CES 2026 Day 1: Key Highlights on TVs, Smart Glasses, Robots, and More

The excitement is building as the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 is almost upon us. A look at the recent headlines clearly shows how jam-packed this year's event is set to be.

Before the Las Vegas event welcomes thousands of media personnel, industry analysts, and tech experts on Tuesday, January 6, leading tech giants like Samsung, LG, and Hisense have already made significant announcements. ZDNET is offering comprehensive coverage both directly on-site and remotely to ensure you don't miss a beat.

What's on the agenda this year? Get ready for bold ideas from companies of all sizes. Expect innovations exploring AI's role in everyday life, transportation tech breaking beyond urban confines, and televisions pushing past traditional boundaries.

Stay tuned to this live blog throughout the week for updates on the standout technologies we've had the chance to see and experience firsthand.

Ways to Stream CES 2026

Interested viewers can watch CES via various online streams and keynote presentations. The complete schedule for these sessions is available, with some commencing over the weekend.

For an extensive guide to this year's top announcements, see ZDNET's live news feed managed by our onsite reporters and editors, and those tracking updates from afar.

Breaking News (Check for the Latest Updates)

Nvidia Introduces 'Rubin' AI Platform, Paving the Future of AI Computing

Nvidia has launched its next-generation Rubin AI platform optimized for autonomous AI technology and vast AI models. Built with advanced 3nm technology and ultra-fast HBM4 memory, the revolutionary Vera Rubin Superchip offers quintuple the performance of its predecessor, the Blackwell platform, significantly enhancing efficiency for extensive AI tasks.

Slated for a late 2026 release, Rubin's design integrates the latest CPUs and high-speed connectivity, slashing inference costs by a factor of ten. Nvidia is committed to maintaining its annual release schedule to deliver essential infrastructure for top global cloud providers.

Dolby Vision 2 Revolutionizes Content Playback

This week, TV manufacturers are buzzing about their new models supporting the latest Dolby Vision 2 playback standard. This technology enhances screen brightness, sharpness, and sound quality. Peacock's streaming service, featuring live sports, is among the first to use this standard.

Dolby announced at CES that forthcoming NBA and MLB broadcasts will use Dolby Vision 2, automatically upgrading existing content where possible. Make sure your TV is compatible with this cutting-edge imaging tech to enjoy these advancements.

Exploring the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

After a month of teasers, Samsung finally unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold to the press, and it lived up to the hype.

Is it bulky? A bit, yes, but you can’t unfold both screens with one hand, unlike its Galaxy Z Fold sibling. What struck me wasn't just the dual creases on the display or smudges; it was the screen's aspect ratio when expanded, optimizing media consumption without excessive letterboxing. If only it were available for use on my journey home from Vegas.

Dell Revives the XPS Line with Exciting Updates

CES often surprises with unexpected returns, such as the XPS line from Dell. After a year-long hiatus, Dell reintroduces the XPS with noteworthy updates. Thanks to the latest Intel Series 3 'Panther Lake' processors, the XPS 14 and 16 models promise 57% and 78% better AI performance, respectively. Expect longer battery life, cutting-edge displays, and slim builds.

Welcoming back the Dell XPS series is genuinely thrilling.

Bringing Sunshine Indoors

Winter might bring shorter days, but SunLED Light Solutions aims to brighten them. Introducing Sunbooster at CES, this gadget attaches to your devices, providing a daily dose of infrared light right at your desk through a USB-C connection. With three 850 nm near-infrared LEDs, it offers two to four hours of optimized light.

Sunbooster should hit the US market this year, alongside innovative concepts like a monitor integrating infrared lighting and a phone case with the same technology. Here's hoping these prototypes become reality soon.

Belkin's Nintendo Switch Accessory Delights Gamers

Belkin's latest release is a clever travel case for the Nintendo Switch 2, which also serves as a charger. The case comes with a 10,000mAh battery to maintain charge while the console is stored, and a flip-out stand for easy game viewing. And the good news? It's already available for purchase.

A Smart Sippy Cup Aims to Prevent Ear Infections

For parents, Earflo introduces an innovative sippy cup designed to relieve middle ear pressure in children. As youngsters sip, a mask forms a seal on the nose, facilitating air flow and alleviating ear pressure.

Currently undergoing FDA clearance, the device is expected to retail from $250 to $300 next month.

Jackery's Vision for the Future Includes Solar Concepts and a New Robot

Celebrating ten years in the industry, Jackery showcased a slew of innovative concepts at CES. Its Solar Gazebo offers a stylish alternative energy solution for home or off-grid settings with robust solar capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Solar Mars Bot highlights AI advancements; it's an autonomous rover equipped with retractable solar panels. Additionally, the latest Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra promises durability and is earthquake-resistant.

Midrange Laptops Get a Boost from Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Plus

Qualcomm revealed the new Snapdragon X2 Plus chipset at CES, expected to enhance midrange laptops significantly. Boasting a 10-core Oryon CPU and updated GPU, it also supports Wi-Fi 7 and boasts improved energy usage.

If these specs deliver, expect affordable, high-performing laptops later this year.

A New Era in Pet Health with AI

For pet owners, Satellai announced the Petsense AI model, transforming pet biometric data into actionable insights. Using the brand’s wearables, Petsense AI crafts a detailed health profile encompassing activity, sleep, temperature, and potential signs of illness.

You’ll soon be able to ask AI questions like, 'Is my pet’s behavior typical for their age or breed?'

Samsung's Vision for Increased AI Adoption at Home

Samsung emphasized AI innovation during its First Look event, spotlighting AI's integration across home devices— from robot vacuums detecting spills to TVs that enhance image quality or smart fridges offering meal suggestions.

Attention also turned to AI's role in health, in particular its potential to identify early signs of diseases like dementia. This focus sparked a noticeably attentive and serious atmosphere among attendees.