CES 2026 recap with Marc Aflalo and Mitchell Whitfield, covering the shift from AI buzzwords to real outcomes, the return of BlackBerry-style typing with Clicks, Pebble’s comeback with a color e-ink watch and a $70 voice memo ring, LG’s household robot, Dell reviving XPS, Samsung’s trifold and a no-crease folding display preview, and Lego Smart Bricks that add lights, sound, sensors, and on-brick logic.Marc and Mitchell kick off the new year with CES, and a simple question: what will actually show ...
CES 2026 recap with Marc Aflalo and Mitchell Whitfield, covering the shift from AI buzzwords to real outcomes, the return of BlackBerry-style typing with Clicks, Pebble’s comeback with a color e-ink watch and a $70 voice memo ring, LG’s household robot, Dell reviving XPS, Samsung’s trifold and a no-crease folding display preview, and Lego Smart Bricks that add lights, sound, sensors, and on-brick logic.
Marc and Mitchell kick off the new year with CES, and a simple question: what will actually show up in real life after the hype?
They agree the tone around AI changed. AI is still everywhere, but brands are selling results instead of shouting “AI.” Marc points to privacy concerns and recent headlines as part of the reason. The show floor feels less like one giant theme and more like a mix of ideas that let people chase what interests them.
They run through the biggest standouts.
Clicks returns with two products. First, an updated MagSafe slide-out QWERTY keyboard accessory that works across devices. Second, the Clicks Communicator, a prototype Android 16 phone built around distraction-free communication, with a stripped-down interface and a clear “secondary device” pitch. Mitchell likes the idea, but questions whether most people want to carry two phones.
Pebble makes a comeback at CES with the Pebble Round 2, a round watch with a full color e-ink display, built as an accessory, not a phone replacement. They also flag Pebble’s new smart ring, priced around $70 to $75, with a microphone for quick voice memos and one-button reminders, positioned as a lower-cost, less intrusive option compared to higher-priced rings.
Robots show up again, this time with a practical angle. Marc calls out LG’s household robot, aimed at folding laundry, helping with kitchen tasks, and interacting with smart appliances. Mitchell immediately jumps to security risks, then lands on the real question: cost. These robots need to become mainstream enough to stop feeling like luxury items.
Dell revives the XPS brand in a more serious way than a simple rebrand. Marc highlights the clean XPS branding, new 14- and 16-inch models, and fixes to past complaints. Mitchell adds that XPS still matters for people who want high-end performance without the gamer look.
Samsung’s Galaxy Trifold gets its official moment, but the bigger story is the booth teaser, a folding screen preview with no visible crease. They both want real video proof, not marketing images. The conversation turns to hinge engineering, materials, and the likely premium pricing of folding hardware.
Then they hit the moment Mitchell has been waiting for: Lego Smart Bricks. They describe bricks with chips that recognize other bricks, plus built-in lights, sounds, music, and sensors that detect movement, rotation, pressure, and orientation. Marc adds the key detail: logic can run on the bricks themselves, triggering actions when parts tilt, separate, or reconnect. They predict companion app control, Bluetooth customization, and a big wave of sets starting with Star Wars, then Marvel.
Subscribe and follow Your Tech Report for ongoing CES 2026 follow-ups, including interviews with CTA’s Allie Fried and more guests from the show floor, plus check-ins with companies featured in past years.
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