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As much as we love to celebrate products that improve our lives 2024Not every release lives up to its potential. Some of the products we were excited about resulted in us stumbling because of poor performance, questionable design choices, or an inability to live up to the high expectations they set.
A product does not have to crash and burn to be a disaster. Sometimes, simply failing to live up to the hype is enough. As we say every year, we’re not mad at these products—just disappointed.
Sony Bravia Theater U
Neck speakers have always been a great alternative to traditional headphones. The idea is to wear them around your neck so that people around can’t hear what you’re listening to. About the unfortunate thing Sony Bravia Theater U It sounds great – right, under limited conditions. These conditions require you to sit perfectly still like a statue, which doesn’t align with how most people normally sit on their couches watching TV. For $300, you’re better off buying your roommate a pair of noise-canceling headphones so you can watch TV in peace.
Dell XPS 13 (2024)
1971 Dell XPS The lineup should be a great series of laptops, whether 13, 14, or 16 inches. The slim yet sturdy frame remains impressively quiet under pressure, and several models have bright, vibrant OLED displays. So, what’s the problem? Light-up, touch-sensitive function row. While we can learn to love or even love an invisible trackpad, it’s hard to appreciate an ESC key that disappears when the laptop is turned off. Worse, the touch-sensitive keys can fade in direct light, making essential controls like brightness or volume adjustments nearly impossible to locate.
Apple Vision Pro
D Apple Vision Pro The most technologically advanced VR headset you can buy right now. It features some of the best displays available, making watching movies or experiencing new “local” content truly unique. However, the device is uncomfortable to use without a third-party strap or headrest, primarily due to its metal and glass front plate. Slipping the power bank into your pocket adds to its convenience, especially if you want to use it for quick spatial work sessions. However, the biggest drawback is the lack of apps that fully utilize its external sensors. While improvements are expected over time, these flaws are hard to ignore — especially at the $3,500 price point, where you’d expect Apple to prioritize usability.
Razor Freza
We are impressed by Razor Freza Ever since we first saw it at CES last January. This sound-activated haptic chair promises truly immersive spine-tingling sounds, and it delivers—albeit perhaps too well, as it also reacts to the low grunts of a deep-voiced NPC. While it includes several game-specific haptic features, these effects only activate sporadically in some games, making it feel more like a novelty than a real tool to enhance immersion. Another drawback is the reliance on the power outlet for the seat cushion, leaving a cable that is very easy to snag on your chair’s rolling wheels. Overall, it’s an interesting device, but it’s still a generation (and a few refinements) away from greatness.
Rabbit R1
Like the rest of the internet, we were mesmerized by the adorable orange and square Rabbit R1 When it was announced earlier in the year. The AI-powered companion device promises to do it all. However, once we got one, the $200 AI assistant struggled with even the most basic tasks. Its image recognition was inaccurate so it often made me question whether it even had a camera, and its “all-day” battery only lasted a few hours. To Rabbit’s credit, the company has been rolling out regular software updates for the R1 since launch, but there’s still a long way to go.
AirPods 4 with ANC
D AirPods 4 Including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) should have been a slam dunk, but the battery life and loose fit make them hard to recommend over previous-generation AirPods. While the addition of ANC is a welcome upgrade, it struggles to block out loud city sounds like horns and sirens If ANC is a top priority, the AirPods Pro 2 are a better option for those committed to the Apple ecosystem. The AirPods 4’s battery life is even more disappointing; It doesn’t last a full working day before needing a recharge.
MSI claws
D MSI claws Launched at an unfortunate time, entering a market crowded with impressive handhelds. Its design is reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally, but its ergonomics were awkward, and the shoulder buttons were disappointingly spongy. Although the handheld received several updates to improve its performance, it still failed to compete with the AMD handhelds powered by the Z1 Extreme. To make matters worse, the $800 price tag felt steep for what it offered.
Indoor VR Explorer Chair
$800 Inner VR Explorer The chair is a perfect example of a great idea let down by poor execution. It’s a VR gaming chair designed to turn your head. In theory, it sounds immersive and exciting, but in practice, it feels like a clunk carnival ride that stops and starts constantly. The biggest drawback is that the Explorer doesn’t perform well in games that require more dynamic movement than turning your head. While there are some interesting experiences with VR Explorer, it ultimately reduces what we love most about VR: freedom of movement.
Meta Ray-Bans
Don’t get me wrong – I really enjoy wearing mine Meta Ray-Bans. Not only are they stylish, they’re also perfect for capturing high-quality first-person videos and photos Also, they are a convenient way to listen to music or listen to your messages without having to pick up your phone However, the big issue with the Meta Ray-Bans is the AI ​​feature, which is hit-or-miss. They often provide incorrect or irrelevant answers to your questions or requests. We’ve joked that smart glasses have a bit of a “dad-brain” because of how confidently they give wrong answers. Recently, Meta added a live translation feature, which is a nice addition, but it’s hard to keep up when the speaker is speaking too fast in another language.
