Useful Sites Review: Killed by Tech

In our "Useful Sites Review" series, we explore Killed by Tech – a unique online graveyard for discontinued products and services from Apple, Google, and Microsoft. This site provides a comprehensive list of retired apps, hardware, software, and services, complete with descriptions and the years they were active. It’s an intriguing resource for tech enthusiasts and historians alike, offering insights into the lifecycle of various technological innovations.

 

Key Features

• Extensive Database: The site meticulously catalogs a wide array of discontinued products, from beloved gadgets to niche software.
   
• Historical Insights: Each entry provides a brief description, including the launch and discontinuation dates, allowing visitors to trace the lifecycle of various technologies.
   
• Categorized Listings: Products and services are neatly categorized by company, making it easy to navigate and explore specific interests.
   
• Anecdotal Value: Beyond just a list, the site offers a nostalgic journey through the tech world's past, sparking memories and discussions about the evolution of technology.

 

Why It's Useful

• Tech Enthusiasts: Gain insights into the rise and fall of various tech products.
   
• Researchers and Historians: Valuable for studying the technological advancements and market shifts over the years.
   
• Consumers: Understand why certain products were phased out and what replaced them.
   

How to Get the Most Out of It

To maximize your experience with Killed by Tech, consider the following tips:

1. Explore by Category: Start by exploring the categorized listings. Whether you’re interested in Apple products, Google services, or Microsoft software, navigating by category can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

2. Use the Search Function: If you have a specific product or service in mind, use the search function to quickly locate its entry and learn more about its lifecycle.

3. Compare with Current Products: Use the site as a reference to understand the evolution of current technologies. Compare discontinued products with their modern counterparts to appreciate advancements and improvements.

4. Engage with the Community: Many entries spark discussions and nostalgia. Join the conversation by sharing your own memories and insights about the products and services listed.

5. Utilize for Research: If you're a researcher or historian, take advantage of the detailed entries for your studies. The historical insights provided can be invaluable for academic and market research.

Compared with Other Sites

Killed by Tech stands out in several ways when compared to other similar sites:

1. Killed by Google: This site specifically focuses on discontinued Google products and services. While it offers a detailed account of Google’s discontinued projects, Killed by Tech provides a broader perspective by covering multiple companies including Apple and Microsoft.

2. The Museum of Failure: Unlike Killed by Tech, which focuses on a comprehensive list of discontinued products, the Museum of Failure showcases a variety of failed innovations from various industries. Killed by Tech is more specialized in the tech industry, offering deeper insights into the lifecycle of tech products.

3. Obsolete Technology Websites: There are numerous sites dedicated to obsolete technology, but they often lack the structured categorization and detailed historical insights that Killed by Tech offers. Killed by Tech’s meticulous documentation and categorization make it a superior resource for those interested in the history of tech products.

4. TechCrunch’s Deadpool: While TechCrunch’s Deadpool provides updates on startups and tech companies that have shut down, Killed by Tech offers a more extensive database that includes not just startups, but also established products from major tech giants.

Killed by Tech provides a fascinating snapshot of the ever-changing tech landscape. It's a reminder of how far we've come and how innovation is a constant cycle of creation and retirement.