These 9 Devices Might Be a Waste of Your Money

Sometimes it pays to buy slightly older devices in place of tempting deals on newly released tech. But that arroyo to buying electronics can only take you so far. Every bit today'due south gadgets become ever more than powerful and multi-purpose, at that place are some product categories that are nearing outright extinction and would make for giddy purchases. Some people may need the functionality of a betoken-and-shoot photographic camera, for instance, but for nearly a smartphone already covers everything they demand.

And then, earlier yous consider buying whatsoever of the items below, think long and hard about whether such a device is actually a redundant waste matter of your money.

one

GPS

When Google released Google Maps Navigation for Android information technology knocked 20% off the value of big turn-by-plough navigation players TomTom and Garmin in a unmarried day. Since and then, Google Maps has spread to other mobile platforms like iOS, and its accuracy and usability has improved.

Why would someone pay hundreds of dollars for something we all can get for free? Sure, at that place are weaknesses with Google Maps, such equally the demand for cellular service, but it's now possible to load up a map and directions earlier a journey. Standalone GPS devices simply don't offer enough extras to make them a worthwhile buy anymore.

Blu-rays Discs, DVDs, and Their Players

Where did you last see your VHS player? The garage? Or at a garage sale? Actually, who wants to ataxia their house up with more junk that will end up in the garage in a few years? Instead, with a media thespian, a decent Internet connexion, and a subscription to some streaming motion-picture show and Telly evidence services like Netflix, you can dispense with the need for a DVD or Blu-ray library. Collections are nice, but how many of your DVDs or Blu-rays do you lot honestly sentry more than than once?

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

The bespeak-and-shoot compact camera industry is another victim of the smartphone revolution. As a separate device, you lot've got to think to bring your meaty camera along if you desire to use it. Moreover, most cameras require users to plug into a computer to upload and access photos, although there are a few wireless options now.

Above all, basic meaty cameras no longer offer better specs over smartphone cameras: the Nokia Lumia 1020 32GB Windows Smartphone ($149.99 with complimentary aircraft, a depression past $49; two-yr contract required) boasts a 41-megapixel camera, and makes information technology easier to share photos because information technology's connected to the Internet.

Flash Drives

The cloud is here to stay and there'due south an impressive wealth of free deject storage out in that location. Set up multiple accounts and you tin can store everything you need on remote servers that you can access from anywhere. And while a flash drive might seem similar an easy solution for transmitting files to friends, many services offer such a utility without having even to hand out your password.

MP3 Players

Most of us accept already left a concrete music drove behind (see VHS histrion). Nosotros traded our CDs and tape decks for MP3 players, but these as well will be redundant soon. It'due south so easy now to maintain a digital collection online; all we need is a device that tin access it whether it exist a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or speaker system.

Handheld Gaming Consoles

Generally speaking, sales of the latest handheld gaming consoles are pitiful. The dedicated portable gaming industry has tanked, maybe considering handheld consoles and the accompanying games are expensive and their battery life is poor. And beyond employing better graphics, in that location merely isn't enough innovation or creativity in the industry: most people are content to play casual games and ports of old classics on their phones and tablets. Free-to-play games take fabricated gaming on-the-go cheap and accessible for the masses; while the PC and console game industries cater to the more serious gamer.

(Mainstream) Desktop PCs

People have been ownership overpowered computers for years. For every ability user who genuinely needs a cut edge PC, in that location are x people who will just surf the web, cheque their email, and occasionally play a coincidental game. For simple tasks, a tablet may offer a better user experience, take up a lot less infinite, and is more intuitive to utilize.

Now, of course, you know at TechSpot we live and swear past our multi-monitor setups, but this is more about the family unit PC years being over.

Handheld Camcorders

Video camera manufacturers take tried in vain to go on up with the digital revolution. For the everyday user, at that place's very little incentive to purchase an expensive video camera. The mass market for habitation videos is well-served already: many smartphones and tablets have Hard disk recording capabilities, and built-in software makes video easy to edit and share.

Alarm Clocks

That's right, even the humble alarm clock isn't safe from obsolescence. Why buy a standalone device that tells the time and plays the radio, when you already own 1 that does this and so much more than: your smartphone. No more random wake-up calls from that radio song that gets stuck in your head all day; instead, you lot can set a tune to wake up to from your own library.

Even nearly TVs have alarm functions now. These days, the only reason to buy an alarm clock is for the gimmick or décor factor.

Keep in mind that, despite our griping, there will still be reasons to purchase some of these items. But for the average tech Joe, avoiding them might be easier than you remember — resulting in some extra greenbacks in your bank to spend elsewhere.

Republished with permission. Simon Hill is a Contributing Writer at dealnews.
Header image via Shutterstock