Highlights of CES 2026: Robots, Smartphones, and Lego Innovations

This year’s Consumer Electronics Show is ramping up, and the flood of gadget reveals is already impressive. You’ve got the usual suspects: massive TVs, smart home devices, phone accessories, and some quirky charging solutions. It wouldn’t be CES without these staples. However, this year in Las Vegas, there are also intriguing glimpses into the tech industry’s vision for the future.

In the latest episode of The Vergecast, David and Nilay dive into some of the most captivating early announcements from the show. They kick things off with humanoid robots, including one from LG that claims it can handle your laundry, despite looking like it might struggle with the task. They also discuss this year’s new mobile gadgets, highlighting the Clicks Communicator, which is already a contender for the “most exciting new gadget that actual people might actually buy” title.

Next up is a deep dive into the smart home scene, which is buzzing with innovation this year. There’s also a lot of buzz around new TVs, a fresh party speaker, and even the latest in Lego tech. While AI is a dominant theme at CES, the event seems to be embracing its gadget roots. The only notable absence? The Trump Phone, which has left many surprised.

For those curious about the topics covered in this episode, here are some highlights to explore:
* LG’s CLOiD home robot is set to fold laundry and whip up breakfast at CES.
* Zeroth’s WALL-E robot isn’t available in the US, but its cousin is.
* Harpers discusses the rise of Kicking Robots.
* The Clicks Communicator is like a BlackBerry for your phone.
* Samsung’s Z TriFold keeps unfolding.
* The Aliro smart lock standard for NFC and UWB unlocking is launching this year.
* Lutron introduces smart wood blinds to its Caséta line.
* Bosch’s high-tech coffee machine is getting Alexa Plus integration.
* A hands-on look at the Mui Board, a wooden smart home controller.
* Lifx unveils a smart mirror and a $30 dimmer switch for smart bulbs.
* GE Lighting’s new Matter-compatible smart shades start at $300.
* LG’s Gallery TV, designed for art display, will debut at CES 2026.
* Amazon reveals a competitor to the Samsung Frame with the Ember Artline TV.
* Gemini on Google TV is getting Nano Banana and voice-controlled settings.
* The LG OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV makes a comeback at CES.
* LG’s new karaoke-ready party speaker uses AI to strip vocals from songs.
* Lego introduces Smart Brick, marking a major evolution in 50 years.
* Would you trust AI to cut your hair?
* Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is now sharing thoughts on AI.
* Adam Mosseri discusses Instagram’s place in the age of AI-generated images.
* A developer from a major food delivery app claims the algorithms are rigged against users.
* The Trump Phone has once again missed its release date.