Forget the “tech for the sake of tech” headlines, CES 2026 is proving that innovation is finally getting personal, practical, and a lot more thoughtful. From Lego’s screen-free “Smart Bricks” to AI mirrors that actually care about your health, here are the highlights you need to know about.
🧱 Lego’s Big Bet: The “Smart Brick”
Lego is making a major move to reclaim playtime from the iPad. At CES 2026, they unveiled the Smart Brick, a revamped 2×4 that looks identical to the classic pieces but hides a world of intelligence inside.
- The Magic Inside: These bricks are packed with a tiny ASIC chip, accelerometers, LED arrays, and miniature speakers.
- Reactive Play: Using proprietary Bluetooth and “Smart Tags,” the bricks know what they are. Build a helicopter, and it triggers realistic engine sounds and lights that pulse as you “fly” it through the air.
- Building Connections: The bricks recognise each other, allowing for interactive storytelling. If your Smart Minifigure approaches a Smart Brick castle, they might “chat” or trigger a drawbridge sound.
- Preorders: Preorders open this Friday, January 9, with the first Smart Play Star Wars sets launching March 1.
- Read more: LEGO Introduces Smart Play at CES 2026
💄 Beauty & Wellness: Tech That Sees You
The days of generic health trackers are over. This year’s show floor is packed with gadgets designed specifically for women’s unique health needs.
- Samsung’s AI Beauty Mirror: Developed with Amorepacific, this mirror uses camera-based diagnostics to assess pores, wrinkles, and pigmentation, then recommends personalised serums. See details here.
- L’Oréal LED Face Mask: A sleek, flexible silicone mask that uses red and near-infrared light to target fine lines and skin texture. Check out the hands-on.
- Withings Body Scan 2: This “home longevity station” uses bioimpedance spectroscopy to track 60+ biomarkers, including metabolic health and cellular age. Read the announcement.
- Vivoo FlowPad: A menstrual pad with an integrated diagnostic system that measures FSH levels to provide insights into fertility and perimenopause. Read the full story.
🏠 Smart Living: The “Zero-Chore” Home
Samsung and LG are racing to see who can take more off your to-do list.
- The LG CLOiD Robot: This AI assistant has two articulated arms with five fingers each, designed to fetch items from the fridge and even fold your laundry. See the robot in action.
- Skylight Calendar 2: The viral family command center got a 15-inch “glow-up” with interchangeable magnetic frames and a processor three times faster than before. Read the Mashable review.
- Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry: Features “AI Wash & Dry+” sensors that detect fabric types like denim or outdoor gear to optimize every load. Explore Samsung’s AI lineup.
⌚ Wearables: Beyond the Wrist
If you’re tired of bulky smartwatches, 2026 is the year of the “discreet wearable.”
- The Luna Band: A screenless, voice-led wearable that uses “LifeOS” to give you real-time health coaching via Siri rather than just dumping data on a screen. Read more on Luna Band.
- Pebble Round 2: The iconic brand is back with a 1.3-inch color e-paper display and a 2-week battery life, all in a stylish 8mm-thin frame. Check out the Pebble comeback.