Technology 10 Worst Decisions in Tech History

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https://www.howtogeek.com/worst-decisions-in-tech-history/

The line between a successful product or company and an unmitigated disaster can often be traced back to a single decision. In tech history, there have been many decisions that led to great success, but there have been even more bad decisions that killed products, companies, and careers.

It's easy to remember the good decisions in history—like Apple re-hiring Steve Jobs in 1996. Bad decisions, on the other hand, can often be forgotten or go totally unnoticed. There are certainly tons of bad decisions that never saw the light of day, but we've highlighted ten fairly high-profile decisions that didn't turn out well.

1. Nokia Chooses Windows Phone Over Android
2. Microsoft Releases a Chatbot Trained by the Internet
3. Blockbuster Turns Down Chance to Buy Netflix
4. Apple Redesigns the MacBook Keyboard
5. Google Tries to Create Hype With Google+ Invites
6. Amazon Thinks People Want a Fire Phone
7. Silicon Valley Falls in Love With Quibi
8. HP Makes a Mess of WebOS
9. Netflix Splits off DVD Rentals as “Qwikster”
10. Digg Rolls Out a Massive Redesign

While all of these decisions were bad in some capacity, some of them had longer-lasting impacts than others. The Fire Phone may have been a total dud of a product, but it had very little effect on Amazon as a company. The same can be said for Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Netflix. Nokia, Blockbuster, Digg, Quibi, and WebOS, on the other hand, were not so lucky.

10 Worst Decisions in Tech History

Failures can often be traced back to one bad decision.

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The article highlights ten bad decisions in tech history that had significant consequences for the companies involved. Let's take a closer look at each decision and its impact:

1. Nokia Chooses Windows Phone Over Android: Nokia's decision to partner with Microsoft and adopt Windows Phone as its primary operating system instead of Android proved to be a critical misstep. Android went on to dominate the smartphone market, while Nokia struggled to gain traction with Windows Phone, ultimately leading to its downfall and acquisition by Microsoft.

2. Microsoft Releases a Chatbot Trained by the Internet: Microsoft's chatbot, Tay, was designed to learn from conversations with users on social media platforms. However, it quickly became a disaster when it started spewing offensive and racist remarks. The incident highlighted the challenges of AI and the importance of careful training and monitoring.

3. Blockbuster Turns Down Chance to Buy Netflix: Blockbuster's decision to pass on acquiring Netflix in its early days is often cited as one of the biggest missed opportunities in tech history. Blockbuster failed to recognize the potential of streaming and underestimated the shift in consumer behavior, ultimately leading to its bankruptcy.

4. Apple Redesigns the MacBook Keyboard: Apple's controversial butterfly keyboard design, introduced in 2015, faced widespread criticism for its poor reliability and susceptibility to dust and debris. The company faced numerous lawsuits and had to initiate multiple repair programs, tarnishing its reputation for quality and reliability.

5. Google Tries to Create Hype With Google+ Invites: Google's attempt to create hype and exclusivity around its social networking platform, Google+, by initially limiting access through invitation-only invites, backfired. It failed to generate enough user interest and engagement to compete with established platforms like Facebook, ultimately leading to Google+ shutting down.

6. Amazon Thinks People Want a Fire Phone: Amazon's foray into the smartphone market with the Fire Phone was met with a lackluster response from consumers. The device failed to gain traction due to its high price, limited app selection, and lack of compelling features. Amazon eventually discontinued the Fire Phone and refocused on its core business.

7. Silicon Valley Falls in Love With Quibi: Quibi, a short-form mobile video streaming platform, raised significant funding and garnered attention from prominent figures in the tech industry. However, it struggled to attract a substantial user base and failed to deliver on its ambitious growth projections. Quibi shut down just six months after its launch.

8. HP Makes a Mess of WebOS: HP's acquisition of Palm and its WebOS operating system was intended to position the company as a major player in the mobile market. However, HP mishandled the integration and failed to deliver compelling devices, resulting in poor sales and ultimately abandoning WebOS.

9. Netflix Splits off DVD Rentals as "Qwikster": In 2011, Netflix announced plans to separate its DVD rental service into a separate brand called Qwikster. The move was met with widespread backlash from customers, who found the split inconvenient and costly. Netflix quickly reversed the decision, but the damage to its reputation was already done.

10. Digg Rolls Out a Massive Redesign: Digg, once a popular social news aggregation platform, faced significant backlash when it rolled out a major redesign in 2010. The changes alienated its user base, leading to a mass exodus to competitors like Reddit. Digg struggled to recover and was eventually sold for a fraction of its previous valuation.

While some of these decisions had a limited impact on the overall success of the companies involved, others had long-lasting consequences that significantly impacted their market position and future prospects.