AI
* Key Takeaway 1: Mercedes’ Drive Assist Pro handled point-to-point driving on surface streets in a San Francisco demo, reading stop signs, lights and speed bumps. * Key Takeaway 2: The system runs on a software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture using Nvidia Orin and an end-to-end AI stack with rules-based safety guardrails. * Key
Gadgets
* Xreal unveiled the 1S, an upgraded entry-level AR headset, at CES 2026. * The 1S raises video resolution from 1080p to 1200p and ships in a new blue finish. * The glasses are priced at $449 and target casual media and mobile users. * Xreal positions the 1S as a refined successor to
Gadgets
• Samsung unveiled its 2026 home-theater TV lineup at CES, highlighting a trend toward much larger screens. • New LCD-based 4K models use upgraded backlighting to reproduce a wider color gamut, Samsung says. • The company introduced a jumbo 130-inch Micro RGB display and a new series of high-end OLEDs aimed at challenging
Gadgets
* Key takeaways * Belkin unveiled the ConnectAir wireless HDMI adapter at CES. * ConnectAir lets devices cast to a display without requiring a Wi‑Fi network or a companion app. * The adapter is designed for quick, cross‑room linking of devices and displays, useful for meetings and shared screens. What is the
Gadgets
• Key Takeaways: * Takway unveiled Sweekar at CES 2026: a palm-sized, egg-shaped AI pocket pet that learns a unique personality. * Sweekar remembers your voice, logs shared activities, and becomes autonomous once it reaches adulthood (unkillable from Level 51). * It has four life stages, a two-day incubation, swappable shells and outfits, and
Gadgets
* Key Takeaways: * SwitchBot unveiled the MindClip at CES 2026: a wearable clip-on microphone that records and transcribes what you say. * MindClip uses on-device AI to summarize conversations and can extract actionable items, including generating reminders. * SwitchBot showcased the concept but did not demonstrate a working unit; availability, pricing and full
Gadgets
* Samsung positions AI as a unifying platform across TVs, appliances, wearables and services. * Vision AI Companion (VAC) powers entertainment and lifestyle features across Micro RGB, Micro LED, OLED, Neo QLED and more. * SmartThings now serves 430 million users; Family Hub refrigerators gain Google Gemini-powered AI Vision for food tracking and
Gadgets
* Key Takeaways: * Clicks' new Communicator phone, announced ahead of CES 2026, supports Qi2 wireless charging. * The device is a BlackBerry-style Android handset with a physical keyboard and swappable backplates. * Clicks confirmed to 9to5Google that Qi2 will work despite the interchangeable backplates. * With Clicks, only a handful of Android phones
How-Tos
* You can reprogram the Apple TV Siri remote’s mute button to command your TV’s input selector. * Set this up in Settings > Remotes and Devices > Volume Control > Learn New Device and use your TV remote’s input button when prompted. * This sacrifices the dedicated mute function
Gadgets
• Key Takeaways: * A DIY “Steam Machine Micro” packs AMD Ryzen 7840U, Radeon 780M, 32GB LPDDR5 and a 1TB M.2 SSD into a sub‑6×6‑inch cube. * Targeted for 1080p gaming with select 1440p capability, it runs at a 30W TDP to avoid thermal throttling. * SteamOS 3.7.17
Gadgets
• Key Takeaways: * Subtle launched $199 wireless earbuds that prioritize noise isolation and accurate transcriptions. * The buds include a year of the iOS and Mac app, on-device voice processing and a custom chip that can wake an iPhone while locked. * Company claims the earbuds produce five times fewer transcription errors than
Gadgets
* Key Takeaways: * LG previewed its 2026 Gram laptops, highlighting a newly developed ultra-light build material. * The next-gen Gram lineup pairs updated hardware with brighter, more vivid displays. * LG positions Gram as a portable alternative to Apple's MacBook Air, emphasizing weight and screen quality. Overview LG has previewed its
