- After a two-decade iPod run, Apple announced in May it would stop making the final model—the iPod Touch.
- On Jan. 4, BlackBerry cut service to software that powers its legacy devices—the second-most iconic smartphones in history.
- Stadia didn’t gain traction with users and never released any hit games.
From the iPod to Kindle Newsstand, products that once seemed promising came to an end. As we look ahead to the tech trends we face in 2023, we should also spare a moment to reflect on the gadgets and software that headed into the sunset in 2022.
Meta Portal
2018-2022
Despite cool video-calling tricks, the Portal never found mass appeal—even during Covid-lockdown Zoom marathons. After Facebook became Meta and refocused on its core business and the metaverse, it pulled the Portal plug.
Snap pixy
2022-2022
Cartons of milk last longer than Snap’s little yellow self-flying drone. When it was released in April, Snap was still flying high. By August, the Snapchat maker was in fiscal dire straits. So long, cutie!
iPod
2001-2022
After a two-decade iPod run, Apple announced in May it would stop making the final model—the iPod Touch. The cause of its demise? Apple ‘s own iPhone and all those streaming music apps.
Google Stadia
2019-2022
Launched to much excitement, Google’s cloud-streaming videogame service was meant to change the industry. Instead, Stadia didn’t gain traction with users and never released any hit games.
Amazon Cloud Cam
2017-2022
One of the first Alexa-connected home-security cameras, Cloud Cam was quickly eclipsed in Amazon ‘s lineup by its acquisitions of Ring and Blink. Amazon decided to give loyal Cloud Cam customers Blink replacements.
Kindle Newsstand
2011-2022
One attempt to build excitement for its Fire tablet was Amazon’s subscription service for newspapers and magazines, Kindle Newsstand. A decade later, it turns out people prefer actual magazines—or the web.
BlackBerry OS
1999-2022
On Jan. 4, BlackBerry cut service to software that powers its legacy devices—the second-most iconic smartphones in history. Android-powered BlackBerry devices continue to work, but this marks the end of an era.
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Source: The Wall Street Journal
