Oakley Thump

2004-2007

Of all the different types of technology, wearable tech seems to be especially prone to failure. With Thump, the sunglasses brand Oakley claimed to have created a new product category they called ‘digital music eyewear.’  Thump was a pair of sunglasses with a built-in MP3 music player, and its advanced design allowed the shades to flip up for use indoors. Reviewers were impressed with the sound quality but not much else. Besides being ridiculously expensive at $500, they were hideously ugly. Had the shades not been so embarrassingly awkward, they might not have flopped.

Additional info:
Wikipedia
Engadget.com – a review,
Engadget – Oakley’s relentless pursuit of fail
Gizmodo – Worst Gadgets of the Decade