It’s CES week, when the tech world gathers in Las Vegas to check out the latest gadgets, prototypes, and innovations that will shape the future. Lifehacker’s tech team is on the ground at the convention, tracking down big stories and cool gear.
What is CES?
Billing itself as “The Most Powerful Tech Event in the World,” CES (short for “Consumer Electronics Show”) is the Consumer Technology Association’s trade convention. It began in 1967 as a small showcase for televisions and radios, but over the decades CES has become a gathering of the tribes for tech culture. Everyone is there, from huge companies like Samsung and Sony, to scores of journalists, to scrappy startups with big dreams. From innovative AI tools to electric vehicles, laptops, e-readers, and robotic dogs, CES is where tech companies show off their wares, journalists dig up the next big story, and tech insiders network and sneak a look into the future.
Where and when is CES 2026?
CES is held in Las Vegas from Jan. 6-9. The Las Vegas Convention Center hosts the main show floor, but there are CES-related events at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, The Sphere, and other locations across Las Vegas.
What brands are attending CES 2026?
Most major electronics and technology companies are attending CES 2026 in some form. Here are some of the most vital exhibitors:
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Samsung Electronics: Samsung’s theme this year is “Your Companion to AI Living,” and the focus is how artificial intelligence can enhance people’s day-to-day lives.
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LG Electronics: Describing it as “innovation in tune with you” and “affectionate intelligence,” LG is showing off its take on AI designed to power robots, appliances, vehicles and TVs.
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Sony: Sony’s main focus this year is mobility. It’s unveiling the Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) and showcasing the AFEELA electric vehicle Prototype.
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TCL: It’s not CES without new TVs, and TCL is showing off a gigantic set with a SQD-Mini LED display.
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Panasonic: Under the banner “The future we make,” Panasonic promises it is “leveraging the power of AI to amplify the impact of our human-centric technologies, services and solutions.”
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NVIDIA: The chip-maker is showcasing its new Vera Rubin AI supercomputer platform, the Alpamayo reasoning model for self-driving vehicles, and more.
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AMD: AMD is unveiling the Ryzen AI processors for PCs and the Ryzen 7 9850X3D for gaming.
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Intel: Intel launched its new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, codenamed “Panther Lake.”
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Uber: Transportation firm Uber wants you to know about its new robotaxi.
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The LEGO Group: Lovable toy makers LEGO announced “Smart Bricks,” packed with a tiny processor that “brings play to life.”
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Ikea: Making its first appearance at CES, Swedish furniture retailer Ikea unveiled 21 new smart home products.
In fact, so many brands exhibit at CES, it’s more notable which ones aren’t there. This year’s list of no-shows includes Apple (which never really does CES), iRobot, and Tesla. Big brands with a more limited presence include Microsoft and Amazon.
The biggest stories of CES 2026 so far
Along with the expected innovations in televisions and laptops, CES 2026 is crammed with artificial intelligence, robots, and mobility devices, and health-focused wearables. Here are some of the biggest announcements at CES 2026 so far.
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At its keynote, NVIDIA unveiled Alpamayo, “the world’s first thinking, reasoning autonomous vehicle AI.” This could be serious competition for Tesla.
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HP showed off a new mini desktop computer, The Eliteboard G1a. You just plug the keyboard into any monitor and go to town. Only time will tell if this is a gimmick or a new form factor.
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Hyundai and Boston Dynamics showed off humanoid robot Atlas. But Hyundai didn’t show off any new electric vehicles, suggesting a cautious outlook for the near future.
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Broadcom showed off Wi-Fi 8 routers and chips, providing a practical look into the future.
CES 2026 Event Schedule
Below is a guide to some of the major events at CES 2026.
Sunday, January 4: Media Day 1 at Mandalay Bay
Monday, January 5: Media Day 2 at Mandalay Bay. C-Space: 9 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday, January 6: Show Floor Press Conferences, Exhibits: 10 AM-6 PM, C-Space: 9 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday, January 7: Show Floor Press Conferences, Exhibits: 9 AM-6 PM, C-Space: 9 AM – 5 PM
What do you think so far?
Thursday, January 8: Exhibits: 9 AM-6 PM, C-Space: 9 AM – 5 PM
Friday, January 9: Exhibits: 9 AM-4 PM
Can’t-miss keynotes and conferences at CES 2026
Sunday, January 4
Monday, January 5
Tuesday, January 6
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Siemens President and CEO Dr. Roland Busch, 8:30 AM, The Venetian
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Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang, 5:00 PM, Sphere
Wednesday, January 7
Can you attend CES 2026?
CES is a trade-only event, so it’s not open to the general public, but if you’re affiliated with the tech industry in some way, you can register at CES’s official site. If you’re not a tech insider, you can check out the official CES livestream and read Lifehacker’s CES 2026 live blog.
