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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11“Top tech” in 2021 meant two different things: technologies experts expected could become consequential, and consumer products showcased or recognized at CES. The World Economic Forum’s emerging-technology list was a forecast, not a catalog of products already widely available. CES awards and editorial picks, by contrast, concerned named products and concepts—but do not establish their current availability or suitability for a buyer.
What counted as top technology in 2021?
The World Economic Forum (WEF), working with experts convened alongside Scientific American, published its 2021 emerging-technologies list on 16 November. Its selection criteria included potential benefits to societies and economies, disruptive potential, interest to investors and researchers, and an expectation that a technology could reach considerable scale within five years. That horizon described an expectation, not a promise of adoption.
The list covered climate, agriculture, health, construction and connectivity. The technologies ranged from developing scientific and industrial approaches to ideas that could eventually support practical applications; the list did not establish that any had become universally available.
The WEF’s ten emerging technology areas
| Area | What it involves | Potential application described in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Decarbonization technologies | Approaches intended to reduce carbon emissions. | Climate action and lower-emissions activity. |
| Self-fertilizing crops | Crops that could reduce reliance on externally applied nitrogen fertilizer. | Agriculture with lower fertilizer demand. The WEF noted that more than 110 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer are used annually. |
| Disease-diagnosing breath sensors | Sensors that analyze compounds in exhaled air. | Potential disease detection using a breath sample. |
| On-demand drug manufacturing | Continuous-flow microfluidics could enable some medicines to be made when needed. | More flexible medicine production; the 2021 account described a possibility, not routine availability. |
| Energy from wireless signals | Capturing energy from wireless signals. | A potential source of power for devices or systems. |
| Engineering better ageing | Research and technologies aimed at improving how people age. | Potential health and quality-of-life benefits. |
| Green ammonia | Ammonia produced with a lower-carbon approach. | A possible contribution to decarbonization. |
| Wireless biomarker devices | Devices that can monitor biological indicators wirelessly. | Potential health monitoring. |
| Houses printed from locally sourced materials | 3D-printed structures made using materials sourced near the building site. | Construction with less material transport. The WEF said this approach could potentially eliminate roughly 95% of material transport to a building site. |
| A space Internet of Things | Low-Earth-orbit nanosatellites used to extend IoT connectivity. | Potential coverage in places poorly served by cellular networks. |
What the 2021 forecasts did—and did not—show
The WEF’s list was a map of possible directions, not evidence that the ten areas had reached mass adoption. Its stated scale expectation was within five years, but the organization also cautioned that time would determine whether these technologies transformed lives or were displaced by other needs. A forecast made in 2021 should not be mistaken for a current readiness assessment.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
One striking health figure needs particularly careful context. The WEF’s 2021 article recounted a March 2020 Wuhan study reporting 95% accuracy in COVID-19 detection and 100% sensitivity in differentiating patients. Those figures describe the study as reported by the WEF; they are not a general performance claim for breath tests, nor proof that breath-sensor diagnosis is broadly available.
Likewise, the fertilizer and construction figures above are claims reported by the WEF in 2021, not universal results for every crop system or building project. Jeremy Jurgens, then the WEF’s managing director, summarized the list’s ambition this way: “Every single technology has the potential to solve major global challenges.” Potential is the key word.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Consumer technology at CES 2021 was a different kind of “top tech”
CES coverage focused on particular products, components, prototypes and ideas, rather than long-horizon technology areas. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) said its 2021 Innovation Awards covered 28 consumer-technology categories and received more than 1,200 submissions. Among its Best of Innovation honorees were AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Desktop Processors, alongside entries in areas including wearables, accessibility, headphones, home appliances and digital imaging.
An award records recognition in that competition; it does not establish a product’s current retail stock, price or fit for a particular buyer. The processor-line name is a specific product reference, but the 2021 award information does not establish which exact model to buy or whether a present-day listing is compatible with a given system.
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
WIRED’s 13 January 2021 CES roundup selected 12 products, components, prototypes and ideas, including the Acer Chromebook Spin 514, V-Moda M-200 ANC headphones and TCL 6-Series 8K television. CES was virtual that year, and the publication said its reviewers saw products on screens rather than inspecting them in person. These were editorial picks based on remote demonstrations and presentations—not hands-on test results. The historical coverage does not establish current availability for those products.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to interpret “top tech” claims
When comparing a technology forecast with a product roundup, first identify what kind of evidence is being offered. A forecast suggests where development might lead; an award signals recognition within a competition; an editorial pick reflects a publication’s selection under its stated review conditions. None alone answers every question about readiness, real-world performance or whether something is right for an individual buyer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- Readiness: Is the item an emerging research or industrial area, a prototype, or a consumer product?
- Application: What problem is it intended to address—climate, farming, health, construction, connectivity or personal computing?
- Timeframe: Is a stated horizon a forecast, or is there evidence of present availability?
- Evidence type: Is the claim a study result, a forecast, an award or an editorial selection?
- For products: Check the exact configuration, compatibility and current availability. The 2021 award and roundup information does not establish those details.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
