Oops! Ray-Ban Display fail is no match for these cringe-worthy tech demos.
Mark Zuckerberg, love him or hate him, is just like any of us when he stands on stage in his Meta Ray-Ban Displays and struggles to pick up a WhatsApp call. In that moment, he’s not the powerful CEO of Meta, he’s just a guy in an awkward situation in front of a large audience. We’ve all seen these tech fails in product demos before, reminding us that even the tech giants can have their embarrassing moments.
1. Tech Fail Hall of Fame
Even the legendary Steve Jobs had his moments of flailing, like when he struggled to connect to WiFi during a keynote presentation. It’s a reminder that even the greatest presenters can have their off days. And sometimes, it’s not just a glitch in the tech, but a simple oversight that causes the demo to go awry.
2. Not So Tough Windows
Elon Musk’s Cybertruck demo in 2019, where he ended up smashing the truck’s window with a metal ball, is a classic example of a demo fail. It’s a reminder that even the most innovative minds can make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes can be quite costly. But hey, at least it makes for a good story!
Google’s Infamous Smart Glasses Fail
At Google I/O 2025, the search giant showcased a live translation demo that ended up being the year’s most talked-about fail. The demo, which involved smart glasses, was described as “very risky” beforehand and was quickly shut down once it stopped working.
A Cringeworthy Moment at a “Made by Google” Event
In 2024, during a “Made by Google” event, senior director of product Dave Citron experienced a classic cringe moment when his Pixel failed not once, but twice. Trying to demonstrate how his device could analyze a concert poster to check his calendar for availability, Citron faced technical difficulties with Gemini, Google’s AI, seemingly turning its nose up at the task. Only after invoking “the demo gods” did Citron finally get the demo to work.
Memo to all executives: while the demo gods may be fictional, asking for their assistance could save you from embarrassing technical mishaps.
