What are the worst gadgets you've ever owned?

Some gadgets are bad. Those that are bad also usually happen to be cheap. But what do you do when gadgets touted to be the next big thing turn out to be crap as well? You are angry, frustrated.

That mismatch between manufacturer’s promises and/or the hype around devices on one hand, and the actual device on the other is the most infuriating one. 

And if you happen to have only fully realized your mistake after the return period for such a device has passed, you are left with nothing to do but feel sorry. Not anymore - here is a place to pour all your gadget anger. Share it with us - what are the worst gadgets you have ever owned? Devices that were supposed the killer of you-know-what, but killed more of your nerves than anything else.

We could not resist the urge and have got 10 suggestions of our own. You may disagree. You may also re-order them. You may have only held them for a while (let us know you have not owned them, though!). In either case, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

What are the worst gadgets you have ever owned?

1. BlackBerry Storm

The BlackBerry Storm was supposed to be the iPhone killer from BlackBerry. Well, should we say it was an epic fail? It was for a number of reasons of which we’ll only mention a resistive touch screen and no Wi-Fi connectivity. And if you want to feel like you are living in a parallel universe you can go back in time and look up articles theorizing on why it will kill the iPhone.

2. Microsoft Kin

The Kin is probably the most obvious example of a failed phone. It was so terrible Microsoft actually pulled it. Recently, we got to know that internal testing agreed unanimously that this phone is horrific. Still, Microsoft released. Why? We’ll never know.

3. Nokia N97

Ever wondered where it all started slipping for Nokia? If you say Nokia N97 you’d be spot on. After the impressive, very strong Nokia N95, the N97 was a bulky device that came with a record 32GB storage and a large screen. That sounds good, but Symbian just was not ready and froze, and froze on this device. Well, at least with its weight and size, now you can use the N97 as a brick and example of how not to do a flagship.

4. Dell Streak

Speaking of bricks, the Dell Streak, a 5-inch tablet (ah, the irony! now that would be just a normal phone), was a huge misunderstanding. It was so bulky you’d never want to consider using it as a phone. It looks like ancient history now, but it was release merely two years ago in 2010.

5. Motorola ROKR

Before the iPhone, there was the Motorola ROKR. The original Apple phone. It did not have a touchscreen. It did not have iOS. Actually, it was such a typical, underwhelming phone it never took off.

6. Nokia N-Gage

If you really get nostalgic and look into the past, you’d encounter the Nokia N-Gage. For its time, it seemed to have potential. It was all about advanced games (for the time). On a mobile phone. Mind-boggling. It cost a fortune, though. And it required you to shut the device down to change a game cartridge (an MMC card).

7. BlackBerry PlayBook

You know what, the BlackBerry PlayBook isn’t downright terrible. It’s a $170 tablet after all. But do you remember how much did RIM ask for it at launch? $500. Yes, that total mismatch between price and functionality is what justifies its place right here. Oh, and the lack of email and calendar on a $500 tablet for almost a year.

8. Kyocera Echo

The Kyocera Echo is a weird phone. It opens like a clamshell phone (only the hinge is on the side, not on top), and you end up with two touch screens. But when closed this thing is heavy. The Echo launched exclusively on Sprint and the only good thing about it seems to be that it did not launch on other carriers.

9. HTC ThunderBolt

When asked what was the worst gadgets he’s owned, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said without thinking: “the HTC ThunderBolt.” And while it might have been the first device with LTE on board, it had horrific battery life and was brick-like bulky. And stuttery at times. And you just can’t disagree with Woz, after all.

10. HP Veer

Jon Rubinstein is one of the engineers we have most respect to. He built the Palm team, and managed to get through some tough times, and deliver promising devices. They did not do well, but some of the ideas were quite brilliant. Not the HP Veer. Rubinstein believed there was space for a tiny cell phone, one that doesn’t bulge out your pockets. Well, 2.6 inches was a bit too small to ever take off. The Veer launched just before the Pre 3 had to, and ironically the Pre 3 was killed before its arrival.