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CES 2026 at all times options a captivating mixture helpful know-how, futuristic ideas, and devices that pique our curiosity however most likely will not ever find yourself in our houses. Throughout this 12 months’s present, I’ve seen numerous corporations introducing new augmented actuality and AI glasses, updates to sensible rings, and even a new wave of AI companions powered by a customized ChatGPT mannequin.
Whereas none of those applied sciences are the truth is model new, they’re nonetheless struggling to go mainstream. Even the Ray-Ban Meta glasses were hard to find at CES 2026 –- that is even supposing they’ve discovered a a lot bigger viewers than most of the different merchandise talked about above. Nonetheless, one factor I usually noticed when transferring from sales space to sales space, corridor to corridor, and lodge to lodge was the latest generation of iPhone models.
Whereas I would like to provide a shoutout to Michael Josh from Gadget Match, who was one of many solely folks I noticed utilizing the iPhone Air, the reality is that at one of the crucial technologically revolutionary commerce exhibits on the planet, probably the most high-tech, mainstream gadget you are more likely to see is the iPhone.
The iPhone changed conventional cameras on the present, however what’s changing the iPhone?
Having lined know-how for over a decade now, I really feel like many corporations as of late are attempting to unravel issues that do not exist. For example, whereas AI does present real utility in on a regular basis life –- like prompt dwell translation between languages -– I did not really see anybody using these gadgets to translate in actual life. Most individuals nonetheless most popular tough English translations and even gestures fairly than trusting a wearable demo. At CES, the longer term is at all times on show, however attendees appear extra snug residing within the current.
Whereas Labubu plush toys are not draped from each bag and backpack, they have not been changed by AI companions, or any new pattern, for that matter. Regardless that AR glasses are extra extensively obtainable than ever, they are not on folks’s faces guiding by the halls of the Las Vegas Conference Middle. In the meantime, what you will notice is a whole lot of attendees pulling out their iPhones attempting and failing to get an excellent sign.
Regardless that Apple itself consider the iPhone might not be around for another decade, there are not any indicators on the present ground that the technological breakthrough that may at some point substitute the iPhone (and smartphones as a complete) is making its presence felt. The iPhone continues to be the gadget of the second, and it isn’t going away anytime quickly.
