The tech graveyard has grown in size in 2024. From VR headsets that failed to deliver on their promises to headsets that couldn’t keep up with the competition, the list of devices that have gone obsolete this year tells a story of innovation, but also failures and missed opportunities. It’s a reminder of just how volatile the world of tech can be.
The Unstoppable Decline of Google Products
In the landscape of obsolete devices of 2024, Google confirms itself as the undisputed leader in the art of launching and then abandoning its products. jamboarding, an interactive whiteboard that promised to revolutionize business collaboration, has closed its doors after eight years of service (it even lasted too long). The company has opted to integrate its Google workspace with external partners such as FigJam e lucidpark.
Even more significant was the end of Google Podcasts, sacrificed on the altar of the audio services consolidation strategy. The decision to migrate users to YouTube Music reflects a paradigm shift in audio content consumption: at the time of the shutdown, only 4% of US listeners used the dedicated app.
But the “Google cemetery” has been enriched with other illustrious tombs: chromecast, VPN by Google One e Keen have all ceased to exist, confirming the company's tendency to experiment a lot and maintain little. Goodbye! (If you want to commemorate all the "deceased" of Big G, you can always visit the Google's Graveyard).
Meta and the Failure of “VIP Avatars”
The History of AI Avatars by Meta represents one of the most emblematic cases of prematurely obsolete technologies. The idea of creating virtual characters based on celebrities such as Kendall Jenner e Tom Brady it turned out to be a costly miscalculation. It seemed like a load of crap, but oh, it really was a load of crap.
Despite the millionaire investments for the licensing of the faces of the stars, these avatars have never found their audience. The decision to discontinue the service less than a year after its launch highlights how difficult it is to predict the success of new technologies, even for a giant like Meta.
The most curious case remains that of the avatar of Snoop Dogg as a master of Dungeons & Dragons, a crossover that no one asked for and that few appreciated.
2024 also marked the farewell to the goal quest 2 and quest-pro, two headsets that helped democratize virtual reality. Their successor, the Quest 3S, incorporated the best features of both, making both previous models obsolete.
Obsolete and dissatisfied: the painful farewell to the Kindle Oasis
The disappearance of Kindle Oasis represents a particular case of technological obsolescence, where progress does not always coincide with the improvement of the user experience. Launched in 2016, The Oasis was notable for its asymmetrical design with a thicker edge that housed the physical page-turning buttons.
The decision of Amazon to stop replenishing the Oasis once it runs out has sparked intense backlash in the e-reader community. The company has focused all of its devices on touch, but many enthusiasts have expressed disappointment. However, this transition to a fully touch interface marks the end of an era for e-readers, where the tactility of physical buttons has been a link for many to the traditional reading experience.
This is an example of how devices sometimes become obsolete by sacrificing features that users appreciate in the name of standardization.
The Sunset of the “Non-Obsolete” Earphones: RIP, Jabra
The history of earphones Jabra elite It is emblematic of how obsolescence is not always linked to product quality. Despite excellent reviews and competitive prices, the Elite line was discontinued due to fierce competition in the wireless earbuds market.
As stated by the CEO of GN Store Nord, Peter Karlstromer, “markets have changed over time”. The company has decided to focus on more profitable segments such as hearing aids and products for gaming and business communication. In short: Jabra obsolete yes, but with pride.
Obsolete Services: The Apple Pay Later Experiment
Finally, Apple PayLater represents one of the most interesting cases of planned obsolescence. The bitten apple flavored installment payment service it lasted less than a year, with Apple opting to partner with third-party suppliers such as Affirm e Klarna instead of directly managing microloans.
This decision shows how even tech giants sometimes have to take a step back and admit that not all innovations are destined for success. Or rather, that sometimes it's not the devices that are obsolete, but the marketing projects of some brands that are a little too much on them.
