Episode 558 - CES 2026

On this week's show: CES 2026 gave us everything from refrigerators with ads and humanoid laundry bots to pool cleaners smarter than your thermostat. Amazon and Samsung double down on AI (for better or worse), IKEA floods the market with affordable Matter gear, and Ring keeps dancing with Sidewalk and privacy. Kwikset locks in a new Matter smart lock under $200, SwitchBot wants to do your chores, and Roborock dares to climb stairs. Plus, Home Assistant gets a powerful new Music Assistant, Bose open-sources old gear instead of bricking it, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

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Show Notes

• The Handy
• Worst in Show' CES products include AI refrigerators, AI companions and AI doorbells - AP News
• HomeTech Headlines
  • CES 2026
    • Samsung Reveals Wireless 'Music Studio' Speakers and Soundbars for Home Theaters - CEPRO
    • Bose is open-sourcing its old smart speakers instead of bricking them - The Verge
    • Amazon Introduces Ember Artline Lifestyle TV, Expands Ring Security Portfolio at CES 2026 - CEPRO
    • Alexa+ is Coming to Samsung TVs, BMW Cars, and More - Thurrott.com
    • Kwikset’s new Matter-over-Thread smart lock costs under $200 - The Verge
    • Ring Unloads a Flood of New Security Tech at CES: What’s Coming to Canada | iPhone in Canada - iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and deals
    • Ring’s Fire Watch turns doorbell cameras into wildfire detectors - The Verge
    • Ring’s new smart home sensors use Sidewalk instead of Wi-Fi or Z-Wave - The Verge
    • A Broad New Lineup of Affordable Matter-over-Thread Devices from IKEA Unlocks Easier Whole-Home Automation for SmartThings Users - SmartThings Blog - SmartThings Blog
    • Lifx launches a smart mirror and a $30 dimmer switch that can control smart bulbs - The Verge
    • GE’s new smart fridge wants to help you shop for groceries - The Verge
    • RainPoint Unveils First All-in-One Irrigation System at CES, Revolutionizing Home Gardening with Smart Home Tech - All For Gardening - All For Gardening
    • Segway unveils new Navimow robotic lawn mower lineup at CES 2026 - The Ambient
    • Roborock’s Rover walks, jumps, and vacuums your stairs - The Verge
    • Mammotion unveils its most ambitious pool cleaner yet - The Ambient
    • Beatbot’s new mid-range pool robot is all about value - The Ambient
    • SwitchBot says its humanoid household robot can do your laundry - The Verge
    • Aiper showcases autonomous robot pool cleaners and more at CES 2026 - The Ambient
    • Ecovacs adds a mop cover to its flagship robot vacuum - The Verge
    • LG says its CLOiD home robot will be folding laundry and making breakfast at CES - The Verge
    • ECOVACS Wants to Run Your Whole Home, and Yes, There’s a Robot Dog | iPhone in Canada - iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and deals
    • TP-Link announces Aireal, its AI assistant - The Verge
    • It’s all about AI robotics for Switchbot at CES 2026 - The Ambient
    • Google TV Is Getting Smarter and It’s Powered by Gemini | iPhone in Canada - iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and deals
    • LEGO introduces 'Smart Brick' that has tiny computer inside - MobileSyrup
    • Gemns™ | Energy Harvesting Technology - Gemns™
    • DONUT LAB INTRODUCES THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIFICATION AT CES PRESENTING WORLD’S FIRST ALL-SOLID-STATE BATTERY READY TO POWER UP PRODUCTION VEHICLES NOW - Donut Lab - Donut Lab
• Pick of the Week
  • fiio.com
• Music Assistant 2.7 - Taking over the airwaves - Blog - Home Assistant Community - Home Assistant Community
• Open Home Foundation (@[email protected]) - Fosstodon
• 2026.1: Home is where the dashboard is 🥂 - Home Assistant
• Changes to Home Assistant Green pricing - Nabu Casa
• UniFi Protect + Home Assistant — Integration Update (now Platinum quality)