Better Offline CES 2026: Part Five (Wednesday)
9 snips
Jan 8, 2026 
Karissa Bell, a tech journalist from Engadget, shares her insights from the CES floor. Jared Newman discusses industry trends while Chloe Radcliffe brings humor to the table. Ed Ongweso Jr. critiques the growing focus on flashy concepts over practicality. They tackle slow laundry robots, Pebble's nostalgic comeback, and innovative assistive tech. The panel debates the purpose of CES, highlighting both exciting advancements and the recurring issue of vaporware. Expect laughter, candid reflections, and an engaging exploration of tech's future!
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Always Ask 'But Who Cares?'
- Ask 'But who cares?' at every booth to cut through hype and clarify product value.
- Ed Ongweso Jr. reports many exhibitors can't explain why anyone should buy their product.
Working Smart-Home Basics Win
- Reliable, cheap smart-home hardware (like IKEA's) matters more to consumers than flashy AI features.
- Karissa Bell highlights value in interoperable, affordable bulbs and plugs that actually work.
Tentative Stair-Climbing Vacuum Concept
- Karissa Bell saw Roborock-like concepts: a vacuum with a legged docking vehicle that can traverse stairs.
- The design moves the vacuum between floors but can't clean stairs directly.
