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Top technologies that were killed off early

Axed despite being in good health.

By Chris Jager on Nov 26 2012, 8:54AM

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1 of 8

Windows Live Messenger

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced it would send Windows Live Messenger to the great scrapheap in the sky in a bid to migrate existing users to Skype (which it acquired for $US8.5 billion last year). In its heyday, Windows Live Messenger had over 300 million active users per month. Despite competition from Yahoo and Google, it remains one of the world's most popular instant-messaging programs. By contrast, Skype's IM tool currently has a user base of around half its size. Will Microsoft's gamble pay off?

Osborne 1

The Osborne 1 pioneered portable computing in the early 1980s and was one of the most successful business microcomputers of the era. Unfortunately, the company then made the decision to pre-announce its successor, the Osborne Executive, while the original was still fresh on the market; effectively killing it off in the eyes of the public. Prospective customers began to ignore the 'obsolete' machine, with many turning to Apple or IBM instead of waiting for the new model. By 1983, Osborne no longer existed: by prematurely replacing its flagship product, it had managed to put itself out of business.

Cisco Flip camcorder

The Flip camcorder helped spearhead the 'pocket cam' craze that exploded in the latter half of the past decade. Boasting the convenience of a compact camera but with Full HD video, it was the amateur videographer's gadget of choice. Barely two years after acquiring Flip for $US590 million, Cisco chose to axe the business alongside its other consumer divisions. At the time of its demise, the Flip represented roughly 35 percent of the camcorder market and was still going from strength to strength.

Windows Small Business Server

Back in July, Microsoft announced it would discontinue its Windows Small Business Server (SBS) suite to concentrate on Windows Server 2012 Essentials and the cloud-based Office 365. The decision did not go down well with Microsoft's channel partners. While it's true on-premises solutions wont be around forever, Microsoft's axing of SBS can be viewed as somewhat premature: the product remains hugely popular with small businesses and resellers due to its affordability, user-friendliness and ease of deployment.

Microsoft Xbox

Microsoft pulled the plug on the first Xbox a mere four years after it had hit the market, making it one of the shortest-lived video game consoles in history. Despite selling more than 24 million units worldwide, the machine was abruptly axed to make way for its successor; the Xbox 360. Many critics felt Microsoft had purposely jumped the gun in a bid to beat the PlayStation 3 to market. Unlike Sony, which continues to support the PlayStation 2, Microsoft turned its back on the original Xbox completely: the last game was released back in 2007.

Polaroid camera

Some brands are so iconic they seem eternal. The Polaroid 'instant film' camera is one such brand. Although the advent of digital photography had put a dent in Polaroid's appeal, it was still the camera of choice for key verticals, including the fashion industry and the arts. Unfortunately, a series of management bungles, including $US2 billion in misappropriated funds, saw the company file for bankruptcy in 2008. Proving there's still plenty of life in the Polaroid name, the company has since been resurrected with a new range of digital printing cameras.

Apple's 30-pin dock connector

Ever since the original iPhone made its debut in 2007, Apple's legion of fans have been amassing a huge array of peripherals, music docks and third-party accessories to compliment their favourite smartphone. Apple's proprietary 30-pin connector ensured that each new iPhone remained fully compatible with an owner's old accessories; some of which cost thousands of dollars. However, all that changed with the release of the iPhone 5 this year; the tried and trusted connector was replaced with a smaller 'Lightning' port. To add insult to injury, Apple refused to include an adapter in the iPhone 5 sales package: instead, customers were charged an additional $35 to use their old accessories with their new smartphone.

HP Touchpad

HP's TouchPad was never given a fighting chance. HP decided to axe its iPad rival a mere month after it launched. In Australia, the decision to kill it off came less than a week after it went on sale. Ironically, the cancellation of the TouchPad resulted in a significant WebOS community springing up; developers and frugal shoppers took advantage of slashed prices after HO cut the price of Pthe tablet down to around $150. HP has since announced plans to relaunch its WebOS mobility arm, with new tablets expected to appear in 2013.

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Top technologies that were killed off early

Axed despite being in good health.

Windows Live Messenger

Osborne 1

Cisco Flip camcorder

Windows Small Business Server

Microsoft Xbox

Polaroid camera

Apple's 30-pin dock connector

HP Touchpad

Windows Live Messenger

Related articles

Microsoft tests Windows Update with third-party apps included

DTA seeks input on end user license agreements for new software and cloud module

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 receives broad partner ecosystem support

Most popular tech stories

Westpac pilots AI to analyse inbound call content

Westpac hires CBA's data chief to lead AI, data and digital

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Orica to set new workforce systems live in Australia in July

City of Sydney's HR uplift to help career management

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