Most minecraft items are pretty straight forward, an axe cuts trees, a shovel digs dirt, a hoe sows soil. I don't see how there is any fun in finding out what things do :u
EHERM
Redstone in general (you may need a wiki for complex stuff, but button > wire > noteblock is elementary)
Flint and Steel - I didn't even know what it was supposed to do, but maybe I didn't read about it in history class or whatever.
Dyes - Colored sheep!
Dispensers, Pistons, Noteblocks, etc. - Useful, fun projects to occupy your time.
Ender Pearls, Eyes of Ender - Pearls added easy transportation to specific spots, Eyes of Ender lead you to a new place
Potions - So many combinations of varying levels. It's nice to finally be able to instant heal, or swim in lava.
Did he mention villages? And how the villagers were just reskinned pigs with no drops on release? I was absolutely gobsmacked when minecraft was "released" and added almost nothing new except a god damn endgame scenario.
Nobody likes a smartass.
It looks like villagers are already becoming more useful, assuming they continue on the path they've made with trading. I'd like to see talking interaction, maybe quests.