At CES 2026, Google announced some new Gemini features that it's bringing to Google TVs. Google TV is built into some TV sets and set-top boxes, and while it may not be immediately relevant to many Apple users, it does give us a look at what AI can do on a TV set.


Gemini on Google TV will be able to answer queries with a "visually rich framework" that offers up imagery, videos, and real-time sports updates. A "Deep Dives" feature will give users narrated, interactive overviews of a topic that are simplified for the whole family.

Users can search through their Google Photos Library using Gemini to find specific people or moments. It enables image editing on the TV, with options to apply artistic styles or generate cinematic slideshows. Nano Banana, Google's image generator, can reimagine personal photos or create original media right on the TV. Veo, Google's video generation tool, is also coming to Google TV.

Google is also adding an option to use natural language to optimize TV settings, which is perhaps the most useful new feature that Gemini integration brings. Users can tell Gemini things like "the screen is too dim" or "I can't hear the dialogue" to make quick adjustments to picture and sound.

According to Google, the Gemini features will be coming to TCL devices first, and other Google TV devices over the coming months.

Apple is planning to use a version of Google Gemini for some of its upcoming AI features, including the smarter version of Siri. The next-generation version of the Apple TV is expected to get an A17 Pro chip, which is compatible with Apple Intelligence.

With Apple adopting Gemini and Apple TVs soon becoming capable of new AI features, it's possible that some of the features that Google has announced for Google TV could be replicated on the ‌Apple TV‌. Apple could use ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and the new version of ‌Siri‌ to simplify controls, make better content suggestions, and more. The updated ‌Apple TV‌ and the new version of ‌Siri‌ could both come in spring 2026.
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Aukey introduced a new desktop charging option this week, debuting the $150 MagFusion DeskHive 5X Pro. The DeskHive is a 5-in-1 charging solution that combines wired and wireless charging in a compact desktop box.


Measuring in at 3.76 x 3.76 x 3.07 inches, the DeskHive includes two retractable USB-C cables, a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and a Qi2.2 25W charger for wirelessly charging the iPhone. The magnetic charger has an adjustable hinge so it can be positioned at different angles for video calls or watching content.

With GaN technology, the DeskHive provides up to 200W for charging, offering support for charging at 140W through the USB-C port. A digital display offers real-time output for each wired port.

Aukey was also showing off the MagFusion Ark charger that it first debuted last year. The MagFusion Ark has a 6-in-1 design that includes a base station able to charge up to three devices, and three detachable 6,700 mAh power bank spheres for multi-device charging.


The MagFusion DeskHive 5X Pro and the MagFusion Ark are expected to launch in the second quarter of 2026.
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GE Lighting this week unveiled Matter-compatible GE Smart Shades that are able to integrate with the Apple Home app. Priced starting at $300, the Smart Shades offer simple, screw-free installation, with white and gray fabric options. The shades can be purchased in a translucent fabric to let light through, or a blackout version. All options have aluminum trim and no visible hardware.


The motorized shades are designed to raise or lower via an included remote control, the Apple Home app, Siri voice commands, or time-based automations. There are options to integrate shade controls with other smart home products, or based on whether or not someone is home.

GE's Smart Shades support Matter over Thread, and can connect to HomeKit with a compatible Matter hub. In Apple's ecosystem, that includes the Apple TV, the HomePod, or the HomePod mini.

GE is offering multiple width options up to 38 inches, in lengths up to 76 inches. GE says that the motor that powers the shades is "whisper quiet." An included magnetic rechargeable battery will last for up to six months before it needs to be recharged.

The GE Smart Shades can be purchased from Amazon or the GE website as of today. Pricing starts at $299 and goes up to $370 for blackout versions and larger sizes.
This article, "CES 2026: GE's $300 Matter Smart Shades Work With Apple Home" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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SwitchBot, known for its Matter-enabled smart vacuums and other smart home products, today introduced the Onero H1, a robot that is meant to automate household chores.


The AI robot has a rolling base, a tube-shaped body, and flexible arms. SwitchBot says that it is designed to learn, adapt, and work in coordination with existing SwitchBot robots like vacuums. It does not have a single function, and is instead meant to adapt to multiple cleaning scenarios.

The Onero H1 combines visual perception, depth awareness, and tactile feedback to understand an object's position, shape, and interaction states, which SwitchBot claims is important for contact-intensive household tasks. It can grasp, push, open, and organize, though SwitchBot has not detailed specific tasks that it can complete. SwitchBot is showing off the robot at CES, and says it will be available for pre-order soon.

Along with the H1, SwitchBot is debuting the AI MindClip, a voice-based knowledge engine that records meetings, conversations, and everyday moments. Integrated AI provides structured summaries, to-do lists, and a searchable personal knowledge base. SwitchBot says the MindClip is meant to serve as a "second brain," and with a subscription-based AI cloud service, it allows users to pull up past discussions and reminders on-demand.


SwitchBot is also debuting the Lock Vista Series, a Matter-compatible smart lock that integrates with Apple Home and offers facial recognition capabilities for unlocking a door hands-free. It has DualPower and DualBackup systems with a high-capacity rechargeable battery and a long-life backup battery. A separate Lock Vista Pro also includes palm vein recognition capabilities as an alternative biometric option.


Other SwitchBot products being shown off at CES include the SwitchBot Weather Station with a 7.5-inch e-ink display and built-in sensors, and the Obboto, an expressive globe light that uses AI to offer music visualization and mood animations through 2,900 integrated LEDs. It is able to display time and weather through light patterns, and it provides interactive pixel art and ambiance modes for sleep, focus, and relaxation.

More information about SwitchBot's upcoming devices can be found on the SwitchBot website.
This article, "CES 2026: SwitchBot Announces Household Robot, Matter Smart Lock and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Pluribus season 1 is over, and in an interview creator Vince Gilligan gave during the show’s run, he revealed how hard it was to land on the meaning-filled final title.

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Senso is a gamified plant sensor that's designed to use AI to improve plant care. It is supposed to track soil moisture, temperature, and light exposure data in real time, and there is a little pixel creature that delivers AI insights.


The pixel creature awakens once the sensor is placed in soil, and users can complete daily and weekly plant care missions to collect rewards and unlock new characters. The sensor has a modular design with different depth options, and multiple sensors for multiple plants can be combined. The AI and an accompanying app are meant to adapt to provide accurate readings across different plant species and pot types.

The device supports voice-based AI interactions, so you can ask it questions to get responses from a "friendly plant expert."


Senso is being shown off at CES 2026, but it is not an actual product yet. It is set to launch on Kickstarter in the near future. Pricing has not been announced.
This article, "CES 2026: Senso Is a Smart Plant Sensor With an AI Tamagotchi" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Intel introduced its latest processors at CES 2026, debuting the "Panther Lake" Intel Core Ultra Series 3. The chips are the most advanced manufactured in the U.S., according to Intel, and they are built on Intel's 18A process.


18A, or 18-angstrom, is the most advanced node Intel has designed to date, but Intel continues to trail TSMC. TSMC is developing Apple's next-generation 2nm chips, and they are expected to have higher transistor density and efficiency than Intel's 18A chips.

Intel is developing several chips in the Ultra Series 3 line for both high-end and low-end laptops, with the top SKUs offering up to 16 CPU cores, 12 Xe cores (Intel's graphics architecture), and 50 NPU TOPS. Compared to prior-generation chips, Intel claims the Ultra Series 3 processors will bring up to 77 percent faster gaming performance, 60 percent better multithreaded performance, and up to 27 hours of battery life.

Apple doesn't use Intel chips anymore, so the new Core Ultra Series 3 processors will be exclusive to PCs, but there are rumors that Intel could manufacture some Apple chips in the future. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Intel will make lower-end M-series chips for Apple's Macs built on the 18A process, using Apple chip designs. Intel could begin shipping chips to Apple as soon as mid-2027.

The first laptops powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips debuted at ‌CES 2026‌, with more coming throughout the first half of the year.
This article, "CES 2026: Intel Unveils 18A-Based Core Ultra Series 3 Chips Amid Rumors of Future Apple Partnership" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Tehran is one of Apple TV’s longest running thriller series, but you may have never heard of it because for years, the new season’s release has been delayed. Recently though, Apple announced that Tehran season 3 is finally about to premiere, and there’s even a season 4 on the way.

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It's day two of CES, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has another video highlighting new and upcoming tech products that were showcased at media events. Today's video features new displays from LG, the latest Qi2.2 chargers, robots, and more.


LG announced multiple new TVs and displays at its CES 2026 event, and showed off some older tech. Last year's 32-inch UltraFine Evo 6K monitor was on display, and of all LG's displays, this one looks like it was made for macOS. Text is crisp, the scale is perfect, Thunderbolt 5 is supported, and the NanoIPS panel provides deeper blacks and better contrast than a standard IPS panel.

There were a couple new gaming displays, including a 27-inch tandem OLED monitor with a 720Hz refresh rate, and a 52-inch 5K 240Hz display that LG says is the world's largest gaming monitor. LG also showed off new OLED TVs, microRGB TVs for improved color accuracy, and a frame TV option to match the Sony Frame TV. And of course all of the TVs have new AI features.

At Pepcom, MCON had a $145 ultra portable gaming controller designed for the iPhone. It uses MagSafe to snap to the back of an ‌iPhone‌, and it includes full-size joysticks, tactile buttons, triggers, and fold-out grips. MCON actually showed off the controller last year, but now it's ready to ship out in late January.

Aukey was showing off the MagFusion Ark, a modular wireless charger that supports 25W Qi2.2 charging. The Ark has a 6-in-1 design with a base that can charge up to three devices, plus three detachable power bank spheres for charging on the go.

The $150 MagFusion DeskHive is an all-new charger from Aukey, featuring a 25W wireless charging puck for an ‌iPhone‌ plus two built-in retractable USB-C cables. It includes a digital display that shows real-time power output for each port, and a USB-C port that offers up to 140W charging. Both Aukey chargers are coming in the second quarter of 2026.

AGIBOT debuted a humanoid robot that was walking around the show floor and interacting with attendees. InnAIO, a company that sells an AI voice cloning device, had a portrait featuring an AI version of Vincent van Gogh that talked to attendees. It was just one of many borderline creepy AI products that made an appearance.

Ambient highlighted the $250 Dreamie, a bedside sleep companion that provides an alarm, a soft light for a sunrise wakeup, and audio soundscapes to listen to so you can ditch your phone at night. Tonies was showing off its next-generation box with improved sound quality, longer battery life, better connectivity, and a refreshed design. It's also more responsive and interactive.

Satechi showed off the $400 Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock, which looks a lot like the Mac mini. It has multiple Thunderbolt 5 ports and everything else you could need, including an SSD enclosure that supports up to 8TB. Twelve South was at Pepcom to promote the $180 Valet, a Qi2 charger that also serves as a catchall tray.

Aeroband was demonstrating its $429 wireless electric guitar, which has nine built-in tones, a built-in speaker, and multiple drum loops. Skylight introduced its Smart Calendar 2 with brightness improvements and new AI features. It can scan photos and import the info into the calendar, and you can also take pictures of what's in your fridge to add items to the meal section of the calendar.

We'll be covering more CES highlights throughout the week, so make sure to stay tuned, and check out our CES 2026 hub for all of our coverage.
This article, "CES 2026: LG 6K Monitor, New Qi2.2 Chargers and AI Products Everywhere" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you’re running the iOS 26.3 beta, Apple has just released a new security update you can install. But there’s a catch: rather than including fixes, the update is simply testing out a new system. Here are the details.

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As part of CES 2026 this week, Dell today unveiled what it says is the “world’s first 52-inch 6K monitor.”

The new Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor features a 52-inch ultra wide curved display. That equates to 129 pixel-per-inch density.

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Apple is testing a Background Security Improvement feature that first rolled out in iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1. Developers and public beta testers who are running iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, or ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 can install a new Background Security Improvement update for testing purposes.


According to Apple, Background Security Improvements provide additional security protections between software updates for Safari, WebKit, and other system libraries.

Background Security Improvements can be installed by going to the Privacy and Security section of the Settings app, scrolling down, and selecting the "Install" option. If Automatically Install is toggled on, Background Security Improvements will be automatically installed when they come out.

Apple says that users who opt not to install the Background Security Improvements will receive the updates in a standard software update.

Apple previously had a Rapid Security Response update feature for delivering security improvements, but it wasn't used often after it was introduced in iOS 16, and was ultimately phased out in favor of Background Security Improvements. At one point in 2023, there was a Rapid Security Response bug that prevented some websites from displaying properly.

Apple warns that Background Security Updates can result in "rare instances of compatibility issues." Should that occur, the updates may be temporarily removed and enhanced in a subsequent software update.
This article, "Apple Tests Background Security Updates in iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Birdbuddy debuted two new smart bird feeders, which are successors to its existing bird feeder options. The Birdbuddy 2 and the Birdbuddy 2 mini are set to launch later this year.


The $199 Birdbuddy 2 features 2K HDR video, a wider field of view, dual integrated solar power, better audio, an improved extended perch, and more seed capacity. It was shown off earlier this year, and pre-orders have sold out, but it is set to launch in February 2026.

There is a redesigned circular camera housing with options for mounting the camera in portrait or landscape orientation, and slow-motion recording is available. For the first time, an included microphone can record and identify birdsongs, with species identification taking into account audio.

The $129 Birdbuddy 2 Mini has the same core camera technology as the Birdbuddy 2, but it comes in a simpler enclosure that's designed for first time smart bird feeder users and those with smaller yards or balconies. It has a smaller seed capacity, but comes with an easy-refill roof. A solar panel is an optional add-on. The Birdbuddy 2 Mini will be available for order around mid-2026, with a launch to follow later in the year.


Birdbuddy is also showcasing the Petal Smart Nature Camera, which was introduced on Kickstarter last year. It is designed to identify birds and insects, and it can be placed anywhere outdoors. Petal cameras are set to ship out this summer.

More information is available on the Birdbuddy website.
This article, "CES 2026: Birdbuddy Debuts New Smart Bird Feeders" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The first touch-enabled Mac is rumored to launch later this year, but a new third-party ‘Magic Screen’ accessory says it can bring touch to existing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro displays.

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Kentucky today launched its new Kentucky mobile ID app for iPhone, allowing residents to access a digital version of their ID.

While the app itself is available on the App Store starting today, there’s a big upgrade coming this summer: support for storing your Kentucky ID in Apple Wallet.

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CES 2026 – the biggest tech event of the year is now in full swing on the strip in Las Vegas with a countless number of new product reveals and wild new concepts. From desktop hologram machines and the new smart LEGO bricks, chargers that turn your phone into an AI robot assistant, the latest e-bikes, solar-powered gazebos, smart goggles, and the latest in electric vehicle tech, CES knows no bounds. We have collected all of the wildest and most intriguing reveals from the show from across our network for your browsing pleasure below. 

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Cameras are among the iPhone’s most important features, and a new report indicates there’s a huge 200MP camera leap coming in 2028.

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Satechi today announced its first Thunderbolt 5 product, a dock that has an included SSD enclosure for adding storage. The Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD Enclosure supports high-resolution multiple display setups, offering 80Gb/s bi-directional bandwidth with 120Gb/s Bandwidth Boost.


The Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock has a 5x5x2-inch form factor, and it is designed from aluminum to match Apple devices. It includes a 180W power supply with 140W host charging, so it is able to work with Apple's largest laptops. It also includes 30W PD power for smartphones and tablets.

At the front of the CubeDock, there's a 30W/10Gb/s USB-C port, a headphone jack, a 10Gb/s USB-A port, an SD card slot, and a microSD card slot. The back features three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, a port for the power supply, a Thunderbolt 5 port to connect to a computer, a 10Gb/s USB-C port, a 10Gb/s USB-A port, and a 2.5Gb Ethernet port.


There is an integrated NVMe SSD enclosure that supports up to 8TB at 6000MB/s. There is an active cooling system that Satechi says is "whisper quiet" for optimal performance during heavy workloads.

The CubeDock supports up to three 8K displays with 60Hz refresh rates on Windows PCs, or two 6K 60Hz displays on Macs. Multiple 4K displays with high refresh rates are supported as well.

Satechi is also debuting a new Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable that supports 80Gb/s bidirectional data transfer, 240W power delivery, and dual 8K 60Hz displays.

The Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock can be pre-ordered from Satechi for $400, and it is set to ship in the first quarter of 2026. The Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable is available now for $40.
This article, "CES 2026: Satechi Launches Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Music took a big leap forward this year in iOS 26, adding a bunch of new features, three of which have quickly become some of my favorite additions in years.

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Joining a fresh batch of new reveals at CES 2026 you can find right here, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break has some new discounts to scope out as well. Firstly, we are looking at up to $620 off the original price on iPhone 16 Pro units at Amazon alongside even deeper deals on iPad mini at $110 off. Those offers also join Apple Watch Ultra 2 models at up to $250 off, a new Amazon all-time low on Apple’s latest black Trail Loop in size medium/large, and deals on the latest Beats Powerbeats Fit. Scope it all out below. 

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Apple has historically resisted the idea of touchscreen MacBooks, arguing that laptop PCs with the feature are unwieldy and far from ergonomic. But recent reports suggest Apple has changed its tune, and the company is now rumored to be developing a touchscreen MacBook Pro. In the meantime, startup Intricuit has been showcasing its own solution at CES 2026 that brings touchscreen functionality to existing MacBooks with Apple silicon.


The Magic Screen is a snap-on digitizer that aligns to your MacBook's display using the built-in magnets that let your Mac know when the lid is closed to trigger sleep mode. After connecting it via a single USB-C cable, the tempered glass layer supports the gamut of gestures we've come to associate with smartphones – tapping, swiping, and zooming with your fingers directly on the screen.

In a nod to the iPad and Apple Pencil, the Magic Screen also comes with its own stylus that supports pressure sensitivity and stylus hover for drawing, writing, manipulating objects, and navigation. The company has shown off the touchscreen in action with apps like SketchUp, Miro, and Resolume Arena. It also supports iPhone Mirroring, allowing you to interact with iOS apps on your MacBook display with your fingers.

The Magic Screen includes a built-in battery that Intricuit says works for up to 100 hours on a single charge, and it comes with a Folio Case that also folds into a stand that braces against the MacBook screen to reduce wobble. When removed from the MacBook display, the device also doubles as a standalone drawing tablet.

As for Apple's plans, a report by industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests the company's first OLED MacBook Pro will feature a touchscreen display. Kuo made the remarks in September 2025, and the claim has since been corroborated by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who added that the touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro will retain a full trackpad and keyboard.

According to Kuo, the OLED panel will use on-cell touch technology, which integrates the touch sensors directly into the display panel's top layer (the "cell") rather than requiring a separate, dedicated touch layer like the Magic Screen. The analyst added that the shift "appears to reflect Apple's long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience."

• M6 MacBook Pro: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

The reports suggest Apple is aiming to launch its first touchscreen MacBook Pro as soon as late 2026 or early 2027. Meanwhile, Intricuit says the Magic Screen is compatible with all MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models powered by Apple silicon, and that it will soon be available on Kickstarter, with shipping on track to begin in the first quarter of this year. Does the idea of a touchscreen display on a Mac appeal to you? Let us know in the comments.
This article, "CES 2026: Snap-On Accessory Adds Touch Display to Your MacBook" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple devices with a ‘Pro’ designation offer more features at a higher cost, and that’s exactly what’s expected with this year’s higher-end AirPods Pro 3 model that’s coming. Here’s the rumored price.

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As part of CES 2026 this week, Eve has launched the Eve Thermostat, a new Matter-enabled smart thermostat with a minimalist design. With Matter and Thread connectivity, you can control it via the Eve app or with HomeKit and the Apple Home app.

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