2024’s Biggest Tech Exits: Google, Meta, and Apple

The Tech We Lost...

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Remember when Google killed off Google+? Well, 2024 just said ‘hold on.

In an ever-evolving technological landscape, change is the only constant. But 2024 marked an unprecedented year of high-profile tech departures, with industry giants like Google, Meta, and Apple pulling the plug on products that once promised to reshape our digital future. From the quiet death of Google Podcasts to the premature farewell of Meta’s Quest Pro, this year’s major tech graveyard is filled with familiar names that many of us used daily.

What makes 2024’s tech extinctions particularly fascinating isn’t just the number of products that got the axe. However, the story they tell about our changing relationship with technology. Many of these ambitious projects failed or became obsolete because they couldn’t find their place in an increasingly crowded and demanding market.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll dissect the stories behind seven major tech products that bid farewell in 2024, examining why they failed, what their departures mean for consumers, and most importantly, what their absence tells us about where technology is heading.

The End of Google Podcasts (2018-2024)

When Google announced the departure of Google Podcasts, it was marking an end to more than just a serviceā€”it represented a shift in how consumers absorb audio content. Since launching as a standalone app in 2018, Google Podcasts has provided simplified podcast discovery and listening capabilities for Android users. 

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Google redefines the search, then pulls the plug on its podcast platform. Source: Everything Podcast

Given that its clean interface integrated effortlessly with Google Search, the service lured new podcast listeners as if by magic. However, the writing was on the wall when Google began pushing users toward YouTube Music as their preferred podcast destination. 

This consolidation reflects a broader industry trend where streaming platforms are becoming one-stop shops for all audio content. The migration period, which extended through 2024, gave users time to export their subscriptions, but regular Google Podcast users expressed disappointment at losing a dedicated podcasting platform.

Meta’s AI Celebrity Avatars

Meta’s elaborate effort with the AI-powered celebrity avatar was a perfect encapsulation of the tremendous opportunities and the pitfalls of artificial intelligence in social media. The celebrity avatars had been engineered to socialize and interact with users via unique personalized interfaces that push distinctions between originals and fakes.

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Metaā€™s avatars couldnā€™t outlive the hype. Source: Ad Age

It demonstrates the challenge of walking this fine line between technological innovation and real human interaction. As for privacy concerns and questions, such projects did not last that long. This experiment, while brief, offers valuable lessons about the complexities of digital identity and parasocial relationships in the age of AI.

Meta Quest Pro: (2020-2024)

A deep dive into what happened with the Meta Quest Pro from 2020ā€“2024 reveals a powerful case study on how the virtual reality market has developed. Then, the high-end $1,000 Quest Pro positioned itself as a premium VR headset for professionals and enthusiasts, with jaw-dropping specs and ambitious features.

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High hopes, but reality checked the price. Source: Road to VR

The mixed reality experience and eye-tracking technology represented the future Meta sees for work and social interaction.

But its high price point and the difficulty of getting companies to buy into VR in the first place proved too much. The discontinuation further signals that the premium end of the VR hardware market is limited, as both consumers and businesses continue to gravitate toward the lowest-cost (and lowest-risk) solutions.

This doesnā€™t mean doom for VR at large, but it does suggest that the techā€™s popularization may look different than originally thought.

Kindle Oasis (2016-2024)

The Kindle Oasis’s retirement after eight years (2016-2024) marks the end of an era in e-reader design. As Amazon’s premium e-reader, the Oasis set itself apart with its unique ergonomic design, physical page turn buttons, and premium build quality. Its water resistance and adjustable warm lighting made it a favorite among devoted readers.

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Amazon bids farewell to the Kindle Oasis after 8 years. Source: Business Insider

The discontinuation of Oasis shows how changing consumer preferences are impacting the e-reader market. While e-readers continue to thrive as dedicated products, the appetite for ultra-premium products has subsided because there are affordable options with rich feature sets. 

The loss of Oasis seems to imply that the e-reader market is being consolidated toward mid-range devices where functionality is balanced with accessibility.

Apple Pay Later

Apple Pay Later had a brief existence, and its ending shows the problems tech companies encounter when they try to enter the financial services market. The service was intended as a simple ā€œbuy now, pay laterā€ option built directly into the Apple ecosystem for users. 

apple pay later
Appleā€™s ‘Pay Later’ plan just didnā€™t add up. Source: Apple

Regulatory challenges, competition from incumbent financial services providers, and the complexities of credit management accelerated its downfall. This experience demonstrates that even tech giants must carefully navigate the highly regulated financial services sector. 

Jabra Elite Earbuds 

The departure of certain Jabra Elite earbuds shows that product’s intensely competitive nature of the audio market. Competing with established companies like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Bose, and other brands needs diligent efforts to stay ahead of the competition. Although Jabra had built a strong reputation for quality and innovation, the earbud market has become extremely competitive. 

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Jabra’s earbuds couldn’t outshine the competition. Source: Sound Guys

The decision to discontinue this model shows the challenging landscape of the audio market and constant price pressure. It also shows how products struggle to achieve a position in a market already dominated by established companies.

Google Jamboard (2016-2024)

Google Jamboard’s journey from 2016 to 2024 reflects the evolution of workplace collaboration technology. Jamboard launched as a hardware and software solution for modern workstations. It represents Google’s vision for interactive teamwork. The 55-inch digital whiteboard and cloud integration promise to revolutionize the way teams collaborate.

Google Jamboard
A bold idea that couldn’t stick in the remote work era. Source: The Keyword

However, the shift to remote and hybrid work models accelerated by global events has changed the landscape of workplace collaboration. The benefits of physical Jamboards have decreased as teams rely more on software-only solutions that do not require specialized hardware. This profile reflects how the demands of workplace technology are evolving beyond traditional hardware-based solutions.

The Broader Impact and Future Implications 

These product and service details for 2024 highlight several key trends in the tech industry:

First, we are seeing a clear move towards consolidation. Where standalone services are absorbed into the larger platform. Because Google’s podcast strategy includes Meta’s VR experience.

Second, the premium hardware segment is becoming increasingly challenging. As seen with the Meta Quest Pro and Kindle Oasis, consumers seem to be turning towards mid-range devices that offer good enough features at an affordable price.

Third, rapid technological change means that even well-designed products can quickly become obsolete if they do not keep up with changing user needs and preferences. 

Ultimately, these departures remind us that success in the tech industry requires more than just innovative technology. But it also requires careful attention to market changes. User behavior and economic survival.

Looking Forward 

As we bid farewell to these products and services, it is important to remember that discontinuity does not always signal failure. Lessons learned from these departures will no doubt influence future technological developments. 

For consumers, these changes highlight the importance of adaptation and not being overly reliant on any one technology solution. 

For companies, they emphasize the need to remain agile and responsive to changing market conditions while maintaining a clear vision of the future.

The tech graveyard of 2024 not only testifies to what we lost but also previews what we might gain as technology continues its relentless march forward.

Stay updated with the latest in techā€”follow Inside Tech World for news, trends, and insights.

FAQs

Why are tech companies like Google, Meta, and Apple discontinuing so many products?

Tech companies are continually adapting to market demands and shifting consumer preferences. Sometimes, products are discontinued because they no longer align with the companyā€™s future vision, face stiff competition, or fail to meet revenue expectations.

Will the discontinuation of these products affect my current device or service?

In most cases, existing users of these products will continue to have access to their devices or services for a while, but eventually, support and updates will end. Users may be encouraged to transition to newer alternatives.

What can we expect from the tech industry in terms of product development in 2025 and beyond?

The tech industry is likely to focus on consolidating successful technologies, enhancing AI capabilities, and improving user experience through more affordable, integrated solutions across platforms, with an emphasis on sustainability and privacy.

Will any of these discontinued products be revived in the future?

While itā€™s unlikely, some products may see a revival if thereā€™s a shift in consumer needs or a technological breakthrough. However, itā€™s more common for companies to rebrand or integrate features into new offerings.

What role do consumer feedback and market research play in the discontinuation of tech products?

Consumer feedback and market research play a crucial role in product decisions. If a product receives low adoption rates or fails to meet customer needs, companies may choose to phase it out, as seen with many of the products mentioned in the article.


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