Tech Necrology: Products Disappearing in 2025

The technology sector is witnessing a significant consolidation phase in 2025, with several high-profile products and services reaching their end of life. This trend encompasses communication giants, experimental hardware, and regional digital platforms. The most notable discontinuation is Skype, a platform that has been a staple of digital communication for decades. Its closure marks the end of an era for internet-based voice and video calls.

Simultaneously, the hardware market sees the failure of the Humane AI Pin, a device that promised to revolutionize wearable technology but struggled to find a market fit. In regional markets, specifically within the MTS ecosystem, the video service Nuum is being shuttered. Additionally, VK is stepping back from the blockchain space by ending its NFT operations. These developments collectively illustrate a market pivot away from experimental and legacy products toward more sustainable and profitable ventures.

The most prominent name on the list of discontinued products is Skype. For years, this platform served as the primary method of digital communication for millions of users worldwide. Its impending closure signals a major shift in how digital communication is structured and consumed. The retirement of such a legacy system suggests that users and businesses are moving toward newer, more integrated communication solutions.

The decline of Skype reflects the intense competition in the communication software market. Modern platforms offering seamless integration with productivity suites and mobile ecosystems have eroded the user base of older services. The transition away from Skype represents a broader industry movement toward consolidated digital workspaces.

The wearable technology sector is also facing a reality check with the discontinuation of the Humane AI Pin. This device was marketed as an AI-powered wearable intended to replace smartphones. Despite significant hype and investment, the product failed to deliver a compelling user experience that justified its cost and form factor.

The failure of the Humane AI Pin highlights the difficulties in introducing new hardware categories to the consumer market. It underscores the gap between technological capability and practical utility. The market has shown that consumers are currently resistant to standalone wearable devices that do not offer clear, distinct advantages over existing smartphone technology.

In the Russian digital landscape, major telecom operator MTS is terminating its video service, Nuum. The platform, which was positioned as a competitor in the streaming market, is being closed as part of a strategic realignment by MTS. This move indicates a reevaluation of content and service strategies within the telecommunications sector.

Alongside the video service shutdown, VK is exiting the digital collectibles market. The company is ending its NFT project. This decision mirrors a global cooling trend regarding non-fungible tokens and blockchain-based assets. Companies are increasingly divesting from speculative digital assets to focus on core business operations.

The collective discontinuation of these products points to a specific trend in 2025: the prioritization of profitability over innovation for its own sake. Companies like MTS and VK are streamlining their portfolios. They are cutting services that do not directly contribute to their primary revenue streams or long-term strategic goals.

The technology market is maturing, and investors are demanding tangible returns. Products that exist in niche markets or rely on speculative hype, such as the Humane AI Pin and VK NFT, are the first to be cut when market conditions tighten. The survival of Skype was likely untenable due to the dominance of integrated suites like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, which offer better business features.

Ultimately, 2025 serves as a year of reckoning for the tech industry. It separates sustainable business models from temporary trends. Consumers will see a more streamlined, albeit less experimental, digital environment as these services fade away.