE MUMMY.
#14
Image source: -eDgAR-
Windows phones.
#15
Image source: ShartinMyKrelis
This one might be a bit obscure just because I’ve only ever met one other person familiar with it, but Google’s Project Ara modular smartphone was looking like it could’ve been the end all be all of smartphones.
Based off the Phonebloks idea of having a Lego-like hot-swappable module phone, the idea was that you could switch out any components of the phone on the fly. Camera, fingerprint scanner, even different quality screens. Conceptually, it really looked like it could take over the phone market, as it would lead to people not having to buy whole new phones anymore, but rather replacement or upgraded parts to a phone they already liked, thereby reducing costs and increasing utility.
You don’t want a phone with 5 cameras that inflate the cost unnecessarily? Just buy a one camera module. You want a 1440P Super Amoled screen to replace your 720P regular screen? Buy one and swap it in.
However, like many Google projects, it died off for myriad reasons and the longstanding era of $1000 dollar smartphone slabs lived on.
#16
Image source: mr_bigbadjas
Xbox Kinect
#17
Image source: Th3Cooperative
Asbestos
Technically it was a hit! Right until it flopped when people figured out the whole ‘inhaling rockfibers is not healthy’ thing…
#18
Image source: having_a_nosey
What ever happened to those curved televisions? I remember seeing one on an advert a few years back bit havent seen or heard about them since.
#19
Image source: T-Rex3131
Dip N Dots…
Been the “Ice Cream Of The Future” for 40 years now it seems.
#20
Image source: BuckNutley
McDonald’s pizza.
Got wisdom to pour?