In tech culture, the term “vaporware” was first used in reference to which product?

Typically used to describe a product that was announced but never launched, “vaporware” was reportedly coined by a Microsoft engineer (either John Ulett or Mark Ursino) when asked about the status of the company’s Xenix operating system. The term was popularized by technology writer Esther Dyson, who featured it in the November 1983 issue of her newsletter RELease 1.0.

The term “vaporware” is a portmanteau of vapor and software, evoking the image of something promised but never materializing – something that seems to disappear into thin air. It is often used to describe products that are announced with great fanfare but are either indefinitely delayed or never released at all.

The concept also extends to products announced far in advance of their anticipated release dates, which then seem to vanish into thin air.

The word first gained traction in the context of Xenix OS, a version of Unix that Microsoft developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Unix was developed by Bell Labs and licensed by AT&T to various outfits, including Microsoft, who had to choose a unique name for their version later called Xenix. Microsoft licensed Xenix to other companies such as IBM, Intel, Tandy, and SCO, though it was never sold directly to end users. Xenix became particularly popular in the corporate world due to its support for multi-user and networking capabilities.

In 1987, Microsoft sold Xenix to SCO, which later ported it to the 32-bit 386 CPU. SCO continued to develop and support the operating system for several years. Despite its corporate popularity, Xenix never gained mainstream traction. Microsoft reportedly continued to use Xenix internally on Sun workstations and VAX minicomputers as late as 1992, further highlighting its niche role in the company’s broader software strategy.

In the early 1980s, before the term vaporware became widely known, several high-profile products in the tech industry faced similar fates. For example, IBM’s planned but never-released Future Systems project and various other ambitious software projects contributed to the industry’s understanding of vaporware. Other infamous vaporware product include:

• Half-Life 2: Episode 3 (2007 – TBA?) – The continuation of the popular Half-Life series has become one of the most famous pieces of vaporware in gaming history. Despite numerous hints and fan expectations, it’s never been released.
• Apple AirPower (2017 – Canceled 2019) – Apple’s wireless charging mat was announced in 2017 with the promise of charging multiple devices simultaneously. However, it was canceled in 2019 due to technical difficulties.
• Google Glass (2013 – 2015, revived later for enterprise) – Google Glass was highly anticipated as the next big thing in wearable technology. Despite its initial launch, it never gained widespread consumer adoption, and the product quietly faded away. It later returned as a niche product for enterprise use.
• Duke Nukem Forever (1997 – 2011) – The video game became a symbol of vaporware and became infamous for its extraordinarily long development cycle. It was announced in 1997, but after years of delays and multiple changes in direction, it wasn’t released until 2011 – and it flopped hard.
• Phantom Game Console (2002 – Canceled 2006) – A gaming console from Infinium Labs that promised to revolutionize the gaming industry with digital distribution. It never launched, and the company was embroiled in lawsuits and controversy.
• Microsoft Courier (2008 – Canceled 2010) – This dual-screen tablet concept was highly anticipated as a potential competitor to the iPad. Microsoft canceled the project in 2010 before it could ever be released.
• Psion NetBook Pro (2003 – Canceled) – An early attempt at a portable computer aimed at professionals. Announced with much fanfare, it was discontinued soon after its release.
• Google Wave (2009 – Canceled 2010) – Google Wave was hyped as a revolutionary communication and collaboration tool. However, it was too complex for many users, and Google discontinued it within a year of launch.
• Solar Roadways (2014 – TBA?) – This concept promised to replace traditional roads with solar panels that could generate electricity. While prototypes and crowdfunding campaigns generated significant interest, the project has yet to deliver on its promises at a large scale.