Lead
CNET reporters Mike Sorrentino, David Katzmaier and Jeff Carlson are on the ground in Las Vegas as of Jan. 4, 2026, ahead of CES 2026, which officially opens on Jan. 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The live coverage previews an expected flood of AI advances, home robots, new TV panels, experimental phone formats and other concept devices. CNET’s team will provide day-to-day hands-on reporting from the show floor and will coordinate the CNET Group’s Best of CES 2026 awards, announced on Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. PT. This live dispatch aggregates early reveals, hands-on impressions and schedules for attendees and remote readers alike.
Key Takeaways
- CNET is reporting live from Las Vegas as of Jan. 4, 2026, with the show officially starting on Jan. 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
- The CNET Group will name Best of CES 2026 winners on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. PT, with an in-person ceremony at 4 p.m. PT in the LVCC Central Hall Grand Lobby.
- Notable early products include Clicks hardware: a $79 Power Keyboard and a $499 Clicks Communicator with early-bird pricing down to $299.
- Withings announced the Body Scan 2, a $600 smart scale that measures 60 biomarkers and is slated for Q2 2026 pending FDA clearance.
- LG has teased CLOiD, a multi-tasking home robot for laundry, cooking and dishwasher duties, with a larger public demonstration planned at CES.
- Wearable AI devices such as the Plaud NotePin S are positioned as new tools for automated notetaking and highlights.
- Retro-inspired hardware resurfaced in multiple booths, from BlackBerry-style keyboards to hybrid side-devices aimed at reducing phone distraction.
Background
CES, originally the Consumer Electronics Show, has been a launchpad for consumer tech since the 1967 show in New York that drew 117 exhibitors. Over decades CES has introduced game consoles, early mobile precursors and a range of format battles that shaped mainstream electronics. The tradeshow now lives in Las Vegas and regularly attracts manufacturers, startups and media from around the world to present new product categories and concepts.
In recent years CES has tilted toward software-driven experiences, especially with generative AI and connected devices reshaping product demos and roadmaps. Manufacturers use CES to show concept devices that may remain prototypes for years, while some exhibitors use the stage to secure distribution or regulatory timelines. The Consumer Technology Association remains the organizer, and many marquee press conferences occur in the 48 hours before the official opening.
Main Event
Early floor coverage shows a mixture of incremental product updates and attention-grabbing prototypes. Clicks previewed two hardware components: the Power Keyboard, a $79 magnetic keyboard that fastens via MagSafe or Qi2, and the Clicks Communicator, a side device with a physical keyboard that connects to a smartphone and lists a $499 retail price with an early-bird $299 offer. The Communicator emphasizes tactile typing and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, positioning itself for users who prefer less distraction.
At CES Unveiled, a Sunday evening showcase, hundreds of companies displayed pre-show announcements and demo units; CNET coverage documented the press-room activity and team assignments. Meanwhile, Withings introduced the Body Scan 2, a $600 device claiming to measure 60 biomarkers through scale sensors plus a wired wand; the company positions it as an at-home longevity station but notes regulatory review before broad availability in Q2 2026.
LG teased CLOiD, a home robot that the company says uses AI to handle diverse chores including folding laundry and emptying dishwashers. LG plans a more substantial demonstration on the CES floor. Other wearables and voice/transcription hybrids surfaced as well, such as Plaud’s NotePin S, an AI-powered notetaking wearable designed for journalists and professionals who want automated highlights from conversations.
Concept and novelty devices continue to draw attention: Sweekar presented a physical virtual pet that grows as users interact with it, updating a Tamagotchi-style concept into an object that changes form. Television manufacturers and component suppliers also showcased new panel tech and prototypes, with a usual mix of incremental brightness/contrast gains and experimental form factors.
Analysis & Implications
CES 2026 demonstrates how the industry is pivoting from single-function hardware to ecosystems that mix sensors, AI and services. Devices like Withings Body Scan 2 reflect a push to pipeline more clinically oriented biomarkers into consumer homes, but that strategy depends on regulatory pathways and clinical validation. If devices can reliably flag early risk factors, they may shift preventative health models; if not, they risk consumer confusion and regulatory scrutiny.
LG’s multi-tasking robot, if its demo translates to reliable real-world performance, could represent a step-change in home automation. However, complex manipulation tasks such as folding laundry and unloading dishwashers remain challenging in varied domestic environments. Adoption will hinge on price, durability, and measurable time savings versus existing single-purpose robots.
Retro hardware such as the Clicks Communicator and Power Keyboard highlights an ongoing niche appetite for tactile, low-distraction experiences. Companies are exploring side devices that offload specific behaviors from phones, betting that attention-management and ergonomic preferences can sustain premium accessories. Market traction will depend on ecosystem compatibility and whether such devices become daily tools or occasional curiosities.
Comparison & Data
| Product | Type | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clicks Power Keyboard | Magnetic phone keyboard | $79 | Spring 2026 (company estimate) |
| Clicks Communicator | Phone side-device with keyboard | $499 (early-bird $299) | TBD |
| Withings Body Scan 2 | Smart scale, 60 biomarkers | $600 | Q2 2026, pending FDA clearance |
| Plaud NotePin S | Wearable AI notetaker | TBD | CES demo |
| LG CLOiD | Home robot (multi-task) | TBD | CES demonstration planned |
The table summarizes announced prices and stated availability windows from company briefings and exhibitor information. For products that list regulatory dependencies or demo-only status, timelines may shift after on-floor testing and third-party review.
Reactions & Quotes
On the motivation behind the Clicks device, the company framed its product as an antidote to distraction; company messaging distilled that stance into a short slogan and product positioning.
Doing, not doomscrolling
Clicks (company statement)
CNET coverage also captured hands-on impressions and internal commentary from show participants about the rising role of AI in consumer devices. Observers noted cautious optimism but stressed the need for validation when health or safety claims are involved.
We want to move beyond single-purpose gadgets to solutions that actually improve daily life, but measurable outcomes are essential
Independent product analyst (on condition of anonymity)
Exhibitors at Unveiled and other pre-show events described CES as a critical platform for visibility and potential distribution partnerships, reaffirming the trade show’s role in early-stage commercial momentum.
Unconfirmed
- Exact consumer pricing and global availability for LG’s CLOiD have not been published; real-world pricing and timelines are unconfirmed.
- Withings Body Scan 2’s clinical utility and claims depend on FDA clearance and independent validation; broader effectiveness remains to be confirmed.
- Clicks Communicator shipping dates and the scale of early-bird allocations are subject to company timelines and preorders.
- Long-term durability and daily reliability of multi-task home robots and new wearables remain unverified until extended third-party testing.
Bottom Line
CES 2026 is shaping up as a show that emphasizes AI integration across categories, from health-monitoring scales to household robots and attention-focused accessories. Early reveals blend practical accessory updates with ambitious prototypes that may or may not become mainstream products in the short term. Readers should treat on-floor demos as preliminary signals rather than commercial assurances; prices, availability and regulatory outcomes can change after the show.
CNET’s live coverage and the CNET Group’s Best of CES 2026 awards will distill the most notable announcements as the show progresses; expect follow-up reporting that tests claims, checks regulatory status and compares announced products against real-world use cases. For those tracking industry direction, CES 2026 offers both immediate consumer gadgets and a roadmap for where manufacturers see AI and automation fitting into everyday life.
Sources
- CNET live coverage — media (news live updates and on-floor reporting)
- CES / Consumer Technology Association — official organizer (event schedule and venue information)