At a Glance
- AOL ends dial-up service in September, cutting off 2 million rural users.
- Apple drops the last iPhone home button with the iPhone 16 e in February.
- Amazon shuts its Android app store for Fire devices in August.
Why it matters: The year marked the disappearance of long-running services, hardware, and platform features that defined the early and mid-decades of consumer tech.
In 2025, tech saw a quiet yet significant wave of retirements, from dial-up internet to AI wearables, as companies shifted focus and users were left with nostalgic reminders of past eras.
Service Disconnections
The most visible change came from AOL, which had been the face of dial-up for decades. In September, the company turned off its service, ending a network that still served about 2 million people in 2015.
- AOL: ends dial-up in September 2025, cutting off 2 million rural users.
Product Endings
Several beloved products were retired or discontinued this year.
- Humane AI pin: discontinued after about a year, leaving users without a functioning AI wearable.
- iPhone SE: the last model with a home button, replaced by the button-less iPhone 16 e in February 2025.
- Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd gen): support ended in October 2025, removing remote operation and security updates.
- Stadia controller: firmware upgrades stopped at the end of 2025, rendering the device a collectible.
- DJI Mini 2: U.S. import ban in December 2025 means new units are no longer available in the country.
Platform and Software Changes
Key software and platform shifts reshaped user experiences.
- Micron: pivoted away from consumer markets in November 2024, affecting the availability of consumer DDR5 memory.
- Windows: replaced the traditional blue screen of death with a black background in October 2025.
- Amazon Fire TV: closed its Android app store in August 2025, limiting apps to those built for Fire devices.
- Skype: folded into Microsoft Teams in February 2025, ending the standalone app.
| Event | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AOL Dial-up ends | September 2025 | Loss of 2 million rural users |
| Humane AI pin discontinued | 2025 | Short-lived AI wearable fails |
| iPhone home button removed | February 2025 | iPhone 16 e launches without button |
| Micron pivots from consumer | November 2024 | End of consumer DDR5 memory availability |
| Windows BSoD redesign | October 2025 | Black background replaces blue |
| Amazon Fire TV Android app store closed | August 2025 | Only Fire-device apps allowed |
| Skype folded into Teams | February 2025 | Standalone app discontinued |
| Nest Thermostat 2nd gen ends | October 2025 | Remote features and updates stopped |
| Stadia controller upgrade stops | End 2025 | No more firmware upgrades |
| DJI Mini 2 import ban | December 2025 | US cannot import foreign drones |
The table above highlights the key dates and impacts of each retirement or shift, underscoring how 2025 was a year of endings for many tech staples.
Key Takeaways
- AOL’s dial-up shutdown leaves 2 million rural users offline.
- Apple’s removal of the home button marks the end of a design era.
- Amazon’s app store closure limits software options for Fire device users.
The wave of retirements reminds us that even familiar tech can disappear, urging users to adapt and companies to innovate.
