Technology is constantly evolving, and new pieces of tech are created every day. It’s fair to say that we have seen some revolutionary hardware and software over the years. But, unfortunately, some inventions didn’t quite make the charts of popularity, though this doesn’t always mean they weren’t good. While some products we couldn’t dream of living without, such as our smart TVs, some just didn’t quite cut it and have been forgotten about as new tech took their places.
At Cheap TVs, we’re technology fanatics and are always eager to learn more about tech and how we can incorporate it into the world of television. That is why we thought it would be interesting to look at some technologies that never became as popular as predicted and why this might have been.
Google Glass
Google Glass were wearable computer-powered glasses controlled by both voice and motion. They allowed users to access digital information in their fields of vision, such as social media notifications, flight information, and language translations. While this new technology caused quite a stir when Google announced it, sadly, the hype didn’t last long once some customers began to misuse them.
One of the features of Google Glass was the ability to take photographs and videos using an in-built camera, which allowed users to record and photograph their surroundings discreetly. Unfortunately, this dangerous tool, alongside the high price of this tech, meant that Google Glass didn’t last too long on the market and was shelved in 2015 – although they are still used in professional applications.
3D TVs
Although 3D televisions were successful during their initial release and continue to spark some interest today, they did not quite live up to the anticipation experts had predicted for them. A few factors harmed their success – let’s take a look.
Upon first glance, a 3D television sounds fantastic, and although they are a great and exciting addition to any home, they often come at a cost. When they were released, 3D TVs were high in price and came with a list of hidden fees if you wanted to utilise the television to its full potential. These included a separate cost for 3D movies and TV shows and hardware accessories such as 3D glasses. So if you’re considering a 3D TV for your home, come to Cheap TVs, where we have an array of cheap 3D TVs to choose from at staggeringly low prices.
Another reason the technology didn’t take off as expected was the lack of 3D content at the time of its release. However, as we advance into a more tech-fueled world, the amount of content available to view in 3D has increased – allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in a wide range of movies and TV shows.
DivX
DivX (Digital Video Express) was created for those wanting to rent movies digitally and came long before all our favourite streaming services took off. It allowed consumers to purchase a disc available for viewing for up to 48 hours before being thrown away.
At the time, it was revolutionary, but much like Google Glass, it came at a high price and one that many consumers couldn’t afford. In addition, to access all of DivX’s features, users had to purchase a separate piece of hardware used to insert the discs, which again came at a high price.
It launched in June 1998 and barely lasted a year before its creators pulled the plug in 1999. Although this piece of tech didn’t stick around too long, it paved the way for movie and TV digital rental services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney +, which you will find as standard applications on most of our cheap smart TVs.
Curved TVs
Curved TVs do what they say on the tin and were revolutionary to the television industry when first released in 2013. TV manufacturers believed that this curved design improved the viewing experience and was the best way to enjoy the recently introduced OLED screens. In addition, they created the illusion of being surrounded by what was displayed on the screen, making them the perfect choice for gamers looking to feel completely immersed in their play. Unfortunately, this technology, although fascinating and highly anticipated, didn’t last too long in the limelight.
Consumers quickly discovered that a small curved TV didn’t provide the fully immersive experience that the manufacturers promised. If users wanted to feel like they were right there on the football pitch with the players or floating in space with the astronauts on the screen, they had to upgrade to a larger model. Unfortunately, many people simply didn’t have the room to house these large televisions, meaning this tech was never as successful as hoped for. But all is not lost; experts predict that curved TVs could make a big comeback. As mentioned, they’re perfect for gaming, and with the continuously rising popularity of the online gaming world, we could see many more of these screens placed on desks in games rooms rather than in the lounge.
If you’re as interested in technology as us, then don’t forget to keep checking our blog, where you will find the latest TV tech news and updates alongside tips, tricks, and all the information you’ll ever need to get the most out of your television.
Here at Cheap TVs, we have a fantastic range of all the latest models, including cheap LED TVs and cheap smart TVs. Additionally, we’re lucky enough to stock some of the TV tech we discussed today, such as our cheap 3D TVs. So contact us today for advice on choosing the suitable TV for you or information on any of our stock.
