5 Concepts that Were Far Too Ahead of the Curve

Apps and technology accessories are nothing new to today’s consumer. In fact, with hundreds of apps releasing each month it is next to impossible to imagine there ever being such a thing as an app too far ahead of its time. Unfortunately, many app ideas released too far ahead of the curve and because of it, they failed. What is more interesting is the fact that many of these “ahead” apps were eventually replaced down the road by similar apps from competing companies.

Ahead of the technology curve

LG’s “iPad”

When a consumer hears the name “iPad” they go to Apple. What most consumers do not know is that nine years before Apple released their iPad LG Technologies had a Linux-based web pad that operated just like the Apple iPad. Unfortunately, LG’s version was clunky, slow and didn’t have the same features as the Apple version; thus, its failure.

Nokia Touchscreen Phone

Just like Apple doesn’t seem to deserve credit for the iPad, it seems they don’t deserve credit for the iPhone. Nokia has developed a touchscreen phone similar to the iPhone back in 2002, but their design never went past the prototype.

Google and AskJeeves

Remember the search engine AskJeeves? It was around for only about a year, but its search techniques were quickly soaked up by Google after its failure. Why did AskJeeves fail and Google prevail? AskJeeves did not have the technology it needed to stay alive in the days it was released.

Dodgeball.com

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Dodgeball.com? Dodgeball.com was a mobile, social networking site created long before people had Facebook or smartphones. Since people did not understand the point of staying up-to-date on friends and family during its release, the idea of a social networking application was pointless to consumers; thus it never launched into anything big.

LetsBuyIt.com

Budget-savvy shoppers are well aware of Groupon, but before Groupon there was the startup known as LetsBuyIt.com. Offering discounts on everything from fast food to clothing, LetsBuyIt.com had a good concept, but bad execution. Since the site focused on packaged goods from larger companies, without integrating local services, it couldn’t survive. Furthermore, LetsBuyIt.com came out long before the iPhone application revolution and social networking, which means there was no way to propagate its offerings.