The Innovative Picks from CES 2026

Exploring the array of intriguing gadgets, from cutting-edge keyboard add-ons to compact Bluetooth audio devices, here's a personal shopping list inspired by my time at CES in Las Vegas.

Curated for You: A Realistic Tech Wishlist

This week, I’ve been a whirlwind of activities—catching up with gerrymandering insights, spectating Formula 1 and documentaries on architecture, and attempting, yet failing, a daily journaling routine. A deep delve into the Debt Heads podcast kept me engaged, while I also unearthed quirky trivia about mail processes. My video call backdrop is now enriched with a collection of vintage gadgets I snagged from eBay.

Amidst all this, I barely avoided catching the infamous CES flu and managed instead to gather a list of the year's standout tech. While my team did an exemplary job reporting on CES happenings, I'm here to spotlight gadgets that seem both viable and worthy of purchase.

Future Transportation and My Digital Workspace

Looking ahead, investing heavily in an e-bike looms large on my horizon, a transformation largely attributed to our transportation guru at The Verge. His advocacy for cycling over driving, even offering to lead bike buses, is inspiring. Although absent from CES this year due to logistics, he shared his current digital setup with us.

He has updated his iPhone from the 11 to 16, with the transition aided by his family’s shared mobile plan. The unfortunate screen mark incident, courtesy of his child’s playful engagement with sparklers, now serves as a quirky, yet permanent, memento.

Digital Life and Entertainment Choices

His homescreen is well-organized, dedicating the top half to folders for streaming, social platforms, and everyday navigation, while the heavy-use section showcases apps like Instagram, Spotify, and Google Maps. Essential tools like Gmail and Chrome find their place in the ever-useful dock.

I expanded this routine by borrowing a few favorites from his list: the fast-paced read, Claire North's ‘Touch’ and the intriguing Martha Wells' series, both of which add diverse tones to my leisure reading. Meanwhile, music enthusiasts among us can delight in re-experiencing old podcasts featuring Bob Mackey.

New Discoveries and Personal Recommendations

As I shifted through several apps, notable finds included BeReal for an authentic photo chronicle, independent from the demands of hidden algorithms or ads. Further, my musical journey found joy in an engaging TikTok host reviving classic R&B tunes, while gaming shifted my unplugging time towards solo RPGs, enhanced by artificial narrations from ChatGPT.

Wrapping Up with Future Gaming Aspirations

Aiming to replace mindless scrolling with engaging gaming, subscribing to Apple Arcade revealed a treasure trove of ad-free, in-app purchase-free entertainment, which rekindled my interest in old favorites. Although the habit of crashing prevails, rediscovering joyous play minus the financial solicitations has been a revelation.

Join me next week as our tech adventures continue!