The most disappointing gadgets of 2024

As much as we love celebrating the products that have improved our lives 2024However, not every release lived up to its potential. Some products we were excited about faltered due to lackluster performance, questionable design choices, or an inability to meet the lofty expectations we set.

A product doesn’t have to crash and burn to be a disappointment. Sometimes, just failing to live up to the hype is enough. As we say every year, we’re not mad at these products, we’re just disappointed.

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Sony bravia u theater

Neckband headphones have always been a convenient alternative to traditional headphones. The idea is to wear it around your neck so that people near you can’t hear what you’re listening to. The unfortunate thing is Sony bravia u theater is that it looks great – under the right, limited circumstances. These conditions require you to sit completely still like a statue, which is not in keeping with how most people naturally spend time and watch TV on their couch. At $300, you might as well buy a pair of noise-canceling headphones for your roommate, ensuring you can watch TV in peace.

Dell XPS 13 (2024)

Sunnah Dell XPS The lineup was to be an impressive series of laptops, whether 13, 14 or 16 inches. The thin, sturdy frame remains impressively quiet even under pressure, and many models feature bright, vibrant OLED displays. So, what’s the problem? Illuminated and touch-sensitive function row. While we may learn to live with, or even love, an invisible trackpad, it’s harder to appreciate the ESC key that disappears when you turn off the laptop. What’s worse is that the touch-sensitive keys can fade in direct light, making locating basic controls like brightness or adjusting volume nearly impossible.

Apple Vision Pro

the Apple Vision Pro It is the most technologically advanced virtual reality headset you can buy right now. It features some of the best displays available, making watching movies or experiencing new “spatial” content feel truly unique. However, the device is uncomfortable to use without third-party straps or headrests, mainly due to the metal and glass front panel. Putting a power bank in your pocket adds to the hassle, especially if you just want to use it for a quick spatial session. However, the biggest drawback is the lack of applications that fully utilize external sensors. While improvements are expected over time, it’s hard to overlook these shortcomings — especially at a $3,500 price point, where you’d expect Apple to prioritize usability.

Razer Freyja

You captivated us Razer Freyja Since we first saw it at CES last January. A truly immersive rumble up my spine, this voice-activated haptic chair performs well – though perhaps too well, as it also reacts to the low rumble of a deep-voiced NPC. Although it includes many of the game’s haptic features, these effects only activate sporadically in some games, making them feel more like a novelty than a real immersion-enhancing tool. Another drawback is its reliance on a power port for the seat cushion, which leaves a cable very easy for your chair’s swivel wheels to snag. Overall, it’s a great device, but it’s still a generation (and a few improvements) away from greatness.

Rabbit R1

Like the rest of the internet, we were charmed by the orange color and the cool box Rabbit R1 When it was announced at the beginning of the year. The AI-powered companion promised to do it all. However, once we got one, the $200 AI assistant struggled to perform basic tasks. Image recognition was often wrong making me wonder if it had a camera, and its “all-day” battery barely lasted a few hours. To Rabbit’s credit, the company has been rolling out regular software updates for the R1 since its launch, but there’s still a long way to go.

AirPods 4 headphones with ANC

the AirPods 4 With active noise cancellation (ANC) they were supposed to be a hit, but the short battery life and loose fit make them difficult to recommend over the previous generation AirPods. Although the addition of active noise cancellation (ANC) is a welcome upgrade, it has difficulty blocking out louder city sounds like horns and sirens. If ANC is a top priority, the AirPods Pro 2 are a much better option for those committed to the Apple ecosystem. The AirPods 4’s battery life is even more disappointing; It is not enough for a full working day before needing to recharge.

MSI clutch

the MSI clutch It was launched at an unfortunate time, entering a market crowded with great portable devices. Its design was reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally, but ergonomics were awkward, and the shoulder buttons were disappointingly squishy. While the laptop has received several updates to improve its performance, it still can’t compete with AMD laptops powered by the Z1 Extreme. To make matters worse, the price of $800 was exorbitant compared to what he offered.

Roto VR Explorer chair

The $800 Roto VR Explorer The chair is a perfect example of a great concept let down by poor execution. It is a VR gaming chair designed to rotate in the direction in which your head turns. In theory, this sounds immersive and exciting, but in practice, it feels more like a heavy carnival ride, constantly stopping and starting. The biggest drawback is that Explorer doesn’t work well in games that require more dynamic movement than just moving your head. While there are some interesting experiences with VR Explorer, it ultimately undermines what we love most about VR: freedom of movement.

Meta Ray Ban

Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy getting dressed Meta Ray Ban. Not only is it stylish, but it’s also perfect for capturing high-quality first-person videos and photos. Plus, it’s a convenient way to listen to music or hear your messages without having to hold your phone. However, the big problem with Meta Ray-Bans is the AI ​​features, which can be hit or miss. They often provide inaccurate or irrelevant answers to your questions or requests. We’ve joked that smart glasses have a bit of a “smart mind” because of how confident they are in giving you the wrong answer. Meta recently added a live translation feature, which is a nice addition, but it struggles to keep up when a speaker speaks too quickly in another language.