The Vergecast Live at CES 2026: What is the point of a robot that falls over?

CES 2026: When the focus shifts from futuristic gadgets to old tech, and robot vacuums are just the beginning.

This year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was a peculiar one. Gone were the days of hyping up the latest futuristic TVs and cars that promised to revolutionize our lives. Instead, what dominated CES 2026 was an interesting assortment of ideas for old gadgets. Amidst all the cutting-edge tech on display, it felt as if we're still waiting for software to catch up with hardware.

The latest episode of The Vergecast, recorded live at the Brooklyn Bowl in Vegas, delves into some of the big stories from this year's show. Hosts David Pierce and Nilay Patel sat down to discuss a wide range of topics, including robots that can't seem to stand up on their own two feet. It seems like companies are suddenly churning out an array of products across various industries.

There were also robot vacuums galore in the convention center, rows upon rows of them vying for our attention. But amidst all this, it's easy to miss the real story โ€“ what technologies truly matter and how they might shape our lives in the year ahead.

In this episode, David Pierce and Nilay Patel share some insights from their time at CES 2026. They explore ideas about PCs that are a little unconventional, battery life improvements, and other major trends. If you're interested in learning more about what happened at CES this year and how it might impact the tech industry, now is the perfect opportunity.

To get started with everything discussed on this episode, check out these links to our CES coverage โ€“ they've got all the details for those who missed out or want a refresher.
 
I was kinda surprised by what I saw at CES 2026, you know? I mean, everyone's always hyping up the latest and greatest tech, but this year it felt like they were just re-releasing old stuff with a fresh coat of paint. Like, robot vacuums everywhere! I swear, I've got one at home that can't even clean my own carpet lol ๐Ÿคฃ

But seriously though, I think companies are trying to make us believe these old gadgets are all the rage again. And honestly, it feels like they're just trying to get rid of some old stock or something. Like, who thought robot vacuums were a good idea? ๐Ÿšฎ They're just gonna bump into things and mess up your floor.

I'm more interested in what's actually coming down the pipe, you know? Like those weird PCs that run on nothing but air and magic or whatever. Sounds like science fiction to me! ๐Ÿ’ซ Or how about better battery life? That sounds way more exciting to me than some robot vacuum that's just gonna sit there all day doing nothing.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is, let's not get too distracted by the old stuff and focus on what's actually important. CES 2026 might have been weird, but it's still a good reminder that tech is always evolving and there's always something new on the horizon ๐ŸŒŠ
 
I'm kinda underwhelmed by the wholeCES 2026 vibe, you know? Like, robots that can't even stand up straight... ๐Ÿค– it just feels like we're still playing catch-up when it comes to tech advancements. And don't get me wrong, I love a good robot vacuum as much as the next person ๐Ÿ˜‚, but what about all the other innovations that could've been showcased? It's like companies are focusing on filling gaps in existing tech rather than pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

I mean, where's the innovation in incremental updates to battery life or PCs that are just...fine? ๐Ÿค” Where's the excitement? The real stories about CES 2026 aren't getting enough attention, if you ask me. I want to know more about the game-changers โ€“ the technologies that could genuinely disrupt our lives and make a meaningful impact.

I guess what I'm saying is, yeah, robot vacuums are cool and all ๐Ÿค–, but let's not get too distracted from the bigger picture, right? ๐Ÿ‘€
 
๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ˜‚ robot vacuums are taking over ๐Ÿคฏ! ๐Ÿ’จ
[Image of a person getting swept away by a robot vacuum]

๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿ“ฆ PCs that are kinda weird, but I guess that's the future now ๐Ÿคช!
[GIF of a computer with a wonky screen]

๐Ÿ”‹๐Ÿ’ก battery life improvements? more like battery life "still kinda dead" ๐Ÿ˜ด
[Image of a phone with a 1% battery]

๐Ÿš€๐Ÿ’จ what matters is that robot vacuums are coming for us all ๐Ÿคฃ!
[Video of a robot vacuum chasing its owner]
 
I'm totally over the whole futuristic gadget thing right now ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ’ป. I mean, don't get me wrong, robots that can barely stand on their own are kinda funny ๐Ÿคฃ. But let's be real, how many of us actually need a robot vacuum that's like 5 inches tall? ๐Ÿ˜‚ I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a phone case that doubles as a portable charger... that's the kind of innovation I'm hyped about ๐Ÿ”‹.

It feels like we're stuck in this perpetual loop where software catches up, then hardware comes along and steals the show ๐Ÿ”„. I mean, PC manufacturers are finally starting to offer some sick upgrades (I'm looking at you, custom cooling systems ๐Ÿ’ป), but it's still all about the hype around new TVs and cars that might or might not change our lives ๐Ÿš—.

Anyway, if you wanna know what really went down at CES this year, I'd give The Vergecast a listen ๐Ÿ‘‚. David Pierce and Nilay Patel have got some juicy insights on everything from battery life to unconventional PC designs ๐Ÿ”.
 
CES 2026 was kinda weird, you know? I mean, instead of hyping up new futuristic stuff, it felt like we're still waiting for software to catch up with hardware lol ๐Ÿ˜‚. Robot vacuums were EVERYWHERE ๐Ÿค–, but like, why can't they just make one that actually stands on its own two feet? ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™€๏ธ

Anyway, I'm glad The Vergecast covered the whole thing, 'cause it's always interesting to see what companies are working on. From PCs that don't require a wall outlet โšก๏ธ to battery life improvements, there's some cool stuff out there.

I think what's missing is the real focus on tech that'll actually change our lives ๐Ÿค”. But hey, maybe that's just me being too cynical ๐Ÿ˜. Either way, if you want to know more about CES 2026 and what it means for the future of tech, I'd definitely check out their coverage ๐Ÿ‘
 
CES 2026 was like watching a bunch of old guys trying to be cool again ๐Ÿคฃ... I mean, where's the innovation? It feels like tech companies are just rehashing what we already know and figured out years ago ๐Ÿšฎ. Robot vacuums? Come on! Who thought that was a big deal? ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ Don't get me wrong, I love my Roomba as much as the next guy, but it's not exactly revolutionary tech. PC designs are getting more weird... like what's with all the watercooler-style PCs again? ๐Ÿ˜ด Are we really waiting for someone to invent a new type of keyboard? ๐Ÿค”
 
CES 2026 was like... what's old is new again ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ I mean, robot vacuums took center stage, but honestly, it felt kinda weird seeing them instead of some fancy new gadget that's gonna change everything. Like, we already have smartphones and laptops, when are our phones gonna upgrade to actual brain-computer interfaces? ๐Ÿ˜‚ Still, I guess it's good to see innovation in all areas โ€“ robot vacuums for the masses! ๐Ÿ’ป Also, I'm kinda intrigued by these unconventional PCs... sounds like they're trying to mix things up, so that's cool, I guess.
 
ugh, robot vacuums? really? they're literally just... cleaning up after us ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ like what's next? robot mops that can't even reach the toilet?! i mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool and all, but is this really what we need to be hyping about? shouldn't we be talking about something a bit more... substantial? like how are we gonna power these things? or make them efficient enough not to waste electricity? ๐Ÿค”
 
CES 2026 is like, totally weird right? I mean, robot vacuums everywhere... ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ’จ I'm not mad about it tho, coz vacuuming just got easier and more efficient! But what's trippy is how companies are bringing back old tech and giving them a modern twist. Like, we're still waiting for software to catch up with hardware lol.

I think this might be the future of innovation - taking what already exists and making it better. Not always the flashiest thing but if it works, right? So, even tho it's not as sexy as a new futuristic gadget, I'm stoked about the robot vacs & all the other old-school tech reboots. Can't wait to see how this trend plays out in 2026! ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿ’ป
 
So I think what's weird about CES right now is how much emphasis is being placed on reviving old tech and just... incrementally improving it ๐Ÿค”. Like, yeah, we need better battery life and more convenient products, but shouldn't that be our expectation every year? It feels like companies are playing catch-up rather than pushing the boundaries of innovation.

And can we talk about how robot vacuums were literally EVERYWHERE at CES 2026? ๐Ÿ˜‚ I mean, don't get me wrong, they're a neat little gadget and all, but is this really what's supposed to be at the forefront of our conversation about tech advancements? It just feels like we're stuck in a bit of a rut.
 
๐Ÿค” i'm kinda surprised by what's hot at ces 2026... robot vacuums seem like they should be last year's thing ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿ’ป instead of these new gadgets that are, well, not so new after all ๐Ÿ˜‚ what's next? are we gonna see revivals of old phones or something? ๐Ÿ“ฑ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ
 
I'm kinda loving that the tech world has finally realized that old tech can still be awesome ๐Ÿ˜Ž. I mean, robot vacuums are actually pretty cool now ๐Ÿค–. They're not just some gimmicky product but actual helpful devices that make our lives easier. And let's be real, who needs a super high-end TV when you've got a decent one from 5 years ago that still performs well? ๐Ÿ“บ

I think this shift in focus is necessary. We can't keep chasing after the next 'latest and greatest' thing every 2 seconds. It's refreshing to see companies exploring more practical applications of tech rather than just trying to make a quick buck ๐Ÿ’ธ.

Plus, it's not like we're going to see major breakthroughs in AI or anything revolutionary tomorrow ๐Ÿค–. Software still has to catch up with hardware, as they say. So, let's enjoy these little updates and innovations before they become the norm ๐Ÿ”.
 
I'm loving how CES 2026 is shifting the focus from super futuristic stuff to like, actually fixing some old tech ๐Ÿค–. I mean, robot vacuums are just the beginning, right? ๐Ÿงน It's about time someone gave those things some love. And PC makers are finally innovating instead of just playing catch-up with hardware ๐Ÿ”ฅ. Battery life improvements? Yeah, that's music to my ears! ๐Ÿ’ป Can't wait to see what other game-changers come out of this year's show...
 
idk why ppl are so hyped about new gadgets rn ๐Ÿค” CES 2026 was all about old tech tho! Robot vacuums were everywhere lol. can we just get some decent battery life improvements on our phones already? like, is it too much to ask for a full day of use without having to plug in ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿ‘Ž
 
omg u guyz 1st of all i am SOOOO hyped about ces 2026!! ๐Ÿคฉ i was expecting more futuristic gadgets but i guess companies are just starting to realize that software is where it's at! ๐Ÿ˜‚ those robot vacuums though? like, why did they need so many of them?! ๐Ÿคฃ seriously tho, i'm low-key excited to see what kinda innovations come out of this. batteries getting longer lifespans and pc upgrades that aren't just about processors? that's more my speed ๐Ÿ’ป
 
I gotta say, I'm kinda stoked about all the robot vacuums at CES 2026 ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ’จ! I mean, we all know that household chores aren't exactly the most exciting things to look forward to, but with tech advancing like this, maybe they'll become way more efficient and fun? Like, can you imagine having a vacuum that's as cool as a drone? ๐Ÿ˜Ž It might not be the sexiest gadget out there, but it's definitely one of those "aha" moments where you think, "Oh yeah, this is gonna make life better!" ๐Ÿ’ก Plus, I'm all about the battery life upgrades โ€“ if we can get our devices to last longer on a single charge, that's just more time for us to do the things we love! ๐Ÿ“ฑ๐Ÿ’ป
 
I THINK IT'S TIME WE FOCUS ON MAKING THOSE OLD GADGETS WORK BETTER INSTEAD OF JUST MAKING NEW ONES ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ’ป! I MEAN, ROBOT VACUUMS ARE COOL AND ALL, BUT WHEN WERE THEY GOING TO START SUCKING UP THE FLOOR LIKE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿ˜‚. IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THE HARDWARE TO CATCH UP WITH THE SOFTWARE, YOU KNOW?
 
๐Ÿค–โ€โ™‚๏ธ I'm kinda stoked to see companies investing in old tech like robot vacuums ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿ’จ! It's not just about novelty, but also about making our daily lives easier ๐Ÿ“ˆ. And you know what's even more fascinating? The focus on battery life improvements ๐Ÿ“Š๐Ÿ”‹ - we need better efficiency if we wanna reduce waste and minimize e-waste ๐Ÿ’ก. But honestly, I'd love to see more innovation in AI and its practical applications ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ’ป... anyway, give this episode a watch ๐Ÿ‘€!
 
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