Waveform 2020: Year-End Tech Awards and Highlights
2020 Tech Extravaganza
In this final episode of 2020, the hosts reflect on a monumental year in technology, covering industry shifts, major product launches, and honorable mentions through a series of special awards.
Notable Industry News
• DJI and Regulatory Challenges: The discussion highlights potential restrictions on DJI in the U.S., similar to the Huawei entity list, emphasizing how vital their technology is to both creative professionals and consumers.
• The Apple-Tesla Rumor: Following viral reports, the hosts explore the fascinating hypothetical scenario of Apple acquiring Tesla during its difficult "Model 3 production hell" years, discussing how Apple DNA might (or might not) translate to automotive design.
2020 Smartphone Awards Breakdown
The hosts debate their official smartphone awards, analyzing the winners, runners-up, and the biggest "snubs" of the year.
• Best Big Phone: The Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra takes the crown for its unmatched use of space, though the Samsung Note 20 Ultra was a strong contender.
• Best Compact Phone: The iPhone 12 Mini wins, with the Galaxy Z Flip noted for its ingenious foldable footprint.
• Best Camera: The iPhone 12 Pro Max wins for its holistic photo and video capabilities, despite challenges from specialized LG and Sony manual controls.
• Best Budget Phone: The Pixel 4a is awarded for its value and headphone jack, with the iPhone SE as a notable runner-up.
• Most Improved and Bust of the Year: The Galaxy Fold 2 wins for massive, practical quality-of-life improvements, while the Note 20 is dubbed the "bust" for its confusing market positioning.
Miscellaneous Tech and Creator Awards
"Tech is great when it works. And if tech works 99% of the time, literally 99% of the time flawlessly, I'm a very happy camper."
• Breakout Product: TikTok is recognized as the definitive breakout platform of the year.
• Creator of the Year: MrBeast is honored for his high-effort production and commitment to helping others.
• Video of the Year: Mark Rober’s squirrel obstacle course video is highlighted as a brilliant example of engaging content.
• Personal Highlight: The team reflects on their journey to Boston Dynamics as the most memorable production experience, showcasing the impressive capabilities of their robot dog, Spot.