At a Glance
- CES 2026 floor flooded with 22 official Best of CES award-winning devices
- Giant TVs, AI-driven robots, and interactive pets dominate the headlines
- Lego Smart Bricks light up with gesture-based Jedi-inspired controls
- Wireless body-transmitting network prototype hints at next-gen wearables
- Sora 2 app access codes remain the show’s toughest ticket
Why it matters: The splashy debuts set the tone for tech buying decisions throughout 2026 and beyond.
The annual CES spectacle has returned to Las Vegas with a barrage of product launches, and News Of Losangeles‘s team on the ground has already flagged the head-turners. From jaw-dropping televisions to playful robotic companions, the first wave of announcements signals another blockbuster year for consumer tech.
22 Official Best of CES Winners Crowned
Judges sifted through thousands of entries before pinning down the 22 Official Best of CES recipients. The list, released minutes after the show floor opened, mixes global brands with scrappy startups.
Winners include:
- Ultra-thin MicroLED wall-sized displays
- AI-powered health monitors that sync without phones
- Sustainable smart-home hubs running on low-power mesh networks
- Immersive spatial-audio glasses weighing under 45 grams
- Modular cooking surfaces that switch from grill to induction in seconds
Each honoree will display a special Best of CES badge for the remainder of the show, making them easy targets for buyers scouting next year’s shelf stock.
Giant TVs Push Size Boundaries
Television makers refuse to leave screen size untouched. This year’s crop stretches beyond 100 inches without ballooning depth measurements.
Key specs circulating the floor:
- 4K 144Hz refresh standard on premium models
- Brightness peaks at 5,000 nits for daylight viewing
- HDMI 2.2 across all ports
- Built-in ATSC 3.0 tuners for free 4K broadcasts
- Wall-mount brackets rated for 200-lb panels yet only 9 mm thick
Several vendors demoed wireless video receivers that beam uncompressed 8K signals up to 30 feet, eliminating the dreaded HDMI cable crawl.
AI Pets Win Hearts and Headlines
Robotic companions have evolved past clunky toys. The newest AI pets bark, purr, and even nuzzle on command, all while learning household routines.
Popular models spotted:
- A palm-sized puppy that maps furniture to avoid collisions
- A robotic cat tail that wags when owners walk through the door
- A plush seal pup aimed at seniors, offering medication reminders
- A wheeled dinosaur for kids that teaches coding via voice prompts
Developers say on-device neural nets keep interactions private, sidestepping cloud delays.
Lego Smart Bricks Add Jedi Gestures
Lego’s next-gen Smart Bricks light up when builders wave a hand, echoing Jedi force powers. Built-in proximity sensors detect motion up to 15 centimeters, triggering color changes or sound effects stored in a tiny onboard module.
Early kits will ship with:
- 250 classic bricks plus 15 sensor-enabled pieces
- USB-C rechargeable base plate
- App-free operation for younger creators
- Expansion ports for adding motors or additional LEDs
Demo lines wrapped around Lego’s booth as fans recreated lightsaber duels with stacked bricks.
Wild Tech Roundup
Beyond the heavy hitters, smaller booths flaunted eccentric concepts:
- A Bluetooth toothbrush that plays tunes through jaw bones
- A fridge that snaps photos of leftovers and suggests recipes
- A drone that folds into a wristband when not in flight
- A laptop with a detachable second screen that hovers via magnets
- A coffee mug that keeps drinks at exact temperatures for 4 hours
Buyers scribbled notes, hunting for the quirky SKUs likely to go viral on social media.
Wireless Body-Transmitting Network Emerges
A university-backed startup demoed a body-transmitting network that sends data across skin instead of through the air. Micro-impulses travel from smartwatch to earphones, promising ultra-secure pairing.
Potential benefits:
- No radio interference in crowded stadiums
- Lower power draw than Bluetooth
- Data can only be intercepted by direct contact
- Seamless device hand-offs when users shake hands
Engineers say consumer prototypes may reach wearables within two years.
Sora 2 Access Codes Still Coveted
The viral Sora 2 AI video app remains invitation-only, and CES attendees are hustling for unlock codes. A QR code wall in the AI pavilion promised limited passes, but lines stretched for two hours within minutes.
Tips circulating for scoring a code:
- Join the waitlist with a work email domain
- Post creative prompts on social media and tag the developers
- Attend midnight office hours hosted in a nearby co-working space
- Trade show floor badges sometimes come with pre-printed codes on the back
Early clips generated on the show floor show photorealistic dragons circling the Las Vegas Sphere, stoking demand even further.
Streaming Services Flex Channel Counts
Live-TV streamers used CES to trumpet expanded channel lineups. Services are battling for cord-cutters by packing more niche offerings.
Top tallies promoted:
- YouTube TV: 100+ channels, unlimited DVR
- Hulu Live: 95+ channels, bundled Disney+ and ESPN+
- DirecStream: 90+ channels, 4K sports tier
- Fubo: 150+ channels, heavy on international sports
- Philo: 70+ channels, budget tier under $25
Several providers teased a la carte options, letting viewers pay only for networks they watch.
Security, Sleep, and Wellness Tech Proliferate
Health-centric gadgets dotted nearly every hall. Sleep tech products claimed 30% more booth space compared to last year.
Noteworthy debuts:
- A ring that predicts insomnia episodes 45 minutes early
- A white-noise pillow with embedded bone-conduction speakers
- A smart bed base that lifts legs to stop snoring automatically
- A bathroom mirror analyzing skin hydration and recommending lotions
- A connected yoga mat that corrects posture via gentle vibrations
Doctors advising startups stress these devices don’t replace medical care but can flag patterns for discussion with physicians.
Key Takeaways
- CES 2026’s first wave centers on immersive screens, AI companions, and seamless connectivity
- 22 Best of CES winners act as a cheat sheet for buyers overwhelmed by choices
- Experimental tech like body-transmitting networks and Jedi Lego bricks hint at future trends
- Invitation-only apps and channel-count wars illustrate how exclusivity drives buzz
- Health and sleep products cement wellness as a core tech category
