Sometimes technology can have disastrous returns, that is, if it’s not tested properly for mass usage before being released into the market. Today we’re going to discuss five tech fails of this year, which include a drone that falls, a phone that explodes, a laptop which doesn’t allow you to connect and more.
1. The Samsung Galaxy Note7- Phone or an Explosive?
One of the highest selling phones worldwide, Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 received applaud when it was about to be launched for its water resistant design, an iris scanner, wireless charging and many other specs to sweep you off your feet. But a few days after the devices were shipped for sale, customers started reporting overheating issues to the point that people got third-degree burns and the battery exploded in some cases too. The company recalled its handsets in numbers and replaced the devices with new ones which again were reported to have similar issues, and the company pulled its flagship device from the market altogether and facilitate their customers with an exchange and refund programme.
2. GoPro’s Karma Drone – Still Learning to Fly
A lovely packaged deal at $1099 to begin with, the GoPro Karma Drone came with a Hero 5 Camera, grip stabiliser, a simple yet powerful controller and a backpack to rest your accessories. All was well until the drones started collapsing, like a bird that was shot from the sky. Two weeks into the market, GoPro recalled its Karma Drone units with scores of users complaining about the drone falling mid-flight.
3. VR 360 Camera’s – Consumer Oriented? Not.
Virtual Reality is one of the next big things in the world of tech, but to be the next big thing to capture the mass market needs a product to be affordable and easy to use for the masses. Virtual reality is amazing but to shoot your own high-quality VR videos, you’ll have to buy Nikon’s KeyMission 360 which will help you shoot 4K quality videos, which are not easy to use and are priced at $499. Other options include the Ricoh Theta and 360Fly Cameras, albeit easy to use, they both don’t have a great video output quality and hence are relatively pricier too. Samsung Gear 360 is another option, but it only works with Galaxy S6 and above, and Note 5. All in all, although the VR technology has been made popular and is aimed at consumers, a consumer-based high-quality VR video recorder is yet to be launched.
4. Macbook Without Slots and iPhone Without Audio Jack
Apple is second to none when it comes to innovations, and two of their products — the Mac and iPhone — have been unparalleled in more ways than one. But their latest experiment with new iPhone 7 that comes without an audio jack and the Macbook Pro that comes without a traditional USB slot or an SD card slot has faced more flak than gathered appreciation. Of course, one can buy adapters to fit into the USB-C slots Apple wants you to use so desperately, but these things don’t come cheap — Belkin announced a new USB-C dock last month, which will cost approximately $300-400. It looks like Apple wants the world to move ahead alongwith its technology (and err, spend a considerable amount doing that). I understand the company’s enthusiasm to make their devices sleeker and sexier, but hey, wait — most of our storage devices use the same technology that the company has foregone. Ps. If you own a Mac-Pro or have it on your wish list, welcome back to the age where SD card readers were a thing and loads of wires too.
5. Lily Camera – On Sale! No Wait, Not Anymore.
Introduced in 2015, the concept was well received and even managed to achieve a whopping $34 million in pre-sale orders. Quite an exciting innovation, unlike other drone-based cameras, the Lily camera doesn’t even need a controller to fly. You simply need to throw it in the air, and it hovers over you recording your hikes, runs and other adventurous activities. The camera received a CES award for innovation in January 2016 but is yet to see the light of the day. The company was supposed to release the camera earlier this year in February but isn’t even taking orders anymore as the ‘buy’ option from their website has been dumped. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
