2009 has seems some stunners slide out from the gadget vaults of the world’s biggest tech players. Yet for every HTC Hero, there’s a Toshiba TG01. So, ladies and gents here’s our definitive round up of the most disappointing gadgets of the year. If they failed to live up to the hype or their software couldn’t hack the pace, they’re all here.
Toshiba TG01
With its 4.1-inch screen and Snapdragon processor, the Toshiba TG01 was billed as the ultimate next-gen smartphone. Yet when it arrived, it was hamstrung by Windows Mobile 6.1, an unintuitive touchscreen and a price tag even a Euro millionaires winner would baulk at. A Windows Mobile 6.5 update failed to add much needed allure to proceedings.
Sony PSPgo
Hype around the PSPgo was insane ahead of its E3 launch. But following a colossal leak, things started to unravel. Its lack of UMD support meant downloads were pricier than discs, it cost nearly £100 more than a PSP-3000 and its controls felt awkward. Throw in a raft of retailer complaints and the Sony PSPgo isn’t the only turkey doing the rounds this Christmas.
Sony Ericsson Satio
When it arrived as the Idou at Mobile World Congress, everyone hailed the Sony Ericsson Satio as the ultimate camera phone. And while its 12 megapixel sensor is top, its recent recall owing to “software issues” has shown it wasn’t quite ready to hit the shelves. Plus its hefty plasticky body has quickly been outdone by Sony Ericsson’s very own Xperia X10.
Nintendo DSi/DSi XL
With the DS Lite, Nintendo took its beefy handheld and made it almost perfect. With the Nintendo DSi and now the DSi XL, it’s come full circle for no apparent reason. At £30 more than a DS Lite, it remains a mystery why you’d want a DSi. And the DSi XL’s monster screens surely defy the point of simple, compact handheld gaming.
Sony XEL-1 OLED TV
One year after its US release and two years on from its CES debut, the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV at last hit the the UK in January. So why was it such a disappointment? How about that three and a half grand price tag, twice as much as it cost across the pond. Trying that in the midst of the worst recession since the 1930s was tantamount to gadget harakiri.
Nokia N97
Released in June after a seven month wait, the Nokia N97 was completely gazumped by the iPhone 3GS. Its touchscreen was resistive, Symbian remained awkward and the kick slider wasn’t cool after all. Plus it wasn’t a looker. It’s been swiftly trumped by its sassier sister, the N97 Mini and the Maemo 5 killer that is the Nokia N900.
Sony Ericsson Aino
The words ‘missed opportunity’ don’t even begin to cover the Sony Ericsson Aino. It arrived with everyone talking it up as the PS3 phone. And while it could hook to Remote Play, Sony didn’t bother chucking in support for games. Let’s be frank, it was a cop out, showing how far apart Sony and Ericsson were in their thinking. Those Satio-alike software failings just made things worse.
Amazon Kindle International Edition
At last! The Amazon Kindle finally landed in the UK in October. Except, it didn’t. You had to import it from Amazon’s US store and when it arrived, it came with a Stateside plug, no web browser, no RSS access and and no blog feeds either. In all, Amazon’s best-selling gadget was a total disappointment. We’re sticking with our Sony Reader.
Flip Ultra HD
The original Flip sated our appetite for quick dirty video on the move. And the nifty little Flip Mino HD does the same. But the Flip Ultra HD rocks the same lardy frame, fixed focus and average 720p pics as the original. At a time when you can get 1080p from a Toshiba Camileo S10 at a far cheaper price, the Flip Ultra HD is a gadget worth missing out on.
Polaroid Two
The idea behind the Polaroid Two, incorporating the ace PoGo printer into a camera, was great. Sadly though, it just didn’t cut it. At £230 it was mega expensive, especially when you consider it had just 5 megapixels, no autofocus and no optical zoom. Chuck in the news that classic Polaroid’s are making a come back in 2010 and you’ve got the makings of a tech white elephant.
