CES stands as an evergreen stage globally for what is to come—a sprawling exhibition of the next generation of consumer technology. But this year, the event represents more than another round of hardware development. At CES 2026 this week, the lines defining those boundaries are being crossed. The industry is no longer simply refining screens; it is constructing technology that enhances our reality rather than detracting from it.
Knowing the signal in the noise is key, however, given the volume of what is on display in Las Vegas this week.
We have pinpointed the programming that supports the trailblazers in the space and the key topics (XR, Wearables, AI, Smart Glasses, Fashion, & more) that determine how we apply "Strategy + Aesthetics" to guide our partners in retail, luxury, manufacturing, healthcare, and enterprise technology…
A New Primary Interface
The expansion from handheld devices to head-worn utility is perhaps the most significant form-factor evolution since the introduction of smartphones. We are heading toward an era of "Face Computing" (bad name) interfaces that are persistent, contextual, and hands-free.
Recommended Session:
Smart Glasses: Is the Future Face Computing?
Thursday, Jan 8 | 9:00 AM
LVCC, West Level 2, W218
Speakers: Kelly Ingham (Meta), Tim Bajarin (Creative Strategies), Ralph Jodice Jr. (XREAL), and John Iaia (Lenovo)
This session presents a glimpse of the convergence of AR, AI, and wearable tech. It reinforces the insights we shared while speaking at the Meta Wearables Community Summit and our recent participation at the United XR conference in Brussels. These engagements have demonstrated to the global market that lightweight eyewear is a suitable canvas for brand storytelling and daily purposeful use.
Agentic AI and the Proactive Partner
Where Generative AI defined 2025, Agentic AI will shape 2026—systems capable of working as agents that do not merely feed content but actually run complicated workflows. This technology resides at the back end, bringing intelligence to the fore only when there is a need to eliminate friction from constant input.
Recommended Session:
Thursday, Jan 8 | 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM
Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4302
Speakers: Walter Greenleaf, PhD (Stanford University), Kia Nazarpour (Neuranics), Resh Sidhu (Snap Inc.), Wayne Tung (SUITX by Ottobock), and Swapnil Vats (Noise)
This session moves beyond passive tracking to proactive "superpowers." It is critical for our Mobile Engineering practice as we explore on-device intelligence that decreases latency and increases privacy—vital for our partners in Finance and Health.
Inclusive Innovation
True innovation doesn't just advance technology; it expands human capability. We are tracking how the convergence of AI and wearables is being used to dismantle barriers and create more accessible digital experiences for everyone.
Recommended Session:
Unlocking Human Potential, presented by Meta
Wednesday, Jan 7 | 11:40 AM
Venetian Expo, Level 2, Accessibility Stage
Speakers: Marc Bourget, Stephanie Naufel, Agustya Mehta, and Fan Zhang (Meta)
Bio-Integration and Body-Based Tech
The "metaverse" is often discussed as a virtual place, but its most immediate utility is biological. We are seeing a move toward devices that integrate more deeply with human physiology to guide decision-making.
Recommended Session:
Thursday, Jan 8 | 11:00 AM - 11:40 AM
Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4302
Speakers: LaKisha Greenwade (Wearable Tech Ventures), Ramses Alcaide (Neurable), Michael Hampden (Sandbox VR), Malay Kundu (Viziverse AI), Dr. Steven LeBoeuf (Quellios), and Meredith Perry (Elemind)
This panel bridges the gap between digital health and consumer utility, exploring how rings, glasses, and earbuds are transforming our bodies.
Strategy + Aesthetics: Fashion Meets Function
For our luxury and retail clients, the challenge is no longer just connectivity, but desirability. The "Strategy + Aesthetics" philosophy is exemplified when technology becomes something we want to wear, not just something we have to.
Recommended Session:
Fashion Meets Function: The Next Generation of Smart Apparel
Thursday, Jan 8 | 10:00 AM - 10:40 AM
Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4302
Speakers: Cathy Hackl (Tech Futurist), Clare Tattersall (Digital Fashion Week), Yanie Durocher (Nuvatech), Joshua To (Meta), and Maeve Wang (IAMBIC)
This session explores the seamless blend of advanced functionality with adaptive comfort, a key focus for our work in the luxury sector.
The XR Edge and Spatial Utility in Enterprise
The "metaverse" has all but canceled the hype and landed in high-value industrial applications. This sentiment was echoed by L+R Co-founder Alex Levin’s recent insights in Training Magazine, examining how Spatial Computing can be utilized by professionals to develop workforce skills.
Recommended Session:
The XR Edge: Driving Business Innovation with Spatial Computing
Thursday, Jan 8 | 11:00 AM
LVCC, West Level 2, W218
Speakers: Charlie Fink (Forbes), Toshiyuki Suzuki (Sony), Damien Tuleu (EMD Electronics), and Kristi Woolsey (BCG)
We are closely monitoring this session as it addresses where moving beyond the rectangle delivers measurable ROI. This focus is central to our own Emerging Technology Accelerator Program (ETAP), where we help partners simulate factories and infrastructure before they are built.
Community Spotlight on Story
We also suggest connecting with our friends at Story. We started our relationship with their team last year at WWDC, and we have since integrated their Apple Vision Pro application into our own internal workflows.
Story is reshaping the creative toolkit for this new world, offering a service that enables users to orchestrate spatial experiences—combining 3D models, media, and interactivity—without writing code. It is exactly the democratizing tool brands will need to transition from the 2D screen to a fully immersive web
About CES 2026
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the most powerful tech event in the world—the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, it is the only trade show that showcases the entire tech landscape at one event. For 2026, the exhibition focuses heavily on the convergence of AI, robotics, and human-centric design.
Learn more about the conference
A Future Without Boundaries
The innovations on the exhibition floor of CES 2026 tell us that the future of technology is not better screens, but better living. It is about interfaces that take us closer to life and the world we are in, rather than pulling us away from it.
As the industry investigates these facilities, we are focused not on a single question of novelty, but on utility. How can we utilize these infinite technologies to create value for business right now?
