As 2024 wraps up, it’s time to reflect on the tech products and services that couldn’t keep up with the rapid pace of innovation.
From discontinued devices to failed experiments, here’s a roundup of the most notable tech farewells of the year.
Major Discontinuations
- Fossil Smartwatches: Fossil exited the smartwatch market, with the Gen 6 being their final Wear OS model.
- Apple’s Blood Oxygen Watches: Apple ceased selling watches with blood oxygen sensors after losing a patent dispute.
- Apple Pay Later: The buy-now-pay-later service was shut down within a year of its launch.
- iTunes for Windows: Apple replaced iTunes with separate apps for music, TV, and devices on Windows.
- USB SuperDrive: Apple also discontinued its CD/DVD reader, marking the end of an era.
Streaming and Media Changes
- Best Buy and Redbox: Best Buy stopped selling physical movie discs, and Redbox filed for bankruptcy, shutting down 24,000 kiosks.
- ICQ: The iconic instant messaging service ICQ closed after 27 years, signaling the end of the instant messaging era.
Google’s Annual Cleanup
Google continued its tradition of shutting down services:
- Google Pay (US): Merged into Google Wallet.
- Google Podcasts: Replaced by YouTube Music.
- Stack PDF Scanner App: Users are now directed to Google Drive.
- Jamboard: The cloud-connected whiteboard is gone.
- Chromecast: Phased out in favor of the pricier Google TV streamer.
Flops and Failures
- Meta’s AI Chatbots: Celebrity-lookalike chatbots were shut down due to backlash.
- Snapchat Pixy Drone: Recalled for overheating batteries.
- Spotify Car Thing: Spotify’s $100 car accessory is now e-waste, with refunds available until January 14.
Robots and AI That Couldn’t Last
- Atlas Robot: Boston Dynamics retired its hydraulic humanoid robot after 11 years, focusing on a new electric version.
- Moxy the Robot: The $800 AI toy for kids lost funding, leaving owners uncertain about its future.
Looking Ahead
While some of these losses are bittersweet, they pave the way for new innovations in 2025. If there’s a tech product you’ll miss, share your thoughts in the comments.
Let’s toast to the future and the next wave of gadgets that will shape our lives.
