As much as we like to celebrate products that improve our lives 2024not every release lives up to its potential. Some products we’ve been excited about have stumbled due to lackluster performance, questionable design choices, or an inability to live up to the high expectations they set.

A product doesn’t have to crash and burn to be a letdown. Sometimes, it’s enough to fail to live up to the hype. As we say every year, we’re not mad at these products – just disappointed.

Sony Bravia Theater U

Neck speakers have always been a niche alternative to traditional headphones. The idea is to wear it around your neck so that those nearby cannot hear what you are listening to. The bad thing about Sony Bravia Theater U so it sounds good—under the right, limited conditions. Those conditions require you to sit perfectly still like a statue, which is inconsistent with how most people naturally curl up and watch TV on their couch. For $300, you’d be better off buying a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your roommate, ensuring you can watch TV in peace.

Dell XPS 13 (2024)

The year Dell XPS The lineup should be a good series of laptops, either 13, 14, or 16 inches. The thin but strong frame remains remarkably quiet even under stress, and many models have bright, vibrant OLED displays. So, what’s the problem? The light-up, touch-sensitive function row. While we learn to live with—or even love—an invisible trackpad, it’s hard to appreciate an ESC key that disappears when the laptop is gone. Even worse, the touch-sensitive keys can fade in direct light, making it nearly impossible to find important controls like brightness or volume adjustment.

Apple Vision Pro

the Apple Vision Pro is the most technologically advanced VR headset you can buy today. It features some of the best displays available, making watching movies or experiencing new “spatial” content feel extraordinary. However, the device is not comfortable to use without third-party straps or headrests, mainly because of the metal and glass plate on the front. Slipping the power bank in your pocket adds to its inconvenience, especially if you want to use it for a quick spatial work session. The biggest drawback, however, is the lack of apps that make full use of its external sensors. While improvements are expected over time, it’s hard to overlook these shortcomings—especially at a price point of $3,500, where you’d expect Apple to prioritize usability.

Razer Freyja

We are captivated by Razer Freyja since we first saw it at CES in January. This sound-activated haptic chair promises truly immersive spine-tingling rumbles, and it delivers—even perhaps too well, as it also responds to the low rumble of a deep-voiced NPC. While it includes some game-specific haptic features, these effects rarely activate in some games, making it feel more like a novelty than a true tool for enhancement. to immerse. Another disadvantage is that it relies on a power outlet for the chair, which leaves a cable that is too convenient for the wheels of your chair. Overall, it’s an interesting device, but it’s still a generation (and some refinements) away from greatness.

Rabbit R1

Like the rest of the internet, we’re drawn to the beautiful orange and square Rabbit R1 when it was announced at the beginning of the year. The AI-powered companion device promises to do all this. However, when we got our hands on one, the $200 AI assistant struggled with even the most basic tasks. Its image recognition is wrong so I’m often asked if it has a camera, and its “all day” battery barely lasts a few hours. To Rabbit’s credit, the company has rolled out regular software updates for the R1 since its launch, but it still has a long way to go.

AirPods 4 With ANC

the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (ANC) should be a slam dunk, but the short battery life and loose fit make it hard to recommend them over the previous generation AirPods. While the addition of ANC is a welcome upgrade, it struggles to block out louder city sounds like horns and sirens. If ANC is a top priority, the AirPods Pro 2 are a better choice for those committed to the Apple ecosystem. Battery life on the AirPods 4 is even more disappointing; it won’t last an entire work day before needing a recharge.

MSI Claw

the MSI Claw launched at a bad time, entering a market full of impressive handhelds. Its design is reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally, but its ergonomics are poor, and the shoulder buttons are disappointingly spongy. While the handheld has received several updates to improve its performance, it still can’t compete with AMD’s Z1 Extreme-powered handhelds. To make matters worse, the $800 price tag feels high for what it offers.

Inside the VR Explorer Chair

The $800 Inner VR Explorer The chair is a perfect example of a great concept let down by poor execution. It’s a VR gaming chair designed to rotate in the direction you’re facing. In theory, it sounds immersive and exciting, but in practice, it feels more like a clunky carnival ride, constantly stopping and starting. The biggest drawback is that the Explorer doesn’t perform well in games that require more dynamic movement than just turning your head. While there are some interesting experiences in VR Explorer, it ultimately undermines what we love about VR: the freedom of movement.

Meta Ray-Bans

Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely love wearing mine Meta Ray-Bans. Not only are they stylish, but they’re also perfect for taking high-quality videos and photos in first person. In addition, it is a convenient way to listen to music or listen to your messages without taking out your phone. However, the big issue with the Meta Ray-Bans is the AI ​​features, which are hit-or-miss. They often give inaccurate or irrelevant answers to your questions or requests. We joke that smart glasses have a little “dad-brain” because of how confidently they give the wrong answer. Recently, Meta added a live translation feature, which is a nice addition, but it struggles to keep up when the speaker is speaking in another language.