bright shiny object

Something that is widely appealing or attention-grabbing for its superficial characteristics, but which is usually not useful, substantial, or long lasting. Recent technological advances seem to be just a series of bright shiny objects, consuming all of our attention for a while before something shinier comes along. That promotion is just the latest bright shiny object for someone interested in getting an ego boost in exchange for more responsibility and a nominal pay raise. Landfills are full of bright shiny objects that people "couldn't live without"—until they could.