The 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas showcased a wide array of new gadgets and innovations, including AI advancements, smart home devices, and robots, with live updates highlighting key announcements and product unveilings, culminating in the announcement of the Best of CES 2026 winners.
Clicks has announced the Clicks Communicator, a new Android smartphone with a physical keypad, headphone jack, and other enthusiast features, priced at $499 with an early bird offer of $399, targeting users who prefer tactile typing and communication-focused devices.
Apple's iOS 18.2, a major update featuring expanded Apple Intelligence, is expected to release in early December, likely the week of December 9. This update will extend advanced features to more English-speaking countries, including the UK, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand. The release is anticipated to occur on a Tuesday, possibly December 10, although exact dates may vary.
Google is reportedly developing a new feature called Shielded Email, similar to Apple's Hide My Email, which allows users to create random email aliases to avoid spam and protect their main email address. This feature, found in the Google Autofill settings, aims to enhance privacy by preventing email addresses from being sold to third parties. It is unclear if Shielded Email will require a paid subscription like Apple's service.
Google has resumed the rollout of Wear OS 5 for Pixel Watch models after pausing it due to issues like bricked devices and blank screens. The November update is now available for Pixel Watch 1, 2, and 3, although the Pixel Watch 3 only receives a security patch. The next major update is not expected until March 2025, indicating a significant gap between updates. The update also addresses a watch face loading issue for the Pixel Watch 2.
Google has announced that the latest update for the Pixel Watch series, including models 1, 2, and 3, will be the last until March 2025. The November update resumes the Wear OS 5 rollout for earlier models and provides a security patch for the Pixel Watch 3. Google has not disclosed the reason for the delay in updates, leading to speculation about potential issues with Wear OS 5 or alignment with the Android 16 schedule. Users are advised to enjoy the current update as no further updates will be available for the next few months.
Apple has released firmware updates for AirPods 4 (version 7B20) and AirPods Pro 2 (version 7B21), which previously ran on version 7B19. While the specific changes in the new updates are unclear, Apple mentions they include 'bug fixes and other improvements.' Last month's update introduced new hearing features for AirPods Pro 2, but no details were provided for AirPods 4. Firmware updates are installed automatically when AirPods are connected to an iOS device or Mac.
Microsoft is discontinuing the WordPad application, a long-standing component of Windows since 1995, starting with the latest Windows 11 Canary Channel build. The app will not be included in new installations and will eventually be removed from existing systems through an update, with no option to reinstall. Microsoft recommends users switch to Microsoft Word for rich text documents and Notepad for plain text files. WordPad's removal was signaled by its absence of updates, such as not receiving a dark mode, and being listed as 'deprecated' since September 2023.
Live images of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra have reportedly been leaked, showing the device's design ahead of its official launch on January 17, 2024. The images, shared by tipster @WorkaholicDavid, reveal ultra-thin bezels and a quad-lens rear camera setup, including a laser autofocus module. The leak aligns with previous information about the device's design and color options. Samsung is expected to showcase AI features at the Unpacked event, where the Galaxy S24 Ultra, along with standard and Plus models, will be officially unveiled.
Ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Unpacked event on January 17, live photos of the Galaxy S24 Ultra have leaked, showing the device in a gold color scheme. The images confirm previous renders of the phone's design, which includes a flat screen and a golden frame. Despite the numerous leaks, enthusiasts are hopeful that Samsung has managed to keep some features secret for the official reveal.
Apple has started distributing $92.17 checks to claimants as part of the 'batterygate' class action settlement, following the 2017 controversy where the company slowed down iPhones with older batteries to prevent unexpected shutdowns. The settlement, agreed upon in 2020, compensates users who may have felt compelled to upgrade their devices prematurely. Affected models include the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and the original iPhone SE. Claimants who filed by October 6th, 2020, are now receiving payments.
A Slovenian repair shop has potentially leaked the replacement part costs for Samsung's Galaxy S24 series. The Galaxy S24 screen and battery replacements are priced at €259 and €68 respectively, with the Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra having similar or higher costs due to their features, such as the Ultra's rumored titanium frame. The accuracy of these prices compared to official Samsung service centers is yet to be confirmed.
Microsoft is set to remove WordPad from Windows 11 in the latest Canary build (build 26020) and will not allow users to reinstall it, marking the end of the default rich text editor's inclusion in the operating system. While enthusiasts may find workarounds to install WordPad unofficially, Microsoft is steering users towards Microsoft 365 or other third-party text editors. The Steps Recorder app is also not in active development, with Microsoft recommending alternatives like Snipping Tool, Xbox Game Bar, or Microsoft Clipchamp.
Dell has introduced a new design language for its XPS laptop series, standardizing the sleek look of the XPS 13 Plus across the new XPS 13, XPS 14, and XPS 16 models. These laptops feature touch-enabled function rows, invisible trackpads, and options for OLED displays and discrete graphics cards. The XPS 13 starts at $1,299, the XPS 14 at $1,699, and the XPS 16 at $1,899, with availability expected before summer. Despite the innovative design, some users may need time to adjust to the super-thin keyboards and touch panels.
LG announced an upcoming webOS update for its 2022 OLED TV series and other models, set to launch in early 2024. The update will introduce a new Quick Card UI for personalized content curation and advanced security technology. LG also plans to support 2024 webOS TVs until 2028 and has showcased its 2024 OLED TV lineup, including a wireless flagship model, at CES 2024. The company continues to innovate in the smart TV space, aiming to enhance the customer experience with ongoing updates.