Top 5 Useless Gadgets

Technology is not always beautiful; sometimes it is non-understandable. Everything made out of technology is not a wonder of science. Sometimes we come across such gadgets that seem so useless that we are left scratching our heads and wondering, “Why on earth was this thing needed? What drove anyone to build such an insignificant piece of machinery? Was the world incomplete without this good-for-nothing device?” We are never given any replies to satisfy our queries. Let us have a look at few such gadgets which are dumb and insignificant, and should have never been made public.

1. DigitalConvergence CueCat (2000):

CueCat was a bar code scanner made to look like a cat. The procedure included plugging the cable into one’s PC, scanning the bar code that had been printed in an ad in a newspaper or a magazine, and this would take the user directly to that product’s website.

It was made to make web search easy regarding products that were being advertised; but we do not find it easy, do we? Perhaps the maker found it too hard to type www.nike.com. Anyhow, numberless pieces were mailed to subscribers of different newspapers and magazines. The company used this cat to collect personally identifiable information about the users, too. The company was neutered in 2001 luckily.

2. Windows CE 1.0 Devices (1996):

It was the first step taken by Microsoft towards minimizing the computer to the size of handheld devices. Unfortunately, the device was good for nothing. It did not work with Microsoft Outlook that had been released shortly, nor was it compatible with any non-Microsoft PIM or e-mail client.

Win CE 1.0 devices were replaced by Win CE 2.0 devices which were in fact the pioneers in pocket PCs and WinMo cell phones.

3. Nokia N-Gage (2003):

Nokia is indeed the giant of mobile phone world, but it doesn’t imply that it will retain the position in gaming world too. This device was made out of an attempt to introduce mobile phone functionality into gaming console.

The attempt helplessly failed; price was high, less game titles were available and it looked…errr…obnoxious!!! Try to find out name of the genius who invented such a wonder!

4. Fast Finger Keyboard (2009):

These keyboards give you two options; the typical QWERTY layout (printed in red on the keys) and ABCDEF layout (printed in white on the keys).

Press the ABC button and the white layout will start; press it again and QWERTY layout begins. Some pretty useless acronym shortcuts have been placed with function keys like ASAP (as soon as possible), BRB (be right back), BTW (by the way) etc.

5. USB Finger Dance Mat (2007):

Its party time; at your desk! This was a 4 by 4 inches dance floor. Users had to slip their fingers through the holes made at leg-points of cardboard figures; either a flash dance girl or a disco boy. Now, all the user had to do was to plug the device into PC and follow the flashing lights of the little dance floor. Fun; but what if you were caught doing such a weird act?

So readers, this was all about the top unthinkable and absurd creations on the world of technology. I hope the makers had gotten a lesson and will never try to make such horrid gadgets.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: cuecat, fast finger keyboard, gaming console, microsoft, nike, nokia n-gage, usb finger dance mat, win ce 1.0 devices, win ce 2.0 devices, winmo cell phones