CES 2026 in Las Vegas wrapped up with a mix of practical upgrades and playful experimentation across consumer tech, from repair-friendlier laptops and more capable robot vacuums to a renewed wave of smart glasses and unusual concept gadgets. Multiple outlets highlighted a swing toward devices that try to save time (cleaning, cooking, home management) and improve everyday usability, even as AI messaging dominated many booths and keynotes. The show also surfaced a small but noticeable “phone comeback,” including foldables and a hardware-keyboard throwback from Clicks aimed at people who miss tactile typing. At the same time, watchdog groups and some commentators raised concerns that parts of CES leaned into overcomplicated, privacy-invasive, or hard-to-repair designs, underscoring the tra...
CES 2026 in Las Vegas wrapped up with a mix of practical upgrades and playful experimentation across consumer tech, from repair-friendlier laptops and more capable robot vacuums to a renewed wave of smart glasses and unusual concept gadgets. Multiple outlets highlighted a swing toward devices that try to save time (cleaning, cooking, home management) and improve everyday usability, even as AI messaging dominated many booths and keynotes. The show also surfaced a small but noticeable “phone comeback,” including foldables and a hardware-keyboard throwback from Clicks aimed at people who miss tactile typing. At the same time, watchdog groups and some commentators raised concerns that parts of CES leaned into overcomplicated, privacy-invasive, or hard-to-repair designs, underscoring the tradeoffs that come with smarter devices.
Highlights:
- Robot vacuum focus: Robot vacuum brands emphasized stronger cleaning and better navigation, with Roborock introducing Saros 20 variants (including a “Sonic” model that uses a VibraRise flat pad with sonic edge scrubbing) and launching its first roller-mop robot vacuum, Qrevo Curv Flow 2.
- AR glasses leap: Xreal previewed two new AR glasses and pitched a gaming-focused model it says is the first micro-LED smart glasses with a 240 Hz refresh rate, alongside a free “Real 3D” over-the-air feature that converts 2D content into 3D on supported models.
- Laptop repairability: CES laptop coverage pointed to mainstream makers paying more attention to easier repairs and component replacement in enterprise machines, with Dell, HP, and Lenovo cited as pushing more modular approaches even if they still trail Framework’s repair-first reputation.
- Smart home practicality: Engadget spotlighted “considered” smart-home hardware such as GE’s Profile Smart Fridge, which uses a small eight-inch display, a built-in barcode reader, and an AI assistant aimed at practical tasks like tracking filters and produce.
- Back-to-keys phones: Clicks discussed a $79 magnetic “Power Keyboard” accessory (Qi2 attachment, Bluetooth, integrated battery) and a small Communicator phone concept with a physical keyboard, explicitly targeting people who prefer tactile typing over all-screen slabs.
CES is a launchpad for serious tech, but it’s also where companies proudly unveil devices that make you stop mid-scroll and whisper, “Wait, this is real?” - Engadget staff
Perspectives:
- Mashable reporters: Mashable framed CES as a place where practical automation still shines (especially robot vacuums), while also tracking the show’s “strange tech” and product launches in real time from the floor. (Mashable)
- Engadget editors: Engadget’s awards coverage emphasized “tangible products that enrich our lives” over AI-heavy stage presentations, while still acknowledging the show’s breadth and the appeal of weird-but-compelling gadgets. (Engadget)
- Repair and digital-rights coalition: A coalition including Repair.org, iFixit, EFF, and PIRG used “Worst in Show” awards to criticize devices they describe as harmful or user-hostile, citing concerns like repairability (Samsung Family Hub fridge), privacy (Amazon Ring AI), security (Merach UltraTread), and e-waste (Lollipop Star). (Slashdot)
- Some industry commentary: Engadget’s opinion column argued that parts of CES painted a more solitary, “ambient care” future centered on AI and home robots, raising unease about over-automation and social impacts. (Engadget)
Sources:
- I spent 30 minutes with the Clicks Communicator, and it’s now my most hyped 2026 Android phone - androidauthority.com
- CES 2026: All of the big robot vacuum announcements, from new suction power records to... another arm - mashable.com
- Best of CES 2026 - youtube.com
- These will be the 11 biggest tech trends of 2026, according to CES 2026 - techradar.com
- Pocketable’s CES 2026 slideshow (interesting things) - pocketables.com
- Engadget's best of CES 2026: All the new tech that caught our eye in Las Vegas - engadget.com
- The weirdest tech we've seen at CES 2026 so far - Engadget - google.com
- CES 2026 Day 3 Round-Up: Surprising Power In Small Packages - slashgear.com
- The best (and weirdest) tech we found at CES 2026 - washingtonpost.com
- Five CES 2026 products I'd buy as soon as they'd take my money - zdnet.com
- Next-Level Vision: These Smart Glasses Stole the Show at CES 2026 - pcmag.com
- From climbing vacuums to cyber pets: Some highlights of CES 2026 - techxplore.com
- Samsung at CES 2026: Hits, misses, and a few questionable choices - sammobile.com
- CES 2026 Live: Everything Announced From Best of Show to AI Toys and Dancing Robots - cnet.com
- CES 2026 live: Wild tech, weird gadgets, and the laptops everyone’s talking about - pcworld.com
- Best Of CES 2026: All The Coolest Products You'll Want To Own - androidheadlines.com
- CES 2026: Everything revealed, from Nvidia’s debuts to AMD’s new chips to Razer’s AI oddities - techcrunch.com
- Robots that can do laundry and more, plus unrolling laptops: the standout tech from CES 2026 - theguardian.com
- The Best Automotive Tech at CES 2026 - gizmodo.com
- Metaverse is out, while AI does the laundry: CES 2026’s biggest tech - techcentral.ie
- CES Worst In Show Awards Call Out the Tech Making Things Worse - slashdot.org
- CES' "Worst in Show" products are basically a who's who list of AI slop [Fail] - fark.com
- CES 2026 worst in show: AI girlfriends, a fridge that won't open unless you talk to it, and more - theregister.com
- Experiencing CES FOMO? Here Are 10 CES Gadgets You Can Buy Right Now. - popularmechanics.com