Biggest Flops of 2010: From Google Buzz to WebOS and Beyond

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Failures are generally much more interesting than success stories. While the most popular gadgets are fawned over embarrassingly only until the next big thing comes out, big-time flops stand the test of time. They become legendary. The reasons for failure are just as interesting, too: a device can be way too ahead of its time, a solid idea with terrible execution, cursed by superior competitors or unreasonable hype, or just plain awful. Here are 20 tech failures from the past year, running the gamut from ignored to outdated to overhyped to unlucky. --Senior Editor Tim Moynihan Top Story The 20 Biggest Tech Failures of 2010 You can't appreciate the highs without looking at the lows. Here are 20 of this year's biggest failures in consumer technology. Spotlight on Geek Tech Working Tron Lightcycle Can Now Be Yours, for a Price Do you love motorcycles? Do you love Tron? If so, Parker Brothers Choppers have the ride for you--a working, street-legal Tron Lightcycle replica. Browse this week's Geek Tech. Download of the Week But That Was Yesterday This highly abstract yet effective short game is worth a look...and perhaps some pondering. Fun & Games The Video Games and Gear of Christmas 2010 The final video games of 2010 are making their way to stores at last, which means it's time to name our favorite holiday game and gear buys of the year. Places for Fun Stuff on PCWorld.com Fun and Games Downloads Shop for Video Games and Hardware PC World videos Top 5 Products of the Year Readers choice! Take our Facebook poll and tell us your top 5. Vote here. Advertisement Get BlackBerry® Enterprise Server Express for Free The power behind the world-class BlackBerry experience is now free. Provide mobile solutions across the organization without sacrificing security and manageability.Download Now. » Most Popular Searches Windows 7 iPad Reliability & Service Downloads Kindle Product Reviews Epson Artisan 725 Arctic Edition 84 Pros Cheap ink; Fast performance; Prints on specially coated CD/DVD media Cons Text and graphics printed on plain paper look faded Read Complete Review » Top Printers for Photos » Best Bargain Printers » Top 10 Inkjet Multifunction Printers » Canon Pixma MG8120 85 Pros Cool-looking control panel built seamlessly into top; Exceptional text output; Wireless connectivity Cons Expensive purchase price; No automatic document feeder Read Complete Review » Top Printers for Photos » Top 10 Inkjet Multifunction Printers » Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 85 Pros Ultra-wide-angle lens with F2.0 aperture; Macro mode lets you get extremely close to subject; Very fast autofocus and quiet zoom motors; Superior video capture and manual video controls; Manual controls for aperture, shutter, and focus; Very sturdy build quality; Attractive, classic aesthetics; Superb button layout for accessing manual controls Cons Intelligent Auto mode produces underexposed images; Some camera settings are buried deep in menus; Limited optical zoom range Read Complete Review » Top High-End Cameras for the Holidays » Top Point-and-Shoot Cameras With Manual Controls » Best Point-and-Shoot Cameras for Shooting Video » Get Big Savings When you Shop at PCWorld.com Shop online at PCWorld.com, where you can compare product information, read trusted reviews, and find the best prices on consumer electronics. 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Share: Google CR-48: First Look at the First Chrome OS Laptop Googles prototype Chrome OS computer delivers little more than the companys browser in a box. Share: Best Printers for Photos You don't have to splurge for a dedicated photo printer to produce great pictures. This collection of printers for photo buffs includes multifunction printers along with a few specialized photo printers. Share: Android 2.3 (aka Gingerbread): Hands-On Gingerbread isnt as big an update as Froyo was, but you'll find some useful new features and nifty enhancements throughout the newest Android update. Share: Downloads: Editor's Collection Downloads to Lighten Your LaptopHacked off about hackers? Reaching too far for Wi-Fi? Drained by low-battery worries? These free and low-cost downloads for your laptop let you stop stressing and enjoy your notebook PC again. Hotspot Shield   705441 Downloads  |  Free  |  Filed Under Internet Tools Keep yourself safe at public hot spots--for free. 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