大热倒灶的八大技术
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当苹果（Apple）10年前发布iPod时，许多人都认为它不会成功。不过如今，这种数字音乐播放器已经成为历史上最成功的消费性电子产品。 有些技术就没有这么好运了。以下八种技术曾被认为是新一代的热门技术，不过现在它们要么举步维艰，要么干脆销声匿迹。 |
When Apple unleashed the iPod a decade ago, many said it wouldn't go anywhere. Fast-forward and the digital music player has become one of the most successful consumer electronics devices in history. Other technologies haven't been so lucky. Here are eight that were heralded as the next big thing, but sputtered or just went nowhere. |
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Segway：取代汽车未遂的代步工具 如果一种设备光靠大肆宣传就能取得成功，那么迪恩•卡门发明的Segway一定能够占据一席。史蒂夫•乔布斯曾向《时代》杂志（Time）称，这种两轮踏板车的重要意义足以与PC机相提并论；风险投资家约翰•杜尔也说，Segway可能将在前所未有的短时间内赚到10亿美元；Segway则自称“将取代汽车，就像汽车取代马匹和马车一样。”不过最后的结果是，“得益于” Segway高达3,000到7,000美元的单价，许多人都对其望而却步。从2001年到2007年，该公司仅仅售出了3万台设备。 |
The Segway If a device could succeed on hype alone, Dean Kamen's Segway would have been a massive blockbuster. Steve Jobs told Time the two-wheeled scooter would be as big as the PC; venture capitalist John Doerr said it might make $1 billion in record time; and Segway itself promised it would "be to the car what the car was to the horse and buggy." Ultimately, thanks to a price range between $3,000 and $7,000, many people steered clear of it. The company only sold 30,000 units between 2001 and 2007. |
