It’s CES over again, and as a tech journalist, there’s nothing extra thrilling than attending the world’s greatest tech present. CES was the primary main tech occasion I attended once I joined the business, and as a ritual, I’ll as soon as once more be in Las Vegas, operating from one nook of the town to a different to attend press reveals earlier than the principle occasion opens on January 6.
For the previous few years, and I admit this with utmost confidence, CES has been shedding its relevance. However final 12 months, the world’s greatest and buzziest tech present was revived, giving journalists like us a purpose to remain stationed in Vegas for properly over per week and to fulfill insiders and business executives I might name the true change-makers.
This 12 months, specifically, I’m enthusiastic about what I’ve been listening to internally, in addition to the issues I least count on however could possibly be of curiosity to shoppers. Not every part showcased at CES ultimately makes it to the market, however the present gives a transparent sense of the place the patron tech business is headed all year long.
Right here’s my want listing and expectations from CES, which kicks off on January 6 and ends on January 9:
On-device AI to have a second
Certain, AI is a headline-grabber, and we’ve got had sufficient of synthetic intelligence (pun meant), however I don’t suppose the hype will die down anytime quickly. In reality, AI might be current on the infrastructure degree, deeply embedded in chips, working programs, sensors, and even the backend. A serious focus at CES this 12 months (and I can say this with 100 per cent certainty) is how on-device AI might be in every single place.A number of years in the past, at a Qualcomm occasion in Hawaii, I skilled on-device AI on a telephone, and I used to be fairly impressed by the demo. Whereas the on-device AI dream isn’t totally realised but, it has clear advantages, together with privateness, low latency, and offline reliability, opening a marketplace for a brand new kind of product.
Sony’s AIbo is a puppy-sized, AI-infused robotic that packs with an array of sensors, cameras, microphones and web connectivity. (Picture credit score: Sony)
Humanoids and residential robots
I wouldn’t be mendacity if I stated I’m excited concerning the robotics area, particularly what’s coming into our properties. CES is one place the place residence robots and humanoids could have a sizeable presence, and I’m pumped to see them in particular person. There’s already an enormous wave of ‘humanoids’ in China proper now, and for good purpose. I consider many extra corporations and startups will showcase robotics of all sorts at CES, particularly humanoid robots. The explanation robotics as a class is all of a sudden gaining momentum is the convergence of AI, robotics, and IoT. Now we have already seen robotic vacuum cleaners and mops, however what’s coming subsequent might be sensible robots designed to excel at particular duties. Nonetheless, one pertinent query round privateness and security stays.
Good residence to shine
For years, the idea of a sensible residence could have appeared promising on paper, however its practicality has at all times been questioned. That, nevertheless, could also be about to alter, with good properties changing into way more clever. At CES, I predict we are going to see residence gadgets reply to pure instructions and use AI to grasp customers’ moods and actions higher. For instance, a sensible fridge might advocate breakfast concepts on weekends, or lighting might routinely adapt throughout yoga classes. Whereas manufacturers will undoubtedly market every part as “AI-powered,” I count on a lot of the true innovation to return from advances in sensors. The main target might be on good gadgets that may run properties extra autonomously, decreasing the necessity for guide enter.
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Samsung has already introduced its new lineup of TVs forward of CES 2026. (Picture credit score: Samsung)
Show tech
Ever since I began protecting CES, televisions have at all times grabbed eyeballs on the Las Vegas present. Huge TVs and options similar to clear screens, together with idea and prototype fashions, have persistently captured my creativeness. CES 2026 might be no totally different. This time, I predict the true innovation will come from show applied sciences that ship higher visuals and significant options, not simply on the excessive finish of the market, but additionally within the mid-range and inexpensive segments. From brighter OLED panels to advances in micro-LED backlighting, I’m way more interested by sensible use circumstances and genuinely improved shows than in admiring invisible TV, to be trustworthy.
Different issues I’m wanting ahead to at CES 2026
I’m additionally excited concerning the scope of innovation coming in good glasses. The Meta Ray-Ban Show have been an excellent prototype good glasses, and I hope what others are doing on this area. CES 2026 is the perfect place to showcase idea gadgets and early prototypes. Anticipate many corporations to launch new good glasses with numerous options and use circumstances.
One other space that’s enhancing quickly is wearables and well being. Whereas the world has moved primarily past primary smartwatches, final 12 months was all about discreet health bands targeted on steady monitoring and early detection. This 12 months, I’m wanting ahead to modular designs and gadgets that mix new well being sensors with AI and layered providers to allow deeper, extra significant well being monitoring.
New laptops are additionally coming to the market, and CES 2026 would be the launch pad. I’m wanting ahead to experiencing PCs powered by Intel’s Panther Lake, Qualcomm’s X2, and AMD processors on the present flooring. All main PC makers might be current.