The year 2016 had its share of hits and new trends, but it also had more than its fair share of tech arrows that missed the target, notwithstanding all their promise and potential. rohan Pal looks at some of the disappointments of the year.
- Android Wear
When Google launched Android Wear in 2014, many were thinking that it was the next big thing in technology. And with companies like Motorola, Samsung, Asus, LG and HTc promising to roll out smartwatches, it seemed a revolution was on. But 2016 saw Android Wear take a step back. We saw a steep decline in the launch of new Android Wear-powered devices and with companies like Samsung coming out with its own OS for wearables, and consumer’s shifting from smartwatches to fitness bands, the Android Wear ended 2016 facing uncertainity.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Once considered as the potential smartphone of the year, the Galaxy Note 7 turned out to be the biggest nightmare for Samsung. It all started with some overheating issues but when smartphones started exploding, all hell broke loose for the Korean giant, which had to withdraw the product and issue an apology. Not the sort of note that the company was looking to strike.
- LG G5
Although modular smartphones are still a distinct dream, it was LG who gave us the taste of what a modular smartphone could do with its G5 in 2016. Many speculated that this could be the turning point in the evolution of smartphone. But unfortunately, the flagship device did not catch on and neither did its concept of modularity. The company has since given indication that it will move on from the modular concept and focus on other areas. A pity.
- Windows Phone
It is a well-known fact that Microsoft burnt its fingers badly with the Windows Phone OS. And if there had been hope of a turnaround in the past, 2016 saw the platform all but reach the end of its tether with none of the products being released on it making any sort of impact in the market. Microsoft even tried to attract consumers on the enterprise side by highlighting the continuum feature on the devices, but it was too little, too late. Will 2017 see new a new mobile Windows? Who knows?
- Yu Yutopia
Micromax sister brand Yu was considered to be one of the famous brand when it comes to online. It has way ahead from the likes of Xiaomi, Lenovo and its smartphone did particularly well. But with the launch of its first flagship-level device, which was considered to be best in class, failed miserably. The smartphone was full of bugs and lags, which hindered the overall performance of the device, hence making it a flop show which at the end gave a huge setback to the company
- Android One
When Google launched its aspirational project Android One in 2014, many were optimistic that the masses would get access to high quality phones running the latest version of Android at very affordable prices. Many manufacturers endorsed the project, but sadly, it never really took off. It is rumoured that too many restrictions from the search engine giant coupled with the lack of interest from the manufacturers after poor initial sales, resulted a near-total halt in the Android One project in 2016.
- Facebook Free Basics
Facebook’s much-anticipated Free Basics programme made a lot of headlines in India but for all wrong reasons. The programme which was said to connect millions of people online free of cost, faced a lot of criticism as it was seen as a direct threat to net neutrality - the basic principle that the Internet should free and equal for all. The social media giant got a major setback when the Telecom regulatory Authority of India (TrAI) supported net neutrality and banned Free Basics services in India.
- The Decline of BlackBerry
With consistently sinking sales, the failure of its first Android-powered phone, BlackBerry decided to exit from the phone manufacturing business in 2016. The company which quickly made it to the top with its innovative QWErTY keyboards, failed to compete with the likes of Android and Apple. Yes, there will continue to be BlackBerry phones in 2017 as well but they will be made by other manufacturers. An era has perhaps ended.
