Our boldest 2026 tech predictions

Quick Overview

The Verge staff predicts that by 2026, the term "podcast" will sound vintage, with creators referring to their content as "shows" or "digital series," and major platforms like Netflix will aggressively integrate video into their offerings, while generative AI will increase electricity demand leading to political scrutiny over data center power sources, and the EV market will see consolidation with some startups failing or being acquired.

Key Points: By 2026, the term "podcast" will sound outdated, replaced by terms like "shows" or "digital series," as seen in media referencing the evolution of audio content (08:10). Netflix is making a significant investment in video podcasts, developing original content and working with major networks like iHeartMedia and SiriusXM to compete in this evolving media landscape (08:50). Generative AI is predicted to raise US electricity demand, causing political scrutiny regarding data centers' reliance on fossil fuels, such as gas turbines proposed by Google and Meta (07:01, 07:10). The EV market will experience consolidation by 2026, with some EV-only companies either being acquired or going out of business due to factors like increased tariffs and high battery costs (01:55, 02:22). Apple is expected to finally release its foldable iPhone, likely in 2027 after initial rumors suggested 2026, positioned as a luxury item initially (00:37, 00:52). Laptop chips will become highly competitive by 2026, with Intel announcing the "Panther Lake" chip and AMD potentially challenging with Arm-based chips that could offer better battery life and integrated graphics (04:16, 04:33). Wearables will continue to integrate advanced AI features, moving beyond basic tracking to offer more personalized, companion-like experiences, potentially even requiring physical skills (03:01, 05:18).

Context: This video features five reporters from The Verge—Andru Marino, Allison Johnson, Andrew J. Hawkins, Victoria Song, and Justine Calma—each offering their bold predictions for technology and media trends in the year 2026. The predictions span consumer electronics (foldable iPhones, AI hardware), the automotive sector (EV market consolidation), media consumption (the death of the word 'podcast'), and energy consumption driven by AI infrastructure growth.