Vaporware

Vaporware is a term used to describe computer software, hardware, or other related products that have been announced but never released. The word was first used in the 1980s to describe the practice of advertising a product that doesn’t actually exist, in order to sway customers to buy something else instead.

Such products may never see the light of day due to a lack of resources or an inability to meet the promised release dates. Vaporware may also be withdrawn from the market due to technical difficulties. This may occur after substantial resources have already been invested in the product’s development.

Vaporware has become an increasingly common practice in the modern tech industry, with many companies now announcing products long before they are actually finished. This often leads to disappointment and frustration for customers waiting for the product to be released.

The term “Vaporware” is now commonly used to describe a range of situations, from products that experience indefinite or extremely long delays, to products that are announced and then never fully materialize. Its modern uses have led to the creation of a variety of derivatives, such as “hopium” (products that generate consumer confidence but don’t live up to expectations) and “vaportext” (marketing campaigns that promise features that do not exist).

Regardless of the situation, vaporware products ultimately fail to deliver on their promises and can create a negative impact on consumer confidence. Therefore, it’s important for developers to be aware of the risks associated with announcing products before they are ready.