CES 2026: A Wrap-Up from Engadget
CES 2026 delivered a wave of tech unveilings, dazzling demos, and conversations that shaped the early-year tech landscape. In this Engadget podcast episode, hosts Devindra and Cherlynn recap the show’s standout moments, from groundbreaking wearables to AI-powered gadgets redefining consumer tech. The episode also shines a light on Engadget’s best-of-CES awards, highlighting devices and innovations that stood out for performance, design, and potential impact on everyday life.
Best of CES Awards: Highlights and Winners
The Engadget team hand-picked a lineup designed to reflect the show’s most compelling trends. Expect discussions on:
- Wearables that push health, fitness, and smart features beyond basic step counts.
- Smart home tech that promises tighter integration with daily routines and improved energy efficiency.
- Mobile devices and laptops that combine portability with real-world usefulness for creators and professionals.
- Emerging categories like AI companions and augmented reality tools with practical, consumer-ready benefits.
Devindra and Cherlynn break down why these picks resonated, including use-case demonstrations, design decisions, and what the awards signal for future product cycles. The discussion isn’t just about gadget specs; it’s about how these devices could reshape work, play, and daily life in 2026 and beyond.
Behind the Scenes: What Makes a CES Show Stand Out
The hosts dive into the show’s atmosphere—press briefings, crowded booths, and the adrenaline of early-stage product reveals. They share insights on how brands position flagship products, how demos frame user experience, and why some devices fail to meet expectations despite strong marketing. The conversation also touches on accessibility, affordability, and the practical trade-offs manufacturers face when bringing futuristic tech to market.
Exclusive Interview: Pebble Founder Eric Migicovsky
In a special segment, Cherlynn sits down with Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, to discuss the smartwatch lineage that helped spark mainstream wearables. The chat explores Pebble’s journey, lessons learned from early crowdfunding campaigns, and how the Pebble smartwatch concept has evolved in an era of health sensors, color e-ink displays, and app ecosystems. Migicovsky shares candid reflections on product design decisions, community feedback, and the balance between hardware simplicity and feature-rich software experiences.
The Pebble Watch: Then, Now, and What Could Be Next
Listeners get a sense of Pebble’s enduring design philosophy—clarity, battery life, and a focus on essential smartwatch functionality. The interview touches on potential futuras for Pebble-inspired wearables within the modern landscape of health tracking, notifications, and independent app ecosystems. While the conversation doesn’t hinge on a specific product launch, it offers valuable context for how one of the original smartwatch trailblazers views longevity and reinvention in a fast-moving market.
Takeaways for Tech Enthusiasts
For listeners, the episode provides practical takeaways: what to watch for in the next few quarters, how to assess new wearables and laptops, and what makes an awards-worthy device stand apart in a crowded CES show floor. The podcast frames CES 2026 as a crossroads of refinement and experimentation, where established brands and ambitious startups alike chart paths toward more integrated and capable consumer tech experiences.
Whether you’re catching up on the best-of moments or seeking a deeper understanding of Pebble’s enduring influence, this Engadget podcast episode offers both a crisp show recap and an insightful founder interview that adds context to today’s wearable tech conversation.
