CES 2026 kicked off its annual extravaganza with a bang on Monday, as manufacturers made big announcements and showcased their latest and greatest tech. At the forefront of it all was AI, which dominated every major press conference. LG took center stage with its "Affectionate Intelligence" vision, where AI is seamlessly integrated into everything from TVs to robots.
LG's World Premiere keynote highlighted its commitment to connecting technology to human emotions, showcasing smart home devices that can learn your habits and preferences. The company also introduced updated OLED TVs and Micro RGB panels, as well as an ultra-thin Wallpaper TV that promises to revolutionize the display industry. But it was LG's CLOiD robot that stole the show - a humanoid home robot that demonstrated impressive AI capabilities.
NVIDIA wasn't far behind in its own keynote, pushing even deeper into physical AI with its Vera Rubin supercomputer platform and open AI models. The company made no secret of its ambitions to redefine the future of computing, rather than just chasing after consumer graphics cards. CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the importance of collaboration between humans and machines, highlighting the role that NVIDIA is playing in developing AI infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Intel tried to reset the PC narrative with its launch of Core Ultra Series 3 processors, also known as Panther Lake. Built on a cutting-edge 18A process, these chips promise improved graphics, better efficiency, and stronger local AI performance. The company wants partners and consumers alike to see that it's back in the game for high-end laptops.
AMD rounded out the day with its own keynotes, emphasizing AI across cloud, PCs, and edge devices. Highlights included new Ryzen AI 400 laptop processors and updated desktop chips, including the Ryzen 7 9850X3D for enthusiasts. While AMD's announcements felt more immediately relevant to products shipping this year, they didn't quite live up to the hype generated by its rivals.
Sony stuck to what it knows best - mobility and software. The company showcased an updated prototype of its Afeela electric vehicle, along with expanded delivery plans and deeper entertainment integrations like PlayStation Remote Play. It was a familiar story for longtime CES watchers, who may have been disappointed that Sony didn't reveal more about its consumer electronics lineup.
Last but certainly not least, Lego made its CES debut with Smart Bricks - part of a new "Smart Play" initiative that adds sensors, audio, and wireless communication to traditional Lego pieces. The system is launching later this year with Star Wars sets and promises to be a major game-changer for the beloved toy brand.
In the end, Monday's press conferences left little doubt about what to expect from CES 2026: AI, chipmakers, and innovative hardware updates. The show floor is now open, and Team Engadget will be bringing you all the latest news, hands-ons, and deep dives throughout the week.
LG's World Premiere keynote highlighted its commitment to connecting technology to human emotions, showcasing smart home devices that can learn your habits and preferences. The company also introduced updated OLED TVs and Micro RGB panels, as well as an ultra-thin Wallpaper TV that promises to revolutionize the display industry. But it was LG's CLOiD robot that stole the show - a humanoid home robot that demonstrated impressive AI capabilities.
NVIDIA wasn't far behind in its own keynote, pushing even deeper into physical AI with its Vera Rubin supercomputer platform and open AI models. The company made no secret of its ambitions to redefine the future of computing, rather than just chasing after consumer graphics cards. CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the importance of collaboration between humans and machines, highlighting the role that NVIDIA is playing in developing AI infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Intel tried to reset the PC narrative with its launch of Core Ultra Series 3 processors, also known as Panther Lake. Built on a cutting-edge 18A process, these chips promise improved graphics, better efficiency, and stronger local AI performance. The company wants partners and consumers alike to see that it's back in the game for high-end laptops.
AMD rounded out the day with its own keynotes, emphasizing AI across cloud, PCs, and edge devices. Highlights included new Ryzen AI 400 laptop processors and updated desktop chips, including the Ryzen 7 9850X3D for enthusiasts. While AMD's announcements felt more immediately relevant to products shipping this year, they didn't quite live up to the hype generated by its rivals.
Sony stuck to what it knows best - mobility and software. The company showcased an updated prototype of its Afeela electric vehicle, along with expanded delivery plans and deeper entertainment integrations like PlayStation Remote Play. It was a familiar story for longtime CES watchers, who may have been disappointed that Sony didn't reveal more about its consumer electronics lineup.
Last but certainly not least, Lego made its CES debut with Smart Bricks - part of a new "Smart Play" initiative that adds sensors, audio, and wireless communication to traditional Lego pieces. The system is launching later this year with Star Wars sets and promises to be a major game-changer for the beloved toy brand.
In the end, Monday's press conferences left little doubt about what to expect from CES 2026: AI, chipmakers, and innovative hardware updates. The show floor is now open, and Team Engadget will be bringing you all the latest news, hands-ons, and deep dives throughout the week.
! With CES 2026 kicking off like this, it's clear that AI is going to play a huge role in shaping our daily lives 
. I mean, think about it - LG's World Premiere keynote was all about connecting technology to human emotions, and NVIDIA's Vera Rubin supercomputer platform is pushing the boundaries of physical AI even further 
.
. And AMD's Ryzen AI 400 laptop processors are looking promising too 
. But what really caught my eye was LG's CLOiD robot - it's like something out of a sci-fi movie! 
. It's amazing to think about how these small updates can make such a big difference in our lives.
. And I'm excited to see what other companies are going to bring to the table this week 
. One thing's for sure - CES 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible show!
I gotta say, AI was definitely a major player at CES this year 
. But let's get real, NVIDIA had some solid games to play too 
. But hey, at least Lego made its debut and Smart Bricks sound kinda cool 
. Maybe we'll see some innovation from Sony on the mobility front too? 
. LG's "Affectionate Intelligence" vision is literally giving me LIFE 
! It's all about creating technology that understands and connects with us on a deeper level, which I think is SO important for our mental health 
. And can we talk about how exciting it is to see companies like NVIDIA and Intel pushing the boundaries of AI and computing? 
Like how LG's CLOiD robot was literally showing off its AI skills - I'm low-key obsessed with humanoid robots taking over our homes lol. NVIDIA stepping up their game is always good to see, and I love how they're pushing for human-machine collaboration 
. But gotta wonder, what's the real takeaway from all these announcements? Is it just about upgrading our tech or are we really getting closer to that sci-fi future where machines do everything for us? 
. Meanwhile, NVIDIA's Vera Rubin supercomputer platform sounds like the future of computing... let's hope they can make it more accessible to regular people 
. And hey, Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 processors are looking promising - maybe this is the year PC gaming finally reaches its full potential? 
! NVIDIA's Vera Rubin supercomputer platform is giving me life 
And Lego's Smart Bricks are genius - who wouldn't want to build with interactive, Wi-Fi enabled bricks? 
on the other hand, NVIDIA's Vera Rubin supercomputer platform sounds like something that could actually change the game 
but let's be real, AMD is still giving them a run for their money 
what really got me was how Sony stuck to mobility and software... it feels like they're playing it safe 
whereas LG and NVIDIA are pushing the boundaries of innovation 
That thing is going to be a game-changer for kids (and let's be real, adults too). I'm already imagining the possibilities - smart Legos that can build themselves, or even connect to the internet for some weird reason... 
but seriously, it had me thinking about how AI can actually make our lives better. Not just like, "oh look, my smart speaker can order pizza" but actual problem-solving stuff. What if CLOiD could help with like, home maintenance or something? That's some real tech right there