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At CES 2026, HP is showing off its latest flagship consumer laptop: The Omnibook Ultra 14. It features an all-new super thin design that’s much tougher than it looks. 

According to HP, the Omnibook Ultra 14 is the “world’s most durably slim 14-inch consumer notebook,” which is a somewhat convoluted way of saying the system remains quite portable — just 0.42 inches thick — while still passing 20 different military standard tests (MIL-STD-810) for things like shock resistance, drops and extreme temperatures. The whole system is crafted from aluminum, though instead of taking a unibody approach like you see on Apple’s MacBooks, HP opted for forge stamped manufacturing which is said to give the laptop added strength and bend resistance. The result is a notebook that’s both 52 percent lighter than the previous model at 2.8 pounds and five percent thinner than a 2025 M4 MacBook Air 13. And after seeing it in person, I have to say it looks pretty slick, too. 

As you’d expect from a premium ultraportable, the Omnibook comes with a vivid 3K OLED display, up to 64GB of memory, 2TB of storage and your choice of either an Intel Core Ultra 3 CPU or a Snapdragon Elite X2 chip. That said, thanks to an exclusive partnership with Qualcomm, anyone planning on running a lot of AI-based apps on the Ultra 14 may want to go with the Snapdragon variant as it’ll come with a slightly more powerful NPU that maxes out at 85 TOPS (that’s trillions of operations per second) rather than the 80 TOPS you’d get from other OEMs. Furthermore, to help support strong sustained performance, the Ultra 14 is also the first Omnibook to feature a built-in vapor chamber. 

Granted, as a pretty straightforward ultraportable, this thing doesn’t have a ton of special features. But even so, I appreciate that HP didn’t cut corners regarding its keyboard, which has a nice feel that’s not too stiff or bouncy and sits above a rather large touchpad. The company even found room for quad speakers and three USB-C ports that offer Thunderbolt 4, power delivery (USB PD 3.1) and DisplayPort 2.1.

My one small nitpick is that I would have liked to see an SD or microSD card reader as well, but considering HP’s emphasis on portability and toughness, I’m not surprised that it didn't make it. The other thing I’m not so sure about is the Omnibook name in general. It’s been a little while since HP axed the Spectre branding for its top tier consumer laptops and I kind of wish HP would bring it back as it sounds better and feels more befitting of a flagship system like this. 

Regardless, if you’re in the market for a premium 14-inch Windows laptop, the Omnibook Ultra 14 looks like it will be a very strong contender when it goes on sale later this month starting at $1,550.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-hp-omnibook-ultra-14-at-ces-2026-super-sleek-and-surprisingly-durable-170000330.html?src=rss

Brisk It has shown off AI-enabled smart grills at CES before now, but for 2026, the company is taking its cooking tech indoors. With the Neoma multi-function countertop oven, the company offers AI features that can serve as both sous chef and nutritionist, helping you create dishes that fit your budget, diet and other lifestyle needs. The Brisk It Agentic AI can also help with meal planning and grocery orders on top of automatic cooking cycles for recipes it selects.

The Neoma has a temperature range from 90 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking times of one minute up to twelve hours. This means you can do everything from baking to roasting, air frying and more. In fact, it comes with an air fry basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray. The robust steel construction, glass door and interior space should make the Neoma well-suited for most kitchens.

Brisk It isn’t leaving the grill game though. The company also announced the AI Hybrid Gas Grill at CES. The hybrid bit describes the dual gas and wood pellet combustion, giving users the ability to infuse wood smoke in their high-heat grilling sessions. Of course, Brisk It’s AI goes to work here too, with adaptive cooking and personalized meal plans.

The AI Hybrid Gas Grill will be available at retailers later this year. The Neoma AI Countertop Oven will hit Kickstarter in February before a wider retail launch. Brisk it didn’t mention pricing for either model in its press materials.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/brisk-it-brings-its-ai-cooking-tech-to-an-indoor-oven-at-ces-2026-170000705.html?src=rss

We typically see LG TV announcements a bit before CES, but this year the company had a surprise in store. CES 2026 marks the return of LG's ultra-thin "Wallpaper" TV. The latest version sports a gorgeous OLED screen and wireless connectivity, and it's about as thin as a pencil. We were able to check out the new Wallpaper TV during a CES preview event, along with LG’s Gallery and Micro RGB sets. The company also announced refreshed OLED and LED sets for this year, but it's clear that 2026 will be filled with intriguing TVs for a variety of consumers.

LG's 2026 Wallpaper OLED TVDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetThe Wallpaper TV (LG W6)

If money were no object, I'd want a 100-inch LG Wallpaper TV in my family room immediately. It looks shockingly thin in person — almost as if it's some sort of sci-fi prop — and it delivers the rich colors and dark levels we expect from OLED. Cable management is also a cinch, since it requires just a single power cable. The A/V inputs are handled by LG's One Connect box, which you can position wirelessly up to 10 meters away from the TV.

LG's 2026 Wallpaper OLED TV from the rearDevindra Hardawar for Engadget

The LG W6 combines the best of LG's OLED technology, including "Hyper Radiant Color" for improved black levels and color, "Brightness Booster Ultra" to crank up luminance 3.9 times more than conventional OLEDs and a reflection free screen material. LG's Alpha 9 Gen 3 processor beefs up its performance, and its NPU also helps to improve upscaling and overall image performance. (And yes, you can also access generative AI features via Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, if you're into that sort of thing.)

All of that adds up to one of the most remarkable TVs I've seen in years. I haven't been too enamored with other TV gimmicks lately, like everything trying to mimic Samsung's The Frame, or the usless 8K sets. But a super-thin wireless TV with the best OLED panel available? That's the stuff dreams are made of.

LG's 2026 Gallery TVDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetThe Gallery TV competes with Samsung’s Frame

While LG has made Gallery TVs before, in 2026 it's making a more concerted effort to take on Samsung's popular Frame TV. LG says the new sets were designed with the help of museum curators, which helps the "Gallery Mode" adjust brightness and contrast to specific works of art. They also ship with magnetic frame-like bezels, and they have anti-reflective screens to help make the art shine.

In person, the new Gallery TV looks fine, though it's easy to tell that the colors and contrast levels don't match LG's premium OLED TVs. To avoid burn-in issues, these sets feature Mini LED panels. As I noted above, I'm not the core consumer for one of these TVs, but it's nice to see more competition against Samsung's Frame TVs. (Despite pioneering the idea of TVs displaying art, the Frame sets are still fairly mediocre when it comes to actually watching TV shows and movies.)

LG's Micro RGB TVDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetMicro RGB looks like a genuine Mini LED upgrade

As if we needed more TV acronyms to worry about, say hello to Micro RGB, a new technology built atop Mini LED to cover vastly more color range. Just don't confuse it with Micro LED, which is the wildly expensive evolutionary step forward for OLED. LG already announced its Micro RGB set a few weeks ago, but that didn't prepare me for standing in front of the 100-inch demo TV it brought to CES. Throughout a variety of clips, colors looked wonderfully rich, and the overall texture of the images looked surprisingly life-like.

I'd have to compare it to LG's Wall TV side-by-side to truly see how Micro RGB competes with OLED, but technically OLED should still offer better contrast and black levels, since each of its pixels are self-emissive. But sure, if I couldn't get a 100-inch Wall TV in my family room, I certainly wouldn't turn down an enormous Micro RGB.

What about LG's other OLED TVs?

All of the next-generation OLED technology in the wallpaper TV will also make its way into LG's G6 OLED models, while the new C6 and other lines will see improvements of their own. All I can say is that the new G6 OLED looked impressive, with a noticeably brighter picture and HDR elements compared to G-series OLEDs from several years ago.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/lg-tvs-at-ces-2026-a-stunning-wallpaper-set-glorious-micro-rgb-colors-and-a-better-gallery-tv-033739600.html?src=rss

Anker's sub-brand Soundcore just announced a new AI voice recorder at CES 2026. The appropriately-named Work voice recorder is primarily intended for professionals, but also seems useful for students and anyone else who wants an AI to transcribe conversations.

To that end, the company promises 97-percent transcription accuracy via the AI algorithm. The affiliated app will also provide summaries of conversations, like many modern AI tools. Users can double-tap the gadget during important parts of a conversation to ensure it gets preferential treatment.

Anker/Soundcore

None of this is really that new. Dedicated AI voice recorders have been around a while and there are plenty of smartphone apps that do this kind of thing. The Soundcore Work, however, is extremely small and could make for an inconspicuous recording method. The company says it's "coin-sized" so it should fit just about anywhere, including as part of a necklace. 

It has built-in privacy protections and has been MFi certified for Apple devices. The Soundcore Work is available right now and costs $159.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/ankers-soundcore-work-ai-voice-recorder-offers-transcription-in-an-ultra-compact-form-factor-160030844.html?src=rss

Anker's sub-brand Eufy just revealed a high-tech baby bottle washer at CES 2026. The Bottle Washer S1 is filled to the brim with nifty features that should please frazzled parents.

It's been designed to clean deeper than rival models. The Bottle Washer S1 features a built-in water softener, a first in the product category, which should help remove stubborn minerals. It also includes proprietary HydroBlast technology that cleans baby bottles from every angle. This is assisted by the inclusion of a multi-layer rotating spray.

It sterilizes up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit and dries in just 40 minutes. These are both fantastic metrics for baby bottle washers. It also holds more bottles than comparable units, with the ability to clean eight bottle sets at once.

Anker/Eufy

The device allows for complete app control, which lets users set cleaning schedules and perform simple maintenance routines. After cleaning, it can keep bottle sets in a sterile standby mode for up to 72 hours. This really looks like the best bottle washer out there, but quality comes at a price. We don't have any details yet regarding pricing or availability. 

Eufy also announced a portable milk cooler at CES. This should be another boon for busy parents.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/eufy-just-revealed-a-tech-heavy-baby-bottle-washer-at-ces-160021666.html?src=rss

If you had your eye on Nebula P1 projector but $799 is too rich for your blood, Soundcore has a new option at CES 2026. The Anker affiliate just unveiled the 1080p Nebula P1i portable projector that's less than half the price and even more portable, albeit with less brightness. 

Instead of detachable speakers like the Nebula P1, the P1i's speakers are embedded in the projector and can be flipped open and tilted through 180 degrees. It also lacks the P1's tilting projector body and instead offers a stand that can incline the projector from zero to 12 degrees. 

Though it offers the same 1080p maximum resolution as the Nebula P1, it's a bit less bright at 400 instead of 650 ANSI Lumens. Like the more expensive model, though, it supports autofocus, auto keystone correction and screen fit, which will make setup easy for spontaneous outdoor use. And like other projectors in the Nebula lineup, it supports Google TV so you can stream Netflix, Prime Video, Disney and other apps. Best of all, the Nebula P1i is priced at a very reasonable $369 and is set to arrive in "early 2026," according to Soundcore. 

Soundcore

Soundcore also revealed availability for its Nebula X1 Pro party projector that marries its impressive Nebula X1 projector with a 160W sound system, all in one assembly. As a reminder, the projector delivers 3,500 ANSI lumens and an impressive 110 percent coverage of the Rec.2020 HDR color space. The sound system, meanwhile, features a floating subwoofer, 80W soundbar speakers and two wireless satellite speakers for 7.1.4 surround sound. It even supports Dolby Atmos, which the projector on its own doesn't do, while offering IP43 protection from light rain and dust if you want to use it outdoors.

The Nebula X1 Pro is tentatively set to launch on January 20, 2026 for $4,999, though you currently preorder one on Soundcore.com for $4,499. If you need a screen, the company is offering a 200-inch inflatable model for $2,000. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/soundcores-nebula-p1i-portable-projector-launches-in-early-2026-for-369-160020321.html?src=rss

Open-ear wireless earbuds are great for running, when keeping some awareness of the world around you is necessary, but not so good when you want premium audio features that require a good seal, like active noise cancellation. At CES 2026, Anker is trying to change that with the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro, the company's first open-ear earbuds that offer ANC.

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro features a similar adjustable ear-hook design to Anker's previous AeroFit 2 and AeroFit, but with one extra level of adjustment to help the earbuds create more of a seal in your ear. That change, plus tweaks to the tips of the Pro, seem to be how Anker is offering ANC on the new earbuds. Anker says the algorithm running on the Pro checks 380,000 times per second to adjust its level of noise cancellation on the fly. The earbuds' custom diaphragms also offer deeper bass and clearer highs, according to the company.

Anker

Alongside new open-ear earbuds, Anker is also introducing a new portable Bluetooth speaker. The Soundcore Boom Go 3i is a palm-sized speaker with a strap that's ideal for attaching to a bag or taking on a camping trip. Anker says the 15W speaker gets 22 hours of battery life, and that the Boom Go 3i's 4,800mAh battery can be used to charge other devices in an emergency. With an IP68 rating, the speaker also has ample dust and water protection.

Anker

Anker says the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro will be available in February for $179.99. Final pricing for the Soundcore Boom Go 3i wasn't shared by Anker, but the company says the speaker will be priced between $65-$80 and will go on sale in March.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/ankers-new-aerofit-2-earbuds-can-switch-between-open-ear-and-anc-form-factors-160014977.html?src=rss

8BitDo just revealed a new gamepad at CES and it's a doozy. The Ultimate 3E Controller for XBox is a modular marvel that should suit just about any configuration preference. That's because many elements are swappable.

There are two different button modules, each with a different feel when pressing down. There are several joystick options, including standard, tall and thick-neck designs. The controller even ships with a pair of D-pad options. One is intended for precision and the other for "smooth, directional rolls."

8BitDo

There are other bells and whistles here. The Ultimate 3E offers a 1000Hz max polling rate, hall-effect impulse triggers, remappable bumpers that have been designed for speed and customizable 6-axis motion control. It also ships with a wireless charging case. This thing is a beast.

Despite being officially licensed by Xbox, the controller works with other platforms. It looks like a great option for PC, Android and Apple devices.

Now for the bad news. These pro-level features come with a pro-level price tag. The Ultimate 3E costs $150. The company says preorders will open up in the near future and that it should ship later in the year. In the meantime, you'll have to make due with this nifty arcade-style controller by 8BitDo.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/8bitdos-ultimate-3e-gamepad-for-xbox-offers-swappable-button-modules-and-joysticks-160011248.html?src=rss

JLab is following up its ultra-affordable JBuds Mini from 2023 with a new model that supports active noise cancellation at CES 2026. The JBuds Mini ANC are still as tiny as the company's previous wireless earbuds, but now offer customizable ANC for the same $40 price.

In comparison to the company's JLab Go POP+, which is only $30, JLab says its new model features a 50 percent smaller charging case, and 30 percent smaller earbuds. The JBuds Mini ANC comes in gray, dark blue, red and pink, and is IP55-rated for dust and sweat resistance. JLab says the Mini ANC get 6.5 hours of battery life per earbud, and over 24 hours of battery life if you use the earbuds' charging case. 

Dark blue, pink and red versions of the JBuds Mini ANC.JLab

Support for Bluetooth multipoint for switching between connected devices, and the earbuds' built-in noise-canceling mics also produce clearer voice calls, according to the company. Like JLab's other wireless earbuds, ANC performance, touch controls, and additional features like Be Aware (JLab's version of a transparency mode) can be enabled and customized in the JLab app. 

JLab's earbuds and headphones have appeared on multiple of Engadget's best wireless earbuds and headphones lists, and in general, hands-on use of the company's wireless earbuds has consistently impressed. You might not get all the software features of something like the AirPods Pro 3 on the JBuds Mini ANC, but it does seem likely the core competencies of wireless ANC earbuds will be covered for a much cheaper price.

The JBuds Mini ANC will be available in March for $39.99.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/jlab-adds-anc-to-its-tiny-wireless-earbuds-for-ces-2026-160000342.html?src=rss

JLab, known for quality consumer audio that doesn't break the bank, is diving further into gaming. At CES 2026, the company has new keyboards, mice and headsets aimed at gamers. Sticking with the brand's "bang for your buck" angle, they're available in three reasonably priced tiers.

The entry-level tier adopts the Nightfall brand name, which JLab already used on its 2023 gaming headphones. (They're still available and now come in pink and white colors, alongside the preexisting black.) Joining them is a $40 "ultra-light" mouse that weighs 53g. Also costing $40 is a Nightfall keyboard that the company claims has "unmatched precision and accuracy for its price." Its specs include a 52±7 gram-force actuation and a 2.4mm key travel distance.

JLab's Midnight tierJLabs

JLab’s mid-range suite is called Midnight. In that tier, you'll find a $100 mechanical tenkeyless keyboard with N-key rollover, anti-ghosting, and a media dial. You'll also find the $70 Midnight mouse with a 1,000Hz polling rate. And there's a $100 wireless gaming headset with 50mm drivers and an estimated 70+ hours of battery life.

Finally, there's the premium (but still reasonably affordable) Daybreak tier. This segment's mouse costs $100 and offers "true 1:1 tracking" with a PAW3395 sensor. Meanwhile, the $150 Daybreak keyboard is a mechanical tenkeyless model with magnetic keys and a built-in palm rest. The $130 Daybreak headset uses dual drivers (50mm + 20mm) and supports DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio.

JLab hasn't yet announced specific release dates. But it says all the new gaming products will arrive in Q2 2026. You can learn more on the company website.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/jlab-expands-its-gaming-lineup-at-ces-with-keyboards-mice-and-headsets-160000419.html?src=rss

It seems like only a few years ago that Anker made nothing more than batteries and chargers. But 15 years into its history, the company's CES portfolio continues to illustrate how much it's expanded. Among other announcements, the company has a new robot vacuum, video doorbell, outdoor light and smart lock. They're all rolling out under Anker's Eufy smart home brand.

The company hopes its Eufy Clean Robot Vacuum Omni S2 will be your next robovac. The $1,600 device vacuums with 100 AW suction, and it mops, too. Anker claims the vac works on shag carpets up to about 2 inches (5 cm) in pile height. It has an 11.4-inch rolling mop that applies up to 15 N of downward pressure.

As is increasingly common in robovacs, Omni S2 uses AI to identify floor types and adjust several factors on the fly. These include cleaning mode, suction, scrubbing force and wheel height. The machine can also generate lightly oxidizing disinfectants (a hypochlorous acid and ozone water solution) inside its tank.

Presales for the Eufy Clean Robot Vacuum Omni S2 begin on January 6. Shipping and in-store availability for the $1,600 robovac kicks off on January 20.

Eufy Video Doorbell S4Anker

Anker also has a new doorbell, the Eufy Video Doorbell S4. It includes an AI-powered people detection feature with auto-framing. The doorbell has 3,024 x 3,024 resolution at 24 FPS and offers a panoramic (180 x 180-degree) view.

You can use the doorbell in either wired or wireless mode, and it supports solar charging. The Video Doorbell S4 is scheduled to launch "later in Q1" for $280.

Eufy Solar Wall Light Cam S4Anker

Along similar lines, there's the Solar Wall Light Cam S4. The outdoor light has a built-in 4K camera with an f/1.6 aperture. The light has a color temperature ranging from warm white (2700K) to cool white (6500K).

As its name suggests, it supports solar charging. It’s bundled with a detachable 2W solar panel. It also has a 10,000mAh battery that's rated for up to two months. Anker says the Solar Wall Light Cam S4 will arrive in Q1 for $200.

Eufy Smart Lock E40Anker

Finally, Anker has a new lock / camera combo: the Eufy Smart Lock E40. It has "advanced 3D face recognition" that can identify you and your family from up to 10 feet away, unlocking accordingly. Its camera has 2K resolution and a 135-degree field of view, which should capture visitors from head to toe. The lock has a removable 15,000mAh battery (rated for six months) and a smaller 800mAh backup battery to keep things running while the main one is charging.

The Smart Lock E40 supports Matter, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home Assistant and Samsung SmartThings. It's expected to launch in Q1 at Home Depot (online and in stores) for $300.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/ankers-ces-smart-home-lineup-includes-a-1600-eufy-robovac-160000133.html?src=rss

You might think of Bosch as the modern European equivalent to what the GE brand once was in America. It's a home appliance name (thanks to its partnership with Siemens), but the German multinational brand's core business is really about providing the underlying technology and engineering that powers cars, homes and factories around the world. That focus is reflected at CES 2026, where much of what Bosch is unveiling is intended to be licensed to other companies rather than sold as Bosch-branded products on store shelves.

Case in point is Bosch's automotive plans at CES. The company is showcasing what it calls "AI in the car," or more specifically, in the cockpit of the car. "Bosch's AI-powered cockpit makes driving more comfortable, intuitive, and safer for all occupants," Bosch board member Markus Heyn said in a press release. We'll get into all the details below, as well as how to tune in to the press conference on Monday.

How to watch Bosch's CES 2026 presentation

You can livestream the event on Monday, January 5 at 12PM ET via the Bosch press page or YouTube. (We've embedded the stream link below.)

We'll also be highlighting any relevant info from Bosch's presentation in the main Engadget CES 2026 liveblog.

What to expect

Bosch will be setting up shop in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (booth 16203), where the company will be focusing on its three big themes — mobility, smart home integrations and manufacturing — all of which will include hardware, software and AI solutions.

Like many other CES 2026 exhibitors, look for Bosch to emphasize its partnerships with the big dogs of the AI space at the show. For instance, that AI-powered car cockpit mentioned above will feature integrations with both Microsoft and NVIDIA. Bosch is touting the ability to use voice commands to join a Teams call, while the car's system will automatically activate adaptive cruise control. And it's noting that NVIDIA's software suites will help manage "real-time sensor processing and vision-language models."

Here's a glimpse of what the booth will look like:

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/how-to-watch-todays-bosch-ces-2026-press-conference-live-130020554.html?src=rss

CES 2026 kicked off with a big press conference from one of the biggest companies at the show: Samsung. The tech giant held its "first look" presentation to show off new home products and make a plethora of AI-infused announcements. New TVs, speakers, projectors and more were among the headliners, along with updated gaming monitors and soundbars.

Many of the products announced on stage were not actually new, but instead had been dripped out by Samsung recently. Like its minimalist Music Studio speakers or new Micro RGB TVs. We did get a closer look a previously undisclosed set, a flagship 130-inch Micro RGB TV framed by a giant metal easel with embedded speakers. It's one of the most striking sets we've ever seen, but it's much more in the realm of concept than reality. (That's not to say they won't sell it, just that we've heard no plans and if they do it will be hideously expensive.)

Samsung's flagship Micro RGB TV.Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

As for the rest of Samsung's Micro RGB TV line, that may actually be slightly more affordable. The company released its first set last year for an eye-watering $30,000, but that was a 115-inch proof of concept. This year it'll be offering TVs in more reasonable sizes, including the ever-popular 55-, 65- and 75-inch sets. We don't know pricing on those but those smaller models will definitely be cheaper than $30,000. For those that want something bigger, there'll also be 85-, 100- and 115-inch models. As before, the Micro RGB range will offer a purported 100% coverage of the Rec.2020 color space, which is something that even the highest-end OLEDs can't match.

While they may have been announced prior to CES, we did get a few minutes in person with Samsung's Music Studio speakers in the demo area after the big show. The Music Studio 5 and 7 are wireles speakers supporting both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Studio 5 has a four-inch woofer and dual tweeters, while the Studio 7 has a 3.1.1 setup with top-, front-, left- and right-firing speakers to give an "immersive 3D audio experience." For all of that, it's clear the main draw of these new speakers is the design, which is definitely striking.

Another thing from those heady pre-CES days was the Freestyle+, the latest attempt at a micro projector from Samsung. Like previous Freestyle models, it's small and unobtrusive, but this one is a little brighter and has "smarter AI capabilities." 

“The Freestyle+ reflects Samsung’s vision to create displays that adapt naturally to how people live and move between spaces,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “By combining true portability with intelligent AI that optimizes both the viewing environment and the content itself, The Freestyle+ makes it easier to enjoy a consistent, high-quality experience wherever you are.”

Samsung's Music Studio 5 speakers at CES 2026.Billy Steele for Engadget

There were even products that Samsung didn't mention on stage that we then found in the demo area. Like the Samsung HW-QS90H soundbar, a new skew on its popular HW-QS90 line that targets those of us that would rather not have a subwoofer sitting in our living rooms. It's an all-in-one 7.1.2 soundbar with 13 drivers, including four (we're assuming) woofers for its "Quad Bass Woofer system." Or the 

And that was really that for the big announcements. The rest of the stage show was focused on how Samsung thinks (or really, at this point, insists) AI is going to make all of its products more useful. Demos included using AI noise cancelling to turn off the commentators in a soccer match, using AI to watch recipes on your fridge door, using AI to wash your clothes better (?) and... to cut a long story short, Samsung would very much appreciate it if you could please use AI.

We're expecting to see and hear more from Samsung during CES, but for now you can find all of our news stories and more detailed hands-on impressions below, or if you want to relieve the event in extruciating detail there's the livestream replay too. (Don't worry, though the video is three hours long the event itself was a tight hour.)

Samsung hands-on impressions at CES 2026:

• Samsung brought an absolute beast of a 130-inch Micro RGB TV to CES 2026

• Samsung Music Studio 5 and 7 hands-on: Unique speaker designs debut at CES 2026

• Samsung HW-QS90H soundbar hands-on: Impressive bass performance without a subwoofer

• Samsung’s Freestyle+ projector hands-on: Much brighter and impressively adaptable

Samsung's biggest announcements at CES 2026 so far:

• Samsung will show off its expanded Micro RGB TV series at CES

• Samsung's latest Odyssey gaming monitor has a 32-inch 6K screen with glasses-free 3D

• Samsung's two new speakers will deliver crisp audio while blending into your decor

• Samsung's latest Freestyle portable projector is brighter and smarter

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/samsung-unveiled-ai-powered-products-at-ces-2026-everything-announced-from-the-years-first-press-conference-230059247.html?src=rss

You no longer need an Amazon device to summon Alexa since the AI assistant will be available on the Alexa.com website. Amazon will roll out the web client to its Alexa+ Early Access customers first, still featuring the company's new and improved AI assistant that was announced in February.

The web model won't be much different from the existing Alexa+ that's already available on Echo devices, Fire TV and Fire tablets. However, instead of buying into the Amazon ecosystem, Early Access customers can use any web browser to get Alexa+'s help with everything from basic questions to complex tasks, like controlling your smart home devices, customizing a recipe to account for dietary restrictions or making restaurant reservations if you don't feel like cooking. The Alexa+ web version will also feature a navigation sidebar that will be home to your most-used Alexa features.

Amazon recently revamped its Alexa mobile app, while also integrating Alexa+ with Ring doorbells and BMW cars. However, introducing its AI assistant to web browsers could indicate that Amazon wants to encroach on a competitive market, which is currently dominated by OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Gemini. To see how Amazon's Alexa+ on web compares to the rest, you need to set up the Alexa+ Early Access first. After that, you can log into your Amazon account on Alexa.com to get started.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-is-rolling-out-alexa-for-the-web-so-you-can-use-its-assistant-without-a-dedicated-device-150053826.html?src=rss

Bee, the company behind an always-listening AI wearable that Amazon acquired last year, has announced new features in a status update. The device is designed to run in the background of daily life and captures conversations or thoughts spoken aloud. Recording can be started or stopped with the push of a button.

Co-founder of Bee, Maria de Lourdes Zollo, says the company has shipped four major updates that will run on the existing Bee Pioneer hardware. The first is “Actions,” which connects Bee to a user's email and calendar and works to turn spoken commitments into actions. The company says that when you say you need to send an e-mail, for instance, Bee can draft one for you.

“Daily Insights” is designed to identify patterns and trends based on information collected over weeks or months. The company says the goal of this feature is to notice things before a user might, including "shifts in your relationships" and recommend personalized goals related to these, like a life coach of sorts.

“Voice Notes” lets a user press the record button on Bee and log a fleeting thought, a task for a to-do list or anything else that a user wants to recall later. Finally, "Templates" is designed to organize and summarize large amounts of information into a more digestible format. It can also create a study plan from a lecture or recap a sales meeting with a client.

Most of these features would presumably be more useful if a user sets their Bee to record constantly, which raises questions around legality and privacy. Zollo says that Bee processes audio in real time so no audio is ever stored, adding that neither Bee nor Amazon ever have access to transcripts. Still, the wearable could come up against recording consent laws which vary by jurisdiction.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/bee-has-been-busy-since-its-acquisition-by-amazon-last-year-150025311.html?src=rss

Amazon just revealed the Ember Artline TV at CES 2026. This is a lifestyle TV that displays art, putting it in direct competition with Samsung's The Frame. The 4K QLED screen is extremely thin, at 1.5-inches, so it'll likely fit just about anywhere.

It also features a glare-reducing matte screen that has been "designed to make your art and photos look great." The Artline integrates with Amazon Photos and offers access to 2,000 pieces of free art to display. For those worried about electricity usage, the TV includes proprietary technology that senses when someone has entered or left the room and turns on or off accordingly.

The display comes with Amazon's new smart assistant Alexa+, allowing it to double as a smart TV. This is helped along by the inclusion of far-field microphones. Alexa+ is a beefier version of the company's long-standing digital assistant. You can talk to it like a person, if that's your bag. There's even a new use case in which Alexa+ analyzes the aesthetics of a room and recommends art to throw on the screen.

Amazon

This is also a standard TV. It features support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Wi-Fi 6 and will operate on the Fire TV platform. Customers can choose from 10 magnetic frames in a wide variety of colorways, further diversifying the aesthetics.

We don't have a release date yet, other than "later this spring." Amazon has released pricing, however, as this TV starts at $899 for the 55-inch version.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/ember-artline-is-amazons-answer-to-samsungs-the-frame-150015104.html?src=rss

Amazon is kicking off the new year by announcing a redesign of its Fire TV UI at CES 2026. The new UI is designed to make finding things to watch on the platform faster, while making it easier to access more of Fire TV's features straight from the home screen.

On first blush, the biggest difference in the new Fire TV UI is that everything is rounder. Shows, movies and apps have rounded corners, and Amazon's changed the spacing in the interface to give everything more room to breathe. Tweaks to typography and color gradients also give the UI a more modern feel, and Amazon says it's rebuilt the code of the Fire TV software to make everything faster, too, in some cases demonstrating "up to 20-30 percent gains in speed."

The fundamentals haven't changed all that much, however. There's a menu bar of different tabs at the top of the interface that separates the Home page from things like Movies, TV Shows and Sports. Each page shows content in carousels, and Amazon still lets you pin streaming apps like Netflix or Apple TV underneath recommended content, with the biggest difference being you can now pin more apps at once (20 rather than six). Amazon is also changing up how the Fire TV Remote works. Pressing the Menu button now lets you quickly access Fire TV's Art & Photos, Games and Ambient Experience features, and a long press of the Home button pulls up a shortcut panel with access to things like settings and connected Ring cameras. Alexa+, Amazon's rebuilt AI assistant, is also available directly inside of the Fire TV interface for adding things to your watchlist, recommending content and controlling your smart home.

The new Fire TV mobile app can act as a remote and a way to search Amazon's library of content.Amazon

Amazon offers the Fire TV mobile app as a way to control its streaming devices and TVs with a smartphone, but alongside this redesign, the company is also expanding what the app can do. The new Fire TV app lets you browse content, edit your watchlist and start playing things on your TV, in much the same way Roku and Google's streaming apps do.

Both the new Fire TV mobile app and redesigned Fire TV UI will be available for free for all users, Amazon says. The new Fire TV UI will launch in February on the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, the second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series. Later in the spring, Amazon says it will bring the redesign to more countries and devices, including the latest Fire TV 4K streaming devices, TVs like the Fire TV 2-series, 4-series and Fire TV Omni QLED series and TVs from third-party partners like Hisense, Insignia, Panasonic and TCL.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/amazon-is-redesigning-its-fire-tv-ui-for-streaming-sticks-and-tvs-150000622.html?src=rss

CES 2026 is still a day away from officially opening, but Sunday, January 4, delivered the first real wave of news. As has become tradition, the pre-show slate set the tone for the week ahead, anchored by Samsung’s annual First Look press conference and CES Unveiled, the latter of which where hundreds of companies previewed products before the show floor opens on January 6.

Samsung once again dominated the early conversation with its First Look event, using the stage to outline how it sees AI shaping everything from TVs to home appliances in the year ahead. Rather than focusing on individual specs, Samsung framed its 2026 lineup around adaptive experiences, with screens and devices designed to respond more intelligently to their environment and the people using them. TVs remained the centerpiece, with updates like the new 130-inch Micro RGB model aimed at improving picture quality, content discovery and personalization through AI-driven tools.

Among the more concrete pieces of tech tied to Samsung’s CES run was The Freestyle+, a successor to the company’s portable projector that doubles down on AI-powered picture optimization, brighter output and smarter calibration for different surfaces. The unit also supports immersive audio features and syncs with Samsung’s soundbars for a more complete entertainment package. The company further bolstered its audio portfolio with the new Music Studio wireless speakers, which offer an eye-catching design.

Samsung’s broader display strategy was also on show: Samsung Display revealed next-generation QD-OLED panels capable of peak brightness up to 4,500 nits, which are expected to be used in TVs and monitors that debut on the show floor, and introduced new concepts illustrating how OLED tech can blend into future AI-enhanced lifestyles.

Software also played a role in Samsung’s early messaging. The company confirmed that Google Photos will be coming to Samsung TVs later this year, bringing photo libraries and Memories directly into the living room. It’s the kind of addition that doesn’t grab headlines in the same way as new hardware, but it’s exactly the type of update that quietly shapes how people actually use their TVs regularly.

Outside of Samsung’s event, CES Unveiled — the convention’s kickoff mini-show — offered an early look at what smaller companies and startups are bringing to Las Vegas this year. The show floor was packed with a familiar mix of near-ready consumer products and more experimental ideas, spanning robotics, smart home gear, health tech and personal electronics. Companion-style robots, updated AR glasses and AI-powered household gadgets were common sights, reflecting broader trends that are likely to show up repeatedly across the main halls this week.

Unveiled is rarely about big-name launches, but it often reveals where the industry’s attention is drifting. This year, that meant a noticeable emphasis on AI-assisted hardware that blends into everyday routines, whether that’s home devices designed to act more autonomously or personal tech that prioritizes context and convenience over raw performance.

LG also kicked off its pre-show efforts with some notable display news that’s certain to shape conversations on the CES floor. The company reintroduced its ultra-thin Wallpaper OLED evo W6 TV, a panel that sits just 9mm deep and can be mounted flush against a wall, boasting improvements in brightness and color accuracy with Hyper Radiant Color Technology and support for FreeSync and G-Sync.

LG's 2026 Wallpaper wireless OLED TVDevindra Hardawar for Engadget

LG’s display lineup extends into the PC space too, where the division plans to debut a 27-inch OLED gaming panel hitting a 720Hz refresh rate and response times as low as 0.02 ms. On the lifestyle front, the Gallery TV aims to compete more directly with Samsung’s art-style screens by combining a specialized anti-glare panel with an expanding Gallery+ service that brings thousands of artworks to the living room.

Some CES-related announcements also landed ahead of Sunday, underscoring how stretched the show’s news cycle has become. Samsung and LG both shared display and ecosystem updates in the days leading up to January 4, ensuring their products were already part of the CES conversation before pre-show events even began.

Sunday’s announcements served as a clear warm-up for what’s coming next. Monday, January 5, marks the start of press day, when major companies will take the stage for individual conferences and a large number of embargoes are expected to lift. Then, on Tuesday, January 6, CES officially opens its doors, shifting the focus from presentations to hands-on demos and real-world impressions.

We’ll be updating this recap as more news breaks, but if Sunday was any indication, CES 2026 is already moving fast — and the show hasn’t even started yet.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/ces-2026-opening-night-recap-all-the-early-news-you-missed-from-samsung-and-lg-142611832.html?src=rss

picture alliance via Getty Images

The Lego Group is set to host its very first press conference at CES 2026 later today — but exactly what it plans to unveil is still under wraps. The iconic toy brick maker has offered no clues about what's on the agenda, leaving speculation wide open, from new video games to Formula 1 race cars.

Unlike nearly every other press event at CES today, however, Lego's event is not being livestreamed. Thankfully, Engadget is here to bridge the gap: Our own Nate Ingraham will be in the room at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, liveblogging the event in real-time. 

Follow Engadget's Lego CES 2026 press conference liveblog

The Lego CES press conference is scheduled for Monday, January 5 at 1PM ET (10AM PT). We have confirmed with Lego reps that this event will not be officially livestreamed, so we're sharing our real-time impressions right here. Our stream starts at noon ET, an hour before the official event.

What to expect

Thus far, Lego hasn't shared any public info about its CES plans, so we're largely in the dark as to what to expect. At CES 2025, for instance, the toy production giant partnered with Sony to announce the animated Lego Horizon Adventures online game. As such, Lego may spend some time talking up its new 2026 game, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The company may also give some stage time to its Lego Group F1 Academy racing car, though that too would be more about brand building than consumer products.

And given Lego's focus on the environment, the company may discuss its efforts to reach its 2032 ecological goals, including making its Lego bricks more sustainable and reducing carbon emissions by 37%.

While there are plenty of new Lego sets for 2026, however, this is CES, not Toy Fair. So we're assuming that the company will be showcasing something that's more tech-centric. Stay tuned.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/follow-the-lego-ces-2026-press-conference-live-right-here-130005940.html?src=rss

Google is working even more Gemini features into Google TV at CES 2026. The company demoed how the AI assistant would work on its TV platform at last year's show, and this time, it's expanding the AI's features to make it easier to do things like adjust your TV's settings or edit photos.

The ability to view photos stored in Google Photos has long been a feature of Google TV, but as part of this new update, Gemini will be able to do a lot more with them, too. Google says Gemini will be able to search your Google Photos library for specific people and moments, and remix those photos into different styles or compile them into a custom slideshow. Using Google's Veo and Nano Banana models, you'll also be able to ask Gemini to create entirely new media from scratch.

Gemini can adjust TV settings as part of the new update.Google

When you don't want to spend time digging through menus, Google says Gemini will also be able to adjust picture and sound settings for you based on a natural language request. Rather than asking for your brightness to be set to a specific level, simply telling Gemini that "the screen is too dim" will be enough to prompt the AI to adjust the image. Gemini's ability to display information and answer questions through your TV is also expanding. The AI will now use a TV-friendly, "visually rich framework" to answer questions and explain topics, pulling on high-resolution images and video. When you need even more information, clicking on "Dive deeper" under a Gemini response will prompt the AI to create "narrated, interactive overviews" of whatever you want to learn more about.

Google only recently rolled out Gemini to its Google TV Streamer, and it sounds like it could be a bit before these new features are widely available. Google says the new Gemini update will arrive on TCL TVs running Google TV first, before rolling out to "other Google TV devices over the coming months." 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/google-tv-is-getting-gemini-powered-photo-editing-at-ces-140000172.html?src=rss