2021 Tech I'm Ready For!

In this Year-in-Review style tech forecast, Marques Brownlee looks back at 2020 as a launchpad for the fast pace of innovation and pivots to 2021 with a sense of optimism and anticipation. He notes that despite a challenging year, tech events moved online, products launched, and new form factors emerged, from foldables to high-profile silicon moves, keeping the ecosystem dynamic. The video opens with reflections on the year’s highlights, including notable devices and trends, while teasing a broader plan for the channel in 2021, such as covering more products, starting a new hiring cycle, and expanding the Waveform podcast. He also announces a major giveaway tied to PS5 and Xbox Series X, signaling interactive engagement with the audience. The host emphasizes that 2021 will be about not just more videos, but more ambitious, diverse content, including potential collaborations and deeper interviews with tech figures. He frames his outlook as a blend of excitement for new hardware, ongoing punditry about price and accessibility, and a continued commitment to honest, well-researched reviews. The message of the video is clear: expect a more expansive and fast-moving tech channel in the new year, with better production, more insights, and a forward-looking gaze at innovative devices and ecosystems. Throughout the session, Marques answers audience questions and shares his predictions for foldable phones, Apple Silicon upgrades, and key product launches to watch in 2021. He explains that the future arrives not in a single breakthrough but through iterative generations, using foldables as an example where the goal is price reduction and refined design by generation three. The discussion also touches on how viewers can navigate both positive and negative takes on new tech by consuming multiple perspectives and forming their own opinions. He reflects on how YouTube has evolved into a landscape with multiple “niches,” from explainer to critical channels, and emphasizes the reviewer’s role to tell the truth while encouraging viewers to seek diverse viewpoints. The segment features his personal bets for the year, including Apple M1 Max silicon, iMac and MacBook Pro refreshes, and the possibility of a roadster or other EVs impacting daily driving and performance. He closes by reaffirming gratitude to the audience and outlining ongoing and upcoming formats, with a nod to a more frequent podcast schedule and a continued focus on the human side of tech through interviews and team growth. The video blends casual humor with concrete product discussions, giving viewers a sense of the year ahead while staying anchored in practical considerations like pricing, supply, and accessibility. Marques maps expectations across several tech pillars, from premium headphones after AirPods Max, to the likelihood of new iPhone and Android flagships, and the evolving landscape of content creation on a platform saturated with tech channels. He also shares personal interests, such as potential future automotive purchases and a long-running golf hobby, weaving in personal texture without straying from the central tech-forward narrative. By the end, the message is aspirational yet grounded: 2021 should bring more high-quality tech coverage, better production quality, and a renewed sense of exploration and discovery for both creator and viewer. The sponsor segment on ExpressVPN sits in the middle as a practical reminder of online privacy in an era of pervasive data collection, tying back to the broader theme of evaluating technology with a critical eye. Finally, Marques thanks the audience and teases continued engagement, including upcoming episodes of Waveform and more in-depth interviews that broaden the spectrum of voices in tech.

Topics · technology trends · consumer electronics · media production · interviews · automotive tech · privacy and security