- Not all tech trends and gadgets are fun and games, some just don't work.
- These are some of the gadgets, ideas and trends that didn't quite live up to our expectations in 2017.
As CNBC's in-house gadget reviewer, I tested dozens
of new devices for the site this year. While there were a ton of
successful products that I love, there were also a few blunders and
missteps. Some trends even left me scratching my head.
Here's a look at some of the tech blunders from 2017.
Amazon Key
I loved the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL, but this year's Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL fell short of expectations. It started with a variety of bugs, like buzzing noises to screen problems. Google quickly fixed some of them, but it's still missing some features that are available elsewhere. The Pixel 2 XL screen still has bad viewing angles (a hardware problem), and neither phone offers wireless charging or expandable storage, which you can get from the Galaxy S8. The software is great, but the price — $649 for the Pixel 2 and $849 for larger XL model — is too high for what you get.
It started with Motorola and Apple phones and quickly spread to almost every other new smartphone, save for Samsung's flagships. The 3.5mm headphone jack in smartphones is basically dead. I switched to Bluetooth headphones long ago, but now smartphone makers are practically pushing everyone to — that, or deal with USB-C headphones, which are just clunky and require an adapter if you use your own favorite set of buds.
Android Wear — Google's smartwatch operating system and the gadgets that run on it — has lagged far behind the Apple Watch recently, and these two smartwatches were supposed to improve the situation. Neither were very good, both outclassed by other Android Wear watches. Worse, while Google recently released a new version of Android Wear, it seems to have taken a back seat to Android as a whole. While I once loved Android Wear, there isn't a model I'd recommend over alternative from Samsung and Apple right now.
The Fitbit Ionic was almost too buggy to review when it crossed my desk. It had a lack of apps, was prone to crashing and some tracking seemed wildly inaccurate (like my sleep tests.) After two different units, I published an unfavorable review and recommended most folks stick to more affordable wearables or the Apple Watch. New software that began rolling out this week may vastly improve the Fitbit Ionic, but the original software left a sour taste in my mouth after two units failed to work.
Apple's HomePod speaker was originally supposed to launch this year to take on the Amazon Echo and Google Home, but it apparently needs more time in oven. Bummer. It's one of the gadgets I was looking forward to trying most, particularly since Apple's promising a really great-sounding speaker that should work with iPhones, the Apple TV and more. It's now expected to launch in early 2018.
Here's a look at some of the tech blunders from 2017.
Amazon Key
I love the idea, but the reality didn't live up to expectations. Amazon Key
was supposed to change the way packages are delivered. Amazon's smart
lock and camera system enables delivery drivers to enter your home, but
they won't if you have a loose dog and, worse, will set off your
security alarm unless you turn it off for the day (who does that,
anyway?) Amazon can improve it in 2018 by embedding with security
systems, but I'm not sure how it'll skirt the problem with little Fido.
Google's new smartphones
I loved the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL, but this year's Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL fell short of expectations. It started with a variety of bugs, like buzzing noises to screen problems. Google quickly fixed some of them, but it's still missing some features that are available elsewhere. The Pixel 2 XL screen still has bad viewing angles (a hardware problem), and neither phone offers wireless charging or expandable storage, which you can get from the Galaxy S8. The software is great, but the price — $649 for the Pixel 2 and $849 for larger XL model — is too high for what you get.
Bye-bye headphone jack
The headphone jack is gone for good
It started with Motorola and Apple phones and quickly spread to almost every other new smartphone, save for Samsung's flagships. The 3.5mm headphone jack in smartphones is basically dead. I switched to Bluetooth headphones long ago, but now smartphone makers are practically pushing everyone to — that, or deal with USB-C headphones, which are just clunky and require an adapter if you use your own favorite set of buds.
Google Pixel Buds
Google had another blunder this year: the Pixel Buds.
At $159, they were supposed to compete with Apple AirPods but
ultimately fell way short in quality and performance. Worse, a new
feature that's supposed to translate languages in real time barely
worked in our tests, largely because the headphones' microphone didn't
work very well outdoors. Kudos for the great idea to Google, though.
Maybe Pixel Buds 2 will improve the delivery.
LG Watch Style and Sport
LG Watch Sport
Android Wear — Google's smartwatch operating system and the gadgets that run on it — has lagged far behind the Apple Watch recently, and these two smartwatches were supposed to improve the situation. Neither were very good, both outclassed by other Android Wear watches. Worse, while Google recently released a new version of Android Wear, it seems to have taken a back seat to Android as a whole. While I once loved Android Wear, there isn't a model I'd recommend over alternative from Samsung and Apple right now.
Fitbit Ionic
The Fitbit Ionic has a few apps, with more to come
The Fitbit Ionic was almost too buggy to review when it crossed my desk. It had a lack of apps, was prone to crashing and some tracking seemed wildly inaccurate (like my sleep tests.) After two different units, I published an unfavorable review and recommended most folks stick to more affordable wearables or the Apple Watch. New software that began rolling out this week may vastly improve the Fitbit Ionic, but the original software left a sour taste in my mouth after two units failed to work.
Apple HomePod delay
A prototype of Apple's new HomePod is
displayed during the 2017 Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) at
the San Jose Convention Center on June 5, 2017 in San Jose, California.
Apple's HomePod speaker was originally supposed to launch this year to take on the Amazon Echo and Google Home, but it apparently needs more time in oven. Bummer. It's one of the gadgets I was looking forward to trying most, particularly since Apple's promising a really great-sounding speaker that should work with iPhones, the Apple TV and more. It's now expected to launch in early 2018.
The Essential Phone
I love(d) the Essential phone,
but the product fizzled out pretty darn quick considering it was
developed by the co-creator of Android, Andy Rubin. While its hardware
was fantastic and its software great, Essential has reportedly struggled
to sell units of the device -- one report placed sales at just 5,000 units sold.
It didn't help that Essential delayed some colors, didn't push out
accessories fast enough and started by selling the phone as a Sprint
exclusive. Its Black Friday price at $399 probably should have been the
launch price. And now Rubin has taken a leave of absence from the company for personal reasons.