CES roundup: AI moves into human spaces
Tech Things #55
Every year starts with a bang at CES Las Vegas where consumer brands showcase innovation and prototypes that sometimes don’t make it to production. The idea is to push boundaries and show what’s possible. And CES 2026 was peak “future in public”, with a lot of attention on AI embedded into everyday objects, robotics, next-gen displays, and weird-but-brilliant lifestyle tech. Side note: I saw a comment on Threads that CES should move to Shanghai and if you really think about it, why not?
While I was not in attendance, I followed remotely. It appears the biggest attention-grabbers weren’t just incremental upgrades, but products that felt like category shifts: Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold signalling the next era of foldables, while Roborock’s Saros Rover robovac with legs stole the show for pure “robots are here” shock value. Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas (owned by Hyundai) won a ‘best robot’ award - creepy or cool?
TVs also returned to being design statements with LG’s ultra-thin wallpaper OLED and Samsung’s RGB mini-LED tech pushing picture quality into absurd territory. Even Lego got its CES moment thanks to Smart Play, which blended physical play with hidden interactive tech, proving that innovation doesn’t have to mean more screens.
Other standouts to me were wearables that pushed into sci-fi territory with the brain-scanning Neurable x HyperX headset, while open-ear earbuds continued to dominate as the most practical everyday audio trend. Outside the house, the Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD robot lawn mower looked like an outdoor EV rather than a garden gadget, and the show’s most CES-style headline went to a $20,000 massage chair that literally moves your limbs.
Smart home continued its “why not?” evolution with a smart toilet that can alert family (LOL), but the bigger picture was clear: robots are moving beyond factories and into human spaces, inching closer to doing chores, assisting, and reshaping what “home tech” supposed to mean.
It will be interesting to follow what makes it to production, what failed and what’s shipping first… like iPolish’s world first digital colour changing nails expected mid 2026. I may be sold if there’s a short set!
Do you think tech is going too far? What has stood out for you and what do you want to see come to life?
Fresh from Recharged today is our list of Top 5 Earbuds with Live Translate features. Whether you’re travelling or want to hear gossip about you at a nail salon (this is happening in the US and Europe), no matter your reason, here are five options available right now, with local pricing.
Trending on my TikTok: I recently shared my top tip on how to lower your insurance premiums for Out and About items, using my laptop as an example. This works if you have some savings to tap into:
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There was also a lot of interest in the Motorola x Swarovski partnership that introduces the Motorola Brilliant Collection to South Africa, which is a Vodacom exclusive. If you want a flip phone, the razr 60 and Bose earbuds adorned in Swarovski in Patone’s Ice Melt shade, this is the phone for you!
Till next time,
Nafisa