In the tech world, not every shiny new product lives up to the hype. While some innovations genuinely revolutionize our lives—think the iPhone—others leave us wondering what on Earth we were thinking.

Recently, on Reddit, a user posed a fascinating question: "What was supposed to be 'The Next Big Thing' but totally flopped?" The responses poured in, revealing a treasure trove of forgotten flops. Here are some of the standout mentions that definitely deserve a second look.

1. Segway - The Overhyped Scooter

Remember the grand reveal on Good Morning America? Everyone was left guessing, only to be introduced to the Segway, which never quite took off.

2. Microsoft Windows Phone - A Missed Call

Despite initial excitement, it turned into the smartphone equivalent of a brick.

3. Google+ - The Facebook Rival That Didn't Make the Cut

For a brief moment, users flocked to Google+ before quickly returning to Facebook.

4. Virtual Reality - The Recurrent Comeback Kid

While virtual reality has a devoted following, it keeps cycling through bursts of popularity without ever fully breaking through.

5. Google Video - A YouTube Underdog

In a surprising twist, Google ended up acquiring YouTube instead.

6. Microsoft Zune - The iPod Contender That Couldn't

Some still cling to their Zunes, but the reality is it never stood a chance against Apple.

7. Handheld Video Phones - Before FaceTime Was a Thing

In 2006, ambitious companies pitched video phones that quickly became obsolete.

8. Olean Oil - The Tasty Chip Debacle

Marketed as a healthy option, it turned into a gastrointestinal nightmare for many.

9. Sony MiniDisc - The Short-lived Audio Storage

Promising rewritability before CDs became mainstream, MiniDiscs faded into obscurity.

10. 3D TVs - A Fashionable Fad

With glasses that made viewers look silly and a lack of engaging content, 3D TVs barely made a splash.

11. Augmented Reality Glasses - Waiting for a Breakthrough

Many still believe AR glasses will eventually thrive; it's just a matter of when.

12. HD DVD vs. Blu-ray - The Format Wars

When the dust settled, Blu-ray emerged victorious, leaving many HD DVDs in the bargain bin.

13. Curved Screen TVs - A Glimpse of Tomorrow?

These screens initially dazzled but quickly lost their appeal.

14. Facebook’s MetaVerse - The Company Name Change That Didn’t Transform

Rebranding didn't bring the success they hoped for.

15. 3D Movies - A Mixed Bag

While some flicks wowed viewers, most were lackluster and didn't save poor storytelling.

16. MySpace - The Social Network That Lost Its Relevance

Once the king of social media, MySpace ultimately faded into the background.

These examples remind us that even the most promising innovations can fall flat. As technology evolves, who knows what the next big flop will be?