Hosted by Quinn Nelson and Stephen Hackett.
Not all tech products succeed once on the market, and some are killed off with little warning. Flashback looks back at failed tech products to see what we can learn by studying their demises.
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#14: OS/2
February 19th, 2021 · 41 minutes
In an effort to keep Microsoft from controlling the PC software industry, in the 1980s, IBM created OS/2, an operating system meant to give its computers a competitive advantage. Unable to do this alone, Big Blue turned to an unlikely company to help build it.
#13: The CrunchPad
February 2nd, 2021 · 45 minutes
In 2008, a vision for a simple, browser-based tablet as born. Just a few years later, after failed lawsuits and rip-off products, no one had anything to show for their work.
#12: The Amazon Fire Phone
January 19th, 2021 · 60 minutes
This time, Quinn and Stephen look back — in 3D! — at the Amazon Fire Phone. Between its operating system, unusual gesture system and a price that was way too high, it was dead on arrival. After that, the guys go shopping for each other, picking out some unusual products that bear Amazon's name today.
#11: The Nexus Q
January 5th, 2021 · 53 minutes
In 2012, Google announced a sphere-shaped media player that was meant to be used with a TV or sound system. It was a disaster. However, nearly a decade later, set-top boxes are nearly everywhere. How did the market move past a weird Google product to offer a wide range of compelling products?
#10: Pebble
June 18th, 2020 · 47 minutes
The smartwatch movement didn't start with Apple or Google, but a little company named Pebble. Through a series of hugely successful Kickstarters, the company put out several well-reviewed products before being steamrolled by the platform-makers.
#9: The Apple III
June 4th, 2020 · 46 minutes
The Apple II was a big hit, but before the Macintosh took over, Cupertino shipped a couple of duds, the worst of which was the ill-fated (and kinda melty) Apple III.
#8: The Microsoft Kin
May 21st, 2020 · 34 minutes
Microsoft was late to the smartphone party, and its first entrance, the Kin, was designed for teens and young adults who didn't want or need an iPhone, Android phone or Blackberry. The only problem? That audience didn't really exist.
#7: AOL Instant Messenger
May 7th, 2020 · 41 minutes
It is time to add Stephen and Quinn to your Buddy List.
#6: The Be Computer Company
April 23rd, 2020 · 41 minutes
Started by former members of Apple's leadership team, Be was formed to take on the Mac and other computers of the mid-90s. The company wrote its own operating system and shipped dual-CPU towers before failing to be bought by Apple and slowly fading away.
#5: Three Failed Game Consoles
April 9th, 2020 · 57 minutes
On this episode, Quinn and Stephen explore three failed game consoles: the Apple Pippin, Nintendo Virtual Boy and the Ouya.