We all know the thrill that comes with the unveiling of a so-called "next big thing." Sometimes, the excitement is justified—like when Apple debuted the iPhone in 2007, revolutionizing communication, music, and internet access forever. Fast forward to today, and it’s hard to believe we ever lived without it.

Yet, for every success story, there are countless flops that leave us scratching our heads, wondering how we ever bought into the hype. A curious redditor recently sparked a conversation asking, "What was supposed to be 'The Next Big Thing' but totally flopped?" The responses were both nostalgic and amusing, highlighting some unforgettable failures.

The Most Memorable Flops:

1. **Segway**: Remember the big reveal on *Good Morning America*? Everyone was buzzing about what it would be, and then… it was just a glorified scooter.

2. **Microsoft Windows Phone**: Despite Microsoft’s efforts, it never gained the traction that was expected.

3. **Google+**: Marketed as Facebook's biggest competitor, the platform saw a mass exodus from Facebook for about two days before everyone returned to the familiar.

4. **Virtual Reality**: This tech has come and gone multiple times throughout the years, but true widespread adoption seems to have eluded it.

5. **Google Video**: Initially seen as a fierce rival to YouTube, Google quickly realized its mistake and swooped in to acquire the leading platform.

6. **Microsoft Zune**: An ambitious attempt at taking on the iPod that ultimately failed, though some loyal users still cherish their Zunes today.

7. **Video Phones from ACN**: Long before smartphones made video calls mainstream, these devices flopped hard, quickly becoming obsolete.

8. **Olean Oil**: Marketed as the future of healthy eating in snacks, it came with some unexpected side effects, leaving consumers in discomfort.

9. **Sony MiniDisc**: A great idea at the time, it faded away as CDs became readily writable and cheaper.

10. **3D TVs**: Offering a visual adventure that never really caught on, audiences were left fumbling for clunky glasses and mediocre content.

11. **Augmented Reality Glasses**: Hype is still alive for these, with many believing breakthroughs are just around the corner.

12. **HD DVD vs. Blu-ray**: In a historic format war, HD DVD lost handily, leaving collectors with a trove of obsolete discs.

13. **Curved Screen TVs**: While they debuted with much fanfare, they quickly found themselves outshined by flatter models.

14. **Facebook's MetaVerse**: The name change seemed promising, yet many are still waiting for real substance.

15. **3D Movies**: Some were exceptional, but an abundance of poorly executed projects left audiences disappointed.

16. **MySpace**: Once the king of social media, it dramatically fell from grace.

These innovations remind us of the fickle nature of technology and trends. While the big promises attract our attention, it’s the reality that often leaves us bemused. What do you think will be the next big thing that possibly flops?