As 2025 draws to a close, the tech world bids farewell to a host of technologies and services that have shaped our digital lives. From once-dominant platforms like Skype to ambitious AI devices that never quite took off, this year has seen a significant clearing of the digital landscape. Here’s a comprehensive look at the tech that said goodbye in 2025.
January: Meta and the Shifting Sands of Social Media
The year began with a notable shift in Meta’s approach to content moderation. Mark Zuckerberg announced the end of Facebook’s formal fact-checking program, a system introduced to combat the spread of misinformation during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Zuckerberg stated that Facebook would adopt a community notes approach, similar to the one used by X (formerly Twitter), aiming to mitigate concerns over biased censorship.
This decision coincided with the second inauguration of Donald Trump, who had previously threatened Meta’s CEO with legal action over alleged misconduct during the 2020 election. Meta’s strategic pivot appeared to be an effort to align with the political climate, as the company also made a substantial donation to Trump’s inaugural fund and settled a lawsuit related to Trump’s ban from Meta’s platforms.
Venu: A Short-Lived Sports Streaming Dream
Meanwhile, Venu—a collaboration between ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery—aimed to unify sports streaming for major leagues. However, a lawsuit from Fubo led to its demise, leaving consumers with separate services like ESPN and Fox One, which launched later in the year.
Amazon’s Wardrobe Experiment Ends
Amazon’s Prime Try Before You Buy, initially launched as Prime Wardrobe in 2018, was discontinued as AI-powered features like virtual try-ons became more prevalent. The service no longer made economic sense, according to Amazon.
February: The Rise and Fall of AI Hardware
In February, HP acquired Humane, a startup known for its AI Pin—a futuristic smart device that failed to capture consumer interest due to its high price and limited functionality. This acquisition marked the end of the AI Pin, as HP focused on Humane’s AI capabilities and patents.
Facebook’s Live Video Archiving Changes
Facebook also made changes to its Live Video feature, reducing the time streams are saved to just 30 days, a move to manage server space more efficiently.
Getaround and the Challenges of Car-Sharing
Getaround, a pioneer in peer-to-peer car-sharing, ceased operations in the U.S. after struggling with high operational costs, though it continues to operate in Europe.
March: The End of an Era for Microsoft and Google
March saw Microsoft discontinue Windows Defender VPN for its Microsoft 365 subscribers, opting to invest in new areas better aligned with customer needs. Additionally, Google ended support for its Nest Protect smoke detector and Yale Smart Lock, replacing them with new products in partnership with First Alert.
Nintendo’s Loyalty Program Changes
Nintendo also announced the end of its My Nintendo Gold Points program, which rewarded customers for purchasing Switch games. This decision reflects a shift in Nintendo’s loyalty strategy.
April to June: A Period of Transition
OpenAI retired its GPT-4 model, making way for newer iterations like GPT-4o and GPT-5, acknowledging the pivotal role GPT-4 played in ChatGPT’s development. Meanwhile, Zelle shut down its standalone app, urging users to conduct transactions through banking apps.
Skype’s Final Sign-Off
In May, Microsoft officially ended Skype’s service, encouraging users to transition to Microsoft Teams. This move was part of a broader effort to streamline Microsoft’s communication offerings.
Amazon and Stellantis Part Ways
Amazon’s ambitious project with Stellantis to integrate its technology into vehicles was wound down, reflecting challenges in the automotive tech integration space.
July to December: The Curtain Falls on Legacy Technologies
As the year progressed, several legacy technologies were phased out. AOL Dial-Up, a nostalgic relic of the early internet era, was finally discontinued. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, urging users to upgrade to Windows 11 despite its stricter hardware requirements.
Netflix’s Casting Changes
Netflix announced changes to its casting functionality on newer Chromecasts, requiring users to use the Chromecast remote for streaming, a shift from the traditional phone-to-TV casting method.
Micron’s Consumer Exit
In December, Micron announced its exit from the consumer memory market, choosing to focus on supplying memory for AI data centers, a reflection of the growing demand for AI infrastructure.
The year 2025 has been a transformative one for the tech industry, marked by significant exits and strategic pivots. As companies recalibrate their offerings to meet evolving consumer needs and technological advancements, the digital landscape continues to evolve, setting the stage for new innovations in the years to come.
