In the computer industry, vaporware is a product, typically computer hardware or software, that is announced to the general public but is late, never actually manufactured, or officially cancelled. Use of the word has broadened to include products such as automobiles.
The U.S. Justice Department accused IBM of intentionally announcing its IBM System/360 Model 91 computer (pictured) nearly two years early to hurt sales of its competitor's computer.
Influential writer Esther Dyson (pictured here in 2008) popularized the term "vaporware" in her November 1983 issue of RELease 1.0.
Duke Nukem Forever booth at PAX Prime 2010
The Vector W8 is a sports car produced by American automobile manufacturer Vector Aeromotive Corporation from 1989 to 1993. It was designed by company founder and chief designer Gerald Wiegert while receiving refinements by Vector's head of engineering David Kostka. The W8 was the production version of the Vector W2 prototype that the company demonstrated throughout the 1980s.
Vector W8
The 6.0 L twin-turbocharged transversely mounted Rodeck V8 engine
Interior
Vector W8 in Beverly Hills