2012 in Review: Tech Turkeys of the Year

Summary: And now, for your reading pleasure, the very worst from the tech world in 2012.

By Jason Perlow for Tech Broiler | November 11, 2012 -- 20:34 GMT (12:34 PST)

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Nexus Q

Among the various announcments at Google IO 2012 was this... thing. Dubbed the Nexus Q, it was a $299 streaming media device which ran Android that was supposed to compete with the Apple TV and Roku's steraming media player.

Rather than being a standalone device, the Nexus Q required an Android smartphone or tablet to control it. Compared with Apple and Roku's sub-$100 devices, it was also overpriced.

Google eventually decided that this product was so bad, that it decided not to launch it onto the public after the first round of reviews. Now that's a turkey.

Topics: Hardware, Mobile OS, Smartphones, Software, Tablets

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66 comments

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What about....

The iPad 3 and 4
iPhone 5

they sold unit but in terms of innovation and making products that apple see as "revolutionary" they suck crap

Benjamin Ong
11 November, 2012 21:54

Reply 1 Vote
- That they sold unit...
  
  Pretty much eliminates them as turkeys.
  
  jperlow
  11 November, 2012 22:00
  
  Reply 3 Votes
  - He has a point about iPad 3
    
    Using the same logic you used for the Lumia, iPad 3 is a Turkey too. It was discontinued only 6 months into its life cycle. For consistency sake, if your logic is at all sound, iPad 3 must be added to the list.
    
    gomigomijunk
    12 November, 2012 15:56
    
    Reply Vote
    - iPad 3
      
      Got an iOS 6 upgrade and is still supported. Lumia 900 was orphaned.
      
      jperlow
      12 November, 2012 16:44
      
      Reply 1 Vote
      - Not exactly true
        
        Lumia 900 gets the WP7.8, which Apple would call WP 8, but with little asterisks that list which features don't work.
        
        gomigomijunk
        12 November, 2012 23:38
        
        Reply Vote
      - Wow resizable Icons
        
        That's one hell of an upgrade. I find it funny the Microsoft trolls hae two seperate standards: If Microsift screws over current customers, it's the customer's fault. If Apple is percieved to do something close, then Apple is Evil!
        
        Troll Hunter J
        13 November, 2012 16:59
        
        Reply 1 Vote
- Agreed
  
  Although successful, in terms of amounts sold, the ipad3, iphone 5, and iOS6 (esp. apple maps), have started to change peoples opinions (that is consumers) of Apple. Id call that a turkey. Or maybe Tim Cook could be the turkey?
  
  lisport
  13 November, 2012 00:18
  
  Reply 1 Vote
Such a troll article.

My oh my, I bet beardy also walks around art galleries thinking he has a clue there as well.

Watch out for him if you're ever in one. He walks up to you, and talks utter drivel to you, whilst scratching his beard whilst wearing a smug look on face, totally oblivious to all those around him whom consider him clueless, and rather annoying.

Bozzer
11 November, 2012 22:25

Reply 1 Vote
- Beardy...
  
  That's a good one. Original as well.
  
  FWIW, my family has been in the art business for over 50 years.
  
  jperlow
  11 November, 2012 22:35
  
  Reply 4 Votes
- Dude
  
  Honestly man, trying contributing something worthwhile instead of this type of spiteful post.
  
  radsdau@...
  12 November, 2012 02:12
  
  Reply 4 Votes
  - Some people just don't like it when Android gets thrown
    
    in the trashed bin of 2012.
    
    You would think he was insulting a loved one.
    
    Or maybe he was...
    
    William Farrel
    13 November, 2012 01:31
    
    Reply 1 Vote
Android ICS

Fastest-growing version of Android to date.

ldo17
12 November, 2012 04:14

Reply 1 Vote
- ICS and Firefox don't belong on this list
  
  Safari goes on the turkey list way before Firefox.
  Nothing wrong with ICS, put the fragmented mobile carriers on the turkey list.
  
  warboat
  13 November, 2012 08:19
  
  Reply 1 Vote
  - Firefox is a turkey
    
    First, crappy decision to go on very fast incremental release numbers which originally broke add-on compatibility.
    
    Second, it really had stability problems, though it ain't as bad now as it was a few months ago my browser still hangs for up to 1 or 2 minutes now and then for no apparent reason and after opening and closing several tabs it becomes so slow I've got to close and reopen it to make good again... I'm running in on a Core2 Quad 2.5Ghz with 8GB of RAM with plenty of it free, Win7 64bit so the computer is not the issue.
    
    As for ICS, the issue is more with OEMs promising ICS and never delivering (HTC promised ICS for my Incredible S in February, my carrier promised it in July and everything got cancelled in August... So I'm still on Gingerbread even though I wanted to upgrade... Not important anymore, I'm switching to WP8 soon!
    
    lepoete73
    21 November, 2012 19:08
    
    Reply Vote
Carrier-Specific Nexus Device?

Sounds like a contradiction in terms. Maybe the real turkey in this case is the entire US mobile market?

ldo17
12 November, 2012 04:17

Reply 3 Votes
ICS

My Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 with dual core Exynos 1.4ghz processor, Super Amoled Plus display, was and is the flagship Android tablet that also was available with Verizon. My international 3g version received regional updates in Malaysia ONlY. iCS was released for the aversion version, but Samsung abandoned the rest of its customers around the globe.

This fragmented approach of upgrades with headline teased upgrade announcements with No DATeS just underscores why Apple reigns supreme in its ability to serve its customers.

flyguy29
12 November, 2012 06:27

Reply 1 Vote
Motorola Mobility

Was resurrected from the dead with the android. Quickly became a "B" player and started losing money each quarter as Samsung and HTC'S prospered through growth with multiple handsets on multiple carriers.
Motorola released a half finished Xoom product and since put ALof its chips into the Verizon basket by subjugating its remaining Jewel of a brand, Razr, underneath Verizon's Droid. Stranding its best handset and brand on Verizon, who seems to be more interested in promoting HTm Samsung, Nokia and now RIm in 2013, Motorola just doesn't seems like it wants to make money.
They recently announced that keeping Razr exclusive to Verizon is a good business model. Check your earnings for the past 2 years, Motorola.

flyguy29
12 November, 2012 06:32

Reply Vote
Nexus Fail

No wonder Google went with LG on Nexus 4 AND with T Mobile

flyguy29
12 November, 2012 06:33

Reply Vote
RIM

RIM is, by far, the biggest Turkey with everyone, dumb and smart, betting against their often delayed BBOS 10 handset. When it launches, the world will wonder why they threw money away on poisoned fish

flyguy29
12 November, 2012 06:37

Reply Vote
- And yet
  
  The the version 10 Balckberry will outsell Windows phones. So what's the biggest turkey?
  
  anothercanuck
  12 November, 2012 23:09
  
  Reply Vote