From botched live demos and underwhelming product launches to AI backlash and widespread cloud outages, 2025 exposed major cracks in Big Tech's execution as companies, including Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and OpenAI struggled to meet soaring expectations.



<h2>When Live Demos Go Wrong</h2>



Few moments captured tech's 2025 misfires better than Meta's onstage demo disasters.



At Meta Connect, CEO Mark Zuckerberg attempted to showcase the new Ray-Ban smart glasses and Live AI features with a live WhatsApp call — only for the demo to spiral into repeated failures, looping ringtones and awkward pauses.



Meta later blamed everything from Wi-Fi overload to a rare software bug, but the damage was done.



A second demo involving AI-assisted cooking also faltered, reinforcing concerns that Meta's flagship AI products were not as stage-ready as promised.



See Also: Here’s How Much You Would Have Made Owning Meta Platforms Stock In The Last 10 Years



<h2>Ultra-Thin Phones, Ultra-Low Enthusiasm</h2>



Apple and Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:SSNLF) both bet big on thinner smartphones in 2025 — and lost, according to Tom's Guide.



The iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge delivered sleek designs but required notable compromises, including weaker battery life and fewer camera features.



What frustrated consumers most was pricing. Both devices launched above their standard counterparts despite offering less functionality.



Sales reportedly underwhelmed, prompting Samsung to pause future Edge development and pushing Apple to delay the next iPhone Air.



<h2>Apple's ‘Nobody Asked For This' Moment</h2>



Beyond hardware, Apple faced criticism for releasing products that many users viewed as unnecessary or impractical.



Its new &#34;Liquid Glass&#34; interface highlighted transparency and visual flair but drew complaints over readability and usability.



Apple also stumbled with novelty products, including a high-priced iPhone &#34;pocket&#34; that became a lightning rod for online mockery.



Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



<h2>GPT-5: The AI Launch That Fell Flat</h2>



After months of anticipation, OpenAI's GPT-5 arrived to a muted response. While technically more capable than previous models, many users felt the improvements were incremental and, in some cases, inferior to earlier versions.



OpenAI aggravated frustrations by initially removing older models, forcing users to adapt.



Following widespread backlash, the company reversed course, restoring user choice and rolling out updates.



<h2>Cloud Outages That Shook The Internet</h2>



The most consequential tech failures of 2025 came from massive outages at Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) AWS and Cloudflare Inc. (NYSE:NET).



The outages temporarily crippled thousands of websites and services, from social platforms to banking tools and smart devices.



It underscored a troubling reality: much of the internet depends on a handful of cloud providers and when they fail, the ripple effects can disrupt daily life worldwide.



Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings indicate a bearish medium- and long-term outlook for Meta, even as its short-term performance remains positive. Click here to compare it with competitors.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"></figure>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li>Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Might Never Have Happened If Not For One Cold Email — EssilorLuxottica's Rocco Basilico Reveals How It All Started</li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo Courtesy: Avirut S on Shutterstock.com

OpenAI

META

In 2025, major tech companies like Meta, Apple, and OpenAI faced significant challenges, including failed live demos, disappointing product launches, and severe cloud outages. Meta's demos of new products were marred by technical failures, while Apple struggled with underwhelming smartphone designs and criticized product releases. OpenAI's GPT-5 launch received a lukewarm response, with users finding it lacking compared to previous models. Additionally, massive outages at AWS and Cloudflare highlighted the vulnerabilities of the internet's reliance on a few cloud providers, causing widespread disruption.

- In 2025, significant failures emerged in Big Tech, particularly with companies like Meta, Apple, and OpenAI as they struggled with product launches and execution.  
- Notable incidents included Meta’s botched demos of new products and Apple’s underwhelming smartphone releases, which did not meet consumer expectations despite sleek designs.  
- Additionally, OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch drew criticism for lack of substantial improvements, while major outages at Amazon and Cloudflare highlighted vulnerabilities in the reliance on cloud services.

Big Promises, Bigger Fails: Meta's Cringe Demo, Apple's Misfires, GPT-5's Letdown And The Cloud Outages That Made Headlines In 2025