World's Most Overrated Gadgets and Technologies

by Tom Samiljan — Oct 7th 2008 at 1:45PM

Technology usually promises to change our lives, but all too often the gadgets we buy or the services we use just don't seem to live up to their original claims. Either they simply don't deliver or fall just short of the mark. It's not just random gizmos we're referring to -- plenty of brand names are guilty of overselling their excellence. So we've compiled a list of what we think are the most overrated gadgets, technologies, or sites out there right now. If we've missed anything, let us know in the comments -- we'll be sure to add stuff the next time we hit this perennial topic.

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Tags: features, top

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Fred said 2:21PM on 10-07-2008

Enrages us? Enough of the hyperbole, especially with so much going on that really does and should enrage us. It is, though, mildly amusing watching all those folks walk about with those things clipped to their ears, talking non-stop...though some probably really do need it.

rosullivan1 said 7:29PM on 10-07-2008

And think of all the jealous homeless people--for they were the only ones who looked like they were talking to themselves.

strawn40 said 1:13AM on 10-08-2008

To me if you don't like the Bluetooth headsets your dumn. The M-710 is the best one to get for the price. Everybody that drives while talking to the phone is Dumn for not having it and using it while driving. It's very light and you can forget you have it on it's so light. Since I've been using on for over two years now I'll be lost with-out. Just like the way we feel about our computers. To me there should be a LAW that makes ALL DRIVERS to have them while DRIVING!!!!

DANIEL GOMEZ said 2:43PM on 10-07-2008

AMEN TO THAT!! AS AN AVID M/C RIDER IT IS THE DUMB F**K ON THE CELLPHONE UP TO HIS/HER LEFT EAR THAT WILL EVENTUALLY SIDESWIPE ME AT 70 MPH. HAVE YOU NOTICED THE DELAY IN REALIZING THE LIGHT HAS CHANGED BECAUSE THEY ARE INVOLVED IN AN ARGUMENT OR LAUGHING ON THE CELLPHONE, NOT TO MENTION NOT BEING ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR LANE OF TRAFFIC OR MAKING A SPLIT SECOND DECISION TO TURN BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T REALIZE THE WERE APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION OR EXIT.I COULD GO ON ABOUT THIS BUT I GUESS THE POPULATION HAS TO BE THINNED OUT BY SOMETHING.

RL said 2:47PM on 10-07-2008

Last time I checked,the word you were searching for was spelled "dumb".....Not dumn!

Jolie said 6:08PM on 10-07-2008

Strawn40 is so Dumn they can't even spell it. "Dumn" is spelled DUMB. I think Bluetooth gadgets look like a big roach on your ear. I would never wear one!

sarah said 6:20PM on 10-07-2008

Ummmm....strawn40 ....it's spelled DUMB!! Not dumn. I think you need to stop wearing your bluetooth headset so much.

DANIEL GOMEZ said 2:44PM on 10-07-2008

I FOR ONE AT AGE 64 YRS. AND AFTER 30+ YRS. OF RIDING A MOTORCYCLE NEED THE BLUETOOTH IN ORDER TO HEAR AND FOR HANDSFREE COMMUNICATION. I OFTEN REALIZE THAT PEOPLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF ME THINK I AM TALKING TO MYSELF OR TO THEM. I DO NOT DO THIS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME NOR UNNECESSARILY AND USUALLY ONLY WHEN I HAVE RECEIVED A CALL AT AN INCONVENIENT TIME THAT DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO HOLD THE PHONE TO MY EAR. IT IS A TRICK TO KEEP THE EARPIECE ON ESPECIALLY WITH LONG HAIR AND I OFTEN FORGET IT IS THERE KNOCKING IT OFF MY EAR WHEN FOOLING WITH MY HAIR OR PUTTING ON SUNGLASSES.FOR ME IT IS A VERY WELCOMED GADGET. I AM ALSO A SANTA CLAUS AND I TELL CHIDREN IT IS A DIRECT LINE TO MY ELVES.

amy said 2:41PM on 10-07-2008

I have to use a bluetooth. I'm in a wheelchair, and when I'm out and about, I can't hold the phone to my ear and still push my chair. If it makes people angry, then so be it.

Tiny said 2:43PM on 10-07-2008

If you have to talk on a cell phone when driving in California, the law requires every driver must use the Bluetooth. This became law beginning of July of this year. It is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents in California. Since July, there have been 20,000 tickets issued to drivers talking on the handset w/o use of the bluetooth. Teenagers cannot use cell phones, be it Bluetooth or otherwise while driving. At first I thought the new law was senseless, but I understand. Now I'm so used to it that my wife has to remind me to take it off when I'm not driving.

Lu said 8:36PM on 10-07-2008

actually, the California law doesn't say you must use a bluetooth when telephoning while driving. what it says is you must use a handsfree device. there are others besides bluetooth.

Marie said 3:02PM on 10-07-2008

To be direct...I don't think enough research has been done to have such equipment "attached" to the head. If putting it by a TV Etc. causes static, you can't argue that it has to be doing "something" to the physcial side. No thanks. I'll leave my phone off and check the messages later!

Mello said 5:05PM on 10-13-2008

STOP TYPING IN ALL CAPS TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS.

ray phillips said 4:32PM on 10-07-2008

The bluetooth cellular device is really nice to have when you have to talk and drive alot, but most people who use them on a regular basis feel that they have to use them all of the time. I work with people who use them religiously, and I wouldn't be supprised if they slept while wearing one. I appologize to those who use them correctly,but to those who walk around all day with one talking non stop, wake up get a life losers.

yoadrian1974 said 4:37PM on 10-07-2008

How about someone wearing the device all the time thinking that they are so important, It looks ridiculous when someone has it as a fashion accessory. Use it when you drive silly fools

Amy said 3:16PM on 10-07-2008

It's all fine and good if you can do that. It's not something I can do. I have to have my phone turned on and readily available at all times.

Lil said 12:04AM on 10-08-2008

Don't we have better and more important things to be concerned about than whether we like using a bluetooth or not? Yeah I think they are abnoxious, however, they are a necessity these days...I know, what did we do before cellphones? oh yeah we had beepers and we had to stop the car, find a public phone, and call the number back...yeah, there used to be these things called "public phones" and people used them to call other people when they were away from a telephone at home or the office...and what did we do before beepers? oh yeah, we waited to get home to listen to our messages on the answering machines...oh wow, remember answering machines?...anyway, my point is, since our cell phones are attached to our hips these days, use a bluetooth when you are driving, or use one of those headset things that attach to your cell phone with a wire, but don't hold your phone while driving and become a statistic :)

startingover said 4:07PM on 10-07-2008

Maybe I am mistaken, but the people laughing during phone calls or arguing while driving will be just as preoccupied when the light turns red at an intersection, whether they are holding a cell phone in one hand or not. It is the idea of being engaged in something else while driving. There are just as many "multitasking" accidents caused by anyone not fully paying attention to the road. I at least agree with teenagers not being able to use either while operating a vehicle. While I do see the benefits of a bluetooth, it just seems that it gives people more reason to do something that before was more socially unacceptable whether it be talking on the phone at the dinner table in a restaurant or interrupting someone else's conversation for the sake of being convenient. At least having a cellphone ringing and excusing yourself from the table or the room was polite, where as many of the bluetooth users don't seem to look at the situations the same anymore and feel comfortable just staying put. I have to say it is annoying when you are in mid-conversation and start to get responses that don't quite make sense only to realize that one person has clicked to a headset phone call and is carrying on with someone else.

timmy said 3:40PM on 10-07-2008

last time i checked.. it was ILLEGAL to drive WITHOUT a bluetooth on.. and you CAN be not ponly pulled over ONLY for that, but they can ticket and fine you as well.

they may look "dorky" but they save lives. whoever wrote this article is a freakin moron!

Christina said 5:42PM on 10-07-2008

Timmy,It's only illegal in certain states to drive without a Bluetooth. Not all states have such a law in place.

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