New Coke (1985): did it need fixing?

1985

Coca-Cola

Before: Coca-Cola, same formula since the 1880s, give or take.
The fix: Swapped the recipe for a sweeter one after it won nearly 200,000 taste tests.
Then: Calls to the consumer hotline went from 400 a day to 1,500. A group called Old Cola Drinkers of America claimed 100,000 members. When the old formula came back, Coke took 31,600 calls in two days.

Took it back

Original back on shelves 79 days later as Coca-Cola Classic.

Your call

More fixes nobody asked for

2015

Philips Lighting

Before: A Hue bridge that ran any ZigBee Light Link bulb, including cheaper ones from GE and Cree.
The fix: A December 2015 bridge update cut off bulbs Philips had not certified, citing 'interoperability issues.'
Then: Owners with other brands' bulbs found them locked out. Within days Philips called the move 'a mistake,' said some people had been using uncertified lights without any issue, and promised an update to let them back in.

Took it back

Other brands allowed back in, plus a 'Friends of Hue' sticker program.

Your call

2021

Microsoft

Before: A Windows taskbar you could put on any edge of the screen, as far back as Windows 95.
The fix: Windows 11 locked the taskbar to the bottom of the screen.
Then: Users asked for it back for five years. The September 2026 Patch Tuesday update added top, left and right positions, rolling out gradually and set in Settings, not by dragging.

Took it back

Movable again from September 2026, minus drag-and-drop.

Your call

2014

Keurig Green Mountain

Before: Keurig brewers that took any pod that fit, store brands included, plus a refillable My K-Cup filter.
The fix: Keurig 2.0 read a code on each lid and refused pods without it. The refillable My K-Cup was discontinued.
Then: Brewer and accessory sales fell 23% from a year earlier. In May 2015 CEO Brian Kelley told analysts, 'Quite honestly, we were wrong,' and the stock dropped 10%.

Half took it back

My K-Cup came back for 2.0 brewers. The lid reader stayed.

Your call