Bundaberg Now technology guru Geoff Augutis from Queensland Computers looks at dud gadgets and why they failed, like 3D television.
Much of the buzz we hear in the media and as a consumer around technology is focused on the latest and greatest life-changing breakthrough.
This makes sense. Given the money in this space, brands want to pump their product.
It's worth noting that unfortunately not every up-and-coming piece of tech is as good as the industry makes it sound.
In fact, some attempts at innovation have simply missed the mark (for now).
Dud gadgets serve little purpose
With much of our current tech innovation revolving around the “screen” it is no surprise to see this category harbour some recent failures.
Screens got larger and easier to see, then smaller and more portable, then thinner and touch interactive.
This is a high pace space, so what didn’t work?
3D television: We all remember the craze that took over portions of the past 10 years in 3D.
According to technologists we would all be sitting around the TV at home as a family with our 3D goggles on watching shows.
Not only did this fail in the consumer space, most cinemas aren’t even running this tech anymore.
Note: VR technology has come to town.
Curved screens: While it’s not fair to call this one “dead”, you would have a hard time finding a large group of people who could call it a success.
This was a technology predicated on the idea that if we can make it, we should.
When it left consumers with little to no improvement in their viewing experience at a significant price premium, things we downhill fast.
Transparent displays: to the surprise of many, this technology has been available for some time.
The gurus have spent more time considering the uses here than most releases.
That being said, these displays are on their way to market and in some spaces already there. Again this development is questioned with “what is the actual benefit”.
Aside from the “cool” factor which few will pay for, the transparency offers no functional benefit to an average home.
Time and technology may prove these statements wrong. In the meantime, let’s not make technology just for the sake of it.
