Are You Ready for Some Technology Hot Takes?
Weekly Wheaties #2552
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: Are You Ready for Some Technology Hot Takes?
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Google Updates
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Tech Headlines
😎 Pick of the Week: 2025 Picks
📦 Featured Product: Paperwallet
📝 Are You Ready for Some Technology Hot Takes?
For a little bit of fun for the last post of the year, I asked some of you what are your (or what you think are my) technology hot takes. I also did somewhat of a consensus of the tech community at large, along with some help from ChatGPT, to get some ideas. So, here are a few topics with my potentially hot takes!
AI
AI is not going anywhere. There will be many players jumping in, but there will only be a few big names that most should stick with (OpenAI, Gemini, Meta, etc). All of the others will only offer one-off, unique, and niche features.
AI is going to be the new email. Everyone will eventually have to figure out how to use it. It will all be forced on professionals, regardless of your line of work. If you use a computer and have an email, you will have to learn about AI.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. AI won’t replace anyone. Someone using AI will replace someone who isn’t.
Cable and Streaming
Now what is done for is Cable. The streaming wars continue, and even as network conglomerates combine and start buying each other, the market will no longer view cable as a product. We want our content to be available when and wherever we are, on any device.
Remember to subscribe and cancel as you want or need shows. For example, I’ve cancelled my ESPN subscription until next fall (or maybe the CWS).
Cryptocurrency
Many people think it’s done for. Hard disagree here! As we move into a more digital world, cryptocurrency will continue to grow. The kicker here is that we won’t really see it front and center. It will start taking over the backend of most, if not all, monetary transactions (credit cards, homes, art work, anything with any type of receipt or proof of ownership).
In the same way as AI, there will probably only be a few larger players of use (Bitcoin, Ethereum) for most transactions, but smaller, niche coins will start to limit their reach and stay specific to their role. Think “in-game currency” or store-specific gift cards.
Electric cars
While some manufacturers have started to limit or close production of some EVs, they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. This is a long burn, and it will take time for the market to adjust and the power grid to catch up. We’ve seen the EU water down their 2035 EV goals while Ford stops production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning.
EV Trucks still need some work. Towing takes a lot of energy. But… if someone needs a truck around the city, there are plenty of Superchargers available that it still makes sense. Long hauls and even day trips pulling a trailer aren’t really there yet. I’m also not sure if they ever will be. Charging on the road is fairly quick compared to what most people think, and it’s only getting faster. However, towing would still require significantly more stops than a sedan, and time is of the essence with many deliveries.
Mobile Phones
Windows Phone 10 OS is still one of the best layouts for mobile. The live tiles were ahead of the pack in regard to notifications and quick glances. In the same OS, Cortana was miles ahead of Siri and the Google Assistant at the time, and possibly even arguably still further along than they are now (if you discount the AI piece). Even to that - if Cortana was still developed and integrated with Copilot, I’d bet it would still be the best mobile assistant available today!
Privacy and Security
A password manager is safer than your memory, and in many cases, even than resetting your password. There are many to choose from, but I personally use Bitwarden. Not using Two Factor Authentication is the biggest security hole behind using the same password.
Using a service like Privacy.com to pay for your online purchases and subscriptions is much safer than using your credit card.
The best way to stay private online is to stop posting anything and everything. If you want to keep the algorithm from learning you, quit interacting with everything. Sadly, that includes liking, commenting, or even sharing. And yes, most apps also know when you take a screenshot.
Personal Hot Takes
Technology is becoming increasingly niche, and one-off products will continue to be developed. Think the Amazon Kindle and the newly announced Pebble Ring.
Subscription services are here to stay. With the cost of data storage and hosting, one-time purchases are a thing of the past. Sad, but also a good thing - we will receive more and constant updates.
Half of all IT issues would be solved if users (yes, you, and me) read the screen (and pop-ups) we’re presented with before moving forward and just clicking on things.
Can 2026 be the year we stop sending Word and Excel files back and forth for updates and comments, and start using a proper Document/Project Management Tool?
What are some of your hot takes?
🗞️ ICYMI: Google Updates
Join the waitlist for Google CC, a Gmail Assistant That Emails You Every Morning. You know, in case you don’t want to learn to use AI. A pretty interesting feature, but I’m not sure why it needs to be an email rather than a button that, when clicked and “launched,” updates everything.
YouTube Playables allows creators to “create fun, bite-sized games in minutes and share them directly with your audience on YouTube.”
Google says it is ‘gradually rolling out’ the option to change your @gmail.com address. Take advantage of this and register your “firstname.lastname@gmail.com” if able!
For more, check out 60 of Google’s biggest AI announcements in 2025.
🗞️ ICYMI: Tech Headlines
When robot taxis get stuck, a secret army of humans comes to the rescue. Showing that AI (or Autonomous Vehicles in this case) can’t take over completely — yet.
OpenAI introduced group chats in ChatGPT to allow users to collaborate with others (and ChatGPT) in the same conversation. Start settling those debates with your AI before they invite theirs.
Disney Licenses Play Dates for Mickey Mouse, ChatGPT in $1B OpenAI Deal. Make sure you have Sora downloaded to take advantage of this when the content violations are removed. Alternatively, you may start seeing AI-generated videos on Disney+ in the future.
😎 POTW: 2025 Picks
To round out the year, how about some Picks from across the web:
📦 Featured Product
I received one of my Christmas presents early and have been using a Paperwallet for the past few weeks. I wanted to test it out before recommending it. I will always suggest some type of RFID wallet since credit card fraud has been escalating, and it’s so easy for someone to steal your card information by simply coming within a few inches of your wallet/purse. These come in multiple sizes (I like the smallest Micro size), and are made of Tyvek, making them waterproof and durable. They will wear over time, but are fairly inexpensive and come in multiple designs, some of which are limited edition.
