Speed Queen top-loader (2018): did it need fixing?

They Fixed It / Speed Queen

2018

Speed Queen

Before: Speed Queen top-loaders with a plain agitator and mechanical controls.
The fix: Redesigned the line to meet federal efficiency rules, with an 'agi-tub' that moves tub and agitator together for a gentler wash.
Then: Consumer Reports gave the $1,000-plus TR7 a 31 out of 100, the worst of the 100-plus washers it had tested. Speed Queen reworked it and brought the old transmission-driven design back as the TC5.

Half took it back

Both designs are sold now.

Your call

More fixes nobody asked for

2011

Netflix

Before: Netflix: DVDs by mail and streaming, one account, one website.
The fix: Split the plans with a price hike, then said DVDs would move to a separate site called Qwikster.
Then: Netflix lost 800,000 US subscribers that quarter. Reed Hastings killed Qwikster on October 10, 2011, about three weeks after announcing it.

Took it back

Qwikster never launched. The price increase stayed.

Your call

2016

Apple

Before: iPhones with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
The fix: Dropped the jack from the iPhone 7. Phil Schiller said it came down to one word: courage.
Then: Apple announced $159 AirPods at the same event. No iPhone since the 7 has had a headphone jack.

Kept it.

Still gone, ten years later.

Your call

2020

Volkswagen and others

Before: Car dashboards with real knobs and buttons for heat, volume and hazards.
The fix: Moved heating, volume and other basics onto touchscreens and touch-sensitive sliders.
Then: VW's design chief Andreas Mindt said they would 'never, ever make this mistake again.' From 2026, Euro NCAP wants physical controls for horn, indicators, hazards, wipers and SOS to give five stars.

Half took it back

Buttons are coming back model by model, starting with VW's ID.2all.

Your call