Over the last ten or so years, L'Oréal has brought a taste of beauty tech to the masses at CES 2026. This time, it has three devices to show off: the Light Straight + Multi-styler as well as the helpfully named LED Face Mask and LED Eye Mask. Dont let the unassuming names mislead you. These three products actually harbor some unique traits. The Light Straight (and multi-styler, which Im going to just call the Light Straight from here on), for instance, uses infrared light to help generate the heat required to style your hair. Meanwhile, the LED Face Mask is different from those made by companies like Dr. Dennis Gross, Omnilux, Therabody and Shark. Instead of fairly hard shells that sit rigidly on your face, L'Oréals version looks to be pliable and thin. I havent seen this in person yet, though I do intend to do so as soon as possible, but the pictures of the LED Eye Mask look, and I mean this in the best way, ridonkulous. Not only do they appear supple, but they also seem to be transparent, with bulbs and wires you can see inside. In some of the images that the company provided, the masks are completely awash in red as the lights are on. In others, only parts of it are red. One of them even shows the masks sitting in a little carrying case and they almost look like wireless earbuds. I havent seen any photos of the LED Face Mask but I can imagine theyd be fairly similar to these.The L'Oréal LED Eye Mask in a carrying caseL'Oréal According to the press release, this ultra-thin, flexible silicone mask is currently in prototype form and was developed in collaboration with LED solutions company iSmart. The company said this mask delivers light directly to the face in 10-minute automatically timed sessions. Thats not too different from existing red light masks, but LOréal said it believes the key to the masks effectiveness is its advanced, transparent support, which integrates a skin-safe microcircuit to precisely control the emission of two selected wavelengths of lightred light (630 nm) and near-infrared light (830 nm).Since the mask is only launching in 2027, there arent details yet on pricing and availability, though the companys global vice president of tech and open innovation Guive Balooch told Engadget that it would be a premium product that would sit somewhere below the highest priced offerings currently out there.One of my problems with full-face LED masks is that my skin always feels too parched under them, because you have to use them on clean, dry skin for 10 minutes at a time. Balooch told me that L'Oréal would have a serum developed to be used with its mask that would help with that, while also improving the effectiveness of the light treatment.That certainly is intriguing, and Balooch indicated that creating formulations that are designed to work with devices like the LED masks is a future direction for the company. A pair of hands using the L'Oréal Light Straight and multi-styler on a person's hair. L'Oréal Im also interested in the Light Straight, which like the companys AirLight Pro uses infrared light to help dry or style hair. According to the companys press release, hair straighteners with ordinary heating places can reach temperatures of 400°F and higherabove the threshold at which keratin denatures, leading to weakened cuticles, breakage and reduced shine. For context, I used to turn my flatiron all the way up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to tame my tresses (though these days I find a more reasonable 330 degrees is good enough).LOréal says the Light Straight and its patented infrared light technology can help provide exceptional styling results at lower temperatures, to better protect the health of the hair. The devices glass plates never exceed 320 degrees, and the company says its testing found that the Light Straight is three times faster and leaves hair twice as smooth as leading premium hair stylers. Im not sure how you would quantify smoothness, but Im hopeful the results do pan out in the real world. The Light Straight uses near-infrared light that LOréal says penetrates deeply into hair fibers to reshape internal hydrogen bonds. It also has sensors onboard with built-in proprietary algorithms and machine learning to adapt to your gestures to maximize individual experience. Im not sure what that means, but I hope to find out more this week at CES. Given the Light Straight doesnt launch till 2027, its not surprising that pricing and other details arent yet available. But for now, Im keen to see companies continue to investigate novel, hopefully healthier ways for us to look and feel beautiful.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/loreals-ces-2026-beauty-devices-include-a-skin-like-flexible-led-mask-070000576.html?src=rss
Samsung announced its newest portable projector ahead of its First Look showcase at CES 2026, but you might have been a little confused as to whats changed. The company says the Freestyle+ is nearly twice as bright as the 2022 Freestyle projector, rated at 230 ISO lumens, which was pretty underwhelming. The new Freestyle+ can output at 430 ISO lumens. If this is the first youre hearing of ISO Lumens, its an internationally standardized rating for projectors, intended to standardize manufacturers' claims of brightness.
It still looks very similar to its predecessors, with 160 degrees of rotation that makes it easy to set up in most homes, Airbnbs or meeting rooms. Samsung added support for Q-Symphony, allowing you to connect it to the companys soundbars, if you conveniently have one nearby. While the sound quality of its built-in speaker was hard to test in the middle of a post-keynote trade show floor, youll probably want to augment the built-in speaker, if only because its so small.
Vision AI, mentioned several times during Samsungs CES keynote, is also built into the portable projector. You can summon Bixby to adjust settings and whatever youre watching. Based on the demos I saw, youll need to speak into the remote to access Bixby.
Other improvements bring the projector into 2026, with keystone correction and focus. The Freestyle+s AI OptiScreen can calibrate projections to different wall surfaces and colors to improve visibility even on your most vivid walls.
Mat Smith for Engadget
The updated 3D Auto Keystone corrects distortion even when projecting onto uneven or non-flat surfaces, such as corners, curtains or angled walls. Its hard to put into words, but pointing the Freestyle+ to a corner, or at an undulating curtain, and watching the image morph and contort was almost hypnotic. The premise is that you can point this at any area of your home (or even, say, the side of a tent), and the 3D Auto Keystone will flatten the image in seconds.
Theres also Screen Fit, which automatically adjusts the image to match a projector screen size. The Freestyle+ can project up to a 100-inch 1080p image, at maximum. However, Wall Calibration might be the most technically impressive in a device this size. It detects and analyzes the color of the projection surface and recalibrates the images color tone to minimize the effect. It can even detect and match a wall pattern to reduce visual interference, which worked well in person. The Samsung spokesperson used the aforementioned Bixby voice commands to calibrate the screen.
If theres still something to address, its that this portable projector must be plugged in to operate. When that can be either a power bank or a wall outlet, it seems a bit cheeky to call it portable.
Samsung typically announces prices and launch dates once the CES dust has settled, but it's set to arrive in the first half of 2026. Previous iterations cost around $900, but early impressions suggest its a versatile, petite projector. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-freestyle-plus-projector-hands-on-ces-2026-060840386.html?src=rss
Amid endless AI hype and a guest visit from the CEO of Hartford Steam Boiler (?!), Samsung had a big surprise for us tonight at CES 2026: A massive 130-inch Micro RGB TV. Its so large, its suspended by a large metal stand that surrounds the entire screen, which also lets you tilt the screen just a bit. (For the Samsung diehards, its basically a reinvention of its timeless gallery stand from 2013.) I imagine bringing this TV home would be like Bart Simpson adopting his beloved elephant Stampy: Your pets would be terrified, and your family would probably be annoyed at this television dominating so much of your home.But boy, it sure looks amazing in person. Just like LGs Micro RGB set, its using an evolved form of Mini LED technology that allows for far better color accuracy and richness. As I fought through the crowds of Samsungs CES First Look event to catch a glimpse of it, I couldnt help but notice how everyone just looked a bit stunned, like the monkeys from 2001 seeing the monolith for the first time.Samsung's 130-inch Micro RGB TV from the side.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetSamsung representatives were clear that this Micro RGB set was only a concept of what the company could do with the technology, its not an actual product it plans to ship. In another demo, Samsung took the 130-inch screen and mounted it directly on a wall (below). Of course, it still looked stunning. I also learned that if you wanted to wall mount the timeless gallery stand concept, you actually have to mount the entire stand to the wall, since its part of the TVs speaker system.Samsung didnt have too many details about the technical aspects of the 130-inch Micro RGB TV, but it did shout buzzwords at us during its announcement. its powered by the companys Micro RGB AI Engine Pro processor, which includes Micro RGB Color Booster Pro and Micro RGB HDR Pro technology, using AI to enhance dull tones and refine contrast, delivering vivid color and subtle detail across bright and dark scenes alike for realism and picture fidelity.Samsung's 130-inch Micro RGB TV mounted in a wall.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetThe Micro RGB set also sports the companys Glare Free technology to reduce reflections, and it supports HDR 10+ Advanced and the companys Eclipsa Audio. It can also tap into Samsungs Vision AI Companion for conversational search, as well as Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity.But of course, those details really dont matter, because you wont be able to buy the 130-inch Micro RGB TV in its current form. We were impressed by last years 115-inch model, but its $30,000 price didnt make it feasible for anyone but the ultra-rich. And those folks would be better off investing in Samsungs own Micro LED sets, which offer the benefits of OLED that Micro RGB does not. (Sure, those TVs start at $110,000, but for thats not exactly a huge leap for those with deep pockets.) Samsung's 130-inch Micro RGB TV from the rear.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-brought-an-absolute-beast-of-a-130-inch-micro-rgb-tv-to-ces-2026-060245387.html?src=rss
In addition to its annual soundbar updates, Samsung debuted two new home speakers at CES 2026. The Music Studio 5 and 7 are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi units designed to blend in with your home decor thanks to their minimalist look. They certainly dont look like your typical speakers, and Samsung has packed them with features that it says will ensure optimal sound quality from each one. The Music Studio 5 has a four-inch woofer and two tweeters, and a sound profile thats optimized by AI Dynamic Bass Control. The design is an interesting interplay between a circle and a square, but the speaker delivers crisp, clear sound even in the roar of a CES demo area. The Music Studio 5 will also come in a smattering of colors, which could lend a pop to a bookshelf. Controls line the top edge, including one-touch access to Spotify.Samsung Music Studio 7Billy Steele for EngadgetIf youre looking for something more robust, the Music Studio 7 is a 3.1.1-channel unit thats capable of four-direction spatial audio and high-resolution listening. Samsung says you can enjoy tunes at up to up to 24-bit/96kHz and the speaker can be used as part of a turntable setup. The sound here is more robust as I heard noticeably more bass from the 7 than on the 5. The various control buttons are up top here as well, positioned near the front of the speaker for easy access. You can also use up to four Music Studio speakers as a surround sound setup in your living room. I listened to a brief demo where Samsung was using four Music Studio 7 units in a makeshift home theater. This combo provided great immersion, with lots of detail in the directional sound in the clips being broadcast on the connected TV. Samsung also says you can use up to 10 Music Studio speakers for audio only.The company didnt announce any pricing details yet, but thats likely to come just before the Music Studio speakers are available for purchase. That date is TBD as well. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/samsung-music-studio-5-and-7-hands-on-unique-speaker-designs-debut-at-ces-2026-052009007.html?src=rss
Were used to Samsung updating its Q990 soundbar at CES every year, and 2026 is no different. However, the company also debuted the HW-QS90H: a new all-in-one option that Samsung says wont require a standalone subwoofer due to its Quad Bass Woofer system. The QS90H offers 7.1.2-channel audio with 13 total drivers. Before the show properly kicks off, we got to listen to the new soundbar for a quick judge of its merits. The first thing I noticed about the QS90H is its impressive bass performance. Most of the time when a company claims its soundbar doesnt need a subwoofer, that proves to be untrue. But even in the chaos of a noisy demo area, I could clearly hear the bassy thump coming from the QS90Hs built-in subwoofers. For once, I think would-be buyers could get by without a sub, especially in smaller living rooms. Samsung achieved this with two of those Quad woofers. These drivers push air in two directions rather than just one, which helps with the extra low-end tone. The company didnt sacrifice clarity either. The nine additional drivers, positioned for front, side, wide and up firing sound, provide the clear detail Ive come to expect from Samsung.Samsung QS90H soundbarBilly Steele for EngadgetThe QS90H also features Samsungs Convertible Fit Design technology that debuted on the QS700F last year. This tool allows you to sit the soundbar flat on a shelf or mantle, or rotate it to mount on the wall. Built-in sensors automatically adjust the driver performance for each orientation, so that sound quality isnt affected by the selected positioning. During my demo, I didnt notice any difference in performance when the orientation changed. In fact, the QS90H looks a lot like the QS700F on the outside, with similar grille patters and control designs. Samsung didnt announce pricing or availability tonight, but thats likely to come just prior to any on-sale date. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-hw-qs90h-soundbar-hands-on-impressive-bass-performance-without-a-subwoofer-045727939.html?src=rss
LG usually announces its CES TV lineup well ahead of the show, but this year the company had a surprise at CES 2026: The return of its ultra-thin "Wallpaper" TV. Now it's toting a gorgeous OLED screen and wireless connectivity, and it's about as thin as a pencil. We got a chance to check out the Wallpaper TV in action during a CES preview event, as well as the previously announced Gallery and Micro RGB sets. LG still has its typically OLED and LED sets around, but it's clear that 2026 will be filled with intriguing TVs for a variety of consumers.LG's 2026 Wallpaper OLED TVDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetThe Wallpaper TV (LG W6)If money were no object, I'd want a 100-inch LG Wallpaper TV in my family room immediately. It looks shockingly thin in person almost as if it's some sort of sci-fi prop and it delivers the rich colors and dark levels we expect from OLED. Cable management is also a cinch, since it requires just a single power cable. The A/V inputs are handled by LG's One Connect box, which you can position wirelessly up to 10 meters away from the TV. LG's 2026 Wallpaper OLED TV from the rearDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetThe LG W6 combines the best of LG's OLED technology, including "Hyper Radiant Color" for improved black levels and color, "Brightness Booster Ultra" to crank up luminance 3.9 times more than conventional OLEDs and a reflection free screen material. LG's Alpha 9 Gen 3 processor beefs up its performance, and its NPU also helps to improve upscaling and overall image performance. (And yes, you can also access generative AI features via Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, if you're into that sort of thing.)All of that adds up to one of the most remarkable TVs I've seen in years. I haven't been too enamored with other TV gimmicks lately, like everything trying to mimic Samsung's The Frame, or the usless 8K sets. But a super-thin wireless TV with the best OLED panel available? That's the stuff dreams are made of. LG's 2026 Gallery TVDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetThe Gallery TV competes with Samsungs FrameWhile LG has made Gallery TVs before, in 2026 it's making a more concerted effort to take on Samsung's popular Frame TV. LG says the new sets were designed with the help of museum curators, which helps the "Gallery Mode" adjust brightness and contrast to specific works of art. They also ship with magnetic frame-like bezels, and they have anti-reflective screens to help make the art shine. In person, the new Gallery TV looks fine, though it's easy to tell that the colors and contrast levels don't match LG's premium OLED TVs. To avoid burn-in issues, these sets feature Mini LED panels. As I noted above, I'm not the core consumer for one of these TVs, but it's nice to see more competition against Samsung's Frame TVs. (Despite pioneering the idea of TVs displaying art, the Frame sets are still fairly mediocre when it comes to actually watching TV shows and movies.) LG's Micro RGB TVDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetMicro RGB looks like a genuine Mini LED upgradeAs if we needed more TV acronyms to worry about, say hello to Micro RGB, a new technology built atop Mini LED to cover vastly more color range. Just don't confuse it with Micro LED, which is the wildly expensive evolutionary step forward for OLED. LG already announced its Micro RGB set a few weeks ago, but that didn't prepare me for standing in front of the 100-inch demo TV it brought to CES. Throughout a variety of clips, colors looked wonderfully rich, and the overall texture of the images looked surprisingly life-like. I'd have to compare it to LG's Wall TV side-by-side to truly see how Micro RGB competes with OLED, but technically OLED should still offer better contrast and black levels, since each of its pixels are self-emissive. But sure, if I couldn't get a 100-inch Wall TV in my family room, I certainly wouldn't turn down an enormous Micro RGB. What about LG's other OLED TVs?All of the next-generation OLED technology in the wallpaper TV will also make its way into LG's G6 OLED models, while the new C6 and other lines will see improvements of their own. All I can say is that the new G6 OLED looked impressive, with a noticeably brighter picture and HDR elements compared to G-series OLEDs from several years ago. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/lg-tvs-at-ces-2026-a-stunning-wallpaper-set-glorious-micro-rgb-colors-and-a-better-gallery-tv-033739600.html?src=rss
It's been nearly 10 years since LG first introduced its Wallpaper TV that was so thin that the mounting process felt like applying wallpaper. After eventually discontinuing the ultra-thin TVs in 2020, LG is finally reviving the Wallpaper TV series with the OLED evo W6 that will make its debut at CES 2026. LG is marketing the updated Wallpaper TV as the "world's thinnest" OLED that's truly wireless, making some major upgrades to the original.
Instead of the companion soundbar that housed all the ports, LG designed the Zero Connect Box that hosts all the inputs and can transmit from up to roughly 32 feet away. It's similar to what Samsung has been doing with its Wireless One Connect Box, which is often paired with its Frame TV lineup. While you won't have to worry about a web of tangled wires or a clunky soundbar, the OLED evo W6 measures slightly thicker at 9mm, compared to its predecessor's hyperthin 2.6mm measurement. That's more than three times the thickness, but it's still impressive if you consider that the W6 will feel about as thick as putting an iPhone 17 Pro Max against your wall.
LG
The latest Wallpaper TV does come with plenty of improvements, though, including LG's third-gen 11 Processor. LG also added its new Hyper Radiant Color Technology to the W6, which translates to deeper blacks, improved colors and higher brightness levels. There's even a Brightness Booster Ultra feature that LG claims results in four times the brightness of conventional OLED. To complement the extra nits, LG specifically designed a screen that reduces reflections for the Wallpaper TV.
The updated W6 can handle gaming better, too, since it supports a 4K 165Hz refresh rate and has a 0.1 pixel response time that's crucial for competitive gaming. LG added compatibility with NVIDIA's G-Sync, AMD's FreeSync Premium, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. When you're not using the Wallpaper TV, LG has its Gallery+ feature that can display screensaver visuals, personal photos or images created with generative AI.
LG
LG didn't reveal what sizes the upgraded Wallpaper TV would be available in, but it will be on display later this week at CES 2026. LG hasn't offered any clues about pricing yet either, but we wouldn't be surprised to see an equally shocking price as compared to the last Wallpaper TV, which cost up to $20,000.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/lg-brought-back-the-wallpaper-tv-for-ces-and-ditched-the-companion-sound-bar-030057927.html?src=rss
Takway, a startup that wants to be the "Nintendo of the AI robot era," has unveiled a Tamagotchi-like virtual pet at CES 2026 that's meant to go with you everywhere and develop a unique personality in the process. Sweekar is an AI companion built into a palm-sized toy, a cutesy egg-shaped device with ears and a screen for its face. As with a Tamagotchi, you'll have to feed and play with it to keep it happy and healthy, and its mood and facial expressions will reflect your care. But this virtual pet will remember your voice and the activities you've done together and once it's grown up, it will keep itself entertained, go off on its own virtual excursions (kind of like a Finch birb) and bring back tales of its adventures. The Sweekar pocket pet being placed into a large brown checkered purseTakwaySweekar comes in pink, yellow and blue, but there will also be the option to switch up the shells and buy silly little outfits for it, because why not. The pocket pet has four life stages, becoming less needy as it grows. It starts out as a closed egg for its two-day incubation period, after which it will "break" its shell to reveal a face. From then on, you have to keep it alive with care tasks and attention in order to raise it through the baby and teen stages. Once it's an adult though, it will be able to care for itself autonomously. That means you no longer run the risk of killing it through neglect. Sweekar is unkillable from Level 51 on. (At least, in the virtual sense. Hardware can always break, and you'll have to keep it charged).Two Sweekar devices are pictured on a table, one wearing a pink and blue snowboarder outfit and the other (behind it) wearing a cowboy hat and outfitKarissa Bell for EngadgetThere's no set price for it just yet, but Sweekar will likely fall within the $100-$150 range once it becomes available. The company says it will soon be launching a Kickstarter campaign.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/sweekar-turns-the-tamagotchi-into-a-physical-ai-pocket-pet-that-wont-die-on-you-023525228.html?src=rss
CES 2026 is already shaping up to be an interesting year for robots. But while some companies are chasing humanoids that can help you do stuff, there are also a surprising number of robots whose main job is to be cute and keep you company.Japanese startup Ludens AI is showing off two extremely adorable robot companions at CES. Cocomo is an autonomous robot pet that can follow you around the house and respond to voice and touch. It has a fuzzy, egg-shaped body, but the version we saw at CES was wearing an orange suit with ears that made it look a bit like a teddy bear. It was moving around on a wheeled base, but it also has tiny legs if you prefer to carry it around and hold it. Cocoo's exterior is meant to stay close to human body temperature at 98.6 degrees fahrenheit and the company says it will rise up to 102 degrees in "high contact" situations like hugging it. And while Cocomo can interact and respond to your actions, it "speaks" with hums and other sounds rather than words.Ludens AI brought some very cute robots to CES 2026. This is Cocomo, a robot pet that's designed to be a companion. It can follow you around and learn about you over time. pic.twitter.com/rj6dLXN4h4 Karissa Bell (@karissabe) January 5, 2026
We didn't get to witness many of its abilities in action due to the loud environment, but Ludens says that Cocomo is designed to bond with its owners over time. "Cocomo engages through spontaneous gestures, imitation, and gentle initiation - learning what makes you laugh, what comforts you, and when to surprise you," the company says. Ludens didn't share pricing or availability info for Cocomo, but has a waitlist where you can sign up for updates in a forthcoming crowdfunding campaign. Ludens AI's Inu robot.Karissa Bell for EngadgetLudens also showed off a smaller, but also very adorable, robot called Inu, which it describes as a "desktop alien pupu." Rather than a robot that can move with you from room to room, Inu is meant to sit on your desk and keep you company while you work. It can also interact via audio and movement. It has a little tail that wiggles in response to voice and touch and its single eye can "blink." Ludens plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign for Inu later this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/japanese-startup-ludens-ai-brought-two-very-adorable-robots-to-ces-2026-021914130.html?src=rss
There are a slew of keyboards and apps that help people learn how to play the piano, but a small company called PopuMusic is showing off an intriguing set of products at CES to make the process easier. PartyKeys and PartyStudio are a 36-key MIDI keyboard and MIDI / Bluetooth speaker that pair together in seamless fashion. The PartyStudio is particularly interesting because it has a built-in library of 128 instrument tones and more than 50 different drum machine patterns. Naturally, it works with the PartyKeys, but any MIDI keyboard can connect to it and use those sounds. The PartyStudio and PartyKeys both use NFC to connect to each other you can just tap and hold the keyboard up to the speaker for pairing. You can connect up to three devices using MIDI over Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE MIDI) as well as a fourth using a wired connection. If you have more than one keyboard, meanwhile, you can connect them together with NFC as well you can pair three keyboards together total, giving you a huge 108-key surface to play.Both the PartyStudio and PartyKeys have an understated but appealing look to them (theyre available in black or white) and feel quite substantial and well-made. PopuMusic has been releasing hardware via Kickstarters campaigns for a few years now, so even though theyre a relatively small and new company they have some experience in this department. The speaker seems to hit a nice balance of portability and power; it has two tweeters and two woofers and weighs in at 3.75 pounds. Its about 13.5 inches wide, 5.2 inches tall and 4 inches deep, so its not a tiny speaker youll just throw in your bag, but it still feels easy to tote around thanks to its attached handle.The other trick that the PartyStudio and PartyKeys have is on the software side. Using a companion app, multiple people can play along with a song. The light-up keyboard can show you what to play, and if you have multiple people playing each keyboard can display complimentary parts. It starts with simple three-key chord voicings, but I also saw a demo that used a familiar Guitar Hero-style interface of different notes flying down the screen, making for a more involved and advanced performance.The PartyKeys are up for order on Kickstarter now for $199, while the PartyStudio costs $349. The company says theyre on track to ship both products in Q1 of 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/partystudio-is-a-wireless-midi-speaker-with-128-built-in-instrument-sounds-015511003.html?src=rss
