Technology reviewer MKBHD (Marques Brownlee) delivered strong verdicts on several tech industry predictions, concluding that claims of smartphone obsolescence within 5 years fundamentally underestimate current platform entrenchment.
The analysis addressed major “internet hot takes” including humanoid robot form factors, Apple’s hardware design failures, and AI assistant capabilities.
MKBHD argued that the most audacious market predictions fail to account for the time required for new computing platforms to mature, offering specific timelines and product critiques backed by comparative industry analysis.
Key Takeaways
• Humanoid robots are the wrong form factor.
The argument that human-shaped robots are optimal is fundamentally flawed. A humanoid design unnecessarily inherits all human form limitations including blind spots. The more likely future features specialized robots like self-driving vehicles with sensors on all sides handling individual tasks without bipedal constraints.
• Smartphones won’t be obsolete for 10-20 years minimum.
The claim that smartphones will disappear within 5 years is a “crazy hot take” that underestimates platform entrenchment. Citing the Ford F-150’s 46 consecutive years as market leader, MKBHD argues realistic obsolescence timelines stretch to 10, 15, or even 20 years in optimistic scenarios.
• Apple’s Magic Mouse charging port is inexcusable design failure.
Despite month-long battery life and quick charging capability, the bottom-facing Lightning port forces users to stop working to charge. This design flaw unchanged since the 2015 update—is unacceptable when every competing mouse allows simultaneous use and charging.
• Never buy products based on future software promises.
While companies should be celebrated for audacious moonshot projects, consumers must follow the strict protocol of purchasing only based on current functionality, not promised future updates that may never arrive.
• Siri remains functionally bad compared to modern AI.
While acceptable for extreme basics like HomeKit automation and playing Spotify music, Siri fails at any task requiring reasoning or multiple steps. Apple defaults to asking permission to hand tasks to more capable assistants, demonstrating the company is watching from the sidelines in the AI race.
What They Said
Why Are Humanoid Robots the Wrong Form Factor?
MKBHD challenged the humanoid robot form factor as fundamentally flawed despite intuitive logic suggesting human-shaped robots could navigate human-designed environments. The core problem: humanoid design inherits all human body limitations including blind spots and mobility constraints.
He predicts a forked future where either general-purpose humanoid assistants emerge, or more likely, specialized robots handle individual tasks like self-driving cars with 360-degree sensor arrays operating without bipedal limitations.
When Will Smartphones Actually Become Obsolete?
MKBHD issued a “bad take” verdict on claims smartphones will disappear within 5 years. Drawing comparisons to the Ford F-150’s 46-year market dominance, he argued that platform entrenchment means realistic obsolescence timelines stretch to 10, 15, or 20 years even in optimistic scenarios. The claim fundamentally underestimates how deeply smartphones have integrated into daily life and business infrastructure.
What’s Wrong With Apple’s Magic Mouse Design?
Despite acknowledging its month-long battery life and ability to gain hours of use from a 5-minute charge, MKBHD criticized the bottom-facing Lightning port introduced in the 2015 update. The design forces complete work stoppage during charging, a failure of industrial design when every competing mouse allows simultaneous use and charging.
How Does Siri Compare to Modern AI Assistants?
MKBHD’s assessment found Siri functional only for extreme basics including managing HomeKit automation and playing music on Spotify. The critical failure occurs when tasks require reasoning or multiple steps Siri defaults to asking permission to hand off the task to more capable assistants like Google’s Gemini or ChatGPT.
This demonstrates Apple, despite being a multi-trillion dollar company, is currently observing from the sidelines in the core AI assistant race.
Should You Buy Products Based on Future Updates?
The creator emphasized a key consumer protocol: while companies deserve celebration for audacious moonshot projects, buyers should never purchase products based on promised future software updates. Purchasing decisions must be based solely on current functionality.
MKBHD’s core analysis: The most aggressive tech predictions 5-year smartphone obsolescence, humanoid robot dominance fail to account for the necessary maturation time for new computing platforms and underestimate the entrenchment of current technology in consumer behaviour and infrastructure.
About the Creator
MKBHD (Marques Brownlee) is one of the world’s most influential technology reviewers, known for in-depth analysis of consumer electronics, automotive tech, and emerging platforms. His YouTube channel has reached millions with detailed product reviews and industry commentary. Visit mkbhd.com
Watch the full episode: MKBHD on Tech Hot Takes | MKBHD
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