Tech 2017: Biggest Fails, Scandals And Embarrassments
This year brought many tech innovations and products, like the iPhone X, virtual reality headsets and augmented reality on apps. However, the tech industry also saw failures this year.
Like all businesses, not all products or ideas succeed. The tech industry saw some of its gadgets fail to take off. Besides product failures, the sector was also plagued by scandals and congressional testimonies.
Here are the tech industry’s 2017’s top product flops and scandals:
Amazon Key
In late October, Amazon announced a new delivery method for Prime members which allows drivers to set packages inside customers’ home. The delivery system works with the Amazon Key In-Home Kit that is set up for $249.99. With the kit, users can select the “in home” option on the app and get their items delivered inside their homes. Prime members can receive alerts and can see the delivery happen in real-time through the app.
While the service was pitched to people who are too busy to shop, the delivery method was criticized on social media.
Moreover, a national poll conducted a few days after Amazon announced the service found 68 percent of Americans said they are not comfortable letting delivery drivers have access to their homes, while 53 percent said the idea made them “very uncomfortable.” Amazon wasn’t the only company criticized for the delivery method. Amazon rival Walmart announced a similar service in September and also freaked out customers.
HomePod Delay
Apple revealed its widely-rumored “Siri speaker,” officially called the HomePod, at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The company said the device would be available in December, but last month Apple said it was pushing back the release date. The Cupertino giant said the HomePod will start shipping in the US, UK and Australia early next year, missing out on the current holiday shopping season.
The 6.8-inch tall HomePod powered by Siri includes a high‑excursion woofer, seven horn-loaded tweeters, each with its own custom amplifier and a six-microphone array. The gadget will cost consumers $349, more than Amazon’s most expensive Echo device, the $229 Echo Show.
Google Pixel Buds
In October, Google announced the Pixel Buds, a competitor to Apple’s AirPods. The earphones can translate languages in real time and pair up to the new Pixel 2 smartphones. The $159 headphones did not do as well as expected, racking up bad reviews.
Essential Phone
Android founder Andy Rubin launched the Essential smartphone earlier this year for $699. However, the device was criticized for having a mediocre camera performance. Despite having a big name behind the device, the Essential failed to take off and the price was cut down to $499.
Uber Scandals
Uber started off the year and continued 2017 riddled with scandals. The ride-sharing company was criticized early 2017 over its actions after President Donald Trump introduced the travel ban. People went on social media using the hashtag #ｄeleteUber to denounce the startup. Shortly afterwards, an internal probe led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was launched after allegations of sexual harassment within the company surfaced. Uber was also affected by its legal battle with Waymo. The Alphabet unit claimed Uber benefited from self-driving car technology stolen from Waymo. Those scandals and other issues within the company led to the departure of its co-founder Travis Kalanick.
Facebook, Twitter And Russia Testify
In October, Facebook, Twitter and Google publicly testified before Congress for two days on Russia’s interference during the 2016 presidential election. The companies also went on the Hill to talk about steps to combat extremist content and fake news and ads from the Kremlin on their platforms.
Facebook told Congress in September it found $100,000 in ad spending from June 2015 to May 2017, which traced back to 3,000 ads that were created and pushed by Kremlin-linked trolls. The ads are believed to have reached as many as 126 million people in the United States. Meanwhile, Twitter said before testifying it discovered 22 acｃounts believed to be linked to Russian trolls. Those acｃounts led Twitter to other 179 related or linked acｃounts. Google said it found Russia-backed ads on YouTube, Gmail and Google Search. Google reportedly found 18 YouTube channels that were linked to Russian propaganda campaigns.
Equifax Hack
Credit reporting firm Equifax revealed that a massive data breach this year exposed personal information of more than 145 million U.S. consumers. The incident led to the resignation of Equifax chairman and CEO Richard Smith.
Article Source: http://uk.pressfrom.com/news/tech-science/-228321-tech-2017-biggest-fails-scandals-and-embarrassments/
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VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Augmented reality (n.) ~ a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view
2. Plague (v.) ~ cause continual trouble or distress to
3. Flop (v./ informal) ~ (of a performer or show) be completely unsuccessful fail totally
4. Freak out (v.) ~ o be or cause to be in a heightened emotional state, such as that of fear, anger, or excitement
5. Mediocre (adj.) ~ of only moderate quality not very good
6. Denounce (v.) ~ publicly declare to be wrong or evil
7. Propaganda (n.) ~ information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view
8. Breach (v.) ~ to make a hole or gap in break through
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Which of the controversies above have you heard of before? What do you know about them?
2. What are your thoughts on Amazon Key?
3. Do you think it's the responsibility of tech companies such as Facebook, Google, etc., to investigate the companies or individuals purchasing ads from them? Discuss your answer.
4. What is the biggest technology-related scandal that occurred in your ｃountry? Describe briefly.
