Jon Westfall and I were joined by frequent podcast panelist Frank McPherson to dive into the highlights of CES 2026. While Jon and I were initially skeptical about whether there would be much to talk about this year, we actually found several soon-to-be-available gadgets that caught our eye, alongside some “worst of” picks like a single-use digital lollipop.
AI and My Smart Home Transition
I’ve been testing the new Alexa.com browser-based entry point, which offers a level of vertical integration that really impressed me. Recently, I had to replace a WeMo switch that Belkin is bricking at the end of the month—a trend of “cloud-killing” devices that we’ve also seen with Google and Nest. I bought an Amazon Smart Switch, and when I asked Alexa how to recreate my sunset triggers, the AI offered to do it for me instantly. It’s the kind of seamless experience I’ve wanted for decades.
LEGO “Smart Play” Bricks
As an adult fan of LEGO who still remembers the Samsonite-branded sets, I was fascinated by the announcement of Smart Bricks. These bricks include accelerometers, sound synthesizers, and light sensors, with the first kits arriving in Star Wars themes this March. We had a great debate about whether these features—like pre-set battle sounds—help or hinder a child’s imagination. While Frank was concerned about technology “filling in the blanks,” Jon noted that LEGO needs this level of immersion to compete with brands like Funwhole.
The Evolution of E-Ink and Tablets
Frank, our resident expert on minimalist digital tech, brought our attention to the TCL “NextPaper” tablet. It uses 120Hz LCD technology but features specialized modes to mimic the reflective look of e-ink. It’s aimed squarely at the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft and Remarkable Pro. Frank made a great point about why these devices matter: for many users, the physical act of writing on a screen is essential for memory retention during meetings.
Foldables and Mobile Accessories
We spent some time discussing the “aspirational” Samsung Trifold, which unfolds into an 8-inch tablet but is quite bulky in the pocket. I’m personally watching the iPhone Air, as its thinness suggests it could be half of an eventual Apple foldable. On the accessory front, Clicks made a splash with two items:
- Clicks Power Keyboard: A MagSafe-attachable sliding keyboard with a 2150 mAh battery. Jon actually pre-ordered this for his iPhone 16 Pro.
- Clicks Communicator: A standalone BlackBerry-style Android device featuring a physical keyboard, SD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Wearables and “Tricorders”
Frequent guest panelist Stephen Hughes was not able to join us for this podcast. However, he contributed several new products introduced at CES for this podcast discussion.
- Pebble Round 2: It’s great to see the Pebble brand return with an e-ink watch boasting a two-week battery life and Claude AI integration.
- Roborock Saros: A $1,000 vacuum that can actually climb stairs.
- Rocket Smart Glasses: These were a standout because they include built-in diopter adjustments, meaning you can dial in your prescription without needing lens inserts.
- Kode Dot: A “tricorder for geeks” that looks like a GameBoy controller and acts as a hacker tool.
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