Portal shooter Splitgate 2 is coming back with a new name and rebuilt experience after being pulled back to beta earlier this year, developer 1047 Games announced. The free-to-play Splitgate: Arena Reloaded will relaunch on December 17th across platforms including Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
"After months of community feedback, testing and rebuilding the entire experience, this is Splitgate refocused on what made it special in the first place: classic arena combat without factions, abilities, or extra noise," the developer shared in a blog post, along with a gameplay video.
Splitgate 2 originally launched in June, but 1047 Games pulled it back to beta after deciding that the release had been rushed. For the new version, the company said, "we took the best of Splitgate 1 and Splitgate 2" and cut the parts that didn't fit, while refining the ones that did. "in the process, we not only rebuilt the game, we reconnected with the magic of the genre that built this studio in the first place: a return to the Arena."
Here are some key changes made:
Removed Splitgate 2's factions, abilities, and select equipment so the focus is back on classic arena combat without the extra noise.
Rebuilt progression from the ground up so your time in game feels rewarding, with weapon and character cosmetics you can earn simply by playing.
We've added a true Classic Arena mode with even starts and new map pickups, recapturing the feel of the original.
Fine tuned combat to better match expectations for a modern arena shooter, with more meaningful gunfights and fewer "what just happened" moments.
Completely overhauled the ranked system so your rank reflects your actual skill for players who love to climb and compete.
Added key systems you have been asking for: Mode Select, Player Stats, Ranked Leaderboards, and Account Levels.
Introduced five brand new maps and six fully reworked arenas, bringing the total map pool to 20.
Added three new LMG primary weapons and the iconic Power Weapon, the Railgun.
1047 Games was savaged earlier this year by Splitgate players after co-founder Ian Proulx wore a hat at Summer Games Fest stating "Make FPS Great Again." Later, he posted to the studio's X account on Splitgate 2's release date that he was "not here to apologize" and that the hat was "not a political statement," finally admitting that it was all basically a publicity stunt.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/splitgate-arena-reloaded-tries-to-fix-what-splitgate-2-broke-130027714.html?src=rss
Microsoft's Copilot+ initiative launched last year with a clear goal: To produce capable laptops for people eagerly anticipating AI-powered features. Read that sentence again, and it's glaringly obvious that Microsoft's plan was flawed from the start. Most consumers aren't nearly as hyped for AI features as the companies eager to foist artificial intelligence upon us. And those features aren't exactly compelling, either. Microsoft's Recall — which snaps screenshots of your PC to create a database of everything you’ve done– was dogged by privacy concerns from the start. And to be honest, I haven't found its ability to remember the files and websites I've opened to be that useful.
Without any sort of killer AI app, most consumers weren't going to pay a premium for Copilot+ systems either. Not in this precarious economy, anyway. So it wasn't a huge surprise to see sales of Copilot+ systems going practically nowhere over the last year. In the third quarter of 2024, they accounted for less than 10 percent of systems shipped, according to data from Mercury Research (via Tom’s Hardware). The research firm IDC (via PCWorld) also found that Copilot+ systems made up just 2.3 percent of Windows machines sold in the first quarter of 2025 (and a mere 1.9 percent of the entire PC market).
Instead of continuing to promote Copilot+, Microsoft now wants to "make every Windows 11 computer an AI PC". The new "Hey Copilot" voice commands and Copilot Vision, a feature that lets the AI assistant see what's on your screen, are both cloud-powered. That means you won't need the beefy 40 TOPS neural processing units (NPU) found on Copilot+ systems to use them. Microsoft spent the past few years touting NPUs as the gateway to useful AI features, like Recall and Windows Studio webcam effects, but only one of its new AI capabilities actually requires an NPU. (And even that is just a slight update to Click to Do, allowing you to send Zoom invitations by right-clicking on e-mail addresses.)
It's easy to view the whole Copilot+ initiative as a cynical way to ramp up AI hype and push people towards expensive new laptops, especially as the October 14 Windows 10 end of support date loomed. But it also led to some genuinely useful changes: Microsoft made 16GB of RAM a standard for Copilot+ systems, along with 256GB of storage and the aforementioned 40 TOPS NPUs. The launch of Copilot was also the kick in the pants Microsoft needed to revamp Windows for mobile Arm processors. I never thought I'd love a Surface with a Snapdragon chip, but the improved Arm support on the Surface Pro and this year's smaller model finally won me over.
The Dell 16 Premium sitting on a ledge.
I wouldn’t call the Copilot+ program a huge swing, but it’s still the sort of industry-wide cat herding that’s rare to see in the PC space. Microsoft couldn’t just snap its fingers and shift all PCs to efficient mobile chips with powerful NPUs, like Apple did with its own jump to M-series chips years ago. Microsoft had to wait for new NPU-equipped hardware from Qualcomm (and eventually Intel and AMD). It had to finally fix the Windows on Arm problem. And it also had to double-down on AI features that felt truly transformative. It’s just a shame that consumers didn’t seem to care.
Microsoft said that Copilot+ systems accounted for 15 percent of premium PCs sold during last year’s holiday season, but the company hasn’t released any new sales figures since then. “This is the fastest adoption I've seen of a new category of hardware, and we've done it faster than the normal generational shift of silicon,” James Howell, Microsoft’s VP of Windows marketing, said in a conversation with Engadget. “Copilot+ PCs continue to be a transition that we are pushing for and prioritizing. But I can't give you the exact numbers beyond that… Just for the last two or three months, we've been doing pretty well with year-on-year growth in the Windows business.”
Surface Pro Copilot+
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
While Microsoft ultimately doesn’t have much to show for the Copilot+ initiative, the steady progression of hardware will lead to AI PCs dominating over the next five years. The research firm Omdia predicts that AI PCs will account for 55 percent of computers shipped in all of 2026, up from 42.5 percent of systems in Q3 2025. By 2029, Omdia predicts AI PCs will make up 75 percent of all systems shipped, giving Windows 80 percent of the AI PC market.
Omdia AI PC shipment predictions
Omdia
“It’s important to note that this steep adoption curve [for AI PCs] is driven more by the product roadmaps of the PC market, rather than consumers and businesses seeking PCs specifically for AI,” according to Omdia research analyst Kieren Jessop. “For businesses, and consumers especially, AI-capable PC adoption is more a function of a customer going to purchase a device and that device just so happens to have an NPU.”
Microsoft was basically right: AI PCs are the future. But it turns out the AI features people actually want to use — like ChatGPT, Sora and Microsoft’s own Copilot — are mostly powered by the cloud, making onboard NPUs superfluous. That won’t be true forever. There are tangible security, speed and convenience benefits for onboard AI processing, like transcribing sensitive audio instead of sending it to the cloud. But for now, those AI workloads are relatively niche, and they’re not enough to make the Copilot+ a true success by any measure.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/microsofts-copilot-ai-pc-plan-fizzled-but-it-still-served-a-purpose-130000239.html?src=rss
Movie nights used to mean cramming into theater seats with strangers and overpriced snacks. Now the best screenings happen at home, where you control everything from the lighting to the soundtrack of ice clinking in your glass. The shift to home viewing opened space for something better than convenience. It created room for ritual, for intentionality, for designing an experience that feels like an event rather than background noise while scrolling your phone.
These five designs treat movie night like the ceremony it deserves. Each one solves a specific problem you didn’t realize was breaking your immersion. Spilled drinks. Harsh lighting. Forgettable beverages. Stale air. They’re small disruptions that pull you out of the moment. Together, these gifts form a complete system that transforms any room into a space where you can actually settle in and stay present for two uninterrupted hours.
1. Couch Console: The Self-Balancing Command Center
The Couch Console solves the oldest problem in home entertainment: where to put your stuff without creating a disaster zone. This modular organizer holds your drink, snacks, remote, phone, glasses, and everything else you need within arm’s reach. The standout feature is the mechanical gyroscope cupholder with a built-in counterweight that keeps your drink perfectly vertical, even on uneven cushions or slouchy surfaces. You can finally sink into your couch without worrying about physics.
The design prioritizes clear functionality through simple geometry. Each component has a dedicated space—a hidden compartment for glasses, a dedicated remote tray, a phone stand with charging dock, and a snack holder that keeps crumbs contained. The cupholder fits most standard glasses and includes a locking mechanism for added security. It’s the kind of thoughtful design that anticipates needs you didn’t know you had until someone pointed them out. Your couch becomes a self-contained entertainment hub rather than a collection of precariously balanced objects waiting to topple.
What we like
The gyroscope cupholder genuinely works and prevents spills on soft surfaces.
Everything has a designated spot, so you stop losing your glasses between cushions.
The modular design adapts to different couch styles and personal preferences.
It keeps your viewing area organized without requiring you to sit upright like a Victorian.
What we dislike
The size might not fit every couch arm configuration perfectly.
You’ll need to break the habit of just throwing things on the couch randomly.
2. Japanese Lantern Candle: Soft Light Without the Glare
Overhead lights kill movie night ambiance faster than anything else. The Japanese Lantern Candle offers a solution rooted in centuries of traditional design. Inspired by “chouchin” lanterns that lit up Japanese festivals and izakaya bars, this modern interpretation brings a gentle, flickering glow that sets the right mood without washing out your screen. The handmade candle sits inside a holder designed to create an undulating light pattern as the wax melts.
Craftsmen in Kurashiki, Japan, make each candle by hand using patented technology that prevents the outer wax layer from melting. This means the decorative exterior stays intact while the interior wax burns down, creating an increasingly dramatic light show as the flame dances inside the carved structure. The minimalist design fits into any interior style while adding a distinctly Japanese sensibility. It’s lighting that asks you to slow down and notice the quality of the glow rather than just flooding a room with brightness.
The handcrafted quality shows in the details and burn pattern.
Creates the perfect ambient lighting level for movie watching.
The patented outer wax technology makes it both functional and sculptural.
Adds a ritual element to starting your movie night by lighting the candle.
What we dislike
You need to remember to blow it out when the movie ends.
Candles require more attention than just flipping a switch.
3. DraftPro Can Opener: Turn Every Can Into a Glass
Award-winning Japanese designer Shu Kanno created the DraftPro to solve a problem most people accept without question: cans have a small opening that limits how you experience what’s inside. This tool removes the entire top of any can, transforming it into an open vessel that functions like a glass. The difference is immediately noticeable. Aromas reach your nose before the first sip. You taste the full flavor profile instead of just whatever makes it through that narrow opening. It turns functional hydration into an actual drinking experience.
The universal design works with both domestic and international can sizes, making it useful whether you’re drinking beer, sparkling water, or using cans as cocktail mixing vessels. The smooth-edge removal process creates a safe rim that won’t cut you. You can drop ice cubes directly into the can to chill drinks faster, or mix cocktails without dirtying a shaker or glassware. The lightweight, portable form factor means you can bring it anywhere—backyard screenings, camping trips, friends’ apartments. It’s the kind of simple tool that becomes indispensable once you realize how much better canned drinks taste when you treat them like draft pours.
Dramatically improves the drinking experience from any can.
Creates zero waste beyond what the can itself produces.
Portable design works anywhere you bring canned beverages.
The smooth-edge removal makes it safe to drink directly from.
What we dislike
Requires manual effort each time you want to open a can.
You can’t reseal the can once it’s open, so commit to finishing it.
4. Prism Titanium Beer Glass: Engineered for Savoring
The Prism Titanium Beer Glass treats beer like it deserves the same attention as wine or whiskey. This isn’t about pretension. It’s about recognizing that good beer has nuanced flavors that cheap glassware can actually diminish. The interior is lined with 99.9 percent pure, aerospace-grade titanium that neutralizes metallic aftertastes and breaks down off-notes. What remains is just the beer itself, presented in its purest, most refined form. The clear glass exterior contrasts with the softly reflective titanium interior, creating a visual interplay that reveals your beer’s true color with an elegant glow.
The gently flared rim isn’t just aesthetic—it improves mouthfeel by guiding beer smoothly across your palate, softening texture and lifting aroma toward your nose. Delicate etched patterns carry centuries-old Japanese symbols for prosperity and longevity, adding emotional depth to an object that could have just been functional. You can choose between the Silver finish with its quiet luster or the Infinite version that shifts with an aurora of color depending on the angle and light. It’s designed to make you pause between sips, to notice what you’re drinking rather than just consuming it. At ninety-nine dollars, it positions itself as an investment in slowing down.
The titanium lining genuinely improves flavor by eliminating metallic interference.
The flared rim design enhances both taste and aroma.
Beautiful enough to display between uses. Symbolic etching adds meaning beyond pure function.
What we dislike
The price point means you’ll think twice before casual use.
Hand washing is required to maintain the finish.
5. Ritual Card Diffuser: Scent as an Invisible Layer
The Ritual Card Diffuser approaches ambiance from an angle most people overlook during movie night: scent. Not an aggressive fragrance that competes with your popcorn, but a subtle atmospheric layer that shapes the air without demanding attention. The design turns scent diffusion into a tactile ritual. You slide a handmade washi paper card—soaked in fragrance oil—into an anodized aluminum body. The motion feels deliberate, like inserting a train ticket at a station gate. It marks the beginning of something, signaling that regular time is ending and movie time is starting.
The patented mechanism draws alcohol-based fragrance upward without heat, electricity, vapor, or traditional reeds. The washi card absorbs oil from the hand-poured base and releases it gradually into your space through natural diffusion. There’s no mist, no sound, no visible mechanism. Just paper and oil working in stillness. When the card eventually dries, it becomes a scented keepsake you can tuck into drawers or bags. The layered glass base creates a visual float effect while the aluminum body grounds it with quiet weight. It’s sized to sit on side tables or desks without dominating the space, and the minimalist form means it disappears into any setting while doing its job.
The card-sliding gesture adds intentional ritual to starting your movie night.
Completely silent and power-free operation.
The dried washi cards become reusable scent keepsakes. Recyclable materials with no single-use plastic components.
What we dislike
You need to remember to refill the oil when it runs low.
Scent preferences are personal, and some people prefer fragrance-free spaces.
Creating Moments Worth Remembering
These five designs work together because they address movie night holistically rather than just solving individual problems. The Couch Console creates the physical foundation for comfort. The Japanese Lantern Candle sets a visual ambiance without screen glare. The DraftPro and Prism Glass elevate your drinks from afterthought to experience. The Ritual Card Diffuser adds an invisible atmospheric layer that signals this time is different from the rest of your evening. Each one removes a small friction point that was quietly degrading your ability to stay present and engaged with what you’re watching.
The real gift isn’t just five well-designed objects. It’s permission to treat movie night like something worth preparing for, worth designing around, worth making special. These pieces come from Japanese designers who understand that everyday rituals deserve the same attention as special occasions. They’re built to last, crafted with intention, and designed to improve with repeated use as you develop your own patterns and preferences. Whether you’re buying them for someone else or building your own setup, they transform movie night from passive consumption into an experience you’ll actually remember.
Spinning off from the action-camera company Insta360, Antigravity now has its debut drone on sale. With 360-degree cameras that capture 8K and offer you a truly unconstrained view of the skies, the A1 is a different drone from everything else out there. Sorry, DJI.
Instead of typical drone joysticks, you get a motion controller that lets you point and shoot like video game gesture controls, while crisp FPV goggles put you right inside the cockpit.
It’s easy to fly after takeoff, but the A1’s myriad parts are often tricky to sync together — and pulling video down to the companion app is even trickier. Going on specs alone, like speed and camera sensor size, it doesn’t stand up to cinematic drones from the likes of DJI.
Still, it’s not meant to be a cinematic drone. It’s a hybrid mix of flight experience, FPV drone and a not-miss-a-thing camera drone. It’s truly unique — and fun.
Amazon has quietly removed its terrible AI-generated English dubs for several anime shows on Prime Video, following widespread ridicule from viewers and the industry. AI dubs were recently added to Banana Fish, No Game, No Life and Vinland Saga, where they were labeled “AI beta” in the Languages section of the app.
For shows lacking an English-language dub, it was a seemingly cheap way to consume anime for Amazon. However, it quickly became clear that the dubs were really quite bad. Baaaad.
Voice actor Daman Mills called the AI-generated dub for Banana Fish a “massive insult to us as performers” in a post on X.
The company continues to invest heavily in its own shipping network.
An Amazon double today. According to The Washington Post, Amazon is considering discontinuing use of the US Postal Service and building its own shipping network to rival it. The e-commerce behemoth spends more than $6 billion a year on the public mail carrier — almost 8 percent of the service’s total revenue. That’s up from just under $4 billion in 2019. That split might be due to a breakdown in negotiations between Amazon and the USPS rather than Amazon proactively pulling its business.
Amazon has invested heavily in all kinds of delivery methods, including shipping logistics, buying its own Boeing planes, launching its own electric delivery vans and slowly building a drone delivery network.
A triple? Sorry. Amazon didn’t have a specific release date to share beyond “later this year” for its latest Scribe slates. And talk about brinkmanship! Here we are in December. The company says the devices will be available on December 10. This is the third generation of the Kindle Scribe line of E Ink writing tablets — the first time Amazon has three versions of the Scribe. At the entry level, the Scribe without a front light starts at $430, while the model with a light starts at $480. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft will start at $630. You always have to pay more for color.
A highly capable cinema camera at a reasonable price.
The Nikon ZR could be a breakthrough for content creators, largely because it incorporates technology from RED — a company now owned by Nikon. The combination of professional-grade video quality (specifically RED RAW) and autofocus comes at a fraction of the cost of dedicated cinema rigs. There are some compromises on battery life and the lack of a viewfinder, but the ZR arguably offers the best video quality for the money.
In a statement, Netflix said it expects to "maintain" Warner Bros. current operations, as well as its policy of theatrical releases for its films. But the deal may spell the end for HBO Max as its own product in the longer term, as the statement also says "by adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose."
Naturally, the deal will see Netflix become one of the biggest players in global media, combining its global reach with some of the most recognizable names in entertainment. That includes HBO, DC Studios, Cartoon Network and TCM, as well as the chunks of TNT not cast adrift with Discovery.
It's likely the deal will not go ahead without a lot of objections from other buyers, as well as the government itself. Yesterday, Paramount Skydance said (via the Hollywood Reporter) any deal between WB and Netflix would be the result of an "unfair" process. Given the close ties between Paramount's new owners and the administration, it's likely any deal will be subject to scrutiny as well as the usual questions around the size of the combined operation.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/netflix-to-buy-warner-bros-for-827-billion-120836295.html?src=rss
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw is this Friday. (Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Hector Vivas - FIFA via Getty Images
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is this Friday at 12 PM ET, where we’ll learn which group the 39 qualified countries and three host nations will land in for the international soccer tournament. The 2026 World Cup draw will air live on Fox. Pre-show coverage of the draw begins at 11:30 a.m. The venues and kickoff times for the World Cup group stage games be announced the following day. Tickets for the World Cup are already available.
Here's how to watch the 2026 World Cup draw live, plus what you need to know about buying World Cup tickets, before or after the groupings are announced.
The World Cup draw will take place on Friday, Dec. 5. All the group stage venues and kickoff times will then be announced the following day, on Saturday, Dec. 6
2026 World Cup draw start time:
The World Cup draw will officially kick off at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT, though there will be pre-show coverage of the event as early as 11:30 a.m. ET.
What channel is the World Cup draw on?
The World Cup draw will air across Fox networks, including Fox and via the Fox Sports app. Coverage will also likely air on FS1.
How to watch the World Cup draw:
For those with live TV access, you may be able to watch Fox totally free over the air. But if not, here's how we recommend tuning in.
How to watch the World Cup draw for free:
In the U.S., the draw will air on Fox, but globally in many regions, a livestream of the draw will be available to watch via YouTube livestream, totally free. If you don’t have access to Fox, you might want to consider trying a VPN, so you can tune into the World Cup draw free livestream.
Don’t want to navigate a VPN? Many live TV streaming services offer free trials, so you can also tune into the 2026 World Cup draw for free via a free trial.
When is the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11, 2026 and runs through July 19, 2026.
Where will 2026 World Cup games be held?
There will be 15 host cities for the 2026 World Cup throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada. They are:
United States
Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Boston – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Dallas – At&T Stadium, Arlington TX
Houston – NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Kansas City – GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Los Angeles – Sofi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Miami – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
San Francisco Bay Area – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Seattle – Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Mexico
Mexico City – Estadio Azteca, Coyoacan, Mexico City
Monterrey – Estadio BBVA, Gudalupe, Nuevo Leon
Guadalajara – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Canada
Toronto – BMO Field, Toronto, ON
Vancouver – BC Place, Vancouver BC
How to get 2026 World Cup tickets:
Individual match tickets are now available to purchase through the FIFA website. To purchase tickets that are part of a multi-game or hospitality package, you can sign up here to receive more information. In addition, there will also be a final ticket lottery held after this week's draw; fans will be able to submit applications for specific matches once the group-stage matchups have been revealed to try and grab a limited number of lower-priced tickets at select matches. (An exact date for this lottery has not yet been revealed but you can sign-up to receive up-to-date information on the FIFA site.)
When do 2026 World Cup tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the 2026 World Cup are now on sale, though the match schedule doesn't specify team groupings (yet).
Currently, individual tickets for the 2026 World Cup run anywhere from $1,400 to $3,500 (if you're searching for tickets for matches in Mexico or Canada, don't be scared off by their higher price tags — they're all in the same price range after adjusting for conversion rates). Tickets for the group stage, knockout rounds, and the bronze final are currently available. It's important to note that FIFA is employing a dynamic pricing strategy, so prices may fluctuate as we get closer to the tournament, depending on demand. For those lucky enough to enter and be selected in the ticketing lottery, prices are significantly less – they're broken out into four categories based on seating, and range from $60 to $620, but these prices are not available to the general public.
Hospitality packages, which guarantee entry to multiple matches are also on sale now and start at $5,300. (Note that depending on the venue and package you select, some of these packages can cost up to $68,000 per person, and while that price includes food, drinks and premium seating, it doesn't include travel expenses or accommodations.)
Tickets are also available through FIFA's own resale marketplace and on third-party resale sites like StubHub already have single-game matches available, with some starting around $275 per seat and going up from there, depending on the game and venue.
The 2026 World Cup will begin on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and the final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. You can take a look at the existing schedule here.
Group Stage
June 11 – June 27, 2026
Knockout stage matches
Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026
Round of 16: July 4 – July 7, 2026
Quarterfinals: July 9 – July 11, 2026
Semifinals: July 14 – 15, 2026
Bronze Final (3rd Place Match): July 18, 2026
Final: July 19, 2026
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-watch-the-2026-fifa-world-cup-draw-live-today-120501930.html?src=rss
CES doesn't start until January, but whispers of the products and announcements that could be in store for tech's biggest annual conference have already started to take shape. The CES 2026 show floor is officially open from January 6 through 9, although the show kicks off with events on Sunday January 4 and a host of press conferences on Monday. As always, product demos, announcements and networking happening at the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels all over the city. As usual, Engadget will be covering the event in-person and remotely, bringing you news and hands-ons straight from the show floor.
More specific details and pre-announcements should trickle out as CES approaches, but in the meantime, we do know what companies will be hosting press conferences and what tech trends could rear their heads at the show.
What we already know about
Press conferences and show floor booths are the bread and butter of CES. The Consumer Technology Association has already published a searchable directory of who will have a presence at the show, along with a schedule of every official panel and presentation.
On Sunday, January 4, Samsung will kick-off CES with "The First Look," a presentation hosted by TM Roh, the CEO of Samsung's DX Division, on the company's "vision for the DX (Device eXperience) Division in 2026, along with new AI-driven customer experiences."
That'll be followed by multiple press conferences throughout Monday, January 5. LG is hosting its "Innovation in Tune with You" presentation to share "its vision for elevating daily life through Affectionate Intelligence" at the start of the day, Intel is launching its new Core Ultra Series 3 processors in the afternoon, Sony Honda Mobility is holding a press conference on its first car and AMD CEO Lisa Su will cover AMD's upcoming chip announcements at a keynote address that closes out the day.
Finally, on Tuesday, January 6, Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang will host Lenovo's Tech World Conference at Sphere, using the large and decidedly curved screen to share the company's "commitment to delivering smarter AI for all by constantly redefining how technology can engage, inspire, and empower."
Outside of the formal introduction of new products and initiatives, reading the tea leaves of what was announced last year and what companies are reportedly working on, we can make some educated guesses at what we could see at CES 2026.
New chips from AMD, Intel and Qualcomm
CES is frequently the start of a cascade of new chip announcements for a given year, and one of the first places new silicon appears in real consumer products. AMD will likely use its keynote to introduce new versions of its Ryzen chips, including the recently spotted Ryzen 7 9850X3D, which is expected to offer better single-threaded performance, and the Ryzen 9000G series, which could be built with AMD's Zen 5 architecture. The company might also use its CES stage to go over its new FSR Redstone AI upscaling tech.
Intel has already publicly announced that it'll launch its Panther Lake chips at CES 2026. The officially titled Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips fit into Intel's overall "AI PC" push, but are specifically meant for premium laptops. Based on a preview from October 2025, Intel says the first chip made with its 2-nanometer 18A process will offer 50 percent more processing performance than previous generations and for the chip's Arc GPU, a 50 percent performance bump from last generation.
Qualcomm is also rumored to be targeting laptops at the show, building on the work it's done moving its Snapdragon chips out of phones and tablets and into other types of computers. The company's Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Premium chips should start appearing in laptops at CES 2026, offering a look at the improved speed and AI performance the company promised in 2025.
Brighter, "truer" screens
Sony announced a collection of new Bravia TVs in April 2025, replacing the company's flagship, filling in its midrange options and adding a new budget model to the mix. The star of this updated Bravia lineup is the Bravia 9, which features a QD-OLED panel, but Sony appears to be prepping entirely new display tech for 2026. In March 2025, Sony introduced a new RGB LED panel that uses individual Mini LED backlights colored in red, green and blue to produce even brighter, more accurate colors. In contrast to a QD-OLED, which filters a layer of blue organic light emitting diodes through quantum dots that change color, Sony's "General RGB LED Backlight Technology" can get as bright as a Mini LED panel without needing an extra filter layer or worrying about OLED's problems with burn-in.
The company has already trademarked the name "True RGB," which could end up being what Sony calls this new flavor of display if it decides to show them off at CES. It seems entirely likely, because CES is nothing if not a TV show — it’s a sure bet that we’ll see new TVs from the likes of LG and Samsung in addition to Sony. If the company doesn't introduce new display tech for its TVs, it does have a new 240Hz PlayStation monitor coming in 2026 that it could show off at CES instead.
Sony isn't the only company hyped on bright screens. Samsung is reportedly pushing an updated version of the HDR10 and HDR10+ standards that could be ready to demo at CES 2026. The new HDR10+ Advanced standard would be Samsung's answer to Dolby Vision 2, which includes support for things bi-directional tone mapping and intelligent features that automatically adapt sports and gaming content. Samsung's take will reportedly offer improved brightness, genre-based tone mapping and intelligent motion smoothing options, among other improvements.
Ballie Watch 2026
The ball-shaped yellow robot lovingly known as "Ballie" has been announced twice, first in 2020 and then again in 2024 with a projector in tow. Samsung said Ballie would go on sale in 2025 at CES last year and then shared in April 2025 that Ballie would ship this summer with Google's Gemini onboard. But it's nearly 2026, and Ballie is nowhere to be seen. It's possible Samsung could make a third attempt at announcing its robot at CES 2026, but whether or not it does, robotics will still be a big part of the show.
Robot vacuums and mops were a major highlight of CES 2025, and it's safe to expect notable improvements from the new models that are announced at CES 2026. Not every company will adopt the retractable arm of the Roborock Saros Z70, but robot vacuums with legs for rising over small ledges like the Dreame X50 seem like they could become the norm. Roborock could also show off its new Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, the first of its robot vacuums to feature a retractable roller mop.
Beyond just traversing spaces more efficiently, improving robots' navigation could also be a major concern at the show. Prominent members of the AI industry are turning their attention from large language models to world models, which aim to give AI a deep understanding of physical space. Those world models could be the key to making robots, bipedal or otherwise, competent at navigating homes and workplaces, and will likely be a significant talking point at CES 2026.
We’ll be updating this article throughout the month as more rumors surface and new products are confirmed — stay tuned for future updates!
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/what-to-expect-at-ces-2026-120000278.html?src=rss
There’s something oddly satisfying about a product that does exactly what it’s supposed to do, but does it with style. That’s the vibe I get from the Arc Alarm Clock by Nanu Electronics, a piece that manages to feel both futuristic and oddly nostalgic at the same time.
At first glance, the Arc looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie set in a very tasteful future. The curved design is its defining feature, and honestly, it’s a bold move in a world where most alarm clocks are either aggressively minimalist rectangles or trying way too hard to be cute. This one splits the difference beautifully. The gentle arc creates a natural viewing angle that actually makes sense when you’re blearily checking the time at 3 a.m., which is more thoughtful than you’d expect from something you probably curse at daily.
What really sets the Arc apart is how it approaches the whole “waking up” problem. We’ve all been there: you set an alarm, it goes off, you hit snooze approximately seven times, and suddenly you’re late for that meeting you swore you’d be early for. The Arc uses a sunrise simulation feature that gradually increases light intensity before your alarm actually sounds. It’s basically tricking your brain into thinking it’s morning, which sounds manipulative but in the best possible way. Your body responds to light more naturally than it does to a jarring alarm sound, so you’re more likely to actually wake up instead of entering that weird snooze-induced time warp.
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t sacrifice functionality for aesthetics. The LED display is crisp and easy to read without being obnoxiously bright at night. There’s something to be said for a clock that doesn’t light up your entire bedroom like a miniature sun. The controls are intuitive enough that you won’t need to keep the manual on your nightstand, which is a low bar but one that surprisingly few products clear.
The Arc also works as a bedside lamp, which makes it genuinely useful beyond its alarm clock duties. It’s one of those features that seems obvious in retrospect but that most alarm clocks skip entirely. You can adjust the brightness to whatever suits your needs, whether you’re reading before bed or just need a gentle glow to navigate your way to the bathroom at night without fully waking yourself up. Sound quality matters more than you might think for an alarm clock. The Arc’s speaker is decent enough for casual music listening or podcasts, though audiophiles will probably still prefer their dedicated speakers. But for morning news, white noise, or just having some background sound while you get ready, it does the job without sounding tinny or cheap.
From a design perspective, the Arc fits into that sweet spot where it’s distinctive enough to be interesting but neutral enough to work with most decor styles. It comes in a few color options, so you can match it to your aesthetic whether you’re going for modern minimalist, cozy maximalist, or something in between. The curved form factor also means it takes up less visual space than a traditional rectangular clock, even though its footprint is similar.
Is it going to revolutionize your life? Probably not. But it might make your mornings slightly less awful, and in this economy, we’ll take small victories where we can get them. The Arc Alarm Clock proves that everyday objects don’t have to be boring or purely utilitarian. Sometimes the things we interact with most frequently deserve a little extra thought and care in their design. If you’re in the market for an alarm clock that looks good on your nightstand and might actually help you wake up like a functional human being, the Arc is worth considering. It’s the kind of purchase that feels slightly indulgent but practical enough to justify.
Dash cameras capture scenic drives, enhance road safety, and provide vital evidence during unexpected events, making every journey more secure and memorable.
Balancing schoolwork with gaming usually means finding a laptop that can do a little bit of everything. The best gaming laptops aren’t just built for high frame rates. They also need to handle long days of writing papers, running productivity apps and streaming lectures without slowing down. A good machine should feel reliable during class and powerful enough to jump into your favorite games once homework is out of the way.
There’s a wide range of options depending on how much performance you need. Some students prefer a slim, lightweight model that’s easy to carry to school, while others want a new gaming laptop with enough GPU power to handle AAA titles. If you’re watching your budget, there are plenty of solid choices that qualify as a budget gaming laptop without cutting too many corners.
It’s also worth looking at features that help with everyday use. A bright display makes long study sessions easier on the eyes, and a comfortable keyboard is essential if you type a lot. USB-C ports, decent battery life and a responsive trackpad can make a big difference during the school day. We’ve rounded up the best laptops that strike the right mix of performance, portability and value for both gaming and schoolwork.
As we’ve mentioned, gaming laptops are especially helpful if you're doing any demanding work. Their big promise is powerful graphics performance, which isn't just limited to PC gaming. Video editing and 3D rendering programs can also tap into their GPUs to handle laborious tasks. While you can find decent GPUs on some productivity machines, like Dell's XPS 15, you can sometimes find better deals on gaming laptops. My general advice for any new workhorse: Pay attention to the specs; get at least 16GB of RAM and the largest solid state drive you can find (ideally 1TB or more). Those components are both typically hard to upgrade down the line, so it’s worth investing what you can up front to get the most out of your PC gaming experience long term. Also, don’t forget the basics like a webcam, which will likely be necessary for the schoolwork portion of your activities.
The one big downside to choosing a gaming notebook is portability. For the most part, we'd recommend 15-inch models to get the best balance of size and price. Those typically weigh in around 4.5 pounds, which is significantly more than a three-pound ultraportable. Today's gaming notebooks are still far lighter than older models, though, so at least you won't be lugging around a 10-pound brick. If you’re looking for something lighter, there are plenty of 14-inch options these days. And if you're not into LED lights and other gamer-centric bling, keep an eye out for more understated models that still feature essentials like a webcam (or make sure you know how to turn those lights off).
Do gaming laptops last longer than standard laptops?
Not necessarily — it really depends on how you define "last longer." In terms of raw performance, gaming laptops tend to pack more powerful components than standard laptops, which means they can stay relevant for longer when it comes to handling demanding software or modern games. That makes them a solid choice if you need a system that won’t feel outdated in a couple of years, especially for students or creators who also game in their downtime.
But there’s a trade-off. All that power generates heat, and gaming laptops often run hotter and put more strain on internal components than typical ultraportables. If they’re not properly cooled or regularly maintained (think dust buildup and thermal paste), that wear and tear can shorten their lifespan. They’re also usually bulkier and have shorter battery life, which can impact long-term usability depending on your daily needs.
Gaming laptops can last longer performance-wise, but only if you take good care of them. If your needs are light — browsing, writing papers and streaming — a standard laptop may actually last longer simply because it’s under less stress day-to-day.
What is the role of GPU in a computer for gaming and school?
The GPU plays a big role in how your laptop handles visuals — and it’s especially important if you’re using your computer for both gaming and school.
For gaming, the GPU is essential. It’s responsible for rendering graphics, textures, lighting and all the visual effects that make your favorite titles look smooth and realistic. A more powerful GPU means better frame rates, higher resolutions and the ability to play modern games without lag or stuttering.
For schoolwork, the GPU matters too — but its importance depends on what you're doing. If your school tasks mostly involve writing papers, browsing the web or using productivity tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Office, you don’t need a high-end GPU. But if you’re working with graphic design, video editing, 3D modeling or anything else that’s visually demanding, a good GPU can speed things up significantly and improve your workflow.
Georgie Peru contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-laptops-for-gaming-and-school-132207352.html?src=rss
