The year 2023 witnessed incredible technological advancements. In this year, we saw the emergence of ChatGPT and other AI models, and finally, Apple released its long-awaited augmented reality glasses, Vision Pro. However, while we celebrate how far we’ve come, it’s also important to pause and reflect on the technology that did not survive this year.
1. Apollo 2017-2023
This was a tough loss. Apollo was highly beloved for its interface and design, making it a preferred app for many iOS users over the official Reddit app. So, when Reddit announced a new pricing structure for its API that would force Apollo to pay $20 million annually, Apollo did not take it lightly.
Thousands of popular Reddit forums went dark in protest of the exorbitant API pricing, and Apollo became a symbol of the fight against corporate greed. Ultimately, Apollo became a martyr after Reddit’s CEO, Reed Hoffman, refused to back down, despite Apollo’s founder, Christian Selig, trying to negotiate in good faith. On June 30, Apollo officially shut down. Rest in peace, beautiful prince.
2. 13-inch MacBook Pro 2020-2023
The 13-inch MacBook Pro was controversial from the start. It was certainly a good option for Apple users wanting an entry-level MacBook Pro without the need for the power of the more expensive models. However, the dreaded Touch Bar made the 13-inch MacBook Pro a subject of ridicule.
The dual-band organic display instead of the top row of function keys was a great idea, but it was boring and cliché in execution. The buttons were unresponsive for some users, and they found the additional steps to locate standard buttons frustrating. With the continued success of the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air and the release of the new 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, we knew the days of the 13-inch MacBook Pro were numbered. We can’t say we’ll miss you, Touch Bar.
3. Apple Lightning Port 2012-2023
You could argue that Apple’s Lightning port was on borrowed time. The exclusive way of charging was destined for failure the moment the European Parliament approved legislation requiring all smartphones and tablets to be compliant. Apple fought hard, claiming it would create more electronic waste if people had to abandon their Lightning ports. But the EU wasn’t having any of it, forcing Apple to comply.
As a result, we got the iPhone 15 and AirPods Pro with USB-C ports. It will take some time to fully phase out the Lightning port, but people won’t look back once they realize they only need one charger for their phones and laptops. And when that day finally comes, just make sure your Lightning cables are put away properly for ultimate convenience.
4. Twitter
How many times can X (formerly known as Twitter) die before it is truly dead? Despite Elon Musk’s best efforts, X is the Rasputin of social media platforms and refuses to die.
Even if X somehow continues to exist in a half-dead and partially dead state, pieces of it are still dying, which is why it has appeared on this list for the second consecutive year. Twitter will no longer soar. Credit: Illustration by Mashable: Vicky Leta
Last year, we mourned the loss of Twitter that we loved to hate. This year, we mourn the death of the name itself: “Twitter.” For reasons that are not entirely clear, Musk is keen on the letter “X,” so it makes sense in that regard to rename Twitter to X. But in every other respect, shedding one of the most prominent and recognizable brands has astonished many.
In
In 2023, we also said goodbye to Twitter Circles. Even in its short life, it gave many people the chance to gossip and talk badly in an exclusive and invite-only space. Still, why not just make your account private instead?
5. Amazon Halo 2020-2023
Some technologies never had a real chance from the start. Such is the case with Amazon’s fitness device lineup, Halo. The brand sold three devices: a fitness band called Halo Band, which was replaced by an updated model called Halo View, and Halo Rise (a sleep tracker and smart alarm clock for the bedside table). The Amazon Halo lineup did not achieve significant success.
But Halo was doomed to fail from the beginning. The devices were simple replicas of other fitness gadgets on the market and did not offer advanced health and wellness features like Fitbit and Apple Watch. Additionally, Amazon launched Halo in 2020 when fitness technology was already saturated and the market was competitive. It’s no surprise that Amazon announced this year that it would shut down the entire Halo division. It just shows that even Big Tech sometimes fails.
6. Netflix DVD Shipping 2007-2023
Gather around, kids. There was a time when Netflix was just a company that shipped DVD discs by mail. Before the streaming era, you could have DVD discs sent to your home instead of going to a physical store called Blockbuster, which also sold DVD discs. We will never relive that exciting moment of receiving those red envelopes in the mail.
In the era of on-demand streaming, it’s hard to believe that this kind of thing still existed in 2023. Imagine waiting three to five business days to watch a movie you suddenly thought of. But those who still order Netflix discs are not just older adults or tech outliers. With digital streaming platforms quietly removing titles from their digital catalog to save money, some films and shows might only be available on DVD.
“The departure of old titles from a particular streaming platform is something that often happens when licensing agreements change and content shifts between different platforms, but the refusal of companies to offer content that they bought and paid for, which is unlikely to find a new home online – not even on physical media – is a darker trend,” said Mashable editor Caitlin Welch.
It’s definitely the end of an era for the streaming giant. But the death of Netflix discs also comes with a message: don’t toss out your old DVDs just yet – they might be the only remaining copies.
7. Google Glass 2013-2015, 2017-2023
No, Google Glass wasn’t “dead already.” How dare you think that. Without Google Glass, we wouldn’t have Meta Quest 3, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, and Apple Vision Pro. So, let’s show some respect. They weren’t the sleekest device, but we owe them a lot.
It is fitting for Google Glass to be discontinued in the same year that Apple finally unveiled its XR glasses – it’s as if a cosmic lifecycle has come to an end. Google Glass may not have looked stylish, and that was one of the reasons behind its failure. But the Google X team, which was behind Google Glass, paved the way for mixed reality, voice and image recognition, and hands-free computing in ways we take for granted today. Moreover, we might later see an advanced version of Google Glass.
Faced
Google Glass raised privacy concerns and ethical questions about photographing and video recording in public places without people’s consent – concerns that still persist today. Ultimately, this was another reason why Google Glass did not gain widespread popularity. Google Glass was discontinued in 2015 but was revived in 2017 for the commercial market. However, Google Glass will finally be laid to rest this year.
8. TikTok and Instagram Creator Funds
Instagram and TikTok started creator funds as a way to attract talent with a strong fan base to their platforms. But now that the mission has seemingly been accomplished, TikTok’s creator fund and Instagram Reels Play will be closed down. The party is over for creator payouts on TikTok and Instagram.
This was expected for TikTok’s creator fund. The fund, which pays creators who have 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the last 30 days, was only set to last for three years. The expiration date for Instagram Reels Play was never clear, but it was effectively shut down for the same reason. This monetization tool offered rewards to creators who reached certain Reels metrics on Instagram. But as CEO Adam Mosseri explained at a press event, according to Christiana Silva, Mashable’s lead reporter, it was always meant to be temporary because it’s not sustainable to continue incentivizing creators.
Unfortunately, this put many creators in a tough spot. “Creators often find themselves in a frustrating position where they rely heavily on these platforms for income but have almost no control over how those platforms operate,” Silva said. “At any moment, a platform can remove their income source or render their business model unviable.” Rest in peace to a semi-reliable income source for creators.
9. Pebble 2023-2023
After Elon Musk bought what was then known as Twitter (now X), Pebble was one of the alternatives that emerged. Initially called T2, it was later renamed Pebble and founded by former Twitter employees as an attempt to replace the previous version of the social media platform before Musk. However, Pebble faced fierce competition right away.
“Bluesky, Threads, and Spill form just a few among many Twitter alternatives launched to serve users looking to escape Musk’s platform,” wrote Matt Binder, Mashable’s lead reporter. “The space is so crowded that even Threads, the app created by Meta and closely tied to Instagram, has failed to stand out and make an impact in the space so far.”
Without a major founding name like Jack Dorsey linked to it (Bluesky) or deep pockets from Meta (Threads), Pebble did not succeed. A toast to the app for its brave efforts in creating a social media platform free from Musk.
10. Omegle 2009-2023
Omegle started as an innocent way to meet strangers online but later became synonymous with virtual sex before eventually turning into a playground for predators and child abusers. It saw a resurgence during the pandemic, but it has now reached the end of a life that has (virtually) touched many people. Omegle was shut down last November due to issues related to unsustainable content moderation.
But Omegle’s legacy lives on. As Beth Ashley, a writer for Mashable, said, “Now that we are more internet-savvy and safety-conscious as a society, it’s less likely we’ll have an unregulated social platform turn into an anonymous sex site created by an 18-year-old in their parent’s basement again, which is certainly a good thing. But humanity’s natural talent for turning any internet service into a sexual service will always continue, whether Omegle exists or not.”
Source:
https://me.mashable.com/tech/35886/in-memoriam-the-tech-that-died-in-2023
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