LG TVs at CES 2026: A stunning Wallpaper set, glorious Micro RGB colors and a better Gallery TV

We typically see LG TV announcements a bit before CES, but this year the company had a surprise in store. CES 2026 marks the return of LG's ultra-thin "Wallpaper" TV. The latest version sports a gorgeous OLED screen and wireless connectivity, and it's about as thin as a pencil. We were able to check out the new Wallpaper TV during a CES preview event, along with LG’s Gallery and Micro RGB sets. The company also announced refreshed OLED and LED sets for this year, but it's clear that 2026 will be filled with intriguing TVs for a variety of consumers.

LG's 2026 Wallpaper OLED TV
LG's 2026 Wallpaper OLED TV
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

The 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 rear
LG's 2026 Wallpaper OLED TV from the rear
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

The 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 TV
LG's 2026 Gallery TV
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

The Gallery TV competes with Samsung’s Frame

While 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 TV
LG's Micro RGB TV
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

Micro RGB looks like a genuine Mini LED upgrade

As 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

LG brought back the Wallpaper TV for CES and ditched the companion sound bar

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's Wallpaper TV measures 9mm thick when mounted on a wall.
LG

The latest Wallpaper TV does come with plenty of improvements, though, including LG's third-gen α 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.

The Wallpaper TV can fit into any living room space thanks to its minimalist design and LG Gallery+ feature.
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

Japanese startup Ludens AI brought two very adorable robots to CES 2026

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.

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.
Ludens AI's Inu robot.
Karissa Bell for Engadget

Ludens 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

Lockin’s everlasting vein-recognizing smart lock doorbell cam combo is peak CES

Smart locks have a notable inconvenience: running out of power. Lockin, maker of vein-recognition locks, debuted its newest model on the CES floor. It charges wirelessly via an optical infrared beam with a four-meter range. A small device, connected to a standard outlet inside the house, shoots a beam at the lock, which has a small receptor panel that turns the light into power, sort of like a plug-in sun beaming at a tiny solar array. The tech carries certifications from two independent organizations, and won’t harm eyeballs or bodies that get in the way of the beam (though if the beam is interrupted, charging stops).

The lock itself is a mortise lock that will likely require a pro to install, as it’s not just a standard deadbolt replacer. It’s not a standard lock in other ways too, with video and speaker capabilites, AI recognition as well as touchscreen features and vein recognition.

The tall black rectangle looked sleek (if huge) in person with a pocket-style grip and a rather sizable display on the interior panel. The outer panel has a touchscreen along with two cameras allowing it to act as a doorbell video camera. You can unlock the door via palm, finger vein or 3D facial recognition.

Lockin V7 Max smart lock
Lockin V7 Max smart lock
Lockin

It’ll feed the video to any of the major smart home eco systems, including those from Google, Apple, Amazon and Samsung. But for general setup and advanced AI features, such as recognizing a package delivery and speaking a canned request to the driver, you’d use Lockin’s own app.

I can’t imagine this high-end do-everything lock will be cheap, and indeed the price is currently undisclosed, but units should start shipping in July or August of this year. There’s a cheaper version of the lock, with the same wireless charging capability but without the video features, that’ll sell for $350 and will be available in April.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/lockins-everlasting-vein-recognizing-smart-lock-doorbell-cam-combo-is-peak-ces-013431113.html?src=rss

Shure debuts a USB-C version of its MV88 microphone at CES 2026

Shure’s original MV88 microphone (no, not the + version) was a convenient snap-on option for iPhone users. Since Apple ditched the port for USB-C, the audio accessory became obsolete for newer handsets. At CES 2026, the company debuted a revised version of the mic, swapping the Lightning connection for USB-C, which also adds compatibility for Android users and a host of other devices. The best part is the updated MV88 is available now, and it’s priced at $159.

If you missed the 2015 version, the MV88 is a compact stereo condenser microphone that simply snaps onto a phone, tablet or one of your laptop’s ports. It provides a packable boost to any built-in mics on your devices, allowing you to capture better audio for voice and video clips. What’s more, it’s a simple, plug-and-play option that doesn’t require additional setup. And if you choose to employ Shure’s suite of apps, you’ll get access to things like presets, microphone gain control, a five-band EQ, limiter, compression and a high-pass filter. Plus, the company’s apps will give you a microphone level meter to keep tabs on your input.

Shure MV88 USB-C
Shure MV88 USB-C
Billy Steele for Engadget

With Auto Level Mode, the mic automatically adjusts gain in real time so that your clips aren’t too loud or too quiet. There’s also a Real-Time Denoiser that works to reduce background noise. The MV88 USB-C has four selectable polar patterns — stereo, mono cardioid, mono bi-directional and raw mid-side — and you can tilt the microphone so that it either points straight up or towards you.

I’ve been testing the new MV88 for a few days ahead of CES and I can confirm it’s a substantial boost over anything a device’s built-in microphone can offer. It’s also a nice alternative to popular lapel mics you’ve likely seen creators and influencers use. Those need to be held close to the speaker’s mouth, so they don’t pic up ambient sound or multiple speakers well without moving them. The MV88 would the better choice for capturing clips of live music, the great outdoors or other places where you want some level of background noise.

Shure MV88 USB-C
Shure MV88 USB-C
Billy Steele for Engadget

Sound quality has been impressive thus far. After barely tweaking any settings, audio capture is warm, but also crisp and clear. That Real-Time Denoiser completely eliminated a noisy hotel room A/C unit during one of my testing sessions. This means the new MV88 will improve my sound if I need to do any voice or video interviews this week from my room. I’m also looking forward to seeing how well it does at some of the evening events and on the CES show floor.

To me, the best part about the MV88 is the quick and easy setup. You literally just snap it on your phone, or another device with a USB-C port, and after a few taps you’re ready to record. Shure also included a small case for the microphone, so it’s less likely to get damaged any time you just need to chuck it in your bag.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/shure-debuts-a-usb-c-version-of-its-mv88-microphone-at-ces-2026-010000294.html?src=rss

Yukai Engineering’s latest gadget at CES is a fan for babies

Yukai Engineering, maker of the weirdly cute Mirumi robot, has another interesting gadget at CES 2026. Baby FuFu is a portable fan for babies that attaches to strollers.

Baby FuFu is modeled on the company's smaller (but otherwise identical-looking) drink-cooling gadget, Nekojita FuFu. "Baby FuFu grew out of Nekojita FuFu fans' feedback that their children love not only cooling their food with it but also playing with it, pretending to fan their faces and blow-dry their hair," Yukai Engineering CEO Shunsuke Aoki said.

Baby FuFu, positioned on the stroller handle.
Baby FuFu, positioned on the stroller handle.
Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

The company says the fan blades are concealed behind a slit plate that blocks even the tiniest fingers from entering. The cat-like fan’s "hands" and "feet" are designed to latch onto stroller handles. Parents can angle Baby FuFu to aim airflow at the child's face (or anywhere else). It has three airflow settings, adjustable with a single button. It charges via USB-C.

Baby FuFu
Baby FuFu
Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

Yukai Engineering plans to launch Baby FuFu in mid-2026 for somewhere between $50 and $60. It will join the company's "shy" Mirumi charm robot, which has raised over $250,000 on Kickstarter. Mirumi's crowdfunding campaign expires on January 22.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/yukai-engineerings-latest-gadget-at-ces-is-a-fan-for-babies-000000172.html?src=rss

The Subtle Voicebuds use AI to transcribe your words below a whisper, or in very loud spaces (like the CES show floor)

There's a good chance you spend more time talking to your phone's virtual assistant, or dictating text with your voice, instead of actually calling people these days. But, as convenient as voice input can be, you don't want to be the obnoxious person shouting commands to Siri or ChatGPT in a quiet library. And you probably won't have much luck dictating an email in a room with toddlers screaming and Peppa Pig blaring on the TV. (Ask me how I know.)

At CES 2026, the startup Subtle is unveiling its solution to those issues: Voicebuds. While they look like a typical pair of wireless earbuds, they feature a custom AI model that lets you dictate text below the sound of a whisper. Additionally, they can also filter out noisy environments so that you don't have to shout for dictation and voice commands. The Voicebuds seem similar to the WHSP ring we saw at CES 2024, which let whisper to your phone, and they also compete with other AI earbuds like the Notebuds One.

Subtle Voicebuds.
Subtle Voicebuds.
Subtle

Subtle claims its Voicebuds deliver five times fewer transcription errors than the AirPods Pro 3 with OpenAI transcription. At $199, they're also priced competitively with Apple's best buds. As with many new hardware products, though, there's also an additional subscription for premium features on Subtle's app, including instant dictation and the ability to transcribe notes without looking at your phone. You'll get a year's worth of access to the Subtle iOS app (there's no Android support so far) when you buy the Voicebuds, but after that it's a $17 a month fee. Without the subscription, the Voicebuds still offer better overall transcription accuracy with its on-device machine learning model.

When I tried the Voicebuds at the absolutely raucous CES Unveiled show floor, it was able accurately dictate several sentences at my normal speaking voice. Subtle CEO Tyler Chen was able to replicate that experience across several demos. In a separate remote demonstration, he was also able to dictate several sentences while barely whispering in a quiet room. (He was so quiet, I couldn't even hear what he was saying over video chat).

As you’d expect, you can use Voicebuds to take calls and listen to audio just like any other pair of headphones. They also offer other modern features, like active noise cancellation and a multi-mic array. Still, I can't imagine a fledgling startup will be able to match the refined audio quality we've seen from the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony's latest buds, or their well-honed ANC capabilities.

As someone who's practically attached to my AirPods Pros, primarily because they handle Siri voice commands so well, it would have to take a truly transformative product to replace them. Voicebuds won't support Apple's "Hey, Siri" command, since that involves having one of Apple's proprietary chips, though Chen says the company is integrating its own AI assistant. But if the Voicebud's transcription is as great as the company claims, they may eventually earn a coveted place in my pocket alongside Apple's buds.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/the-subtle-voicebuds-use-ai-to-transcribe-your-words-below-a-whisper-or-in-very-loud-spaces-like-the-ces-show-floor-000000019.html?src=rss

Belkin announces a wireless HDMI dongle that doesn’t need Wi-Fi access

Belkin has announced a plug-and-play casting system at CES 2026 that allows for screen sharing from a laptop, tablet or smartphone to another display without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The $150 ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter comes with a USB-C transmitter dongle and a USB-A to HDMI receiver that can be connected to a TV, monitor or projector to wirelessly cast over a range of up to 131 feet (40 meters). 

Belkin's ConnectAir Wireless USB-C transmitter and HDMI receiver
Belkin's ConnectAir Wireless USB-C transmitter and HDMI receiver
Belkin

The ConnectAir Wireless casts in 1080p at 60Hz, with latency under 80ms according to Belkin. It's compatible with USB-C devices that support DisplayPort Alt Mode, including Windows, macOS and ChromeOS laptops, tablets such as the M1 and M2 iPad Pro and iPad Air, and smartphones with video output. Belkin also says it supports multi-user screen sharing at up to 8 transmitters. The dongle comes in black and while it’s not available to purchase just yet, it’s expected to be released early this year. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/belkin-announces-a-wireless-hdmi-dongle-that-doesnt-need-wi-fi-access-215513179.html?src=rss

LG reveals its laundry-folding robot at CES 2026

LG has unveiled its humanoid robot that can handle household chores. After teasing the CLOiD last week, the company has offered its first look at the AI-powered robot it claims can fold laundry, unload the dishwasher, serve food and help out with other tasks. 

The CLOiD has a surprisingly cute "head unit" that's equipped with a display, speakers, cameras and other sensors. "Collectively, these elements allow the robot to communicate with humans through spoken language and 'facial expressions,' learn the living environments and lifestyle patterns of its users and control connected home appliances based on its learnings," LG says in its press release

The robot also has two robotic arms — complete with shoulder, elbow and wrist joints — and hands with fingers that can move independently. The company didn't share images of the CLOiD's base, but it uses wheels and technology similar to what the appliance maker has used for robot vacuums. The company notes that its arms are able to pick up objects that are "knee level" and higher, so it won't be able to pick up things from the floor.

The CLOiD robot unloading a dishwasher.
The CLOiD robot unloading a dishwasher.
LG

LG says it will show off the robot completing common chores in a variety of scenarios, like starting laundry cycles and folding freshly washed clothes. The company also shared images of it taking a croissant out of the oven, unloading plates from a dishwasher and serving a plate of food. Another image shows it standing alongside a woman in the middle of a home workout, though it's not clear how the CLOiD is aiding with that task.

We'll get a closer look at the CLOiD and its laundry-folding abilities once the CES show floor opens later this week, so we should get a better idea of just how capable it is. It sounds like for now LG intends this to be more of a concept rather than a product it plans to actually sell. The company says that it will "continue developing home robots with practical functions and forms for housework" and also bring its robotics technology to more of its home appliances, like refrigerators with doors that can automatically open.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/lg-reveals-its-laundry-folding-robot-at-ces-2026-215121021.html?src=rss

LG’s ‘Aerominum’ Gram Pro laptops feel impossibly light and strong

For years, LG has pushed its ultra-light Gram laptops as a way to stand out from the PC crowd, for better or worse. I was't a big fan of the flex-prone case in the 2017 Gram, and we had similar concerns with the first 17-inch Gram in 2019. But in fairness, it's been a while since we've reviewed one, and we found a lot to like in our preview of last year's AI-equipped model. Now LG is back with a major Gram Pro redesign at CES 2026, which features a new aluminum/magnesium alloy it's dubbed "Aerominum." And finally, it seems LG has found a balance between building a super-light notebook (the 16-inch Gram Pro weighs just 2.6 pounds), and crafting something that actually feels durable.

Admittedly, the Gram Pro doesn't look particularly impressive at first glance. It has a large 16-inch 2.8K OLED screen, which certainly looks nice, but doesn't really stand out from the glut of other OLED laptops on market. It's also powered by Intel's new Panther Lake chips, and it supports dual NVMe SSDs. The magic happens when you pick it up: My brain had a hard time computing how such a large computer felt so light in my hands. And best of all, it didn't flex much when I tried to squeeze the case.

LG Gram Pro 16 side ports.
LG Gram Pro 16 side ports.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

There's still a bit of give, to be clear, but it didn't feel as precariously bendy as earlier models. I wouldn't stress too much about throwing it into a messenger bag without additional protection. The more I handled the Gram Pro, the more I wished other PC makers strived for similar weight reduction. The Gram Pro weighs about as much as the 13-inch MacBook Air! That's certainly an impressive feat.

The LG Gram Pro 16's disappointing keyboard.
The LG Gram Pro 16's disappointing keyboard.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

I just wish LG spent as much time refining the Gram Pro's keyboard as its case design. There's barely any key travel, which made for an unresponsive and unsatisfying typing experience. I get it, LG probably doesn't have the available vertical height for much key movement, but there are other ways to make typing feel more dynamic. The Gram Pro's trackpad, meanwhile, is serviceable, but it also didn't feel as smooth and responsive as what we see from Apple's notebooks or Microsoft's Surface Laptop.

LG Gram Pro 17
LG Gram Pro 17
LG

In addition to the 16-inch Gram Pro, LG also debuted a 17-inch model with an Aerominum case, which is notable for being the lightest notebook at that size with an NVIDIA RTX GPU. Specifically, it's toting the RTX 5050, which should be enough to play most games at the laptop's native 2,880 by 1,800 resolution (or 1440p blown up a bit). Given the more powerful hardware, the Gram Pro 17 is heavier than the 16-inch model, but it still comes at a relatively light 3.8 pounds. I didn't get a chance to play any games on the laptop, unfortunately, but overall it looks like a decent option for someone who wants a large screen with a bit of horsepower.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lgs-aerominum-gram-pro-laptops-feel-impossibly-light-and-strong-200317743.html?src=rss