obsolescence

Phenomenon of products or services becoming useless, or in the case of many retail goods, out of date. Obsolescence is often perceptual rather than real. Many goods that are perfectly useable become obsolescent because they become unfashionable. This is often due to new technology.

For example, vinyl records became obsolete because they were replaced in the public's affections by cassette tapes and then CDs. However, vinyl LPs were and still are perfectly functional. In fact vinyl was rescued from obsolescence by the followers of certain kinds of dance music who continue to use them.