Syed Saif Ul Hassan 
Dec 30, 2024
The tech sphere is in perpetual motion, presenting astounding advancements while simultaneously discarding technologies that have outlived their utility. As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect not only on the breakthroughs of the year but also on the technologies that faded into obscurity.
From groundbreaking concepts to established tools, several technologies were rendered obsolete by market dynamics, strategic shifts, or the relentless march of innovation. Gadinsider examines these casualties of technological evolution and the factors that led to their demise.
Standalone data centres: Replaced by the cloud’s flexibility
Standalone data centres were once indispensable for hosting websites and storing user data. However, 2024 marked the steep decline of these traditional systems due to the hefty investment required for physical infrastructure and ongoing maintenance.
Agile Pakistan President and an IT consulting veteran Sheikh Waqas Naseem, while speaking to Gadinsider, shed light on the trend: "Cost-cutting measures led businesses to adopt cost-efficient, scalable technologies like cloud computing and SaaS over maintaining legacy systems."
The rise of flexible, cloud-based solutions made standalone data centres increasingly irrelevant, sealing their fate.
Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro: Supplanted by superior successors
Meta’s Quest 2 and Quest Pro VR headsets, once heralded as cutting-edge, were overshadowed by the launch of the Meta Quest 3. This new model amalgamated the best features of its predecessors, delivering improved performance and capabilities.
On the shift in VR’s relevance, Naseem commented: "Virtual Reality (VR) for general entertainment faded unexpectedly due to the dominance of AR-driven applications and lacklustre consumer adoption."
The evolving market for immersive experiences left these devices in the dust as augmented reality took centre stage.
Meta’s VIP Avatars: A high-profile failure
Meta’s VIP Avatars, despite featuring celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Tom Brady, were a costly misstep. Poor audience reception led to their discontinuation within a year of launch.
This failure coincided with the discontinuation of the Quest 2 and Quest Pro, further underlining the rapid obsolescence of older VR technologies. According to Naseem: "This reflects the trend of advancements in AI rendering older tech less relevant."
Kindle Oasis: The end of tactile e-reading
Amazon’s Kindle Oasis, beloved for its asymmetrical design and physical page-turning buttons, was discontinued in favour of touch-only e-readers. While the shift prioritised sleek, modern designs, it alienated enthusiasts who cherished the tactile experience of physical buttons.
The demise of the Kindle Oasis symbolises a broader transition in e-readers, leaving some users nostalgic for more traditional reading methods.
Jabra Elite earphones: A market casualty
Despite garnering positive reviews, Jabra’s Elite earphones were discontinued in 2024 due to the fierce competition in the wireless earbuds market.
CEO René Svendsen-Tune explained the pivot: "Markets have changed over time," as Jabra shifted its focus to more profitable ventures, including hearing aids and gaming communication products.
Naseem observed that small and mid-sized enterprises relying on legacy systems faced similar challenges, with changing market demands driving innovation and obsolescence.
Apple pay later: A short-lived experiment
Apple’s buy-now-pay-later service, Apple Pay Later, was retired after less than a year. Instead, the tech giant chose to collaborate with third-party providers like Affirm and Klarna for managing microloans.
This decision exemplifies a growing trend towards outsourcing non-core services. As Naseem noted: "Finance and healthcare accelerated the shift from legacy systems to cloud-based and AI-driven solutions to improve efficiency and compliance."
Google’s ongoing product purge
Google’s pattern of launching and abandoning products continued in 2024, with the discontinuation of several offerings. Among the notable casualties were Chromecast, VPN by Google One, and Keen, each falling victim to evolving strategies and market pressures.
Google Jamboard: A collaborative tool replaced
Google Jamboard, a collaborative whiteboard for Workspace users, was retired in favour of integration with third-party platforms like Figma and Miro.
Google Podcasts: Merged with YouTube Music
Similarly, Google Podcasts was shelved, with users redirected to YouTube Music as part of Google’s effort to consolidate its audio services.
The inevitable cycle of tech evolution
From Meta’s high-profile miscalculations and Google’s strategic realignments to Amazon’s shifts in e-reader design, 2024 witnessed the demise of numerous technologies. Market competition, cost-efficiency, and shifting user preferences played key roles in these transitions, reminding us that even the most promising innovations are not immune to obsolescence.
As we prepare for another year of tech advancements, it’s worth noting that the cycle of innovation is as much about creating as it is about letting go.
Story visualisation by Afreen Mirza
