• more about #ipodplug more comments →
    Purple Dave: Camera cables. Both of the digital cameras I've owned have proprietary data cables. I can cheat the current camera by just convering my SD cards into ... more »
    Monty: The entire technology industry is laden with gadgets that do not make it. That is part of being in the gadget industry, folks. In order for a winner... more »
    KhaiJB: you missed one huge proprietary mistake made a few years ago. Kodak Disk Cameras. [en.wikipedia.org] worst idea they ever had. I mean.. 35mm was plent... more »
    OmniZero: FireWire. Very hard to find on PCs and a lot of good hard drives use it, not to mention iPod used it at one point. Apple's Mini-DVI, Micro-DVI, Mini-V... more »
    Joe: Oh allow me to introduce one I found today. Apple with their Mini Display Port. I bought the Mini Display Port to DVI adapter yesterday; Come to fin... more »
    Aneurism: "Oh no! Beta!" more »
    Antonio Rivera: Isn't the iPod plug upgradable when say USB 3 comes out? more »
    BeautifulAgony: Good calls on all of those. The only thing I have to say, is that Verizon is very easy-going about switching phones with the CDMA system. It's as simp... more »
    Con Seannery: I hate those Christmas lights that need the immoral male to male adapters... more »
    ClintonOddfellow: AAC is not actually Apple. It's Advanced Audio Codec, and it was developed long before Apple got it's grubby mitts on it for use with iTunes. It's t... more »
    OMG! Ponies!: In Oly's defense, the E-series uses that xD picture card for the panorama shots only. It uses regular old CF for the main card. And if you're going t... more »
    Serolf Divad: Sony has definitely shot itself in the foot with it's proprietary nonsense. Apple, OTOH has been doing it with varying (but ultimately positive) rates... more »
    joe.glass: Beta is still widely used in TV broadcasting as it is a fully digital, non compressed format. Just sayin'. Betamax for the consumer is a bit of a diff... more »
    Earthslide: Don't like it, Don't buy it. Simple. Let the companies find out the hard way. more »
    Mr.Gawn: Nintendo's MANY MANY MANY!!! Wii-mote accessories more »
  • #shame

    The Worst Proprietary Gadget Offenses

    Like a predatory loan officer or an unstable partner, technology companies have an obsession with locking you down. Here are some of the worst examples of proprietary products that leave you trapped, broke and angry.