In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, new devices quickly replace older ones, and often the once revolutionary devices are forgotten.
While we’re here, let’s take a nostalgic look back at 10 must-have products from the 1990s through to 2010 that are now all but forgotten.
1. Sony OLED Walkman

After the iPod revolutionized music, Sony’s OLED Walkman was the quintessential portable music player. Introduced in 2009, the Walkman offered a 2.8-inch, 400×240 OLED display experience that retained the color, brightness, and clarity of the LCD-screened iPod Nano. It also competes with the Creative Zen X-Fi.
2. Palm Pilot

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Palm Pilot was the go-to personal digital assistant (PDA) that managed your contacts, calendar, and notes and offered a glimpse into the future of mobile computing, but the rise of smartphones eventually made it obsolete.
3. Game Boy Camera

Released in 1998, the Game Boy Camera was an attachment for the original Game Boy that allowed you to take black-and-white photos and create simple animations. It was a quirky gadget that captured the hearts of many young gamers.
4. Polaroid Instant Camera

Polaroid instant cameras were a marvel of their time, capturing photos just minutes after they were taken. Despite a recent resurgence in popularity, the original model and its unique instant developing process are largely a thing of the past.
5. Sony Bloggie Touch Camcorder

Introduced in 2010, the Sony Bloggie Touch HD Pocket Camcorder is a compact, stylish handheld camera designed for high-quality video, photo capture and live streaming on the go. It features a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen for easy operation and playback. It features a 12.8 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor for recording up to 1080p HD video and taking vivid still images. With 8GB of built-in flash memory, Bloggie Touch supports sharing via Wi-Fi, HDMI mini and a flip-out USB arm for quick and easy uploading.
6. MiniDisc Player

Introduced in the early 1990s, Sony’s MiniDisc player was designed as a more portable and durable alternative to CDs. Despite its superior sound quality and recording capabilities, it never caught on widely, being overshadowed by MP3 players.
7. Sony Dream Machine (ICF-CL75iP)

Back when there was no Amazon Echo Show, there was the Sony Dream Machine (ICF-CL75iP), launched in 2009. It’s a multifunctional and stylish clock radio designed for bedside convenience. Its 7-inch LCD screen displays the time, photos, and videos, and doubles as a digital photo frame. The Dream Machine has a built-in iPod/iPhone dock for charging and playback, an FM/AM radio tuner, and 1GB of internal memory for media storage. Other features include dual alarms, a snooze button, and customizable alarm sounds for a personalized wake-up. Functionality and sleek design combine to make the Sony Dream Machine the ideal bedside companion.
See also: 26 Cool Reddit Gadgets Under $50, $100, $200
8. DVD Player

DVD players, introduced in the late 1990s, revolutionized home entertainment by offering a good alternative to VHS tapes with improved video and audio quality. Many models included additional features such as CD playback, MP3 audio compatibility, and digital audio output for connecting to surround sound systems. DVD players became essential for movie fans, offering a new way to enjoy movies with greater clarity and convenience.
9. Two-way pager

Before the age of mobile phones, pagers were essential for professionals who needed to be reachable at all times. Two-way pagers, which became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, were communication devices that could send and receive text messages, unlike traditional one-way pagers that could only receive messages. With a small keyboard and display screen, two-way pagers allowed for quick and portable text communication and became essential for professionals who needed to stay in touch at all times. With features such as email access, message delivery confirmation, and contact lists, pagers offered a glimpse into the future of mobile communications.
10. Zip Drive

In the mid-1990s, Zip drives were a popular alternative to floppy disks, offering much larger storage capacities. However, the advent of CDs, DVDs, and eventually USB flash drives quickly made Zip drives obsolete.
Once revolutionary, these gadgets now seem like fairy tales. They serve as a reminder of how quickly technology evolves, and how today’s cutting-edge devices may become tomorrow’s forgotten technology. Though these gadgets may no longer be in use, their impact on the development of modern technology is undeniable, and they hold a special place in the history of innovation.