Biggest ‘Tech Failures 2016’: List Includes Smartphones, Drones, A Spacecraft Explosion, Features And More

By Jeff Thompson - 24 Nov '16 17:52PM

The year 2016, was great for tech products. People saw a number new and innovative devices including Microsoft Surface Studio and Surface Dial, Apple Touch Bar, Amazon Alexa among others. The year also saw some tech failures; a number of tech failures in 2016 have really impacted the firms and even the industry as a whole.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - The biggest tech failure in the list is Samsung Galaxy Note 7 with its withdrawal and kill off has created a big loss to the manufacturer. The phone when introduced, regarded as a tech innovation, but things went south when the phone started catching fire. Samsung did damage control and recalled it citing faulty batteries. When the replacement also started exploding, it went away from the producer's hand and the device finally killed off.

Samsung has killed the Galaxy Note 7 and it could cost them $17 billion pic.twitter.com/1zFYB2fcMa

— Business Insider (@businessinsider) October 11, 2016

Space X Launch Pad Explosion - It was really a shock for the space technology industry as Elon Musk's ambitious mission exploded at the launch pad. The reason for SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket explosion is still not identified but rumors are spreading that it was an attack by "aliens" and a video plotting the same became viral on the internet

Falling GoPro Karma drone - The drone priced at $1100 was intended to take the photographs from the air. The device got a good take-off immediately after its release and the product sold a good number. But things changed when the device became uncontrollable at mid-air. The drone was recalled within 2 weeks of the launch.

360 Degree VR cameras - It didn't matter who the manufacturer was, people found it less useful and it still needs a breakthrough. Be it, Nikon KeyMission 360, Ricoh Theta, Samsung Gear 360 the verdict is no different and future innovation may change the destiny these devices. Another one to tech failures 2016 list.

Incentivized Reviews in Amazon - This tech failure is actually a feature given to sellers by Amazon for getting more reviews. The sellers actually exploited it and filled the product pages with fake reviews. It made a hit to Amazon business as people started doubting the ratings of the products. Finally, Amazon said goodbye to the program and sued the sellers. Per the latest information, the firm is deleting "incentivized" reviews.