10 Tech Gadgets That Will Become Obsolete in the Next Decade
TL;DR: The rapid maturation of spatial computing and AI-driven integration renders standalone hardware like dedicated VR headsets and external smart home hubs unnecessary. These devices will be absorbed into multi-functional wearables and ambient intelligence systems, making their individual existence redundant by 2035.
The technological landscape is shifting from specialized hardware to integrated ecosystems. As processors become more efficient and connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 7 and 6G mature, the need for dedicated gadgets diminishes. Here are ten devices that are rapidly losing relevance due to these advancements.
The Decline of Standalone VR Headsets
Current VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 offer impressive immersion but suffer from social isolation and high energy consumption. With the release of Apple’s Vision Pro and similar spatial computing devices, the industry is moving toward mixed reality (MR) glasses. These new devices feature micro-OLED displays with a resolution of over 4K per eye and foveated rendering that tracks eye movement to reduce latency. Unlike bulky VR rigs, MR glasses allow users to see the real world while interacting with digital overlays. The industry impact is significant; manufacturers are pivoting from isolated gaming boxes to all-day wearable computers. Consequently, the standalone VR headset will likely become a niche hobbyist tool, replaced by lighter, socially integrated MR glasses that blend digital and physical spaces seamlessly.
The End of External Smart Home Hubs
For years, users relied on separate hubs to connect Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi devices. However, the latest generation of smart speakers and routers now include built-in Matter protocol support and multi-protocol radio chips. Devices like the new Amazon Echo Hub and Sonos speakers act as native bridges without requiring external hardware. The specification shift includes integrated 60GHz Wi-Fi 7 radios and dedicated Thread border routers. This consolidation means that the external hub is no longer necessary for most households. The industry impact is a reduction in e-waste and a simplified user experience. As AI assistants become more capable of directly managing device lifecycles, the physical bridge between cloud and local networks becomes invisible, embedded within the primary entertainment or communication device.
Physical External Hard Drives
While storage density continues to increase, the reliance on portable physical drives is waning. With 5G and 6G networks offering gigabit speeds, cloud storage is becoming faster and more reliable than local SSDs. Furthermore, new solid-state drives are reaching capacities of 16TB with read speeds exceeding 12,000 MB/s, making the need for multiple physical backups less urgent. The industry impact is a shift toward data sovereignty and encryption in the cloud. As edge computing processes data locally on phones and laptops, the need to manually transfer large files via USB-C cables diminishes. Physical drives will remain for archival purposes, but their role as primary storage for consumers will fade.
Traditional Smartwatches
The smartwatch is being challenged by smart rings and earbuds that offer similar health metrics with less bulk. Devices like the Oura Ring 4 provide continuous temperature, HRV, and sleep tracking with a battery life of up to seven days, outperforming many smartwatches. The form factor is more discreet, and the data is integrated directly into health ecosystems. As AI algorithms become better at predicting health issues from these metrics, the need for a large screen on the wrist decreases. The industry impact is a move toward invisible health tech. The smartwatch will likely evolve into a hybrid device, but its primary function as a health monitor will be usurped by more comfortable, always-on wearables.
Dedicated Game Consoles
The line between PC and console is blurring. With high-end handhelds like the Steam Deck and upcoming handhelds featuring 8-core Ryzen processors and 16GB of RAM, the need for a stationary console is decreasing. Cloud gaming services are also maturing, allowing 4K gaming on virtually any screen. The industry impact is a fragmentation of the gaming market, where players choose hardware based on portability rather than exclusivity. The dedicated console will not disappear but will become a premium
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