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Philips Hue has introduced a new software feature called SpatialAware at CES 2026 designed to ensure that all the lights in a space are in harmony with each other. Available exclusively for the Hue Bridge Pro, it takes into account each light point in a room and tailors the colors to ensure a natural representation. "In a sunset scene, for example, the lights on one side of the room emit warm yellow tones to mimic the setting sun, while the ceiling lights on the opposite side reflect darker shades," the company wrote on its blog. The new feature is set to launch in the spring of 2026.To use the feature, you scan a room with your smartphone camera and use augmented reality to determine the positions of individual lights. A smart algorithm then ensures each light point is coordinated. Any lamps added after setup will be taken into account. Then, you use SpatialAware to select a scene like "Lake Mist" and activate the mode.Philips Hue room without SpatialAwarePhilips HueIn the example at top, the company shows how all the lights in a room are "no linger mixed together in a colorful jumble [above] but are perfectly coordinated. The same applies, for example, to the gradient color transitions of corresponding products, where SpatialAware even takes the orientation into account."Philips Hue also introduced a few other features. To start with, the company is adding support for migrating multiple Hue Bridges to a single Bridge Pro during the setup process. In addition, the Hue Secure Camera, Hue Secure video doorbell and Hue contact sensors will soon work with Apple Home. Users will also see live video with picture-in-picture mode on Apple TV and get real-time alerts on the Apple Home app.The Hue AI assistant has been updated so you can now creation automations based on natural language requests - for instance, "wake me up at 6:45 AM every day except on Wednesdays." New AI assistant languages have been added (Dutch, German and Spanish) and the Hue app will start showing automations within the rooms and zones they're set to control, so you won't need to jump around in the app as much. All those new features are set to arrive in Q1 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/philips-hue-spatialaware-feature-harmonizes-all-the-lights-in-a-room-101843600.html?src=rss

As a former Mint user, I had to find a new budgeting app not too long ago. Intuit, parent company of Mint, shut down the service in March 2024, and prompted users to transition to its other financial app, Credit Karma. However, after testing Credit Karma myself, I found it to be a poor Mint replacement - that meant I needed to branch out and look elsewhere for a trusted app to track all of my financial accounts, monitor my credit score, follow a monthly spending plan and set goals like building a rainy-day fund and paying down my mortgage faster.

Not everyone remembers the unique controllers that never quite made it. As third-party peripheral makers attempt to offer gamers something different to the likes of DualSense and Joy-Cons, they often have to go in a different direction. GameSir's Swift Drive (apparently a working product name) is definitely that. And if you remember 1998's JogCon for the PS1, there's definitely some shared DNA.It features a compact steering wheel at the center of an otherwise typical controller design. It's also got force feedback, tech usually found in (full-size!) steering wheel controllers. GameSir says it has a high precision" Hall Effect encoder built in for ultra-accurate" steering.Mat Smith for EngadgetYou will be able to adjust the steering range from 30 to 1080 degrees, but you'd likely want to keep it high - it's the entire point of this controller. GameSir has added Hall-effect sensors to its more typical joysticks and buttons, while each trigger has its own haptic motor to simulate wheel slip and braking. Several RGB lights across the top of the controller will even attempt to replicate your in-game RPMs, which is a cute touch.On the show floor at CES, I drove a big rig in a demonstration area that was stripped down to wireframe ramps and curved surfaces. The force-feedback is powerful and it's a surprisingly satisfying driving experience as I wheeled around, rotating the steering wheel with both thumbs. The steering wheel can also be customized with different plates. It felt like a miniaturized steering-wheel controller and would lock out when I oversteered or stopped. You may be concerned about battery life, but the controller should last 20-30 hours on a single charge.A GameSir spokesperson said the controller is expected to go on sale later this year, but pricing has not yet been confirmed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/this-game-controller-has-a-force-feedback-steering-wheel-lodged-in-the-middle-034521141.html?src=rss

Robot vacuum companies are once again out in full force at CES 2026, giving their devices a new set of intriguing - and sometimes unsettling - capabilities. This year, Chinese appliance maker Dreame is showing off a vacuum prototype with giant legs that can climb up and down an entire flight of stairs.The concept, called the Cyber X, was previewed last year at IFA in Berlin. The vacuum sports a somewhat terrifying set of legs with rubber treads that allow it to autonomously navigate multi-story environments. While Dreame has previously shown off vacuums that can move up smaller steps, it says the Cyber X can climb stairs up to 25cm (9.8 inches) high and slopes up to 42 degrees. It can manage both straight and curved staircases, and can climb a flight of steps in 27 seconds, according to the company.We got a chance to see the Cyber X and its stair-climbing abilities at Dreame's CES booth, and the device was able to deftly crawl up and down a flight of stairs. The Cyber X didn't use its legs" to walk up the steps, though. Instead, it used the treads horizontally, moving a bit like a miniature, cleaning tank.Interestingly, the actual vacuum is separate from the climbing apparatus. As you can see in the image below, the larger device with legs has an opening where the actual robot vacuum can dock inside and sit while the Cyber X climbs stairs.That likely means the Cyber X isn't able to clean the stairs themselves, though it does cleverly solve the problem of transporting the vacuum throughout multi-story environments.In addition to its legs, the Cyber X's vacuum also has a built-in water tank to support mopping abilities, and a laser-powered navigation system to help it maneuver up stairs and around other obstacles. It also has a braking system that allows it to stay stable on floors and stairs, even if the battery dies.Dreame's Cyber X.Karissa Bell for EngadgetFor now, Dreame says Cyber X is just a research prototype and hasn't indicated if it plans to make it, or a robo vac like it, more widely available at some point in the future. But Dreame has a history of showing off innovative features at CES ahead of an actual release. Last year, the company had a prototype vacuum with a mechanical arm at its CES booth. This year, it announced a new vacuum with very similar abilities.The company also announced the Dreame X60 Max Ultra, its latest flagship robot vacuum that can roll up smaller steps. The X60 Max Ultra, which costs $1,699, can move over stairs up to 8.8cm (about 3.4 inches), a small improvement over last year's X50, which could clear heights of 6cm (about 2.4 inches). That's not enough to manage a full-size stair, which is typically around 7 inches, but it should make the X60 flexible enough to navigate threshold steps and other small obstacles.Update, January 6, 2026, 5:07PM PT: This post was updated with new photos and video and to add additional information about the Cyber X after seeing a live demonstration at Dreame's CES booth.

Lenovo just revealed a new smartglasses concept design at CES 2026. The appropriately-named Lenovo AI Glasses Concept promises to transform "how users interact with their surroundings and unifies their workflow."They look like a standard pair of specs and not all that different from something like Meta's Ray-Ban Display glasses. A pair weighs just 45 grams and the battery lasts eight hours, which is just enough time to get through a standard workday.The glasses are wirelessly tethered to a smart device, which is what does most of the computational heavy lifting. They do include Lenovo and Motorola's proprietary AI platform called Qira, which delivers "sub-millisecond live translation and intelligent image recognition." There's also something called the Catch Me Up feature, which is an AI-generated recap of various notifications from various devices.The hardware allows for touch and voice control and includes teleprompter software. The concept glasses include speakers, as Lenovo is advertising music playback as a feature.We don't know when or if these smart glasses will ever hit store shelves. Lenovo tends to drop several intriguing concept designs each year at CES and not all of them make it to market.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/lenovo-just-revealed-a-concept-for-ai-powered-smartglasses-at-ces-010057822.html?src=rss

Lenovo has brought a slew of updates to its Legion and LOQ line of gaming laptops for CES 2026. The refreshed laptops are all built around Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs.The new Legion 7a is both thinner and lighter than the previous generation and is aimed at gamers, creators, and working professionals. Lenovo says the new 7a will be powered by AMD Ryzen AI 400 CPUs and RTX 50-series GPUs, delivering up to 125W of total system power.Presumably this means buyers will choose from multiple CPU and GPU configurations, and Lenovo says the 7a will support up to a Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 and up to an RTX 5060 GPU, but precise details on other configurations have not been made available.The laptop sports a 16-inch OLED display and Lenovo says the laptop's "AI-optimized" performance is ready to handle complex coding, simulation, and 3D modeling projects. The 7a runs on Windows 11 Copilot+ and uses on-board software to dynamically tune power use and thermals depending on the workload the laptop is under. The Legion 7a will start at $2,000, with availability "expected" in April.Lenovo is also refreshing the Legion 5 line with the Legion 5i powered by the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 and Legion 5a with a choice of an AMD Ryzen AI 400 or Ryzen 200. Both will offer RTX 50-series GPUs, OLED displays and the same software-based tuning features as the 7a. Lenovo says the 5i can be figured up to an Intel Ultra 9 386H with an RTX 5060 GPU, and the 5a up to a Ryzen AI 9 465 with RTX 5060. Here again we don't yet have details on alternate configurations.The Legion 5 laptops run on Windows 11 Copilot+, and Lenovo says they are ready for gaming, streaming, building presentations and video editing. Pricing starts at $1,550 for the 5i, $1,500 for the 5a with Ryzen AI 400 and $1,300 for the 5a with Ryzen 200. Lenovo also expects these laptops to be available in April.At the entry level, the LOQ 15AHP11 and LOQ 15IPH11 target students with RTX 50-series graphics and a WQXGA (2560 x 1600) LCD display up to 15.3 inches. The 15AHP11 will start from $1,150 with availability expected in April, while the 15IPH11 will not be sold in the US.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/lenovo-updates-its-legion-and-loq-gaming-laptops-for-ces-010042509.html?src=rss

After kicking off its Moto Things accessory line with wireless earbuds, a Bluetooth tracker and a cheap smartwatch in 2024, Motorola is doubling down. At CES 2026, the company is announcing a sequel to its tracker, the Moto Tag 2, a stylus for its new folding phone, the Moto Pen Ultra and a more premium smartwatch called the Moto Watch.The Moto Watch has a 47mm round face with a stainless steel crown and an aluminum frame. The smartwatch comes with a PANTONE "Volcanic Ash" silicone band, but is designed to support third-party 22mm bands, too, which greatly expands its customization options. Motorola says the watch can get up to 13 days of battery life normally or seven days with its always-on display enabled, and also features a built-in speaker and microphone for hands-free controls and audio notifications. The Moto Watch is meant to be fairly durable, as well, with Gorilla Glass 3 front glass and IP68 water and dust resistance.The actual fitness features of the watch are powered by Motorola's new partner Polar, a company with its own line of fitness trackers and smartwatches. The Moto Watch lets users log their calorie consumption throughout the day, track their workouts and activity levels (with a daily Activity Goal and Activity Score) and monitor their sleep. The watch also has built-in dual-frequency GPS for tracking runs, bike rides and hikes.A hand holding a Moto Pen Ultra writing on a Razr Fold.MotorolaWhile Samsung dropped S Pen stylus support on its latest version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (one of many ways the company got the foldable so thin), Motorola is embracing styluses on its new Razr Fold. The Moto Pen Ultra comes with a charging case and supports things like palm rejection and tilt sensitivity for more accurate strokes. The Moto Pen Ultra can also be used with Google's Circle to Search and new AI-powered software features like "Sketch to Image," which converts hand-drawn sketches into detailed images.A bike seat with a Moto Tag 2 attached to it.MotorolaThe Moto Tag 2 builds on the original Moto Tag with a longer battery life and better durability. The Moto Tag 2 is IP68-rated and now gets over 500 days of battery life in comparison to the original Tag's year-long battery. As before, the Bluetooth tracker connects to Google's Find Hub network and Motorola says the tracker's ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna and support for Bluetooth Channel Sounding can help users determine the exact distance they are from their tracked object. You can also press the button on the Moto Tag 2 to ring your phone if it's missing, or customize the Tag to act as a camera shutter button.Motorola hasn't shared pricing details for any of its new Moto Things accessories, though it has provided a release date for at least one. The Moto Watch will be available on January 22 from the company's website. The Moto Tag 2 and Moto Pen Ultra, meanwhile, will both be available in North America "in the coming months."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/motorola-expands-its-moto-things-lineup-with-a-new-bluetooth-tracker-stylus-and-smartwatch-010000669.html?src=rss

If the world didn't already have one too many digital assistants, Lenovo is adding another one to the pile. On Tuesday evening, the company announced Qira, a cross-device AI for both its own computers and Motorola smartphones. Set to arrive later this quarter, it will live at the system level of Lenovo devices. Users won't need to open or switch to the assistant. Instead, "it's always present," says Lenovo.Of course, you can ignore Qira, and it will stay quiet if you don't need the software to do anything for you. Occasionally, Lenovo says Qira will surface proactive suggestions, and for frequent users, the company promises a machine learning system that will develop a "living model" of your world, "understanding context, continuity and personal patterns of over time." In practice, that means Qira can write emails for you, transcribe and translate meetings and provide summaries of things you might have missed. You know, all the usual stuff every company is offering with their on-device assistants.From a privacy standpoint, Lenovo says Qira employs a hybrid architecture that "prioritizes" on-device processing, and won't collect customer data without the user's permission."Every aspect of the Lenovo Qira experience is designed to be secure, ethical, and accountable." I asked Lenovo how Qira would interact with Copilot and Gemini on the company's PCs and Motorola smartphones, and if the new assistant would add to the processing load on those devices, but the company has yet to respond to my email. I'll update this article when I hear back.On paper, creating a dedicated AI assistant for the company's devices is something I'm sure Lenovo executives agreed was a good idea, but when many people aren't even using Copilot, it feels like a misread of what Lenovo users want. In April, reporting from Newcomer suggested Copilot had flatlined at around 20 million weekly users in 2024. By contrast, over that same period, ChatGPT had grown to 400 million weekly users, and as of late 2025, there are 800 million people using OpenAI's chatbot every week.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/lenovo-and-motorola-are-releasing-their-own-on-device-ai-assistant-010000696.html?src=rss

Lenovo has experimented more with laptops featuring rollable displays than pretty much any other PC maker and at CES 2026 it's keeping that trend going with the XD Rollable Concept.Equipped with a 180-degree Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover, the XD Rollable concept features a very futuristic design. However, underneath, it has the same basic engineering as last year's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6. That means with the touch of a button, its 13.3-inch flexible OLED display can expand to 16 inches, which gives you around 50 percent extra screen space in just a few seconds. The main difference with Lenovo's latest concept is that instead of hiding the unused section of its rollable display underneath its keyboard, the XD's panel wraps up and over its lid to create a world-facing" display around back. This allows people sitting on the other side of the laptop to see content, with the laptop capable of mirroring elements from its main display or using that space as a small secondary monitor.Now I will admit that after seeing the XD Rollable in person, its design does feel a bit gimmicky. Even though Lenovo's space-themed animation that appears when the laptop's display extends is pretty slick, I'm not sure how helpful that world-facing display really is. In normal use, you can't even see it because it's on the other side of the lid and while I suppose you could utilize that area for meetings or presentations, I think most people would be much better off simply connecting the notebook to a dedicated secondary monitor or projector.That said, I do like that contrary to the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6, by exposing the unused part of the XD Rollable's display when it's not extended, you get a little bit of extra value out of it. At the very least, it beats stashing the rest of the panel underneath the keyboard where it won't be seen at all. On top of that, I like the look of having no bezel along the top of the display and you can even use touch controls on the edge of the display to control widgets or expand its flexible screen. Interestingly, the coolest part about the XD Rollable might not even be its screen, but the motors and rails that Lenovo uses to extend its display, which are easily seen beneath its glass design.Meanwhile, the rest of the XD Rollable is very down to earth with it featuring a comfy keyboard and a decent-sized touchpad. The main downsides are that its glass lid makes the concept a bit heavier than a more traditional 13-inch notebook and you only get two USB-C ports. But considering that Lenovo isn't planning to put this thing into production, that lack of connectivity or info regarding its specs shouldn't come as a big surprise.

Lenovo might have the most concept devices of any company at CES 2026, but the wildest and most interesting one is almost certainly the Legion Pro Rollable which features a 16-inch flexible display that can expand to not one but two different sizes.To make the Legion Pro Rollable, Lenovo started out with a standard Legion Pro 7i and kept the bottom half including all of its ports and support for an RTX 5090 GPU. But then the company went a bit crazy: Instead of replacing the notebook's original 16-inch OLED screen with a rollable variant that extends upwards like the Thinkbook Plus Gen 6 from 2025, Lenovo opted for one that expands outwards to either 21.5 inches or 23.8 inches This means instead of being restricted to a standard 16:10 aspect ratio, you also have the choice of 21:9 or an ultra-wide 24:9 with just the touch of a button. Or more like two buttons because to widen or shrink its display, you need to press FN plus one of its arrow keys.

Last year at CES, Dreame showed off a robot vacuum prototype with a mechanical arm. But while we were able to see the arm extend and retract, we didn't see the device, which was described as a prototype at the time, actually grab anything, which was a bit disappointing.This year, though, the company has made its arm-enabled vacuum a reality with the Cyber 10 Ultra. Dreame previewed it recently at IFA in Berlin, but has now confirmed it will be on sale later this year.The vacuum has an extendable arm that looks pretty similar to the prototype version we saw last year. It extends from the top of the vacuum and has a claw-like device at the end for scooping up objects. According to Dreame, it can pick up items that weigh up to 500 grams (about 1 pound) so it should be able to grab a wider variety of stuff than the Roborock vac we saw last year, which had a 300-gram weight limit for its arm.The arm can also do more than pick up stuff from the floor. It supports its own cleaning accessories, and can grab vacuum nozzles and brush attachments from its base station. This allows the arm to act as an extension of the vacuum itself so it can be used similarly to how you might use hose attachments to reach hard-to-get areas with a traditional vacuum.We were able to see a brief demo of the Cyber 10 arm in action on the CES show floor. It was able to pick up balls and place them in a basket. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see it lift any heavier object or grab its cleaning attachments, but we were able to get a good look at the base station and the small cubbies where they will be stored.The base station that holds the attachments for the vacuum's arm.Karissa Bell for EngadgetAnd, like Dreame's other robot vacuums, the Cyber 10 Ultra also has mopping abilities and can climb up small steps up to 6cm (about 2.4 inches). That's not quite as impressive as the tank-like stair-climbing Cyber X prototype it also brought to CES, but should help the Cyber 10 reach a few extra places in the house.The company hasn't announced an exact release date, but says it's targeting August of this year and currently expects the Cyber 10 Ultra to cost around 1799 (about $2,100).Update, January 6, 2026, 4:17PM PT: This story was updated with new photos, a video and information about the Cyber 10 Ultra.

Meta has been experimenting with EMG technology for years. In 2025, the company commercialized it for the first time in its Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, which users control via a dedicated neural band that is able to interpret subtle muscle movements in the wrist.Now, at CES 2026, the company is offering its first look at how its neural band could be used to control devices outside of its smart glasses lineup. Meta has teamed up with Garmin, as well as a handful of research partners, to explore some intriguing use cases for its wrist-based controller.The social media company has previously worked with Garmin on fitness integrations for its glasses. But at CES, the companies were showing off a very early demo of how Meta's neural band inside of a car to control the built-in infotainment system.

Bethesda announced on X today that Quake is now a Steam Deck Verified title. The 1996 game from the legendary id Software has also been designated Handheld Optimized for the Xbox ROG Ally devices. As one of the OG boomer shooters, Quake still commands a sizable and passionate fan base, and it's now available on just about every gaming platform imaginable.Since rolling out its verification program, several thousands of games have been designated as supported for the Steam Deck. Valve has more recently been preparing to have additional gaming devices run its SteamOS platform. Even though Xbox ROG Ally is the only one now, there's already a special extension of verification to note if a title is more broadly compatible with Steam's operating system. And don't forget that Valve's anticipated Steam Machine is due out some time early this year, so it wouldn't be surprising to have those verification checkmarks start to carry more weight in 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/quake-is-now-steam-deck-verified-223009852.html?src=rss

I've been using the same smartphone controller on my iPhone for years. That's partly because most options are so similar. Announced at CES 2026, the X5 Alteron couldn't be more different. It's a collaboration between GameSir (which loves unusual peripheral dalliances) and Hyperkin (retro-leaning controller maker).The X5 Alteron is apparently the world's first fully modular mobile games controller. While the headline feature might be the stick/d-pad/button modules, the X5 Alteron has a very accommodating vice grip that works with devices from iPhone and Android phones through to the Switch series and even iPads. There's even Bluetooth if you want to use it with a PC.Mat Smith for EngadgetOn the showfloor, Gamesir had a non-working prototype model with swappable modules, able to replicate most of your favorite layouts, including asymmetric analogue sticks, a yellow stick that's aspiring to be a Gamecube controller and even a six-button array for those wanting to scratch that Sega Saturn itch. And if you want symmetrical sticks, you maniac, you can have that too. Rumble motors will also be built into the controller.The modules lie flush when magnetically attached to the controller, although on the early prototype, they were difficult to remove. It's pretty much fully customizable: there will be adjustable stick heights and hot-swappable buttons. Hyperkin and Gamesir are promising GameCube and N64 modules, and even a trackpad module for FPS games.There's contemporary technology too. The X5 Alteron will have capacitive sticks, not Hall-Effect ones. This should offer much more precision: the technology remains pretty rare in controllers. There are Hall-Effect analog triggers on the rear of the controller. It's early days, with no release date or pricing set yet, but I'm intrigued - and I suspect many mobile gamers are too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/hyperkin-and-gamesir-x5-alteron-modular-game-controller-ces-2026-221853624.html?src=rss

How far has Intel's embedded Arcgraphics come over the years? Enough to let me play Battlefield 6 at up to 190 fps in 1080p, with the graphics settings set to high, all on an unassuming Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5. There was no need for dedicated graphics, just the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H's built-in Arc B390 GPU.There's a catch, of course: Intel's XeSS3 AI upscaling and 4X frame generation is the big reason why I was able to see such high fps figures. I was playing Battlefield 6 on a controller, with the Lenovo laptop connected to a TV, and I was surprised by how smooth the gameplay felt. There wasn't any sense of lag like I've seen in earlier frame-gen implementations, though any lag would probably be more noticeable if I was playing with a high DPI gaming mouse.Environmental details, shadows, lighting and particle effects also looked flawless. If I was sitting on a couch, I'd think the game was being powered by a console or a budget gaming PC. I didn't get a chance to push the resolution up to 1440p, but it'd be interesting to see if it could maintain at least 100 fps in that mode.Playing "Battlefield 6" with a Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5, powered by Intel's Core Ultra 3 chip.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetNot all of Intel's Core Ultra 3 chips will achieve such lofty gaming heights, unfortunately. Only the X7 and X9 chips include 12 Xe GPU cores and Arc B390 graphics. The rest of the Core Ultra 3 family has the typical four Xe cores and basic Intel graphics.Intel claims the B390 is around 80 percent faster than the Radeon 890M, which is built into the Ryzen HX370. Additionally, the company says the new GPU is 76 percent faster than its Arc 140T, and overall it should offer similar performance to the mobile RTX 4050 GPU.A Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/intels-core-ultra-series-3-let-me-play-battlefield-6-at-190-fps-on-a-lenovo-ultraportable-220952246.html?src=rss

Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are on sale for $165 via Amazon. That's a nice discount of $64, which breaks down to 28 percent. There is a spot of bad news. The deal only applies to the hazel colorway. Other colors are discounted, but they aren't as cheap. It's not as if the hazel is hideous. These are standard dark brown-hued earbuds. The device made our list of the best wireless earbuds, and this is particularly true for those tied into the Pixel ecosystem. These earbuds are on the smaller side and, more importantly, comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They also manage to deliver pristine audio, as we were fans of the punchy bass, full mids and crisp highs on offer. The battery lasts for 30 hours when you include return trips to the charging case, at around eight hours a pop. They offer multipoint Bluetooth that switches between audio sources with just a single button press. There's an app for keeping an eye on battery levels and ANC levels. The primary downside when these were first released was the high price tag, which has been alleviated by this sale. Beyond that, there's really just one nitpick. Smaller earbuds translate to a smaller touch panel, which requires precision to operate. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-pixel-buds-pro-2-earbuds-are-on-sale-for-165-193444491.html?src=rss

Home appliance company Cosori has released a stainless steel air fryer because why not. The Iconic Air Fryer debuted in all its shiny glory at Pepcom this week, a media showcase event ahead of CES.Cosori says the air fryer is meant to address a pain point in the market regarding consumer concern over heating food in plastic air fryers. The company's answer to this is a 6.5-quart stainless steel fryer with a ceramic, nonstick coating on all surfaces that come in contact with food. Iconic has a brushed metal finish that Cosori says is corrosion resistant.The controls and display for the fryer are seated under tempered glass atop the motor. From there, users can select from six different cooking functions consisting of air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, proof and reheat. The fryer can run as cool as 90 degrees Fahrenheit or as hot as 450.Users can connect Iconic with the VeSync app, the parent company's app for bluetooth-enabled devices across its brand portfolio. From there, Iconic can be remotely monitored and controlled. The app also contains a library of recipes that can automatically apply the associated cook settings to the air fryer. Iconic is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.Iconic is available now from the Cosori website and retails for $250. Cosori also makes a more affordable 6-quart fryer that is currently our runner up for best overall air fryer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/cosoris-stainless-steel-air-fryer-wants-to-assuage-your-fear-of-microplastics-191339820.html?src=rss

Riot Games has a pretty long legacy as a PC gaming studio, but the company is spreading out into consoles with its newest title. 2XKO will land on consoles on January 20, to coincide with the start of its first season. The game will be available globally for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S with cross-play support, allowing current players to access their existing progress on a PC account.The formula for most recent Riot projects (with the notable exception of Valorant), has been to take the extensive character roster from its long-standing League of Legends MOBA and place them into other game genres. 2XKO is the company's foray into a 2v2 fighting game. Ten familiar LoL champions were on the debut linup when it launched in early access on October 7.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/riot-games-2xko-will-hit-consoles-on-january-20-185627826.html?src=rss

IO Interactive just revealed minimum and recommended specs for the PC build of 007 First Light. The company recommends 32GB of RAM and 12GB of VRAM. In a normal world, this wouldn't be news, as modern NVIDIA GPUs certainly have more than enough VRAM. However, we live in a world where AI companies gobble up lots of memory.This has caused newer cards to tick up in price, with more hikes to come. Older cards like the RTX 3070 just won't cut it, as that one ships with 8GB of VRAM. Standard RAM is also getting much more expensive, putting that 32GB out of reach for many gamers. In other words, playing the James Bond sim at max settings will likely cost a pretty Moneypenny.IO Interactive IO also recommends an Intel Core i5 13500 or an AMD Ryzen 5 7600 CPU, along with 80GB of storage space. Rumors have been swirling that NVIDIA is set to relaunch the RTX 3060 from 2021 to help offset increased demand caused by the hungry hippo that is AI. That one does ship with enough VRAM to run the game at recommended settings.However, mostly everyone will be able to play the game at minimum settings. It requires just an NVIDIA GTX 1660 or AMD RX 5700 and an Intel Core i5 9500K or AMD Ryzen 5 3500. Players must have 16GB of traditional RAM and 8GB of VRAM.It's worth noting that both the recommended and minimum specs are for running the game in 1080p. The company hasn't announced anything for 4K settings, so it must be pretty bad on the VRAM front.IO has also revealed a partnership with NVIDIA on the game. 007 First Light will include DLSS 3 with Multi Frame Generation for "an even deeper sense of immersion and improved performance."007 First Light is a nifty-looking action title that chronicles the early years of everyone's favorite lothario spy. Patrick Gibson from The OA and Dexter: Original Sin plays Bond and Lenny Kravitz, the guy who sings stuff, voices the villain. The game will be available on May 27 on multiple platforms.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-pc-version-of-007-first-light-requires-lots-of-expensive-ram-and-vram-to-run-at-recommended-settings-184339040.html?src=rss

If I were building a new PC today, I'd go for a small form factor mATX or ITX build. With companies like Fractal Design and Lian Li making cases that can fit modern GPUs without sacrificing on thermals, you don't need to settle for the old mid-tower monstrosities of yesteryear. And that's why PNY's new "Slim" model RTX 50-series designs caught my eye. All three variants, covering the 5070, 5070 Ti and 5080, are two slot cards with just a pair of 120mm fans for cooling. As a result, even the largest of the three new models, the 5080, is relatively svelte, coming in at 11.8-inches or 300mm long. That means it can comfortably fit with room to spare in a media PC enclosure like the Fractal Ridge.Technically, NVIDIA's reference designs for the 5070 and 5080 are also dual-slot solutions, but most of the company's manufacturing partners produce two-and-half or three slot variants of those cards. And with no Founders Edition version of the 5070 Ti available from NVIDIA, PNY's new take on that GPU will likely find a dedicated fanbase among PC enthusiasts.PNY says the new cards will arrive in February, with the company planning to offer both standard and overclocked versions of all three models. However, PNY isn't sharing pricing details just yet. That probably has to do with the state of the entire PC industry right now. With the price of most RAM kits doubling and tripling in recent months due to the AI boom, building a new computer has become prohibitively expensive, and all signs point to GPUs getting more costly in 2026. In fact, the memory crunch is so bad that NVIDIA is reportedly planning to bring back the RTX 3060, a GPU from 2021, as a stopgap. Yikes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/pny-is-releasing-slim-sized-nvidia-rtx-gpus-just-as-pc-building-becomes-prohibitively-expensive-183127305.html?src=rss

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced the first batch of incoming Game Pass titles for 2026. Star Wars Outlaws and Resident Evil Village headline the first wave of the January lineup.If you (perhaps wisely) held off on spending $70 on Ubisoft's first stab at a Star Wars game, here's your chance to try it for less. Star Wars Outlaws sets you loose in an open world as the young thief Kay Vess. The third-person action title includes melee, shooting and stealth. There's even some speeder chases and space dogfights to scratch your (boilerplate) Star Wars itch. Does it do anything novel or innovative to justify its full price? Not really. But it can still be a good time for fans of the saga.Star Wars Outlaws arrives on Game Pass on January 13 (cloud, PC, and current-gen Xbox consoles). It will only be available for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.If you're less into Wookies and more about 10-foot-tall vampire ladies, there's Resident Evil Village. Capcom's 2021 title is "a gothic fairy tale masquerading as a survival-horror game," as Engadget's Jessica Conditt put it. In addition to the iconic Countess Alcina Dimitrescu, you'll encounter werewolves, sea creatures and the requisite creepy dolls. The franchise's eighth mainline game is something of a departure for the series, but you'll still find plenty of familiar horror, puzzles and action.Resident Evil Village lands on Game Pass on January 20 (cloud, console, PC). It will be available for the Ultimate, Premium and PC tiers.There's plenty of other fare arriving this month. Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition and the twin-stick shooter Brews & Bastards arrive today. The first-person survival action game Atomfall and the online soccer game Rematch land on January 7. Finally, the Final Fantasy 2D pixel remake arrives on January 8.You can check out Microsoft's blog post for more.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/resident-evil-village-and-star-wars-outlaws-join-januarys-game-pass-additions-182500938.html?src=rss

On Monday, we went hands-on at CES with LG's new Sound Suite speakers featuring Dolby Atmos FlexConnect and now we have pricing for the entire lineup. The modular home audio system consists of four speakers that include a soundbar, surround speakers and a subwoofer.The centerpiece of the group is the H7 soundbar, which will retail for $1,000. The soundbar uses FlexConnect to optimize sound based on the layout of a room and its location therein. This is intended to solve for when a speaker can't be perfectly placed to deliver optimal sound, especially spatial audio.The H7 also has a feature LG is calling Sound Follow that tracks the location of a user's phone throughout a room and adapts the audio to their location. The idea is that if you move from one side of the couch to the other, or to a chair in a totally different part of the room, you'll still receive the best possible sound.The M7 and M5 surround speakers will sell for $400 and $250 respectively. These serve as satellite speakers to the H7 and can be placed around a room in pairs or used on their own. The W7 subwoofer carries a price tag of $600.The entire suite is available for pre-order on LG's US site now. The site lists several packages like the "Immersive Quad Suite 7" that include the H7 soundbar and four M7 speakers. Sadly, there do not seem to be discounts for purchasing these speakers as a bundle.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/lg-has-released-pricing-for-its-new-sound-suite-speaker-lineup-181053832.html?src=rss

The Chinese micromobility company Navee has some wild new stuff at CES 2026. The lineup is headlined by the UT5 Ultra X, a dual-motor e-scooter with an advertised top speed of 43 mph. And who among us isn't in the market for an auto-following golf cart and a seaplane?The flagship UT5 Ultra X is a sleek-looking e-scooter with a pair of 2,400W motors. Navee says it can reach a top speed of 43 mph and has a max range of 87 miles. (However, in the world of e-scooters, it's safe to expect the real-world range to be around half of what manufacturers promise.) It has a front and rear hydraulic suspension and front and rear hydraulic disc brakes. Navee claims it can accelerate from 0 to 12 mph in 1.98 seconds.Navee UT5 Ultra XNaveeIf you want something that can hold its own on rougher terrain, there's the NT5 Ultra X. A pair of 1,200W motors helps this e-scooter reach a top speed of 40 mph and an advertised range of 56 miles. It has dual-disc brakes and an electronic anti-lock braking system. To help manage the bumps, it has two suspension types: a front telescopic suspension and a rear spring one. Navee claims its steel frame supports up to 330 lbs.Then there's the Eagle F1X, which could put golf caddies out of work. This electronic cart can carry your clubs (up to 44 lbs). It has a "smart auto-follow" feature that uses a combination of AI and ultra-wideband. It also responds to voice and gesture controls. The 33-lb. cart uses a pair of 250W motors, and Navee claims it can handle 36-hole games. Strangely, the bottom portion looks like an F1 racer because, hey, why not?Navee Eagle F1XNaveeTo further prove that Navee isn't afraid to jump the shark, the company has a product that could, well, jump over sharks. The WaveFly 5X is an electric seaplane that can "glide on the water and ride into the sky." The company claims a max speed of 53 mph, a cruising speed of 40 mph, and a maximum flight time of 70 minutes. I'm not ready to put my life in its hands, but surely some deep-pocketed adventurer will.In addition to real-world ranges almost always being much lower than advertised, there are other caveats. First, post-purchase customer support in the world of micromobility is almost always a sketchy prospect. I once had to file a Better Business Bureau claim to get support from even the most well-established brand, Segway. Don't be shocked to experience the same or worse from lesser-known companies.Second, Navee hasn't yet listed pricing or release dates for its new models. Based on their specs and the company's older gear, you'll likely see prices of well above $1,000 for each one. (And that's not even counting the seaplane.) Regardless, you can learn more at the company's website.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/navees-ces-lineup-includes-a-speedy-e-scooter-a-golf-cart-and-a-seaplane-180000473.html?src=rss

Welcome to your first CES edition of TMA, attempting (almost futilely) to distill the biggest product reveals and announcements. Despite two days of briefings and conferences, today is merely day one. However, we've already seen Sony Honda reveal its next car - and the Afeela 1 isn't yet on sale. We've got a deep dive on what we've seen so far, right here.AMD announced new Ryzen AI 400 laptop processors and updated desktop chips, including the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, with a new focus broadly on AI processing improvements. NVIDIA had a lengthy, dense press conference showing off its dominance in AI tech, but it lacked major consumer announcements - until overnight, when it revealed next-gen G-Sync tech and an upgraded version of DLSS. The new tech can handle up to 4K 240Hz path traced performance. It also adds an improved version of Super Resolution Transformer, with more stability.This year's wildcard CES press conference was... Lego? It revealed Smart Bricks, which adds sensors, audio and wireless communication to traditional Lego pieces. The system is launching with Star Wars sets later this year - and perhaps crucially, no smartphone or screen is needed to play.There's also LG and Samsung to get into - more on those below!- Mat SmithThe other big stories (and deals) this morning

The ASUS Zenbook Duo was easily one of my favorite laptops of 2024 as it was the first dual-screen notebook actually worth buying. But now at CES 2026, ASUS has given the second-gen model a complete revamp with practically all the upgrades and tweaks I've been hoping for.Like the rest of the Zenbook line, the 2026 Duo is getting ASUS' Ceraluminum treatment on its lid, bottom and kickstand, which not only looks great but it adds an extra bit of durability and scratch resistance. There's also an improved magnetic latch system and Bluetooth connection for its detachable keyboard to help keep it charged up and paired more reliably. However, the biggest upgrade is ASUS' all-new "hideaway" hinge. Not only does it allow the system to unfold flat against a table, it also massively shrinks the gap between the laptop's two 3K 144Hz Lumina Pro OLED displays to just 8.28 mm. That's a reduction of 70 percent compared to the previous model and it makes the idea of using a dual screen laptop just that much more seamless and appealing than before.Another important upgrade is that despite having a significantly larger 99Whr battery (up from 75Whr on its predecessor), the overall footprint of the second-gen Zenbook Duo is actually five percent smaller than before. That makes it noticeably more compact without sacrificing on weight or thinness, which is staying pretty much the same at 3.6 pounds and 0.77 to 0.9 inches thick (depending on where you measure). Connectivity remains excellent as well, with ASUS including Wi-Fi 7, two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 connector and even a full-size HDMI 2.1 jack. And for all the artists out there, the Zenbook Duo also supports stylus input via the ASUS Pen 3.0, so you can easily detach the wireless keyboard and use either screen as a built-in drawing tablet. That said, it's currently unclear if the stylus comes included or not.Meanwhile on the inside, the Zenbook Duo features either an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 or Ultra 9 386H chip with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. On top of that, ASUS increased the Duo's TDP to 45 watts, which is another notable bump up over the original. So not only does it have a larger battery, its performance is getting a big boost as well, especially when combined with the much improved onboard graphics from Intel's latest integrated Arc GPU.Here's how the new 2026 ASUS Zenbook duo (right) stacks up against the outgoing model (left). Sam Rutherford for EngadgetI know a lot of people out there still aren't convinced that dual screen laptops need to be a thing, and that's totally OK. But as the kind of person who feels like they are missing a limb when I'm traveling and away from my two monitors at home, the second-gen Zenbook Duo feels like a major refinement of an already great idea. It's got a bigger battery, faster performance and a hugely streamlined design without gaining any bulkiness or weight. Out of all of the laptops I've seen at CES 2026, this is the one I most wish I could grab and start using right away.The one potential concern is that ASUS has yet to release pricing for the new Zenbook Duo or say when it will go on sale. So here's hoping it won't break the bank when it arrives sometime later this year.

Eric Migicovsky has been thinking a lot about friction. Specifically, he's been thinking about how too much friction in the way of using a device can put people off wearing it altogether. The founder of Pebble is here at CES 2026 with a few new devices from the company he recently started to bring back the beloved smartwatch brand, including the Pebble Round 2 and the Index 01. That second one is a simple ring with a button on it that you push down to talk to Pebble's AI whenever you want it to help you remember something.In the sea of AI gadgets that clutter the showfloors of CES (and the current tech industry in general), the Index 01 is refreshingly simple. The prototypes I saw here in Las Vegas weren't connected to phones, so they weren't actually working. They also seemed a little unfinished, like there was still some polishing to do. But I was able to put a few on and push their buttons. I also checked out the one Migicovsky wears - more on that in a bit.I have to caveat that the rings that Migicovsky and his team had for us to try on were way too large for me. I did manage to get sized and found out I was a Pebble size 7, while my colleague Dan Cooper was determined to be a size 11. These demo rings sat loosely on my finger - and Migicovsky was particular that I wear it on my index finger and not my thumb or middle finger.I suspect that has to do with how you reach for and press the button. It's much easier to push the key if it's closer to your thumb. Since the idea of the Index 01 began as an app on the Pebble watch, Migicovsky has been working hard to figure out how best to make it easy to access. Back when it was an app, friction points were having to use your other hand" to press the screen, he said. We also experimented with gestures and voice activation, wake words," he added. But as many of us are painfully familiar with, those triggers don't always work well.The whole thing that drives this ring is it being something that you can rely on. It being something that you can incorporate into your... habits," Migicovsky said. So putting a button right by your thumb not only makes sense, but might even be, in my opinion, a bit more accessible for people with, say, speech impediments or only one hand.I have to admit I initially found the Index 01's design to be a bit bulky-looking, and the rubbery button protrudes a lot more than I expected from looking at it in its glamor shots. It's like in place of a diamond or a gemstone on the ring, there's a weird little nipple that you twiddle around until you want to push it.I did find the button easy to press, if that allays any of your concerns at all. But, really, the Index's powers aren't visible. It's what happens after you push the button that matters.Using the Pebble Index 01 ringThe actual demo was brief. Migicovsky prefaced things by telling me what he was about to ask, held up his hand to his mouth, pushed the button and asked me What's your favorite book these days?" I explained I had recently been reading Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi and then Migicovsky let go of the button.After a few starts and stops due to internet woes, the companion app on his phone responded, showing a transcription of what we said, followed by an answer That sounds like a fun read! I can create a note about the book you are reading if you'd like."I didn't get to ask many more questions, and I think I'd need to live with an actual unit in my life to start to rely on it more. But I love the idea of a second brain or an AI assistant that's always ready for my random thoughts at the push of a button. Migicovsky said the Index 01 is water resistant, so you never have to take it off, even in the shower. So for those times when you're sudsing up and have a random stroke of inspiration about soap art, you can still tell the Index 01 to remember your Eureka moment.Migicovsky said you can also double click the button (and then hold it) to access a different side of the AI. Instead of simply remembering things you tell it, the AI can try to provide answers. Pebble's AI is powered by Claude, so the usefulness of these results is going to be dependent on that model.Depending on how you use it, Migicovsky said the Index 01 can last for years - up to three if you're not too heavy of a user. Since he doesn't want for you to have to place the ring on a charger and forget to put it back on again, the device is not rechargeable. When you're about a month away from running out of juice, the app will send you a warning and ask if you want to order a replacement. You'll also be offered the option of sending it in for recycling.That still feels a bit wasteful and potentially expensive, but Migicovsky's thinking is that if you still are using the ring enough after two years to be thinking about extending its battery life, the price might be justifiable to you.Why a Pebble AI ring instead of others?It's things like this that make me think Migicovsky (and the Pebble team) have the right approach to making an AI ring. Though the hardware is not the most advanced and there is a quaint simplicity to the software, there is a level of thought and care that feels important to any product's success.Migicovsky is quick to acknowledge that Pebble watches won't be for everyone. That if you want a health-tracking device or something with a bright, colorful screen, you should consider something else. He's even considering placing ads for other smartwatches on the website listing the new Pebble devices.Look - I'm the first person to call myself out when I fail," Migicovsky wrote in a blog he posted last November. And when he spoke with Engadget, he also recognized that Pebble at one point might have tried to do too much. These days, there are other companies making smart rings that are all about tracking your sleep and fitness, and the Index 01 is not that. And Pebble is absolutely 100 percent not that company." Maybe with a renewed focus on a sustainable business model, Pebble actually has a chance to survive and continue making its AI ring and other devices.Nowadays, Migicovsky just wants to make gadgets that will make you smile. And when I look at a cute little nyan cat wiggling about in its lo-fi, lo-res and low-frame-rate glory on the new Pebble smartwatches, I just feel warm inside.The Index 01 is available for pre-order now at an early bird price of $75 and will cost $100 after it starts shipping in May.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/pebbles-founder-might-be-just-the-right-person-to-make-an-ai-ring-170104222.html?src=rss

As soon as I held the Pebble Round 2 in my hand, I suddenly realized what I'd been missing for the better part of a decade. I've always felt smartwatches should supplement, rather than supplant, your phone, but that's an attitude that feels almost quaint these days. After all, Apple and Samsung believe everyone wants a watch that can do almost everything your phone can do. But that wasn't the prevailing opinion at the dawn of the smartwatch era, either philosophically or from limitations in the technology. Back then, companies like Pebble, Vector, Basis and others all built devices that added a second screen to the device in your pocket, and were all the better for it. Thankfully, Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky agrees, and if his project to revive the company is successful, perhaps we'll once again see these alternative approaches flourish. The first step on this very long road is the Pebble Round 2, which aims to be the standard bearer for a new generation of comparatively less smart, but fundamentally more useful, smartwatches.Round 2 was announced on January 2, and is the second product in Core Devices' (Migicovsky's new company) lineup of revived Pebbles. The first was the revamped Time 2, aping the form of its more successful predecessor, while the Round 2 is an attempt to correct the mistakes of 2015's Pebble Time Round. That watch, when it debuted, was met with disappointment from critics who loved its aesthetics but little else. Back then, building a Pebble with a round face required plenty of compromise, including a higher price, shorter battery life, fewer features and a massive bezel. A decade on, and the technology has come along sufficiently to render such compromises moot, making for a much better device overall.The new watch has a 1.3-inch color e-paper touchscreen which stretches to the end of the case. Its display has been bonded to the glass crystal, dramatically improving the viewing angles and reducing glare. You should expect to get two weeks of life on a single charge, but it remains just 8.1mm thick, and you can really feel that lack of heft when it's in your hand. In fact, compared to so many of its smartwatch peers, you could almost unironically describe it as dainty, making its case size feel almost comically large. On the materials side, the case feels strong enough that I think it would withstand the rigors of daily life, and I'm quite smitten with both the polished rose gold and brushed silver finishes.On one hand, it's hardly the major reason to buy a watch, but I'm deeply smitten by how much text the Round 2's display can render. Even the fanciest of smartwatches aren't that willing to display big reams of text for your ease of reading. I was tickled to read a lengthy Slack message which reminded me, again, of what I've been missing for all of these years. Perhaps that's a sign of the broader benefits a device like this offers, which is the ability to tweak its UI to what you need, rather than being tied by the UI designers in Cupertino and Mountain View.There are plenty of omissions in the spec list, including no optical heart rate sensor, no GPS and no speaker. I'm not weeping over any of them: I've not used my smartwatch's GPS in years and yes, and Pebble is swerving away from the health and fitness market. I don't want to take calls from my wrist, either, and while the omitted heart rate sensor is harder to take given their ubiquity, it's been done to ensure the watch is thinner than many of its competitors.Migicovsky is candid about Pebble's failure, saying the company spent too much to become a global hardware brand. He invested heavily in inventory in anticipation of blockbuster sales that never came, similar to Peloton's post-COVID slump. This time around, the focus is on ensuring the company remains sustainable over the long term and, hopefully, building a succession of products. Rather than big investments, he'll make small batches of devices to cater to pre-orders and won't water down his philosophy in the hope of attracting a broad user base. He even said the Pebble website may include recommendations for alternative smartwatches from other companies to ensure he's only catering to the faithful. Three Pebble Indexes side by side on a table. Daniel Cooper for Engadget It's his hope that this approach will give him the time and space to make more products, such as the already-announced Pebble Index 01. It's a $75 ring equipped with a microphone, Bluetooth and a single push button, where users can record brief reminders to themselves. Rather than add weight and complexity with a rechargeable battery, each Index has a sealed-in cell that the company promises will last for up to two years. A month before the battery is due to expire, you'll be asked if you want to buy a replacement, sending in the original for recycling. It's an unusual arrangement but one that Migicovsky believes is more compelling than some others. After all, users aren't saddled with any monthly subscription fees, and they only need to buy a new one if they've actually gotten the benefit out of their existing model. As with the revived Pebbles, the prevailing attitude is that nobody's twisting your arm here. Image of the rear sides of the Pebble Round 2 Daniel Cooper for Engadget More broadly, Migicovsky has the time and money now to explore these product ideas free from the usual pressures. He has no investors or backers demanding instant returns and fast growth, giving him license to pursue his ideas as far as he wants to take them. And he is determined to return a small degree of whimsy to consumer electronics, building gadgets that are in some way fun. Let's hope he succeeds, because the industry can't survive another decade of homogeneity.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/pebble-seeks-to-remedy-the-wearable-industrys-original-sin-170000834.html?src=rss

Multiple of Satechi's Thunderbolt 4 docks are on Engadget's list of the best docking stations, so when the company announces a new accessory, it's usually worth a look. At CES 2026, Satechi is finally making the jump to Thunderbolt 5 with a new docking station and cable. The Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD Enclosure and Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable leverage the faster speeds of Intel's cable tech, and in the case of the dock, also include extra benefits like space for SSD storage.The CubeDock is made from a block of solid aluminum and is clearly supposed to evoke Apple's desktop Macs, like the new Mac mini. Satechi already made a Mac mini hub that can do some of the same things as CubeDock, but that accessory was focused on Thunderbolt 4. With the Thunderbolt 5 on the CubeDock, the new docking station can offer support for multiple 8K monitors, 180W smart power delivery and up to 120 Gb/s transfer speeds. The back of a Satechi CubeDock displaying multiple types of ports. Satechi The dock also features a microSD card slot, SD card slots and headphone jack on the front, with multiple other input options on the back, including Thunderbolt 5 ports and an ethernet port. If you're interested in extra storage, you can also pop off the bottom of the CubeDock and add up to 8TB of SSD storage.To pair with the CubeDock, Satechi is also releasing its own Thunderbolt 5 cable. The Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable supports up to 120 Gb/s uni-directional or 80 Gb/s bi-directional data transfers, 240W power delivery and either dual 8K/60Hz displays or a trio of 4K/144Hz displays. The Satechi Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable coiled on a white background. Satechi Satechi says you can pre-order the Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD Enclosure on the company's website for $399.99, and it will ship in Q1 2026. The Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable is available to order now for $39.99 from Satechi, Amazon and other retailers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/satechi-is-embracing-thunderbolt-5-at-ces-with-a-new-dock-and-cable-170000137.html?src=rss

LG just announced its fastest and brightest OLED gaming monitor yet at CES, the 27-inch UltraGear GX7. The new QHD display, which uses LG Display's 4th-gen RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED tech, can hit 335 nits typical brightness and is DisplayHDR True Black 500 certified. At the same time, it offers an outstanding 540Hz refresh rate at QHD (720Hz at HD) and a .002ms grey-to-grey (GtG) response time. So in other words, about 5,000 times faster than the best human reflexes. Though a gaming monitor by design, the GX7 would make an excellent content creation monitor too thanks to the true 10-bit panel that delivers 99.5 percent DCI-P3 color gamma coverage and Delta E<2 color accuracy. It's also UL certified for anti-glare, flicker-free, low blue light, reduced blue light and reduced circadian stimulating blue light. Finally, it carries VESA's ClearMR 21000 certification for the highest motion-clarity tier, eliminating the faint blur that can occur around fast moving objects. And as you'd expect, it's NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatible. Appearance wise, it's what LG calls "virtually borderless" and has adjustable height, tilt, swivel and pivot controls. For connectivity, you get Dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 and Thunderbolt USB-C connectivity, along with two USB 3.0 downstream ports and a 4-pole headphone jack for audio and comms. The RGB Tandem OLED technology in the UltraGear GX7 is designed for speed and brightness and should not be confused with LG's RGB V-Stripe OLED technology. The latter tech maxes out at 240Hz and is oriented more toward clarity of text and other display elements. The UltraGear GX7 is now available for pre-order at LG.com and anyone who orders before February 1st will receive a $299 27-inch FHD 240Hz gaming monitor for free. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/lgs-ultragear-gx7-is-its-fastest-and-brightest-oled-gaming-monitor-to-date-160059443.html?src=rss

When I first heard whispers about the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, I immediately felt conflicted. On one hand it felt like the natural evolution of bi-fold phones like the Z Fold 7. But on the other, all this fancy tech comes with an even higher price - around $2,500 based on current conversion rates from Korean won - not to mention the added bulk you get from a third folding panel. So even as someone who has used a foldable as my daily driver for almost a decade straight, it felt like Samsung's latest high-end phone was going backwards in terms of both portability and affordability. But then at CES 2026, I got a chance to go hands-on with the Galaxy Z TriFold and all of my concerns pretty much instantly disappeared because with this thing, flexing is believing.My initial consternation comes in large part from using the Z Fold 7, which hit a major milestone this year thanks to a revamped design that doesn't come with any added size or weight even when compared to comparable candybar-style phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. That's a major breakthrough considering how hefty and chunky the original Galaxy Fold was back in 2019. And when you compare the Z Fold 7's dimensions (7.58 ounces and 8.9mm thick when folded) to the new TriFold (10.9 ounces and 12.9mm when folded), there's no doubt that Samsung's new flagship foldable comes with a lot of extra bulk. To put things into context, we have to go back several generations to the Z Fold 5 just to find a comparable phone with similar thickness (13.4mm). And even then, that handset is still significantly lighter than the TriFold at 8.92 ounces.There's simply no denying that the Z TriFold (left) is a much bulkier device than the Z Fold 7 (right). Sam Rutherford for EngadgetBut then I opened it up and my concerns were quickly pushed aside because suddenly you're greeted with 10 inches of vivid AMOLED goodness. As a phone that can pull double duty as a tablet, the jump up from the Z Fold 7's 8-inch main display cannot be understated. Not only does it make multitasking so much easier, when combined with Samsung's DeX desktop mode, you basically get a miniature laptop experience from a device that fits in a pocket. Especially if you don't mind carrying around a travel-friendly mouse and keyboard. Plus, you can connect the TriFold to an external display (either wired or wirelessly) to access even more screen space. Way more than with the Z Fold 7, I can honestly see myself leaving my PC at home and using the TriFold as my primary work device.Another important but easily overlooked upgrade on the Galaxy Z Trifold is the 4:3 aspect ratio for its 10-inch main display. Compared to the Z Fold 7 and its almost perfectly square screen, you just get so much extra room on the sides for widescreen movies and shows. I tested this out by watching the trailer for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and even though that movie uses a super wide aspect ratio due to being filmed entirely on IMAX cameras, the viewing experience was just so much better. Peak watchability is something the regular Z Fold line has sort of left by the wayside as the company moved to larger exterior displays, which resulted in the series' primary screen becoming more square. The one downside though is that the TriFold may make you more of a resolution snob, as it's a lot easier to tell the difference between 1080p and 2K or 4K on a larger 10-inch panel.The final pillar of the TriFold's kit is all the engineering that Samsung put into making it easy to open and close. Simply moving from one hinge to two while adding a third folding panel undersells the complexity of its design. Samsung actually uses two different types of magnets that push or pull depending on where they are, which makes accessing the TriFold's primary display practically just as easy as on the Z Fold 7. That's no small feat. Opening and shutting this thing is just so satisfying on a tactile level, and that's before you consider that there's basically no downgrade in terms of image quality.While there's only one way to unfurl the TriFold, which might seem confusing at first, Samsung addressed that too by throwing up a warning and making the whole phone vibrate if you try to do it wrong. And then there are components like the glass-reinforced carbon panels Samsung uses to add strength and durability to its chassis while keeping it as thin as possible. The one potential concern in the future is that unlike Samsung's older foldables, there's not as much room for improvement to shrink its dimensions much further, as the TriFold's slimness is currently limited by the size of its USB-C jack. So if the next model wants to make big gains there, it may need to go completely portless.Here's what The Odyssey trailer looks like on the Z TriFold (right) compared to the Z Fold 7 (left). It's such a better experience. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetOn a certain level, I kind of hate how much I like the Galaxy Z TriFold. I really don't want to go back to bigger, heavier phones that are even more bulky and expensive than the Z Fold 7. But the appeal is impossible to deny and for people who love a good multitasker, I can easily see how these tradeoffs are worth the upside of Samsung's latest apex foldable.The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is currently on sale in South Korea, though we're still waiting for official pricing and availability for the US and North American market.The Galaxy Z TriFold is one of many new technologies Samsung announced at CES 2026. On the home entertainment side of things, the company revealed updated OLED TVs and showed off a massive 130-inch Micro RGB TV, the latter of which representing a trend we're seeing at the show this year. There's also a new Samsung soundbar that offers impressive bass performance sans subwoofer. Samsung's Music Studio 5 and 7 speakers have unique designs that could blend in nicely with your home decor, and the forthcoming Galaxy Book 6 series of laptops are thin-and-light notebooks powered by Intel Panther Lake chips.

Jensen Huang took to the CES stage on Monday to share the latest from NVIDIA, and while the presentation was more a refresher of technologies the company has been working on for the past few years, there were a couple of notable announcements.NVIDIA announced Alpamayo, a family of open-source reasoning models designed to guide autonomous vehicles through difficult driving situations. The centerpiece of the release is Alpamayo 1 , a 10-billion parameter chain-of-thought system NVIDIA says is capable of approaching driving more like a human being would. The model works by breaking down unexpected driving situations into a smaller set of problems before finding the safest path forward. At each step of the way, the model can explain its reasoning.A sister model named AlpaSim allows developers to do closed-loop training for driving scenarios that are rarely encountered in real life. Huang said the 2025 Mercedes Benz CLA will be the first vehicle to ship with NVIDIA's entire AV stack, including Alpamayo. "Our vision is that someday, every single car, every single truck, will be autonomous," Huang said.Following the Alpamayo announcements, a pair of BD-1 droids from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order joined Huang on stage. We saw one join the executive at last year's CES. After that, Huang turned to Vera Rubin. NVIDIA first announced the GPU architecture in 2024, and now the company has begun production on a super computer that makes use of the new tech. One Vera CPU has 88 custom Olympus cores and 1.5TB of system memory for a total of 227 billion transistors. Meanwhile, one Rubin GPU features 336 billion transistors. Each Vera Rubin supercomputer has a pair of both components.Following the presentation, NVIDIA held a separate briefing where it announced DLSS 4.5 and G-Sync Pulsar. The latest version of NVIDIA's upscaling technology was trained on a second-generation transformer model, which should reduce ghosting and shimmering, leading to a more stable image, even when there's a lot of movement on screen. As part of DLSS 4.5, NVIDIA is also adding support for 6x multi-frame and dynamic generation. The two features will arrive sometime in the spring. The former allows a 50-series GPU to generate five frames for every traditionally rendered frame. The idea here is to allow a powerful GPU like the RTX 5090 to saturate a 4K, 240HZ display with as many frames as possible. Dynamic frame generation, meanwhile, is exactly what it sounds like. DLSS 4.5 can dynamically scale the number of generated frames to fit the scenario. In demanding scenes, your 50-series GPU will generate more frames, while scaling back during less hectic ones so it only computes what it needs.As for G-Sync Pulsar, it's the latest improvement to NVIDIA's flicker reduction technology. By pulsing a display's backlight, NVIDIA says it can deliver perceived motion clarity relative to 1,000Hz, leading to greater clarity. Those same displays will also ship with the ability to automatically adjust their brightness and color temperature to ambient lighting conditions. Pre-orders for the first batch of G-Sync Pulsar displays will open on January 7.Update 01/06/26 9:30AM: Added information about DLSS 4.5 and G-SYNC Pulsar.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/everything-nvidia-announced-at-ces-2026-225653684.html?src=rss

CES 2026 officially opens today, but much of the show's biggest announcements already landed during Monday's press conferences and early events. AI was everywhere, chipmakers dominated the schedule and a handful of brands used the pre-show window to quietly drop meaningful hardware updates.Below are the biggest announcements and trends from January 5, plus a few standout hands-ons from Pepcom and CES Unveiled.LG doubles down on AILG's CLOiD robot.LGLG's World Premiere keynote leaned hard into its vision of Affectionate Intelligence," with AI positioned as the connective tissue across TVs, appliances and even robotics. While most of the hardware was announced ahead of time, the company used the stage to show how its ideas fit together, including updated OLED TVs, Micro RGB panels and its ultra-thin Wallpaper TV.The most memorable moment, though, was CLOiD, LG's humanoid home robot, which capped off the presentation with demos that were more theatrical than practical. As usual for LG at CES, the vision was ambitious, even if much of it still feels a few years away.NVIDIA pushes deeper into physical AINVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang presents at CES 2026, wearing a black snakeskin-like jacket.NVIDIANVIDIA's CES keynote was long, dense and firmly focused on AI infrastructure rather than consumer GPUs. CEO Jensen Huang introduced the Vera Rubin supercomputer platform, alongside updates to NVIDIA's open AI models, robotics tools and autonomous vehicle stack.Between discussions of physical AI," self-driving systems and massive data center hardware, NVIDIA made it clear it sees CES as a place to define the future of computing, not just sell graphics cards. If you were hoping for new GeForce news, this wasn't the keynote for you.Intel tries to reset the PC narrativeImage of a Core Ultra Series 3IntelIntel's press conference followed NVIDIA's with a more focused pitch: the launch of Core Ultra Series 3 processors, also known as Panther Lake. Built on Intel's 18A process - that's less than 2nm - the chips are designed to power the next wave of AI PCs, with improved graphics, better efficiency and stronger local AI performance.The message was clear: Intel wants to convince partners and consumers that it's back in the game for high-end laptops, even as competition from AMD, Qualcomm and Apple continues to intensify.AMD closes the night with AI-first siliconAMD Ryzen AI 400AMDAMD wrapped up press day with a keynote that mixed familiar AI rhetoric with meaningful chip announcements. Highlights included new Ryzen AI 400 laptop processors and updated desktop chips, including the Ryzen 7 9850X3D for enthusiasts.As with NVIDIA and Intel, AMD leaned heavily into AI across cloud, PCs and edge devices. The difference was execution. AMD's announcements felt more immediately relevant to products shipping this year.Sony remains focused on AfeelaSony Honda Mobility Afeela Press Conference at CES 2026AfeelaSony's CES presence once again centered on Sony Honda Mobility and the Afeela electric vehicle. The company showed an updated prototype and shared progress updates, including expanded delivery plans and deeper entertainment integrations like PlayStation Remote Play.For longtime CES watchers, it was a familiar story - the Afeela was first showcased here in 2020, after all. Sony's traditional consumer electronics took a back seat, while mobility and software remained the headline.Lego makes its CES debut with Smart BricksLego introduced the Smart Brick at CES 2026.LegoLego held its first-ever CES press conference and used it to unveil Smart Bricks, part of a new Smart Play" initiative that adds sensors, audio and wireless communication to traditional Lego pieces.The system is launching with Star Wars sets later this year and is designed to work without apps or screens. It's a notable shift for Lego and one of the more genuinely surprising announcements of the day.Other notable CES day 0 newsOutside of the main press conferences, several companies made quiet but notable announcements (though some was Sunday news that hit the wires after the East Coast midnight hour). Samsung continued its CES rollout with new TVs, speakers and laptops. Anker drew attention with updated chargers and power accessories. Amazon shared incremental updates tied to Alexa and smart home hardware.Meanwhile, Engadget's team got hands-on with dozens of products at the Pepcom mini-show, from oddball gadgets to early looks at devices launching later this year.Press day may be over, but CES is just getting started. The show floor opens today, with Lenovo, automotive tech, smart home gear and plenty of unexpected demos still to come. We'll be publishing hands-ons, deep dives and daily recaps all week.You can follow along with our CES 2026 liveblog or check back on Engadget for the latest updates as they happen.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ces-2026-day-0-the-biggest-news-you-missed-from-the-shows-monday-press-conferences-142811448.html?src=rss

Dell has unveiled an ultrawide, curved 52-inch 6K monitor at CES 2026. This productivity behemoth is designed for stock traders, engineers and other data professionals. Dell claims the UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor is the world's first 52-inch ultrawide curved 6K monitor (but with that many qualifiers almost anything can be a world first).Given Dell's experience in the monitor realm, this could be a dream display for professionals who handle vast data sets such as trading platforms, AutoCAD, 3D rendering software, spreadsheets and more. It sports a 120Hz refresh rate on an IPS Black panel and emits up to 60 percent less blue light when compared to competing monitors. It delivers an impressive 129 ppi (for comparison a 4K 32-inch monitor delivers 138 ppi) and an ambient light sensor helps avoid eye strain during long work sessions.Users can connect up to four PCs to the monitor simultaneously, which can use picture-by-picture to treat each partitioned screen as an individual monitor. It also features built-in KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) features that let users control all connected PCs via a single mouse and keyboard. The monitor can also charge your laptop with up to 140W of power via a Thunderbolt 4 connection.Dell also rolled out a new 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor with support for both True Black 500 HDR and Dolby Vision. It claims true-to-life color accuracy out of the box and excellent gamut coverage at 99 percent of DCI-P3. This monitor would be a strong fit for film and photo editing.The Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor is priced at $2,900 with stand or $2,800 without. It will be widely available starting January 6. The Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED Monitor comes in at $2,600 and will be available beginning February 24.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/dell-unveils-a-massive-52-inch-6k-ultrawide-monitor-at-ces-2026-140024029.html?src=rss

NVIDIA has unveiled the G-Sync Pulsar, which it calls the latest evolution of [its] pioneering VRR (variable refresh rate) technology," at CES 2026. The new tech promises a gaming experience that's free of stutter with buttery smooth motion, which is made possible by pulsing the display's backlight. G-Sync Pulsar displays have multiple horizontal backlight sections that are pulsed independently from top to bottom, unlike traditional displays whose backlight is always on. When the backlight is always active, the image fades from one frame to the next. The displays with the new tech give pixels in a frame enough time to stabilize before they're backlit so that they're shown in their right locations, effectively reducing monitor-based motion blur.The company says G-Sync Pulsar can effectively quadruple your refresh rate. If you're playing at 250 fps, that means it can deliver a perceived effective motion clarity of over 1,000 Hz. That enables easier tracking and shooting in-game, making displays with the technology especially suited for esports. You can see the difference in motion in Counter-Strike 2 between a 360Hz monitor without G-Sync Pulsar and one with the technology switched on in the video below.The first four displays designed specifically to support G-Sync Pulsar and Ambient Adaptive Technology, which allows users to automatically adjust color temperature and brightness based on ambient lighting, will be available starting on January 7. Acer, AOC, ASUS and MSI will each be releasing a 27-inch 2,560 * 1,440 IPS display, which comes with a 360Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of peak brightness in HDR.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidias-g-sync-pulsar-tech-can-minimize-motion-blur-for-gamers-140000058.html?src=rss

Razer is once again thinking big about what a gaming chair can do, and its concept for CES 2026 isn't just a chair but an entire multisensory experience to match whatever's happening on-screen. The concept, called Project Madison, combines reactive lighting, spatial audio and multi-zone haptic feedback to make the player feel more immersed in the in-game environment. We're talking Razer Chroma light strips along the head flaps, THX Spatial Audio for 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound and six haptic motor actuators powered by Razer Sensa HD Haptics to bring the physical sensations of a game to life.One can only imagine the price tag on such a setup. Actually, I'd rather not. Project Madison isn't a product you can buy right now anyway, but Razer did bring a real - albeit far less flashy - new(ish) gaming chair to CES too. The company has updated its Iskur V2 lineup with the Iskur V2 NewGen, which features the same dynamic lumbar support and dual-density cold-cured foam seat cushion that it's known for, but now wrapped in Razer's Gen-2 EPU Leather with CoolTouch Technology for a long-lasting cooling effect.Razer's Iskur V2 NewGen chair in Light Gray, Black/Green, Black and Quartz.RazerPer Razer, "The chair's material delivers high thermal effusivity, keeping it cool to the touch for hours of play." That CoolTouch faux leather is also coming to the less expensive Iskur V2 X, with the Iskur V2 X NewGen. Pre-orders for both chairs are now open, though the company hasn't yet said when they'll ship. The $650 Razer Iskur V2 NewGen comes in Black/Green, Black, Quartz and Light Gray, while the $350 Iskur V2 X NewGen is available in Black/Green, Black and Quartz.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/razers-project-madison-concept-chair-has-reactive-lighting-immersive-audio-and-multi-zone-haptics-140000118.html?src=rss

We see plenty of far-out ideas on the CES show floor, and this year Razer brought in a concept piece called Project Motoko. The device is Razer's take on blurring the line between a gaming headset and an AI-powered wearable for daily life. Or it's a way for Ghost in the Shell fans to feel affronted by Razer taking The Major's name in vain, take your pick.Project Motoko is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon platforms. The headset has a pair of first-person view cameras positioned at eye level that can support real-time object and text recognition. It also has a wide field of attention that can capture things happening beyond the normal human eye's peripheral vision, and its microphone array is designed to capture both near and distant audio."Project Motoko is more than a concept, it's a vision for the future of AI and wearable computing," Nick Bourne, Razer's global head of mobile console division, said in the press release about the device. "By partnering with Qualcomm Technologies, we're building a platform that enhances gameplay while transforming how technology integrates into everyday life. This is the next frontier for immersive experiences."In addition to taking in environmental details, Project Motoko can also operate as a wearable AI assistant, and the model is compatible with several different chatbots. The company's press release noted that it can integrate with Grok, OpenAI and Gemini. Since Project Motoko is a concept device, Razer has no plans for a commercial release of this headset, but one of the highlights of CES is seeing these more experimental designs. Razer is also well-established as a brand for serious gamers, so seeing the company explore making an AI wearable that could appeal to a broader audience, if still a geeky one, is an intriguing move.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/razers-project-motoko-is-a-concept-gaming-headset-that-doubles-as-an-ai-wearable-140000534.html?src=rss

Ring turned up to CES with a whole host of announcements, including a revamped range of home sensors. Ring Sensors (for that is their name) is a new lineup of tools, built on Amazon's Sidewalk low-power networking protocol. That includes updated versions of its door, window and break glass sensors, as well as a new OBD-II car alarm, motion detectors and panic buttons. You'll be able to pre-order the new car alarm today, while the rest of the new sensors will be available at some point in March. And, in tandem with that news, Amazon is announcing that Sidewalk is expanding outside of the US, starting in Canada and Mexico.At the same time, the company is launching a number of enhancements to its app platform, including the Ring Appstore. This will let users purchase and integrate with third-party apps which have been built to cater to specific use cases, from small business operations to everyday needs around the home." The company added that, in the coming weeks, users will be able to browse a growing number of apps designed to help you get more value from your Ring cameras."The company is also throwing more AI into its system to better coordinate its alerts, including Unusual Event Alerts. These will learn from the patterns around your home and, when it spots something out of the ordinary, send you a ping. Active Warnings, meanwhile, will use computer vision to identify potential threats and offer specific warnings based on details like location and actions."Finally, Ring has teamed up with Watch Duty, a non-profit alert platform designed to share useful information about local wildfires. The pair have added a Fire Watch feature to the Neighbors app to enable communities keep each other in the loop about local fire and smoke events. Ring users are encouraged to share details from their own Ring cameras to support first responders on the ground."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/ring-relaunches-its-suite-of-smart-home-sensors-140000667.html?src=rss

Segway, the maker of Steve Wozniak's favorite mode of self-balancing transport, has released a new series of robotic lawn mowers under its Navimow brand, designed for all manner of Roomba-esque mowing action. The lineup includes four residential series and was unveiled at CES 2026.Navimow's lineup includes the flagship X4 Series for large yards up to 1.5 acres in size. Its AWD system can handle slopes up to 40 degrees and it sports dual 180-watt cutting motors. The largest mode, the X450 will retail for $3,000. A smaller X430 rated for yards up to 1 acre will go for $2,500.The Navimow i2 series comes in AWD and LiDAR variants and is designed for "everyday" lawn maintenance. The AWD variant's three-wheel-drive system can handle 24-degree slopes and is designed to handle muddy or slippery terrain. The larger i2 AWD model, called the i210 AWD is rated for yards up to a quarter-acre in size, and will retail for $1,300. A smaller model dubbed the i206 AWD can handle yards as large as 0.15 acres and will go for $1,000.The i2 LiDAR variant can scan 200,000 points per second to create a detailed spatial map of your yard, allowing it to navigate complex paths and, crucially, work at night. That model is rated for yards up to 0.37 acres in size. Pricing has not been announced for the i215 LiDAR model.Finally, the H2 series features three vision technologies integrated into one model, with LiDAR, Network RTK and cameras combining into what Navimow is calling LiDAR+. The H2 is built for slopes up to 24 degrees and can handle yards up to half an acre in size. The H2 is being released in two models. The H210 for yards up to 0.25 acres, and the H220 for half-acre yards. Pricing for the H2 series has not been released yet.The i2 AWD Series and the X4 Series will be available for pre-order beginning January 16.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/segways-navimow-brand-unveiled-a-new-line-of-robotic-lawn-mowers-at-ces-2026-130007014.html?src=rss

Ugreen makes plenty of things, but you're probably familiar with the name in the context of its NAS systems (should that be NASes? Who knows). Naturally, the company has turned up to CES 2026 with the former, but it's also branching out into home security. It's announcing SynCare, an AI infused all-in-one surveillance platform which, it rather boldly claims, will become an attentive, integrated guardian" of your home.Leading the pack is the SynCare Video Doorbell with head-to-toe 4K video, intelligent detection and 24/7 recording - especially if you've got it hooked up to your Ugreen NAS. That works in tandem with SynCare cameras offering 4K video on a pan-tilt base and, of course, AI to recognise people, pets and key events." Ugreen is also offering a tablet, the SynCare Smart Display, a home hub" to let you manage your cameras from a single place in your home.The company is quick to highlight the major benefit of an at-home system like this, which is no need to pay for a monthly subscription. And, of course, that the footage from your home stays inside your home at all times, making it a better option for those folks who value their privacy. Sadly, Ugreen isn't ready to share pricing or availability information for the series, saying it'll be available in the back end of 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ugreen-launches-a-smart-home-security-platform-at-ces-130000389.html?src=rss

I'm seeing a ton of smart bird feeders again this year at CES - and I'm inexplicably drawn to them. Perhaps because the idea of birds nibbling on seeds and flying away represents a natural purity and freedom that doesn't exist within the halls of CES. Birdbuddy was one of the first smart bird feeder brands, with a wildly successful Kickstarter back in 2020. And this year, they've added birdsong to their species identification capabilities.Two new feeders, the Birdbuddy 2 and the Birdbuddy 2 Mini both have the new feature, but the latter is a more affordable, starter version. The Bird Buddy 2 is solar-powered with built-in panels. It's slightly larger and has a bigger seed capacity, too. Both have HD cameras you can manually position either vertically or horizontally and both have a mic to help with birdsong IDs.Upgrades to the cameras include a faster wake-up time when a bird lands and the housing for the seed and camera has a more modular design that makes the feeder easier to clean. The lens is now protected by Gorilla Glass, which may seem excessive, but Rhian Humphries, Birdbuddy's senior PR manager, said curious birds often peck at the camera looking for more food.The AI Birdbuddy uses was trained on real bird visits and at the end of each day, you'll get a postcard," a curated look at the birds that visited your feeder that day. Of course, the app can also alert you each time you have a feathered customer in your yard so you can tune into nature's live feed and soothe your soul for a few.The Birdbuddy 2 goes for $199. It sold out during the pre-order phase, and those units will ship in February, but more will be available in mid 2026. The Birdbuddy 2 Mini costs $129 with pre-orders opening in summer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/birdbuddys-new-smart-bird-feeder-can-id-birds-by-their-songs-122000692.html?src=rss

Meta is pausing release of its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses to the UK, France, Italy and Canada due to "unprecedented demand and limited inventory," the company said on Monday at CES 2026. There's no new date for the expansion that was originally set for early 2026. "We'll continue to focus on fulfilling orders in the US while we re-evaluate our approach to international availability," Meta wrote on its blog.Since Meta's display glasses first went on sale, acquiring them has been a challenge. They're not available online and can only be found in a limited number of retail outlets including select Ray-Ban, Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters and Best Buy locations in the United States. To buy them, you need to book an appointment for a demo at one those stores via Meta's website. Ahead of launch, Meta said it saw "strong" demand for demos with locations booked ahead for several weeks.There was optimism that availability would increase as the company expected buying options to "expand" the longer they were on sale. However, with the delay of the planned international launch, it appears that the company still has a mismatch between supply and demand.Meta's $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses are its first to incorporate a heads-up display and are also equipped with a camera, stereo speakers, six microphones, WiFi 6 and a finger tracking Neural Band controller. In her review, Engadget's senior reporter Karissa Bell noted that the Ray-Ban display "enables wearers to do much more than what's currently possible with [other] Ray-Ban or Oakley models" - provided you don't mind the look of the chunky, chunky frames.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-has-delayed-the-international-rollout-of-its-display-glasses-120056833.html?src=rss

As a long-time Mint user, I was frustrated to say the least when news broke at the end of 2023 that Intuit would shut Mint down. I, like millions of others, enjoyed how easily Mint allowed us to track all accounts in one place and monitor credit scores. I also used it regularly to track spending, set goals like pay my mortgage down faster and with general money management.

Noted turntable manufacturer Victrola just announced the Soundstage speaker at CES. This thin little doodad actually sits underneath turntables, removing the need for a full stereo set-up. The Soundstage isn't the first speaker that offers this functionality, but this one has tech-forward features.It offers multiple connection options, including Bluetooth. Many newer Victrola turntables can do Bluetooth streaming, so adding this speaker to a setup would be extremely simple. Otherwise, companies offer Bluetooth receivers for turntables.It also allows for traditional wired connections, and there's an option for USB-C. In other words, the Soundstage should easily connect to other audio sources like smartphones and computers. It even integrates with Auracast for multi-speaker setups.Victrola As for sound, Victrola promises superior audio thanks to a "vibration-isolated design." There's a specialized woofer for bass response and balanced mode radiators (a type of driver) for stereo separation. It likely won't sound as good as a full sound system but, again, think of all of those annoying wires.The Soundstage will be available this summer and costs $350. There will be multiple colorways, including walnut and black.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/this-speaker-by-victrola-sits-underneath-turntables-and-streams-audio-via-bluetooth-100021991.html?src=rss

Shokz may have made its name with bone-conduction headsets, but the company has also built open-style earbuds in recent years. At CES 2026, the company is debuting its most recent model, the OpenFit Pro, which combines effective noise reduction with Dolby Atmos support in a premium set of wireless buds. As the name suggests, these sit outside of your ears, secured by an over-the-ear hook, so that you can stay in tune with your surroundings at all times.To me, the main appeal of the OpenFit Pro is the new Noise Reduction Mode that acts as a bit of active noise cancellation (ANC) for the open earbuds. The feature is adjustable, allowing you to slide between Reduced, Default and Enhanced levels of said reduction. I'm happy to report the tool does make a difference, even at its lowest setting, by assisting with background noise like raucous HVAC units. Shokz says the OpenFit Pro's noise reduction is best suited for moderately noisy environments - like cafes, gyms and offices. And when you don't need it, you can switch back to Open Mode for a fully unfiltered line to reality. Shokz OpenFit Pro Billy Steele for Engadget The other attractive feature on the OpenFit Pro is Dolby Atmos spatial sound and Dolby Audio with Dolby head tracking. Streaming music in Atmos really shows what the OpenFit Pro is capable of, putting the ultra large" 11mm x 20mm synchronized dual-diaphragm drivers at the forefront. Shokz promises more powerful bass and more authentic" sound in this model, and I'd say the company delivers on that promise based on my initial testing. The only issue is that your neighbors will be able to hear your tunes at moderate volumes. My colleagues sitting across the table as I write this commented on my selection of The Fate of Ophelia." Call me Tay-curious.You can expect up to six hours on a charge and up to 24 hours of use with the case with Noise Reduction Mode enabled. Turn that feature off and you'll get up to 12 hours on the earbuds themselves. Plus, there's IP55 protection, wireless charging and wear detection, so the OpenFit Pro will be both durable and convenient to use.The OpenFit Pro is available for preorder starting today (January 6) for $249.95. You can make your early commitment at the Shokz website or Best Buy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/ces-2026-shokz-new-earbuds-effectively-reduce-noise-while-keeping-your-ears-open-080000996.html?src=rss

Just like last year, NVIDIA has used some of its time on the CES stage to introduce an upgraded version of its real-time image-upscaling technology. The new DLSS 4.5 promises sharper visuals with the 2nd Generation Super Resolution Transformer, which the company says will deliver better temporal stability, reduced ghosting and improved anti-aliasing. The DLSS 4.5 also includes Dynamic Multi Frame Generation, which maximizes frame per second to monitor refresh rate, delivering up to 4K 240Hz path traced performance.The 2nd Gen Transformer Super Resolution is available now for all RTX GPUs, while the Dynamic 6x Frame Generation will arrive some time in spring 2026 for the RTX 50 series. It will also be available for more than 400 games through the NVIDIA app.Another new feature is RTX Remix Logic, which allows real-time environmental reactions to in-game events. For instance, when a door is opened on screen, the NVIDIA tech can present changes to volumetric conditions, display different weather simulations with particles or alter materials. More than 30 different common events can be detected, and the RTX Remix Logic can make adaptations to volumetrics, particles, material properties and light properties.NVIDIA noted that it now has native clients for both Linux and Fire TV. That's the roundup of major gaming updates from the company's CES presentation, but NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang had plenty to talk about earlier today.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nvidia-announces-dlss-45-at-ces-2026-053000128.html?src=rss

For better or worse, CES 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for humanoid robots. Chinese company Agibot showed up with two: the roughly human-sized A2 and the slightly smaller X2, both of which were displaying their surprisingly impressive dancing abilities.We watched both robots walk around, wave at passersby and show off their best moves. The larger A2 mostly kept its legs still and danced mainly with its arms. The smaller X2 on the other hand is a bit more nimble - it has a larger set of "feet" to give it more stability - and those abilities were on full display.At the time we saw them, the robots were controlled partially by an Agibot rep using a dedicated controller, but the company told me the robots are able to move autonomously in spaces once they've been able to use their onboard sensors to map out their environmentThe company, which has already shipped several thousand robots in China and plans to make them available in the United States this year, says both the A2 and X2 are intended to provide a flexible platform so people can interact with the robots in a variety of situations.

The following article discusses adult themes.One surprising find at CES 2026 comes from OhDoki, the Norwegian makers of The Handy, a smart stroking device. It turned up to the desert with two new products, the Handy 2 and the Handy 2 Pro. Fundamentally, they're the same device, but the Handy 2 Pro comes with a far bigger battery, taking the usable life from one hour on the standard model all the way to five. That extra power enables you to run the 2 Pro far faster and harder than the original once you set it into Turbo mode. In fact, I was told the hardware can essentially be overclocked," although I wouldn't recommend it. Because the motor action was so aggressive that even just holding it in the hand, I'd be worried about breaking bones.There are plenty of useful new features, including using the Handy's beefy battery to charge your other USB-C devices. In addition, the sleeves are now be mounted to the motor arm with a click on motion, so you don't have to wrestle with the (very) weighty hardware when you don't have to. There are even tripod screws on both the side and bottom of the unit, enabling you to mount the Handy 2 to any compatible equipment. And, if you don't want to use your phone to control the action, there's a dot matrix display on the side which will show you both speed and stroke length.Naturally, the company's representatives were keen to highlight the connectivity features beyond just connecting to your own phone. As well as allowing other people to control the device, it'll sync with various VR and video content platforms as well as tube sites like Xhamster. And the company has recently teamed up with a cam platform for more remote opportunities for intimacy.The Handy 2 and Handy 2 Pro launch January 6, with the regular model priced at $299 and the Pro going for $499.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-handy-2-pro-is-an-overclockable-sex-toy-044456140.html?src=rss

Last year in Las Vegas at CES 2025, Sony Honda Mobility displayed yet another revision of its now-familiar yet still-unreleased Afeela 1 sedan. With a starting price of $89,900 and a maximum range of 300 miles, it didn't seem like a great value proposition. 12 months later, the math still hasn't changed, but would-be buyers now have a slightly taller option to consider.Meet the Afeela Prototype 2026, a version of the Afeela 1 sedan that's been up-scaled to better suit American SUV proclivities. It offers a carbon copy of the smaller Afeela's understated styling, including the external, nose-mounted LCD, and is due "as early as 2028."Afeela Prototype 2026Tim Stevens for EngadgetThat's code for "2029 is probably more likely" and is, sadly, all we know about the thing for now.And what about the Afeela 1? Shugo Yamaguchi, president and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility of America, confirmed that it's still on track for a release this year, still priced at $90,000 to start, and still set to be built at Honda's Ohio factory. That last bit is particularly good news, as the global tariff situation has been rather fluid since we saw the sedan last year.Unfortunately, the rest of the Afeela 1's core attributes haven't aged so well, particularly given it's intended to appeal to an increasingly skeptical American market, a situation that has driven Honda to dial down its own US EV aspirations. 300 miles of range is an increasingly middling figure, especially for a machine priced within spitting distance of a Porsche Taycan.To make the Afeela 1 compelling, Sony Honda Mobility is leaning into the tech play, launching with an advanced hands-off, eyes-on driver assistance system (a la GM's Super Cruise). Thanks to the beauty of over-the-air updates, the Afeela 1 will eventually offer Level 4 autonomy, leaning on a bevy of integrated sensors, including a roof-mounted LIDAR pod. That would theoretically mean you could drive in Gran Turismo 7 while your car drove you to work.Afeela 1Tim Stevens for EngadgetAt launch, though, the driver will only be able to play GT and other PlayStation games while the car is parked, thanks to built-in Remote Play functionality. Beyond gaming, Sony is building out a comprehensive set of APIs that will enable third-party developers to create immersive in-cabin experiences, including custom gauge clusters and infotainment skins. All that will be run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis, with enough power to handle both the evolving active safety and infotainment duties.That all sounds fun, but the bad news is that would-be buyers are going to have to wait a little longer to start customising their rides. Production on the Afeela 1 has slipped, and it will not ship to the first customers until the very end of 2026. Those customers will have to be in California, as that's the only state where the sedan will be for sale. Arizona will come next, sometime in 2027, but nobody at Sony Honda Mobility will say which state will get the next bite of this apple, or when.Will it be worth the wait? We'll circle back later with more detailed impressions from inside this year's iteration of the Afeela 1.