#ThatWas2017: Biggest technologies that died in 2017
2017 saw the development and introduction of some wonderful new technologies. However, like in all other spheres, old ways have to make space for new ones, and 2017 too saw some big technologies which got "killed". Many of these technologies were once integral to our lives, but have now been replaced by better technology. We look at some of the biggest ones.
Microsoft pulls plug on Windows Mobile
Microsoft finally admitted defeat in 2017 and acknowledged that Windows phones had run their course. In a series of tweets, Microsoft senior executive John Belfiore announced that the tech giant had stopped developing new features or hardware for Windows Mobile. However, Belfiore assured customer that extant Windows Mobile devices would continue to receive support in the form of security updates, bug fixes, etc.
Microsoft kills Kinect, the motion sensing gaming accessory
The second major technology which Microsoft scrapped in 2017 is the Microsoft Kinect, the motion sensing device for gaming consoles like the Xbox 360 and the Xbox One. Microsoft Kinect made its debut in 2010 and, in 2011, went on to become the world's fastest selling consumer device of the year. It even made a new Guinness World Record at the time.
Apple bids farewell to the iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano
This year, Apple bid a quiet farewell to two of its biggest selling products of all time - the iPod Shuffle and the iPod Nano. Variations of Apple's iconic MP3 player, the iPod, the stripped down and affordable iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano had been extremely popular devices. However, both were discontinued as they lacked internet capabilities, and hadn't been updated in two years.
Google shuts down its ambitious AR app project
Earlier this year, tech giant Google announced that it was "turning down" one of its most ambitious projects ever - Tango. Google launched Tango in a bid to reinvent smartphone cameras. Tango allowed app developers to develop augmented reality-based apps for Android devices. The search giant pulled the plug on Tango in March 2017.
Google shuts down Chrome apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux
In December this year, search giant Google shut down another service. Google pulled the plug on the "app" section of its Chrome Web Store for Windows, Mac, and Linux versions of Chrome. The section is still available on the Chrome OS. Google announced to app developers that although previously installed apps would work, the functionality would be removed in the first quarter of 2018.
3D TVs don't fascinate people anymore
Despite all the craze surrounding 3D TVs a few years back, the technology seems to have lost its charm. In 2017, big TV brands like Sony and LG pulled support for 3D technology in their televisions. Samsung had already dropped support for 3D technology last year itself. In addition, other companies like Sharp and TCL didn't announce any new 3D TVs at CES 2017.
Nintendo ships the last of its NES Classic Edition consoles
Another major gadget to die this year is the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES Classic Edition). In an earlier statement to IGN, Nintendo of America (NOA) announced that the last shipments of the NES Classic Edition console would be available in NOA territories throughout April 2017. The company apologized for the limited availability of the console and thanked customers for their "incredible level" of support.
AOL shuts down its two decade old instant messaging service
AIM, the pioneering instant messaging service by AOL also shut down in mid-December this year. The once popular instant messaging service shut down on 15th December, after running for 20 years. Once the leading instant messaging service, AIM's popularity started declining steeply since the mid-2000s after the advent of social media websites like Facebook and Twitter.
