vaporware

• vapourware (UK, Commonwealth)

From vapor +‎ -ware.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈveɪ.pə.wɛə(ɹ)/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• (US) enPR: vāʹpərwâr, IPA^(key): /ˈveɪpɚwɛɹ/

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:

     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.