vaporware

See also: vapourware

Contents

EnglishEdit

Alternative formsEdit

• vapourware (UK, Commonwealth)

EtymologyEdit

vapor +‎ -ware

PronunciationEdit

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈveɪ.pə.wɛə(ɹ)/
• (US) enPR: vāʹpərwâr, IPA^(key): /ˈveɪpɚwɛɹ/

NounEdit

vaporware (uncountable)

1. (computing) An advertised product, often computer software, whose launch has not happened yet and might not ever happen.
   • 1983, Recording Engineer/producer, volume 14, number 3, page 18:

     Our hard-and-fast rule was that if we couldn't see it, it still resided in that special zone called "Vaporware."

   • 2015, Randall G. Chapman, BRANDS: a marketing game:

     Vaporware appeals widely to industrial and consumer buyers.

   • 2015, Richard Severson, Ethical Principles for the Information Age‎^[1]:

     Some would say that Microsoft engaged in a subtle form of vaporware by preannouncing its product before it was actually ready to be delivered, then, at the last minute, announcing a short delay.

TranslationsEdit

An advertised product, whose launch is questionable

• French: fumiciel (fr) m