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shelfware

American  
[shelf-wair] / ˈʃɛlfˌwɛər /
Or shelf ware

noun

Informal.
  1. Computers. software or hardware that remains unsold, unused, or underused.

    shelfware as part of a bundled license deal.

  2. ideas or findings that are not used or acted upon.

    The results of your market research can quickly become shelfware.


Etymology

Origin of shelfware

shelf + -ware (in the sense “goods sitting on a shelf”)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"A lot of smartwatches out there end up being shelfware."

From Reuters

The product, now called Helion, is widely regarded as being little more than shelfware – actual customer usage is low to non-existent.

From Forbes

“Pure-play EA engagements become shelfware – a set of documents, but nothing comes out of it,” continues Saha.

From Forbes

The “consumerization of enterprise IT” — the idea that business applications are dreadful to use, and had better take their usability cues from consumer apps or else face the inevitable destiny of shelfware — has achieved something akin to lifetime tenure in the minds of analysts and trade press alike.

From Forbes

Many of the single-use fitness devices have lost their user’s attention and become “shelfware.”

From Forbes